Hello people, this is not a private blog anymore. Due overwhelming public demands, I have no choice but to open this blog to all. However, you can only read this blog and comments are subject to moderations. So, I hope you enjoy reading my journal in this blog. xoxo
This is the last day of my 42 days trip.Various kind of feelings gathered in mind. Glad to go home, sad to leave Wuhan.
Memories of the 42 days flashing in my head.
Bus left Hai Yi Lou at 12noon. We reached the Wuhan Airport in just 1 hour. That 1 hour is extraordinarily fast, we were upset that we reached the airport so quickly. Alicia's bag broke down and we went for a strapping service. However, her bag still broke even bigger hole that we have no choice but to put it in a box upon reaching GuangZhou airport. Strapping service is $10 RMB while box service is $25 RMB. I think the pricing is fairly reasonable.
Reached Singapore Changi T1 at around 11pm. Went to buy duty free alcohol. Bought DOM for my sister. After that, I collected my luggage at the belt then I went home. Was actually wanted to wait for the rest but I saw my sister already standing outside the gate, and the rest seems to be quite slow, so I went off myself.
Good luck and take care my buddies. It's definitely an excellent experience being with all of you.
Today is the graduation day. Before the ceremony, me baohui followed Mr Wee to the massage place. Bh wanted to buy the fire bottle for her mother. I accompanied her to the shop as I also wanted to get my PM shirt from Hua Luo Li, which is quite convinient to go if I'm making a loop.
Upon reaching the shop, I found that they brought me a wrong design. I wanted to buy a big stripe but they got me a small 1. So, I rejected the offer and asked for changes. They told me that they will get me another one.
Before we actually left for the massage place together, I actually woke up at 8am to online and Mr Wee asked me to prepare a speech for the ceremony. As the notice was made official verbally, I then started to work on my speech. So, I spent 30 minutes working on the draftbefore going out and another 1 hour to process the speech after we came back.
On the way back, we saw Jw and E were doing survey with local students at the basketball court. That was so unexpected. Eileen was underdressed and I told her about it. I hope she understands what I trying to tell her. At least, please try to dress properly to show some respect to the people you going to survey, right?
The closing ceremony was at 2pm. I didn't expect the ceremony to be like that. A conference room, everyone sitting down, no stage, no mic. As I prepared my speech in the way like "standing on a stage, using a mic and talking to a mass of 20 people + lecturers", I modified my speech a little bit and skipped some sentences. I also have to remember all the directors, professors and lecturers name, as that was my first time to meet them, and all due respect, I have to greet them first in my speech.
This was my speech for the day (full-length, complete, uncompressed).
After the ceremony, we had an appointment with Teppanyaki boss to eat at her restaurant. Enjoyed our meal, and she topped up with noodles, small lobsters, and goose livers. Free of charge. Ehem...
After the teppanyaki meal, we cab to Chicony to have another dinner with Mr Wee. It was in a big restaurant and the food was nice. Too bad and we're sorry and guilty that couldn't eat much because we ate too much in the teppanyaki place. :(
Cabbed home and started the actual packing exercise. Eileen came and seek for help as she doesn't know how to pack her bag. Ahaa. Everyone was so worried about having overweight luggage! The maximum we can take is 30kg. Some of their bag is so much larger than mine!
Woke up early in the morning, around 9 something. We decided to go to Hua Luo Li to purchase some shirts with our leftover money. Yes, we are going to spend all our money so that our wallet can get thinner and it saves space.
Jianwen brought the shirt he bought few days ago for some exchange as the shirt if full of typing errors. Me and teeyong were tempted to get the ralph lauren polo shirt as jianwen bought himself one few days ago. The quality was so nice that you can hardly detect the minor tweaks made on the logo.
Shopped around the mall, this was the longest time we spent in the Hua Luo Li mall. Now I realise why the girls can spend hours shopping in that mall. Choose, try, change, choose again, try again, and buy. "If you like it, just try it, it's ok if you are not buying", the salesperson said.
I bought myself a yellow ralph lauren and I was tempted to buy another Paul Smith polo. An orange and black stripe shirt. It was so nice but sadly my size is not available. So, the salesperson promised to bring a larger size to me next day. I'm happy with the service she offered so I am going to go to the mall again next day.
After much shopping, we had our lunch first time in the Hua Luo Li mall. Ordered 宫爆鸡丁, the waiting time was terrible. I thought I have been waited for more than 20 minutes. The food was nice except that the pepper were so much that once you bite it, you're so dead. After the lunch, we continue our shopping and kuan/teeyong bought gucci jeans.
We actually took tram to the Hua Luo Li from Opposite Campus. It was one RMB and we assumed that the price is ok for the distance and scenery we could enjoy during the ride. It shortens our travel from 30 minutes walking time to about 10 minutes sight-seeing-ride. When we're done with our shopping, it was raining. We shared umbrella and went back to the waiting place to wait for the tram to come.
Upon reaching hostel, I am not determined to pack my luggage yet. Being a frequent traveller, it's way too early for me to pack my bag today. Perhaps I shall pack my bag on the next day.
We were planning to go to Chicony to have our jap food again, but we failed to book a seat there. So, we changed our plan to eat at Houcaller. For a few reasons, me and teeyong didn't join the group to eat at Houcaller, but have our dinner at the fast food stall in campus.
Chit-chatted and ton together after the group came back from dinner. I was told unofficially that I am going to give a speech next day for the graduation ceremony. I'm proud, glad and I seriously thought that it was my pleasure to represent the 20 of us to reflect and share our experience at the closing ceremony. However, before any officialy notice from Mr Wee, I didn't work on my speech.
Went to HanKou today. Woke up quite late in the morning, near to noon already. I just grabbed any available food in my unit and considered it as a breakfast. After much discussion, we set to go to Si Men Kou -> Han Kou today.
There're 13 of us, excluding Lizhen, as she went to meet her friend somewhere else, but she joined us later in Hankou.
Our initial plan was to take public transport as it will be more budget and economic, but everyone seem to be richer as they had just got their money from the ATM mass withdrawal with Mr Wee. So, we tried to catch a Hippo car to Si Men Kou. No luck, 7 of us got into a hippo for 50rmb, while the 6 of the rest have no choice but to take cab, 3-3. The fee was $36 rmb, which is $12 each, quite expansive :(
We had oyster, RGM, Pee-ing Beef Balls, and some other small food. After the lunch, we walked and loitered around, Jianwen failed to end his spree again, as he bought another shirt. He simply just cannot resist the temptation to buy things. Shopaholic? We were to meet up at 3pm, but none showed up on time. When more people showed up, me teeyong eileen and xiujin became the pioneer group to be despatched to han kou. it was $28 as the driver took a longer route.
We reached too early, spent about 30 minutes waiting for others to come. It was raining quite heavily, luckily we brought umbrella. Lizhen also called and joined our squad. We started off by eating egg tarts. Then, we went to buy some shirt at XTEP. As we met at 7, the girls bought some shirts at extremely low price which that completely lured the guys to insane. We then decided to stay back hankou to have dinner and continue to shop. I bought 3 shirts, total $65 in 15 minutes in Metersbowne, lelong sales!
We then say to extend our meet up time to 930. As 930 approached, me teeyong lizhen and eileen left first as first batch. We were told that the rest only came at 1010pm! So... the punctuality problem?
Lizhen was too tired and slept in the cab, while me teeyong and eileen chatted. Went home, calculated some money issues, and everyone went home to sleep
Today is Eileen's birthday, and also an outing day.
Went to 4 places in total: Yellow crane tower, Beach, Zoo, and pass by the Piano concert hall
1. Yellow crane tower is an amazing place. The Yellow Crane Tower has a very long and complicated history. It was first built in 223, during the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280). Due to the ideal location, it was built by Sun Quan (182 - 252, King of Wu) as a watchtower for his army. After hundreds of years, its military function was gradually forgotten and the tower was enjoyed mainly as a picturesque location.
2. 汉阳江滩 - 大禹神话园 Wuhan Da Yu Legend Garden is part of the Han Yan Beach. Situated between Qing Chuan Ge and Wuhan Chang Jiang Bridge, the garden contains statues with the theme of Da Yu legend.
3. Wuhan Zoo Located at the bank of Moshuihu Lake, covering an area of 48 hectares, it is one of the eight largest zoos in China. With a beautiful natural environment and prominent efatures, it has more than three hundred species of wild rare animals. However, the zoo was not well-kept and I thought I did not see any zoo keeper around. People throwing biscuits to the animals in cage. One or two cranes were flying up, and walking on the visitors' pavement, but not in their living place. The place was dirty and smelly. Most of the animals are sleeping except for the peacocks, busy showing off their feathers. The most unforgettable memory was nothing but the 2 panda, which were sent to Wuhan Zoo after the Si Chuan earthquake last year.
4. Wuhan Qintai Grand Theater We did not stopped and tour the theater, but just pass by the place quite far away. Couldn't see much about the theater as trees were blocking and bus was moving fast, but after my online research, I found the theater is very grand and used for various international musical functions.
After the outing, we went to Chicony for a Japanese dinner. Each about 40RMB, which is less than 10 sgd! A very fulfilling and two-thumbs-up meal! I shall go back and eat again if there are chances, before we go back to Sg.
We then went home and went to Mustafa's place. Mustafa is the neighbour of Eileen. He's from Middle East and stays with a local guy call Xu Heng. Teeyong stunned people with his drumming skills, and Kuan also performed his guitar. I, know nothing about music intrument can only did my best by rapping Numb encore :D
It was getting late and the auntie came up and complained. We ended our jamming session at around 1130, then we sang birthday song to Eileen, shared the cake and left Mustafa's place.
Me and jianwen went to level3 after the party. Me, jw, carmen, eileen, bernice, xiujin and yankhee were there chit chatting. I learnt a new word "ton" , which means "stay overnight". We talking till about 3 something, then everyone get tired and we went home to sleep. We beered, we shared experience, we complained, and we had fun.
Due to insolvency, me and Kuan did not join the rest to go to Hankou.
In the afternoon, after lunch, I went to shop for my niece with xiujin. Bought 1 top and 1 bottom for her.
My lunch were with Kuan and some from level 3 & 4. The rest went out to continue their shopping spree.
As we decided earlier, everyone were to meet up at Houcaller to go to Mz Bro for dinner at 7pm. Without hesitation, me kuan xj alicia took bus to go to carrefour and reached there just on time. While me and wy's group were already there, we waited for the other girls.
Walked to the Mz restaurant, less good than what I have expected, but the food was ok. Quite budget too. About 12 rmb per person for a full-course-meal.
After dinner, I went to level3 to online. Had some mass conference online on how to celebrate eileen's birthday. So, at 1200am, we decided to go to her house and wish her. However, the angmo french showed up and scolded some of our people (I was the first one to leave and was not on the scene when he showed up). The story is too long to be mentioned so I guess I shall just skip it.
I then slept in my own room after our plan officially failed.
No more classes. Went to Chicony in the afternoon. As we have 14 people, we dispatched at different time. I went first with a few girls by bus. Budget trip. Amazingly, we found seats in the bus and it was somehow enjoying. My first bus ride in Wuhan. The trip was about 30 minutes. I regretted not taking bus earlier as I can save much money if I don't cab.
Had some light meals with the girls while waiting the others to come. Approximately half an hour later, everyone reached Chicony and we marched towards the Culture Street. The street was much off my expectations. It was a few rows of modern shophouses. Selling mini-items, soft toys, clothings, and cheap perfumes. My friends bought a few bottles of perfumes there but I didn't.
After walking and waiting here and there, the CEE went back to Chicony to have dinner. We made a firm decision to eat porridge at the Chicony food court. Some of the girls joined us, while the rest went to join Mr Wee and Jack's at the Japanese restaurant.
Went home to online @ level3 while counting down for E's birthday. "What the hell are you waiting for?!" and something happened.
Woke up early in the morning. We will be heading to 隆中, where the ancient hero 诸葛亮 Zhuge Liang lived. We had a really light, non-fulfilling breakfast. Just a few baos and some misc food. Zhuge Liang is one of my favourite heroes in the 3 Kingdom series. Walked and look around at the place he lived, we also climbed up 700stairs to see a pagoda.He was a great inventor, invented a lot of war and other useful items. He was also the most brilliant strategist in the 3 Kingdom era. After visiting the Zhuge Liang place, we went to have lunch nearby. Quite a nice meal and Mr Wee sponsored Coke & Sprite. Too bad, I prefer tea. Had a 6 hours journey back to Wuhan. Reached wuhan at 6 something but traffic jam as it was a peak hour, we reached home about 7 and went to Houcaller for dinner.
Alarm at 630am. Breakfast at 7. Left at 730 towards the Wudang Mountain bus station to transit to another kind of bus. It was a short distance from my hotel to the station, but we waited as long as 1 hour at the station there as there was some miscommunication between our travel agent and the ticket counter there. I was a bit frustated and disappointed with the service. Our tour guide seems did not do much on this case, and they just stand on a side, making some phone call once in 10 minutes or so. After that 1 hour of waiting time, we finally had the chance to board the bus from the terminal and went to another station - Prince Hill station to change another bus to the Cable car station. We will be taking cable car to the peak of the Wudang Mountain. I took the cable car with Kuan. It was a 2 person cable car, $115 each, return. A 25 minutes single-trip. The cable car was a bit old and I somehow feeling uncomfortable with it, but I am strong enough to endure the challange. Upon reaching the peak, we have to climb up a "few" stairs to get to the highest point of the mountain, which is also known as the Golden Roof aka 金顶 Nothing much but scenery and some meaningful stories/legends of the Gods at the Wudang Mountain. I was again dismay as I expect to see some Taoist/Taiji actions but in the end, I only saw those Taoist standing by the stall selling things, in the temple belling the bell, and at the entrance counting tickets. =S
After a visiting a few nice places at the peak of the mountain, we took the cable car down again. My return trip was with Baohui. Upon touching ground, we took another bus and went back to the Prince Hill station. Walked for about 10 minutes, we reached another place. The most interesting part of this trip is nothing else but the 1 column 12 beams. Being a CEE student, I will definitely feel guilty for not uploading the picture of the column. In pic, it was the 5th level in the building, which means, there are 3 more similar branches of beams out in the other levels. After the Prince Hill, we set off to the bus and had dinner at about 630pm. Not forgetting to tell you, we just had our "lunch" at 3pm as soon as we touched ground from the return trip of cable car. After the dinner, we went to 襄樊 (襄城+樊城), for the trip next day. This time, we stayed in a very good hotel, with free internet access! The speed was so amazing that it was faster than in Singapore. 600mb in 2 minutes, about 8mbyte per second! Me and Jianwen shared a same room. Kuan, Xiujin and Eileen came to my room and we chatted till about 2pm. Then, they went back to their own room and rest.
Set off to Wu Dang mountain. It was a long and winding journey. Approx 7 hours total journey, 435km.
We departed at 1pm. The bus driver was friendly. Our tour guide is 小黄 and the driver is 老黄. I am also 黄.
Nothing much on the bus journey, chit-chat, eat, games, songs and we were at the foot of Wudang Mountain. Had our dinner in the hotel.
It was a three-star hotel, quite nicely furbished. And the toilet look very nice. Much better than what I expected in such small town. However, some mistake on the sign board in the toilet. After dinner, we went to walk around the downtown of Wudang. Nothing much, really. There's this such street but all shops are closed, at around 830pm. Perhaps they open till evening only. A huge drain/open channel outside my hotel.
After the walk, people gather in my room to have some small chatting session. Played some mini games, people got tired and we dismissed. Next day, we will be waking up at 630am, to have breakfast at 7 and to get up to the Wudang Mountain!
I'm changing. Sleep later, wake up later. Is that the curse for sleeping with 4 other males?
Mass discussion in Msn, more than 10 participants actively giving suggestions and discussing where to go. After much debates, we concluded that we will be going to Chicony 群光广场. Agreed to meet up at 115pm, but Eileen was so slow that she was only ready at 130pm. :(
Chicony is somewhat a high-end place, selling branded stuff. A tshirt from Columbia is $499 rmb.
We had our lunch at around 3pm in Chicony food court. We ordered various food, and my porridge was the most outstanding 1. Althought it was abit expansive, $25, but is definately worth the price :D And there's a BreadTalk in chicony! We bought a sakae from Chicony.
Went to walk around at the Chicony mall, bought DVDs, and we went to papa Johns pizza for dinner. the dinner was not satisfying. Each of us have to pay $52 rmb, and I dont really feel full after eating. Too little pizzas! :( We had some kana-conned-and-scammed feeling.
Jackboon and group also went to Chicony and they had their dinner in a Japanese restaurant. From what they said, the food there is superb. I shall go and try before going back to Singapore!
The girls didn't join us for papa johns as they went to Cultural Street to shop. They bought plenty of items, and a few non-authentic branded perfumes.
Tomorrow I'll be leaving to Wudang. Packed my bag, didn't bring much clothes, I thought the weather will be cold so I brought my thick jacket.
Had my last PM lecture. Completed Chap 10 and Chap 11.
Will take my second common test, and project when we back to NP.
Also, this will be my last time to climb up 7 stairs to go for class. Shall I practise to climb 6 levels in NP too? Uh, no, I don't have class at level6.
After class, we stopped by the book stall and had a look. Jw Wy and Tc bought some books. All books are priced around 10 and 12 RMB.
W had our lunch at the school opposite. Bringal rice with egg.
Realising that most of the local food are oily and salty, I'd like to deduce that oil is cheaper than water, salt is cheaper than oil -.-
After lunch, Jw Wy and Tc went to take Jw's Jersey at Ma Jia Zhuang, while me ty and kuan went home. Online, chat, blog, watch Defiance, and had a nap from 4pm till late 7pm.
Had a home-cooked dinner. Fried egg, fried garlic, meat sauce, steam rice. Jw Ty and Me are the chef for the day. Also invited level3 and 4 to join us for the dinner. :)
Today is Jianwen's 18 and Kuna's 19 birthday. Getting older.
Had IS class early in the morning, 815am till about 11am. Went to Ma Jia Zhuang between the 4 hours break to check out some sports attire. Jianwen bought Barcelona Messi for $55 RMB. Full set shirt + shorts, with Nike logo and name. It was raining so heavily that we have no choice but to take cab back to Hua Luo Li Mall for lunch.
Taro pie returns and Banana pie unveils. The best pies in the world. 2 for $7. Accompanied by Spicy 猪宝宝 (mac pork). The $13 lunch was superb and fulfilling.
While waiting the time to creep away, we saw B and Lizhen came to Mcd. As Teck wanted to buy some shirts, Wy Jw and Kuna went with Teck. I do not have extra cash to spend and I highly doubted that there is nothing for me to buy there, I remain seated and chit-chatted with B and Li zhen. Went back to campus for another IS class. The class was conducted by a new lecturer, and that was her only lecturer. She is Huang laoshi. We walked and cheered while walking back to campus. B and Lizhen sprinted as we tried to overtake them.
Everywhere we go~ People want to know~ Who we are~ Where we come from~ cont.
also have mandarin version: 我们去到哪里 人家都要知道 我们是什么人 我们从哪里来 cont.
After class, we went home to sleep and the 6 Cee people went to carrefour for TEPanyaki again for dinner! 270+ rmb for 6 person. meal includes:
fish
beef
chicken
lamb
oyster
banana
mixed vege
发糕
黑糯米
unlimited rice
it was so cheap and budget. Approx 10sgd per person after conversion! We ate till we can hardly walk. Went home for birthday celebration. Played games together until 1200 and everyone went off to rest.
We went for a field trip in the afternoon after lunch. The site was quite near to our campus, about 15 minutes ride. The site is a new condominium residential area, with various good and unique features which can rarely be found in Singapore’s condo. The site has a car park basement. The basement can be separated into 4 compartments and doors connecting the 4 compartments can be closed at anytime during fire so prevent the fire from spreading out. The ventilation ducts are also fire-rated (able to withstand fire). I think the fire-resistance method they used is “Solid protection” which gives 0.5 hour to 4 hours fire resistance. There is a step-up staircase before entering the basement, because the staircase acts as a barrier, in case of any flood situation, water will not flow in directly into the basement. The door securing the basement is also fire-proof and explosion-resistance.
The buildings also feature Green Technology / Environmental Friendly. They have roof top garden and special outer wall to keep warm/prevent coldness for the building.
Upon entering the one of the units, there’s a open space between the door and the living room. This is for ventilation purpose and for relaxing purposes. Their toilet is 300mm below the floor level, as to fit in various sanitary parts. In the kitchen, there’s a special duct which can be installed with a hood that can sucks/vacuums out the unburned carbon monoxide expelled when cooking using LPG. In Kitchen and toilet, the ducts connecting to upper/lower floor are equipped with a fire-proof ring at both top and bottom of the ducts to prevent fire from spreading to adjacent units through the ducts. Also note that that lift in the building does not have “level 4”. Perhaps this is due to the Chinese belief that “4” is not a good number. (sounds like 死, die). There are 3 units every level but the corridor is somehow narrow. The building features a “scissors staircase”, which means there’re 2 staircases intercepting each other, allowing more people to use during emergency. The buildings have security features which are quite similar to Singapore’s.
One unit of the condo is about 800k RMB.
The site trip ended and we went back to hostel. Stopped by opposite campus to settle “lunch” at around 4pm. Went home, slept and dinner @ Houcaller again. This was the second day I ate there consecutively. Order another kind of steak, and I am lucky enough to have a double-yolk egg and my beef steak was somehow big and my spaghetti is quite a lot. As today is April 1st, which is the legendary April Fool day. The girls performed a stunning, brilliant, 2 thumbs up show. Actually, this was the very first April fool joke I have ever experienced in my life la. I used to have those mini jokes only, never such big-screen-drama.
Various kind of feelings gathered in mind. Glad to go home, sad to leave Wuhan.
