Dear all,
Here I am, honouring my promise to NUS - A blog about my study exchange experiences in Hong Kong.
This is The University of Hong Kong's (HKU) Main Building. Does the design of this building not remind you of some ancient building? Well, let me give you some history of HKU.
The University is founded in 1910 - the birth of Hong Kong's first tertiary institution. In December 1916, the University held its first congregation, with just 23 graduates.
It was ten years after the founding of HKU that women students were admitted for the first time. In 1937, Queen Mary Hospital opened and has served as the University's teaching hospital since that time.
Up to today, it is now Hong Kong's largest tertiary-level institution for continuing education with cumulative enrolment totalling more than one million students.
Therefore, I am pretty sure I will be able to gain some quality education over here, together with some cultural exchange and interaction with the local students. I will definitely enjoy my semester here! So dear friends, enjoy along with me! =)
Saturday, September 17, 2005
17th September- Rambler's O CampWoke up early this morning to set off for Sai Kung for the Rambler's Camp. A Hiking trip.
Sai Kung is located at the north of Hong Kong. Meaning it is in New Territories, and it is very out of the way and inconvenient! We had to take 5 tranportations down! First, we took a bus to MTR Station. Then we took the MTR. Then we took small bus, and change to another bus, and then the ferry!! Can't believe it. It's such a long way..
I love the ferry! Alright, I think I should call it the speed boat. It's fast, bouncy and all these means fun! It's so exciting and I love it! I would definitely like to go for another round man..
We reached there, and it was bright and sunny. Breathtaking sceneries, nice and cool wind. Alright, I should say nice and STRONG wind.
It made my hair all tangled up, and we our skin felt so dry. The wind blew the moisture away. Anyway, we pitched tents, and had lunch. Thought the day was going well, but things turned bad..
A hostile visit from Mr Typhoon!
We were watching the scenery, while we realised something is wrong. We couldn't see the faraway mountains anymore! Seems like there is heavy rain coming to our island. We watched and waited, and we felt rain after a little while. All of us ran to hide in our tents as we sensed that something is really not right.
I am glad all of us are in our tents, cos in just a few minutes, the wind got stronger, and the heavy storm attacked our island! Our tents were swaying furiously!
I really couldn't describe this experience. I was so excited! We were all in the tents, trying to support the swaying tents with our hands and legs. The storm and wind was so heavy that some tents collapsed, the metal bended, and some tents got all wet! My tent was flooded! Just imagine, how strong the wind must be to bend a metal!! We were all trying to support the metal with our hands, worrying that the metal might just break! As a result, all of us are totally drenched, even inside the tent!
We got a little bored trying to support the tents. Tired as well. So we played some games, and took some photos while doing that.
This is a photo of the guys trying to support the tent by holding on to the metal. I've tried supporting it as well, and it was so tiring. I had to hold on to the metal and push as hard as possible against the ferocious wind that wanted to wipe all of us out. In addition, a photo of the drenched guys n girls IN the tent! They didn't even get out of the tent and they got all drenched! Just imagine..
I am really curious, thinking how fast the speed of the wind is.
As a result of the typhoon, our hiking trip is cancelled. So disappointing! But well, I enjoyed my day cos it was really an eye opener to experience typhoon! Well, it was only Cat 1 typhoon. Initially, we didn't even know it was a typhoon until the organizers told us. We thought it was just extremely strong winds since we are at higher altitudes and at areas near the sea.
The organizers were so disappointed. They were very apologetic because we paid for this camp, yet we weren't able to do anything today. But their efforts are noted. They were the ones not seeking shelters when the typhoon comes. They were the ones running around the place, checking whether everyone is alright. They were the ones repairing the tents, and bringing us to seek shelter when they were all drenched. Yet, they were also the ones who are the most disappointed. Well, I was wondering if they will organise another camp trip, cos I will definitely go again!
Really happy today, cos I managed to equip myself with some tent pitching skills and it was really an eye opener to catch how typhoons are like. Hmmz, but I seriously would like to experience Cat 3 typhoons too! =)
11:10 PM , Reminisced
