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, October 01, 2005
1st Oct - Rambler's O Trip and China's National DayWoke up early in the morning around 6+ am for my day. In Hong Kong, they have early sunrise and sunset. At 6+, it was already very bright, and at around 7pm in Hong Kong, it was like 9pm in Singapore! Freaking dark! No wonder the night life in Hong Kong starts early, and thrives well. The night is long! Haha
It was really tiring because I slept very late the night before. At around 130am, there were lots of shoutings and cheers downstairs. Some events in my hall again, as usual. It lasted quite long, and I only managed to fall asleep after that. Talk about halls being happening. It has to be happening at the RIGHT time man.
Fortunately, I do not have to take the bus down to Sai Kung. Sat in my friend's car, and he drove us down to Sai Kung, which after that we took a cab to the destination. Cabs are the only way to reach the destination, as other cars are not allowed to pass through.
There were no Hong Kong reception on our mobile phones. It became roaming and the provider was switched to the China's one. Were we really at the extreme borders of Hong Kong? Haha..
Saw the dam, and that sparked off the photo taking spree of the day. Got to know some history of the dam from my friend. There's even this thing built to keep in memories of those who lost their lives on the High Island Reservoir Project.
This is the damWe were thinking why this trip was called O trip, meaning Orientation trip. Because it seriously doesn't feel like orientation! It felt like a training! For most of us, it was our virgin attempt in hiking, and we didn't expect that it would be that tough. It was tough, and dangerous, and we actually hiked for 8 hours! We were hot, tired and thirsty! Nevertheless, it was a good experience worth cherishing. It was fun! I loved it!!
This is the kind of route we took... Also check out the 2nd photo - see the trekking trails and some people on the trails? Yes, that's exactly where we went...
The kind of cliffs we had to climb...
The rocky ground we have to walk on...
The dangerous slope we have to take...
How it build up team spirit, by helping each other to cross obstacles..
Nevertheless, we have time to rest and we really cherished our resting time. It's the time for us to catch our breathe, and get together. =)
Of course, not forgetting the beautiful sceneries we took on our way up and down the mountains..
We passed by this stream, and we couldn't resist but to throw all our hands into the stream to feel the cooling water on our red burning hands!
And finally, we reached our destination after 8 hours!! It's an achievement, a great sense of satisfaction!! So proud of all of us!
And before leaving, I managed to capture the sunset! Nice!
It was really a good experience, and is one I will never forget. I never thought I can do these kinda tough hiking. I did it! Cheers!
Took so many photos I couldn't believe I really did! Over 100 photos! Having serious muscle aches on my thighs now. A little sun burned on both of my hands. It was a good I applied sunblocks. My other friends transformed into an Indian or roasted pig after the hike! Haha!
Was really dead tired after the hike. However, we didn't want to miss the fireworks on National Day. Therefore, we made a trip al the way down to Tsim Sha Tsui to watch the fireworks. Many roads were closed, and the crowds were really huge!!
Didn't capture much photos of fireworks. Mostly videos instead. Think it's more realistic to use videos, because in this way, I can capture the moment and the sound. But anyway, there's this one photo here..
It's quite normal, except for one. The fireworks made a big circle in the sky, and a number '8' in the circle! It's quite impressive! Too bad I didn't manage to take a shot. *sighz*
I am not very amazed by the fireworks. I am much more amazed by the shouts and screams during the fireworks! In Singapore, you watch fireworks in silence, but in Hong Kong, it's so happening you hear shouts and screams all the time, and seriously, I felt a little irritated.
However, a one time experience per year, and I managed to experience it. =)
Satisfied.
12:28 AM , Reminisced
