The expression A success breeds success@ was never more true in our case because we were given the opportunity to represent South Africa at the Taipei International Marching Band Festival.  As a result an enormous amount of work was put in preparing for our departure at the beginning of March 1994.  A circular letter sent to the parents just prior to our departure read in part as follows:@ ....your son/daughter is about to depart on an overseas trip which is the sort of experience that only dreams are made of.  Not only will they be going overseas, but also they will be going with people with whom they have become close friends...... if ever there was a group of youngsters who deserved something special, then this is the group.  They have worked extremely hard and selflessly.  If at times they did not feel like working, they have kept their silence.....@ For all of us it was a new experience.  Logistically an enormous amount of preparation had to be done. The instruments, uniforms and related gear weighed just short of one ton.

Our first stop over was in Hong Kong where we stayed in Kowloon.  For the majority of the members of the band this was their first taste of overseas travel.  It is a short flight to Taiwan but the contrast between the two places is extreme.  Not being able to communicate with the locals in English made for some very amusing experiences.

  Whereas we had been able to get hold of Western foods in Hong Kong , it was virtually impossible to do so in Taiwan. That notwithstanding, once in Taipei we were in the hands of the Pacific Cultural Association and they really treated us very well indeed. We were accommodated free of charge in a convention centre in central Taipei.  It was a new and interesting experience for all of us to be immersed in Chinese culture in this way.  Those students who were unused to using chop sticks learnt extremely quickly given that they were the only eating utensils available.  We were taken on tours to many places of interest. The day spent at the Ching-Mei Girls High School was particularly interesting. The blonde haired, blue eyed male band members were very much in demand for photographs by the Chinese girls.  There were a large number of marching bands from all over the world and it is safe to say that we gave a very good account of ourselves.  It was of course extremely interesting to compare styles of music as wel as formations.  We were given many souvenirs to take home with us.  Many friends were made and the tour to Taiwan left an indelible impression on all of us.  We couldn=t have been treated better. It must also be placed on record that Cathay Pacific Airlines went out of their way to help us.