Day THIRTYFIVE - 7 April 2013

Today is the day we are going back to Singapore!! Our flight is at 3pm that we had to check out at 930am and leave the school by 11. In the morning, I went with DrTan and MsChuah for their breakfast and we continue our video. Then I went back to my own hostel to get ready for check out. I brought my luggage to the first floor and went to take photos with all my friends using my new camera. That includes pictures with DrTan, MsChuah and MrLee. We were really excited to get back to Singapore. We had our luggage moved to the bus and we went on an hour bus ride to the airport! We were early that we had to wait to check in our luggage. All of us were taking pictures at the airport while Dr Tan and Ms Chuah were doing the administration stuffs. While waiting we went to the shops and spent every RMB I had left. I used it that I left RMB1.60. We then check in our luggage and proceed on to board the plane. It was a 5 to 6 hours ride. I was getting bored in the plane that I went watching shows with my friends. I also went around giving food. During the flight, I was much recalling the times I had in the 5weeks!

 

In the first few weeks, we had fun with Dr Sujit, Ms Mikia and Mr Vincent at the Wudang Mountain and Red Cliff. We then had Dr Tan, Mr Lee and Ms Chuah at the one day Wuhan tour, strawberry picking farm and the Three Gorges Trip. I am very grateful to them for taking care of us, joking with us and hanging out with us as well as playing with us. We had two birthday surprises; one was for Dr Sujit and another one for Trevin. I have got to know more friends and got closer with the friends I known earlier. I have always been a burden to my roommates where I am like a little girl always processing in the brain, not in the situation, eating like a small child that drops a bit of food and dropping everything in my hands. Also, ever since I fell sick, I was being taken care of by them as if I was the youngest in the family. With my friends around, I am always a younger sister to Kenneth and Li Si with them always concerning about me. With Dr Tan and Ms Chuah around, I am the little girl being taken care by two very young mums. All of them gave me a nickname called Chiam Sai Princess. I was really having princess treatment with all of them taking care of me so a VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF ME IN THE FIVE WEEKS!

As we land on Singapore, we clapped and cheered in the plane as if we own the plane. Most of us was so excited and walked quickly to get our luggage. I was the fastest. I gave MsChuah, DrTan and some of the girls a hug and went off to meet my parents. With this, it marks the end of my Wuhan Trip. I am so going to miss the happy and sad but memorable times we had in Wuhan with all my friends and lecturers! LOVE ALL OF YOU! JJJ

Day THIRTYTHR33 & THIRTY4OUR - 5 & 6 April 2013

Counting down to two more days back in Singapore! Today I wake up early without any alarm or people waking me up. I guess this is because I am in relaxing mode. I went to check if any more people were awake and could go breakfast with me. Slowly, one by one was awake. Kenneth and I went to Jodie’s room. She was talking with Benjamin while PeiPei was sleeping. It was bad but fun that we went to wake PeiPei up. We mess with her blanket and Kenneth went sitting on her bed shaking it. We were totally awaken by all the disturb we create for them and having fun! It was a holiday for the local student because of QingMing festival that some shops were not open. We then went for breakfast for JaJiangMian (炸酱面) that was open at that time. In the afternoon, some of them went to another place in town to shop. I was told that the place was full of branded shops like Zara and the price were almost similar to Singapore. I was lucky that I did not go if not I would waste the time there. However, I can see that most of them had a great time shopping! After which at about 9pm, we went over to DrTan and MsChuah’s hostel to play games. We played bridge and a new game called saboteur. At about 930pm where the rest are all gathered, the place was noisy but we were having lots of fun. I stopped playing and went to watch video with Ms Chuah. The day ended where I sleep with MsChuah at her bed! J

Rise and Shine! Counting down to one more day back in Singapore! I wake up early as I had the full 8hours of sleep! J MsChuah made me milo for breakfast and we watched video together with DrTan. It was early and I know the rest have not waked up. Only at about 12noon, I went back to the hostel to bath and get ready for lunch at the steamboat restaurant. For the last time, we had our lunch at the Steamboat restaurant, the one which we eat it in two ways. We actually planned to go for karaoke session after lunch but we ended up shopping. I bought sunglasses and PEJOY to be brought back to Singapore. After which, we went back to pack our luggage. Many of us had a hard time with the weight and not the space of our luggage. DrTan actually bought a weighing machine for all of us to weigh the luggage. Lucky for me, my luggage was only 18.1kg. Many of my friends’ luggages were over 20kg. At night, we went to the street shops for the last time. We bought the food that we would miss the most after we are back in Singapore like the BBQ chicken wings and the crepe. After which, we went for shopping as many of us want to spend every RMB that we had left. Many of the street shop vendors recognizes us and knowing that we are leaving soon, they treat us friendly and gave us a little more discount. After that, I went back first as I am going to teachers’ hostel to sleep again! (SORRY DRTAN AND MSCHUAH FOR BEING A BURDEN!) But before I sleep, I watch some videos with them. I was sleepy during the second video that we watched and they stopped it to let me have my sleep! I really felt that I was being taken care by two really young mums! I had a great night sleep with Dr Tan, which I hope she and Ms Chuah did! J

Day THIRTYTWO - 4 April 2013

Counting down to three more days back in Singapore! In the afternoon, we had our test for Forensic Science. It was a hard paper though. After the test, we decided to go town to shop. Once again, I see how the locals shop in town. They would bargain at everything they want to buy and they would always stare at us as we speak English or judging us as we walk around the shop and bought nothing from them. So for me, I bought a film camera as it was cheap and I thought of getting it for my sister since she wants it long ago. On a second thought, I used it myself to take pictures here before I go back Singapore to leave some memories. I bought a film and used it the next day with all the lights. I had Benjamin and Jodie to teach me how to operate it. Then, for dinner, we had western food again. This time, the western food we had was not as good as it was the first time we had it. Firstly, the food was not as good as the first time we had. Then, the service was not good, we had to take our own utensils and our orders are mixed up easily. Although it was disappointing, I believe all of us had fun shopping in the relax mode as exams were over! At night, I went over to watch drama with Kenneth, WenKai and HaoYi at the guys’ room. The day ended where I fell asleep at Kenneth’s bed. J
*Will upload the pictures taken by new camera after i develope it!*

Day THIRTYONE - 3 April 2013

Counting down to 4more days back in Singapore! Today we had our last IS lesson on Business Development. Our teacher taught us a few business skills. I was still in recovery mode that nothing the teacher taught went in my mind. I was quite worried for my test the next day as well. I was feeling cold again that Li Si gave me her jacket. We also had a little ceremony where the Director of the Foreign Language School gave each of us a certificate of honor. Looking at the certificate, I know that we already had 4 weeks in Wuhan and our trip is coming to an end in a few more days. I just want to thank the local teachers and students for being a great host to us and allowing us to learn their culture by making friends with us and trying to make us feel home in Wuhan. I have learned a lot more Chinese culture especially the history part where I like the Three Kingdoms most. Through all the IS lesson, I can understand better their culture and through the people in Wuhan, I understand their living style as being different from us in Singapore. Once again, thank you to all the teachers in Wuhan University of Technology. The day ended where I study for my test the next day. J

Day THIRTY - 2 April 2013

Counting down to 5 more days back in Singapore! Although I just recovered from my sickness, I was fit enough to do my Forensic Presentation in the morning. My group and I did on Fingerprint Analysis. We had activities. First activity is for them to check on their own fingerprints on the shape and characteristics as we explained. Secondly we had a mini Crime scene for them where they have to find whose fingerprint were on which object by using the techniques we taught them earlier on. Some took a longer time than the other but was completed in a great experience for them. After us, we had handwriting analysis presentation. I have learnt on how to check for handwriting by using tracing paper on my own. There is the dot and line method as well as the slant method. It was very interesting and unique as different people have different handwriting. We went for lunch after this. The last two presentations continued after lunch. We had the shoe prints analysis first. We could actually use simple items to get our shoe print like an alcohol spray, a paper and flour. It was fun. Lastly we had the blood splatter presentation. It was done by Joel’s group; as usual it was funny with all the acts. We did a few activities like identifying the various pattern of blood splatter. The day ended with Kenneth still taking care of me, watching my meals. Hope my appetite comes back soon! J

Day TWENTYSIX TO TWENTYNINE - 29 March 2013 to 1 April 2013

This weekend started late this time! Also, this weekend was no enjoyable for me! We are going to take a cruise to the Three Gorges Dam for the next 3Days 2Night.

On Friday, we set off to YiChang, the place where we will board the cruise. It was another long bus ride. We had lunch at a restaurant. I had DrTan and Ms Chuah to sit with me as the rest of them want to sabotage me by getting Samuel to sit with me. The six of us together with the two teachers finishes almost all the dishes! So proud of it! After our lunch and just before we board the bus, we pass by a mini playground where there are children playing. We said hi to them and try talking to them. They were quite cute and look at us as we wave to them. After that, we set off to change to the smaller bus to get to the port to board the cruise. We were told that it is a 4-star cruise and that a 4-star cruise is much different from a 4-star hotel. As being told that, we did not expect much from the cruise.

However as we were proceeding to the place to change our bus, I had a serious headache. I thought it was just motion sickness and hence rest a while. As we were changing bus, I felt worse and cold. My friends gave me their jackets but were not enough to keep me warm. MY SICKNESS HAS ARRIVED!

In the next two days, I was sick all along, of course getting better each day. In these two days, thanks a lot for all the concern that you guys gave me.

Firstly, thank you Ms Chuah for giving me your gloves to keep me warm, fanning me for two hours when I was asleep and the rest was not on board that you sacrifice not going to tour the BaiDi Cheng, making me hot drinks after I was awake, taking care of me and cooking porridge for me after the trip.

Secondly, thank you Dr Tan for giving me your scarf to keep me warm, also making drinks for me to take with my medicine, checking on me while I was asleep and being my personal doctor!

Third, thank you Mr Lee for the concerns for me every day by asking if I was okay!

Next, I want to give a big thank you to Kenneth and Li Si. Thank you Kenneth for taking care of me, staying up the whole night to check on me, waking me up to ask me drink water and go to the toilet, piggy-back me up the stairs, taking food for me and worrying for me for all the days when I was sick.

Thank you LiSi for buying all the stuffs like water that I needed badly when I was sick, wiping my sweat and tears for me, checking on me in the middle of night together with Kenneth, not having a good sleep with my loud breathe and sometimes snoring and worrying for me all day long.

Also, thank you PeiPei for feeding me dinner and helping me to wipe my body with cold water. Furthermore, thank you Jodie for helping to get hot water and feeding me lunch. Thank you Karize and YanWen for all the concern and laughter that make me felt better. Also, thank you Brandon and KangMing for checking on my sickness. Thank you Benjamin, WenKai, Wilson, HaoYi and Johanna for the concerns and entertainment that make me felt better. Thank you Trevin for the vitamin water, thank you the tour guide for the fruits, thank you to the rest for the concerns and blessings!

Through this sickness, I felt blessed and really a burden to the rest of the people around me, sacrificing their sleeping time to take care of me, hence giving all the thanks to them. After the Three Gorges Trip, I was sick for another day and gradually get well the subsequent days. Sad to say, while I was getting better, few more were falling sick. Brandon, Christine, Clarissa, Irfarnah were starting to get sick! Hope that they will get well as soon as possible!! J

Day TWENTY4OUR & TWENTY5IVE - 27, 28 March 2013

Yesterday we had our last Forensic lecture with Dr Tan, Crime Scene Investigations. She showed us videos that I find it interesting. I have always been interested in Forensic Science and hence all these videos and lessons interest me a lot! The whole day was normal that nothing special happened!

Today is so different. Brandon, KangMing, Li Si and I went for breakfast at two different canteens. There was no MianWo, which is one of the Wuhan specialties and hence we had other kind of dough for breakfast. I ate dough with fillings at the first canteen and second dough which is sweet at the second canteen. Kenneth came to join us later where he tried the sweet dough. We then slowly walked to our classroom as we had plenty of time left before the IS session starts.

We had Calligraphy and Tea Appreciation as part of our IS lesson. I had the calligraphy lesson first. The teacher is very skilled and showed us the different calligraphy style as well as a brief introduction of how calligraphy comes about. The teacher also teaches us the way of holding the brush and all us to practice. We had time to practice on the calligraphy where the teacher come along and give us some advice as we write. I had no problem with writing Chinese characters; the problem is I still not familiar with the way to hold the brush as the teacher had taught. This really shows how much patience and experience is needed to do a good calligraphy like the teacher does.

(PICTURE FROM JODIE)

Also, we asked Ms Chuah to show us how she writes her name in the calligraphy style. Surprisingly, Ms Chuah, HuiQi and I share the same ‘HUI’ in our name. We then jokes that we should just write our remaining name (Fang, Qi, Ting) beside the ‘HUI’ that Ms Chuah writes! Ms Chuah also helped Li Si to write her Chinese name. She is really good in this! J

After which, we continued with the Tea Appreciation. We were taught by a lady who specializes in tea. She taught us on how to make a good tea and the different types of tea like Red Tea and Black Tea. I also tried once on how to make the tea. It was a fun experience but definitely a new one that requires more practice!

(PICTURES FROM PRISCILLA)

After me, Joel and PeiPei also tried in making the tea. They did a great job as well and I believe they had fun doing that as seen from their smiles on their faces.

(PICTURES FROM PRISCILLA)

Though these two sessions, I learnt that in China there are still many people who follows the traditions like Calligraphy, Paper Cutting and Tea Appreciation. This really shows how long and deep the Chinese Traditions are in their heart. In Singapore with many races, it was hard to have such deep and long traditions as we are always adapting the new fashion. It is very rare in Singapore that people will do Calligraphy, Paper Cutting and Tea Appreciation.

To add on, we had our directors from NgeeAnn coming over to see us and view how we are doing in the IS sessions. They also tried in the Calligraphy (not sure about tea appreciation). After which, they went for lunch with Dr Tan, Ms Chuah and local teachers who taught us Calligraphy and Tea Appreciation. On the other side, we had to stay to pack up and lock the room as instructed to Kenneth by the teachers as he is the student leader. We then had our lunch and went back to prepare for our forensic presentation. I was tired and went to take a nap for 7hours. My friends wake me up as they bought dinner for me. i ate slowly like a small kid and went around looking at the rest of them packing. I went back to sleep again for another 10hours to the next morning! This had to be the longest time (17hours) that i slept since i come to Wuhan. J
*My friends all call me pig after i slept for so long*

Day TWENTYTHR33 - 26 March 2013

Today is the twenty-third day in Wuhan. We had our IS Presentation in the morning. I had listened to the other groups presenting and they were mostly discussing on the lifestyle in Wuhan comparing to Singaporeans’ lifestyle. There are many differences we can see such as the eating style and transportation. One obvious difference is that in Wuhan, the locals litter and spit anytime they want on the street while in Singapore, we will get fined if we do the same thing. My group and I did on the festivals in China which we used it to compare to Singapore’s festivals. Through this presentation, I learnt many things such as the history of some festivals and the tradition.

Also, I have learnt the different kinds to food and different traditions in the different festivals. For example, in QingMing festival, we eat cold food as we are not allowed to have fire in that day.

In the evening, we have a lecture on Fengshui. Through this lecture, I learn that there are different types of burial like cliff burial where the coffin is raised to be put in the caves of a cliff. This is very different from the normal burial practice we often see in Singapore which is cremation or soil burial. Besides that, we were also taught the different specialty in the different province. For example, in Wuhan which is the Hubei province, the specialty is the seafood especially fish. This is because Hubei or Wuhan is surrounded by sea where supplies of fresh seafood can be easily obtained.

The day ended where we went for dinner at street shops after the FengShui lecture and rest in our hostels! J

Day TWENTYTWO - 25 March 2013

Today is the twenty-second day in Wuhan. We had an interesting IS lecture on the traditional paper cutting. Before this lesson, I had very little information on paper cutting, but known of many people who can do it and seen the different design especially during Chinese New Year. In this lesson, the teacher showed us the different design and even did a paper cutting on the spot, using it to teach. I was more interested in the design of the historical people in Water Margin (水浒传). We tried the simpler paper cutting, using the techniques the teacher taught us.

Through this lesson, I learn the traditional paper cutting which I find it a great experience as paper cutting is very rarely seen in us especially the young people nowadays. It was a great lesson learnt! After the paper cutting session, we were free to go and most of us would probably go back to the hostel to prepare for our IS Presentation tomorrow! Hope everything goes well tomorrow! J

Day TWENTYONE - 24 March 2013

Today is the twenty-first day in Wuhan, about two more weeks to go. It started early today. We went strawberry picking. We walk through the muddy and slippery road to the farm. We did have fun picking strawberry and learning from the locals to eat it immediately after plucking it. We got ourselves very dirty too! We brought a big pack of strawberry back to our hostel. When we were back, the strawberries were soften and squashed. We ate some and brought some to the party with the local students. The second party we have with them. This time we have our party at the singing and dancing hall. We had performances and games during the party as well as the Karaoke Session at last with them. We sang songs and cheer for each other too! We did cleanup of course. For this party, we had fun as well as notice that the local are very enthusiastic and passionate. We were shy at first but they always take the first step to invite or encourage us to play and enjoy the party like they did. After the party, we took a group photo with the local students and said goodbye. We went to have our dinner at the restaurant to the left side of the school which said to be the first restaurant to sell authentic fish balls. It was a farewell dinner for Ms Mikia. It was a pity that Ms Mikia’s transport was brought forward and we had no time to complete the dinner with her. We took pictures with her as well to keep as a memento.

We continue our dinner where we had the famous authentic fish balls. It was made of fish that we can find fish bones in the fish balls. We finished dinner quickly and went for the street food after it. The only thing I learn from this dinner is that street food still tasted better than the restaurant and it cost a lot cheaper with it more filling. J

Day TWENTY - 23 March 2013

Today is twentieth day in Wuhan, start of an early weekend again. For today, we will be going a one day Wuhan city tour. Firstly we take the bus ride to Hubei Province Museum. In the museum there are many halls with different artifacts and history records. The first hall we went is the exhibition of the tomb of Marquis ZengYi.

It had records of the things buried with Marquis ZengYi as well as the markings and design of the tombs and artifacts like the weapons. This had taught me the historical artifacts and a clearer view of what is the life was in the past when Marquis ZengYi dies.

The next hall is the exhibition of the origins of human. We see the different bones of our origins like Homo sapiens. We also see from there how the people lived their life.

For example, I see one of the exhibits as how the human start fire by rubbing two stones.

Also before I leave, I went to the hall where it shows the bowls and artifact from the different dynasty. The pattern and design of each bowl is different from each dynasty and means differently.

After the museum, we went to East Lake to explore. At the east lake, we spent not much time as we were all hungry and wants to go for lunch as soon as possible. We were brought to ShouYiYuan eatery, a place where it has the entire specialty in Wuhan. The first food we wanted to eat was the TangBao, which is our Singapore’s XiaoLongBao. The TangBao was so delicious that some of us ordered the second serving to be packet back to our bus. Also, a ‘must-try’ food is the HotDryNoodle (ReGanMian). Kenneth and I bought from different stalls and tried it to compare it. Both were nice but Kenneth’s ReGanMian was nicer because it was more fragrant and authentic. I also bought the green tea cake, rice cake, soymilk as well as takoyaki (octopus balls) and the fragrant squid skewer. It was a great and happy lunch for me! I hope that I could go back to this eatery again when I have free time. After lunch, we went to Yellow Crane Tower.

We have to walk up five levels to reach to the top of the tower. It was said that the Yellow Crane Tower was destroyed seven times and that rebuilt again and again. At the top of the tower, I could see nice sceneries of the city. These scenes cannot be normally seen in Singapore as all of you should know!

After Yellow Crane Tower, we went to explore the YangTze River. It was a short one that we were free to look around. We saw a lot of couples having their wedding photos taken there. We were bored that we mimic the couples in the funny way. We also took a lot of pictures, mostly unglam and retarded!

We were then bought back to the bus and went back to our hostel to rest for the day after dinner! The day ends with an early rest and preparation for the next day strawberry farm. J

Day NINETEEN - 22 March 2013

Today is day nineteen. We had our Forensic Science lecture in the morning about Forensic DNA with Mr Lee. We had 2 straight hours of lecture with mini breaks in between. The lecture was packed as the afternoon was a free slot to allow us to prepare for our IS presentation. In the afternoon, my group members and I discussed for the presentation and each of us look through each other speech. We were still left with collating of the whole thing for the presentation and rehearsing of it. In the evening, we went out for dinner. And AGAIN, we ate the same street food. One of the stall owners was very kind to talk to me while I was waiting for my food to be cooked. He told me that next week they will have to move to the opposite street and that new stall will be coming over. He also says that every week they will have to change their stall position and if I want to eat their food it will be hard. Another stall owner also talked to us, knowing that we are Singaporeans, told us that if they were to go Singapore to sell their food, will it be possible! Jodie and I smiled and said of course and we would want to buy from her if she really sells it in Singapore as Singapore do not have the kind of food they sell here in China! I bet I am going to miss the food in China after I am back in Singapore! As well as the cooling weather here in China! Today ends with my friend, Karize, packing her stuffs where she is trying to squeeze her new shoes and clothing into the luggage. Goodluck to her and Goodnights as tomorrow will be a long day! J

Day 8IGHTEEN - 21 March 2013

Today is eighteenth day in Wuhan. We had our normal IS lecture in the morning. The second part of Tuesday’s lecture. The lecturer talked about the Taoism and Buddhism, the two religions in China. In China, Taoism stands a number of populations where in Singapore only have a few Taoism. One of the Taoism monasteries is the Wudang Mountain that we went the last two week. Buddhism is common in Singapore and hence many of us understand more of it. It was another three hours of lecture. We went to have lunch in the school where we go to the canteen that is at the library. I again tried the noodles (热干面). After lunch, we had a short lecture by Dr Tan on the introduction of Molecular Biology. In the evening, we took a cab to the HuQuan night market (虎泉夜市). We went with Joel, Samuel, Gordon and WeiSeng without YanWen as her leg was swollen to go for shopping. All of us were first time there and went there to look around. The night market was very bright and full of shops selling various things like food, clothing and shoes! I went walking around with the guys to find food while the rest of the girl went shopping for their things! The first snack we bought is the dough. It was said that during the war times, a guy made this dough for the soldiers to eat where it is filling and gives the energy the soldiers they need. I bought the sweet one and it tasted like our Singapore Roti Prata with sugar.

The guys bought the meat one where there was a lot of pepper added to it. We continued walking and went to a shop to eat noodles again! The guys ordered beef noodles which they thought was not spicy! They had a hard time eating it as it was so spicy that they perspire very fast and their face turn red! They went to bought mineral water and sweet dough to neutralize the spicy taste in their mouth. After which we went to see around the market and we see this street that sells BBQ meat. It was nothing special until we see the cages with LIVE rabbit and LIVE chicken as well as some other animals! We were quite disgusted and surprised that in China, they really eat all types of meat!!

Time passes so fast that we had to take the cab back to our hostel as the curfew was 10pm. I was on the cab with Samuel and Gordon that it costs us 31.20 Yuan. We were shocked when the rest of their cab fares were over 50yuan! LUCKY US! The day ended where my friends show all the things they bought at the Night Market and rest after packing them.

Day SE7ENTEEN - 20 March 2013

P.S there is no picture as the internet does not want to load my picture!

Today is the seventeen day in Wuhan. It is also the common test day. I woke up slightly earlier to study a bit more. We took the test at 930am in the morning. I actually finished in about 30minutes as I answered the questions quickly in fearing of the lack of time. I left the classroom with Jodie and Wilson and went back to our hostel. We waited for the rest to go for lunch with Dr Sujit as he will be leaving to go back Singapore in the afternoon. So we went to the steamboat shop again. This time we had Dr Tan, Mr Lee, Ms Mikia and Dr Sujit eating with us. We ordered FOURTEEN plates of meat as we are big eaters. We just continued eating until we finished all of the meat. We were so full that we actually decided not to eat dinner. Dr Sujit left for the airport while the rest of us went back to meet the rest to go for the Biopharm.

It was an hour bus ride to the Biopharm that we slept in the bus. We are all pig that we eat and sleep right after. When we reached the biopharm, we were separated to groups of 12 to 13. Group by group we went in to the factory to explore we actually have to wear a plastic to cover our shoes and an extra layer of lab coat to go in. In the inside of the Biopharm, we see the different departments of making the medicine that is used for drip. We explore from the packaging to the making of the solution. We make a quick tour as the next group has to explore as well. After exploring, we went to the washroom. It was actually an open style that there are no doors at all. We were not used to it that we went one by one with the rest guarding at the outside not allowing the locals to come in first. Also, there were no flush that we have to pour a bucket of water from the side to wash away the urine. It was a scary experience though.

After all of us explore we went back to our hostel with another hour of bus ride. We went to rest a while and set off to the town. We took bus 901 to town. I am okay with the squeezing part, it’s just that the roads were bumpy and I nearly fall in the bus!  Lucky I have KangMing and LiSi on either side of me to help me and catch me in case I fall. We went during the peak period that there was a little jam. We reach in an hour and begin to shop! We went shopping and see many shops like Singapore’s normal shopping mall. The guys buy their present and we went for dinner as we start to feel hungry! We went to eat western at a restaurant. Their service was good and most importantly the food was nice and VALUE for money! In total it cost about 500yuan for 10 people, roughly 50yuan per person which is about 10 Singapore Dollars.

 

It was the best day that we ate meat the whole day! Surprisingly, we forget that we took a test in the morning! At about 9plus pm we went to take the bus to get back to our hostel. Before going back, we bought some Beard PAPA puffs and Dairy Cream’s ice cream. There are also some street shops around where they actually sell pet dogs! The pet dogs were pathetic that there were three dogs locked in a small cage! We quickly walk past as the seller is staring at us and we went to take the bus back to our hostel. The day ends where we bath and rest for the awesome day! J

Day SIXTEEN - 19 March 2013

P.S. There are no pictures as the internet do not want to uplaod my pictures!

Today is day sixteen. We had our IS lecture in the morning. It lasted for 3hours with breaks in between. It was interesting as I like the history of China. However it was quite dry that I nearly fall asleep halfway. In the afternoon, I went to the supermarkets with the student leaders to buy food for the BBQ at night! I wanted to buy sotong sticks but it was not fresh. We bought the meat like chicken wings, lamb and beef skewers as well as the drinks. We met each other at 2 where we go for a sports activity.

 

We come to this place and see the rocks for rock climbing. We then know we had to do rock climbing. We had a warm up game first with the two game planners. After which we were separated into two groups, where we have to think of the team name, team slogan, team logo and team song. My team was Rou-Lee MiJit which is the names of our lecturer. We had a fire for our logo; a NP slogan of ‘there is always something EXTRA’ and a team song of Roly Poly from the Korean-pop where we replaced the lyrics with our team name. We had another game where the other team is doing rock climbing. Our game is by finding the number in sequence using the picture. For example, dad in Chinese has the same sound as eight in Chinese so dad represents the number 8. Some of the pictures are of Chinese culture and some are related to the things around us.

 

After which we swapped with the other team to go for the rock climbing. I was the first girl to go for the rock climbing as I have to demo on how to wear the safety gears. It was adventurous and slippery as there was a lot of mud on the stones that were left behind by the other team. Many of us tried including the lecturers, we cheered for all of them and enjoyed the whole event. We also had a small competition between the two teams of accomplishing three tasks in 150seconds. The first task is to bounce the ball on the drum 8 times, second is the holding of poles and changing it 10 times with only one hand and last is using the pipes to build a pathway for the ball to reach the pail in a few meters away. Although we lost the competition, it was still a great time spending with the friends and lecturers.

 

We would have BBQ at night which my friends and I went to the street shops to buy some snacks as we feared that the BBQ would not have enough food for us. We went back to the same place for BBQ and interact with the local students. They tried to speak English with us, making us feel comfortable by treating us well as a host. They also prepare all the food for us and did not want our help as we are the guest. It was kind of them but many of them were doing it the first time and had no experience.

 

They took a long time to start fire and even use gasoline to start the fire. The gasoline worked for a while but did not burn the charcoal so they tried using dried leaves with paper to burn. The fire was up and they started to cook the food. However, there were ashes flying around as of the papers burned and we were not daring to eat the food. Seeing them doing so much work and did not want us to help, we tried to express our thanks by eating the food although half of it was uncooked. We tried the skewer and chicken wings. It was salty as it is a part of their culture to eat so salty and oily.

 

 In Singapore, we tried BBQ for countless times and always know that there would not be enough food to eat as BBQ is just enjoying the process of it and the bonding times with your friends which is very different in China. Many of us left early as we want to study for the Common test the next morning. We felt bad but we have to choose study over food. J

Day FIVETEEN - 18 March 2013

Today is the fifteen day in Wuhan. It was a free day for us to study for the upcoming common test! Just like what Jodie says in her blog, “Studying for common test”, we stayed in the hostel studying and blogging for the days we have not blogged. Goodluck people in their studying for the first common test! JJJ

Day FOURTEEN - 17 March 2013

Today is day fourteen. We had breakfast in the morning, buffet style. Although it was buffet style the dishes were still the same with bread being the main dish. We have fried banana which most of us like it and porridge. We checked out of the hotel and took an hour bus ride to the Lake of LuSui (陆水湖).

We take a boat and explore the various small islands. During the boat ride, we come across a lot of building and forest.

The first stop is the Lucky Island. We went there to explore. Firstly, we went inside a small place where there are artifacts of the olden days like coins and golden basin. There is also a counter that sells a paper worth 5 Yuan. This paper is no ordinary paper that it has stories of the origin of the surnames. I bought one to study about my special surname CHIAM! My surname actually starts from 2800years ago in the Jin Dynasty which is after the three kingdoms dynasty in the northern area.

After which we climb a number of stairs to reach to the temple. After the Wudang Mountain and Red Cliff trip we climbed for more than 1000 stairs and are getting used to it. We went to the temple to pray. At first we thought it is just normal praying like we do in Singapore however there was a monk who did some chanting and ask us what to do. They even ask for donations. I personally do not mind giving the donations so I put some money into the donation box and was given a slash.

A lady came to me and tells me that I can write my family name on the slash and tied it to the tree to get blessing. A friend of mine, Brandon, said that it was not necessary that I can just hang the slash there. Another friend, Kenneth, he went to write his family name on the slash as he want to get blessing for his family. HOWEVER, he was asked to give money not small amount but 100yuan to enable to write on the slash. Only after that, we know that it was a scam and we should not believe them so easily and give them the money. It was a pity for Kenneth and some other friends who also got scammed. But it’s ok! We went on with our tour and walked down the stairs to go back to our boat. As we walked we saw this machine that two person will sit on it and turn for many rounds just like a roller coaster ride at the theme park, a more scarier one as the machine can turn random rounds forward backward and sideways.

I supposed no one tried it as it just rain and the machine was near the end of the platform that we fear of falling down the slope behind the machine and injured ourselves. We continue to move on to another island called the exotic dragon island (神龙岛).

We went there and the first thing we see is the snake, real snake (python I think!). The snake was resting in the cage. We managed to see the body only as it was under a blanket. The body was huge! I can really imagine how big and long the snake is. Next we went to the small auditorium where we watch a performance there. It was a performance by the Thai people with singing and different dancing. We also watched a male who use leaves to blow a song for us and a singer who we suspect is a male because of the height. As it was raining, we took the boat back to the main island to get back to our hostel. The day ended with a normal dinner! Goodnights! J

p.s. There are no pictures as the internet keeps failing to load them!

Day THIRT33N - 16 March 2013

Today started early as well! And I am so excited for today which is the Red Cliff Tour! We wake up early to take the bus ride for two to three hours. It was of course fewer hours than the Wudang Mountain bus ride. However most of us were too tired and fell asleep in the bus. We also had a new staff joining us although I do not know her name but she was nice to us. J We finally reach the Red Cliff.

It was drizzling that we went under shelter for a while. We were then brought to our hotel for checking in. this time we stayed in a 4-star hotel! It was grand at the lobby that has a statue of GuanYu (关羽) and posters related to the Red Cliff Battle.

We check in and went to our room. It was grand and one of the better ones of hotel that I have seen since I was in Wuhan.

Also, another thing I realize that is the appearance of the hotel or any building there have flags at the roof that look like the building from the Three Kingdoms Period.

Straight after we went in to explore. Kenneth and I know more about the story of Red Cliff Battle and Three Kingdoms that we were talking all about it as we tour around. First we are at the main gate.

Benjamin being a photo bomber!

As we walked along, we did not see a lot of other tourist maybe because of the rainy weather which lucky for me that I bought my dad’s waterproof windbreaker along with me. I was being dry for the whole tour. Also we found a lot of picture curving on the wall of the buildings.

We also saw a lot of small shops and restaurants that named after famous people in the Three Kingdom Period for example one of the beauty who is ZhouYu’s (周瑜) wife, XiaoQiao (小乔). Another example is the shop naming after ZhuGe Liang’s (诸葛亮) hometown, WoLong (卧龙); also a shop naming after PangTong (庞统), who is also as smart as Zhuge Liang.

These small shops sell things that are used by the people during the Three Kingdom Period like sword and crossbows.

There are also a lot of sign boards that explain some of the famous happening in that period like the seven step poem (七步诗) made by one of the CaoCao’s (曹操) son, CaoZhi (曹植); the becoming of three sworn brothers (桃园三结义), LiuBei (刘备), GuanYu (关羽), ZhangFei (张飞) and the drinking and talking of heroes (煮酒论英雄).

There are shops with the older Chinese characters names like the followings

We saw this big metal with spikes in front of a gate and spikes on the gate. These spikes are to be used to block enemy in case of a surprised attack from the enemy.

They are called the Jin City which is one of the strongest fighting formations.

There is this famous story of Zhuge Liang borrowing arrows using straw men in a boat. It is said that ZhouYu need arrows for the battle but there was not enough in their supply hence he make things difficult for Zhuge Liang that to ask him to borrow arrows in three days where Zhuge Liang have no resources. Zhuge Liang came up with this idea of getting the arrows from their enemy CaoCao. Zhuge Liang got straw men to be put on the side of the boat. At a misty day, Zhuge Liang set off with the straw men on the boats. CaoCao saw the boat coming and thought that Zhuge Liang will attack them and hence used arrows to attack back. As the arrows fly over, it got on the straw men. As one side of the straw men got full Zhuge Liang had the boats to turn over and continue collecting the arrows from CaoCao. Therefore in three days, Zhuge Liang got the arrows that ZhouYu wanted. This become a famous story for all of us being Zhuge Liang’s one of the smart strategies. (草船借箭)

Opposite the Jin City, there is this pagoda. This pagoda is said to be the Control Centre of the battle where the information of enemy and the ways of defeating the enemy. It is called the ChiBi Tower (赤壁塔).

We continue walking and went to this restaurant for lunch. The set was exquisite.

After lunch we continued walking and come to the museum. There is this map that was divided to three parts which one belongs to CaoCao (曹操), 魏国, one to LiuBei (刘备), 蜀汉, and the last part to SunQuan (孙权), 东吴.

As we walked further in there were boat and ship models that was used by the different country.

We also see the tomb of a general called ChenWenHe (陈文和)

There is also a very big picture of the Battle of ChiBi (赤壁之战), where CaoCao’s boats were burned in the fire.

After which we came to a room where there is statues of the people in the Three Kingdoms Period. They are like LuiBei, SunQuan, CaoCao, Zhuge Liang, ZhouYu and PangTong

ZhouYu-

 

 CaoCao -

LuiBei -

 

Zhuge Liang -

 

SunQuan -

 

PangTong -

 

We continue walking and see a very big ZhouYu statue. It was said that the statue was built that ZhouYu was the planned the Battle of ChiBi, the battle that they won even CaoCao have two times as many as soldiers compared to them. Also after the battle, ZhouYu had curved the two words Red Cliff (赤壁) on the wall to symbolize the winning of the battle.

We climbed up the slope and come across a pavilion (望江楼). This pavilion is used as a watch tower where soldier see the enemy actions.

We also went to the place (拜风台) where Zhuge Liang prayed for the wind during the battle of ChiBi. In the place there were picture of Zhuge Liang and statue of him with LuiBei, GuanYu and ZhangFei.

We come to the garden where there are many statues of the people in the different times in the Three Kingdom Period (三国塑料圆). One example is the drinking and talking about heroes. Another one is the statue of XiaoQiao and DaQiao where XiaoQiao is getting married. Also, there are the statues of the becoming of three sworn brothers.

There were many poems carvings on the scroll that is displayed.

We came to the JinLuan Mountain. It is said that PangTong when he died he turned into a phoenix and habited in the West Mountain and hence the mountain was name as Golden Phoenix Mountain. The mountain was also a place he lived in before proposing the Interconnected ploy (连环计) to CaoCao and following LuiBei to fight for the kingdom.

In front of the place where he lived, there were many unique trees like the couple tree where two tree come from the same root.

We then came to PangTong’s house. He died at a young age of 36. However when he was alive, he had been a great help for LuiBei and was conferred to the title of Marquis of Jing.

 

The last thing I see in the Red Cliff was the signboards that says the 36ways (三十六计) used in the period. There were used until now where it is useful in everywhere we go.

It marks the end of the Red Cliff Tour. We went back to our hotel to rest and bath. We meet the rest again for dinner at the same restaurant for lunch. After dinner, we were free to go anywhere and we went for shopping for a little while after which we went back hotel to watch television.