day 23

Finally, our very last IS lesson for this trip. We were taught on History of Chinese philosophy. We learnt about the differences between Chinese and Singaporeans. One example is that you must leave some food on the plate after eating so as to show respect to the host. The reason behind this is because if all the food from that plate is finished, it shows that the host is not providing enough food for the guests. Therefore, it is not a very pleasant sign. However, in Singapore, we will try not to waste food and clear whatever is left on the plate if not it is a sign showing that the food is not nice or wasting food. Another interesting thing I had learnt was that if you go to a Chinese house for dinner, they will prepare a lot of food for you. However they will still say that they prepare very little and hope it is enough for all. They try to show their modesty by being humble to their guests.

One quote which I had learnt about Confucius:
子曰：“敏而好学，不耻下问” 孔子说：“聪明又好学，向地位比自己低，学问比自己差的人请教时，不觉得没面子”Fools learn nothing from wise men, but wise men learn much from fools. An intelligent man wouldn’t feel shameful when he seeks advice from other people who are inferior to him.

day 22

Written test day! Made one mistake which will caused me 5 marks! And I’m not even sure if I’ll lose more marks in other parts of the paper. : S Well, there’s no point crying over spilled milk, I shall do better for my exams!
After the test, we went to Yu Guan Guang Chang to give ourselves a treat. Settled our lunch in a Japanese restaurant, and I think compared to Singapore, the Japanese food here is more expensive. In the past, during World War 2, the Chinese hated the Japanese and they totally reject anything that is from Japan. I guess now they are able to accept Japanese culture. However the standard of the Japanese food here cannot be compared to Singapore’s, and not even to Ngee Ann’s. I totally miss Ngee Ann’s Makan place Kaki Fuyong. Gosh! Wait till I go back Singapore I’ve one whole list of MISSED food to eat! Starting with Chili Crab, Char Siew rice, dim sum, chicken rice, western and more!
Reflection:
It is easy to find nice Chinese food in China but not easy to look for nice meals for western, Japanese or even Thai. In Singapore, we can easily find food of different culture and of quality taste. I guess that’s the advantage of a multi culture country. You can find all types of country food! :)

day 21

The day before our written test! & the weather suddenly gets colder!After we finish our practical lessons, Ms Neo let us off early to revise for tomorrow written test. We made use of the whole afternoon studying and decide to have a NICE dinner to reward and motivate ourselves. And so there we go to the backstreet western restaurant which Ms Neo told us that the teacher went frequent to eat the western there. With the rain still refuse to stop, we carried our umbrellas and walk against the cold chilling rain. It was really cold that we were all shivering, but still we wanted to try that restaurant.
The restaurant was neatly decorated but instead of seeing people eating western food we saw people eating Chinese food. We were wondering if we went to the wrong shop. Indeed it is “Lin Mon Le” which in English is “Happy Lemon restaurant”? Well, I find out that no matter what the local there still prefer Chinese food compared to western food. Anyways, we ordered chicken chop and pork chops. The service there was still OK. The lady who served us seems quite friendly. I noticed that in China people hardly say “sorry” and “thank you”. So when she served us and we said”thank you” to her, she says in a very grateful voice “no problem” (in Chinese). And when she saw us looking for hot water, she said she’ll boil for us. It is long since I saw a waitress in china which treats us with such good service.

day 20

We learnt about PERT during Project management lessons which it is totally different from what I had learnt in year 1 QLA. About 5 formulas to remember and hopefully I can remember all by the time my exams come and not get mix up.
Not much of going out today as it rained the whole day. The temperature dropped to around 7 degrees and mist was coming out of our mouth as we speak. It is so true that the temperature here is really unpredictable.
I guess that’s the reason why when we wore shorts or t-shirt out (the shops just next to our hostel) when the temperature is around 15-20 degrees people start to stare at us. My friends and I had been asked by the locals quite a number of times “Won’t you feel cold wearing only these?” But of course we wear t-shirt or shorts when the weather is around 15-20 degrees which is like switching on air-con in Singapore. Well, I had to say that their way of lifestyle is totally different from ours.

After PM lessons, we went back to our hostel, rest and tidy up some paperwork (such as our assignments and settle our blogs). During dinner we went to the backstreet to the same shop which the China students had brought us on the first day. We order the fried tofu and shredded potato with meat and rice. The total bill is $20 Yuan for 3 people! So means each one around $6.80 Yuan which convert to sing dollars is only less than S$2! In the backstreet you can find cheap deals for food! If you eat this amount in Singapore it will cost you at least S$3. We were so bloated at the end of the meal that we can hardly even walk properly.
Before:
After: (we really had big appetite!)

day 19

IS lesson was at 1pm today and we learnt about how to do business in CHINA! Common reason is because China is big and gaining more competitive advantage in the world of business. And according to our IS teacher, Ms Hong, she mentioned that China may even be taking over US in the future years to come and therefore knowing how to do business in China is important.
Around 4.30pm, our deputy principle of Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Mr Foo came to give us a visit. Our IS lesson is paused for him to talk to us.

After all the school activities are over, my friends and I hurried to do some last minute shopping for certain things we need. I bought a bag pack from Kappa for the Wudang mountain trip, a small bag for daily use, and a t-shrit. Total cost was 209元 and if convert to Sing dollars is around S$43.
Reflection:
I personally prefer Ms Grace to teach us IS instead of Ms Hong. Majority of the time, Ms Hong is practically reading everything from the slides. It tends to make the lesson boring. I hope IS lesson can be more interesting and interactive. Maybe the teachers can tell us some interesting places in Wuhan which we can find food or shop. And also more pictures in slides to show us the different culture activities and places of Wuhan.

day 18 (21 march 2010)

Last day on board and we were to pack and leave after breakfast.
Yesterday we went under the dam and we will be going on top of the dam to view the scenery today. It is really cool to be part of this “dam visiting” since in Singapore we don’t get to experience such things. The place was more beautiful than I thought it could be. Colorful flowers were decorated everywhere and sculptures were placed at every corner.

the model of the whole area
This little girl is so cute! her mum wanted her to take photo against some scenery but instead she insisted on taking next to a caucasian old man. We met her again on our tour bus and decided to take a photo with her since she sits next to us. (:

This piece of rock is known to be found over 8000000 years ago!

We think this is the fake KFC! LOL! HFC?! HAPPY FRIED CHICKEN?

Reflection:
Truly impressed with what I had seen and learnt today. Never get to experience such things in Singapore and also in other countries which I had been to so far. I'm really curious how humans can build these huge walls (I'm refering to the dam). If I have the chance to come again I will linger a while longer instead of rushing to fight with the crowds to take group photos. They just simply push you away or just come into your photos! :S

day 17 (20 march 2010)

Our very first morning on the cruise
We were supposed to assemble in the dining area by 6.30am for our breakfast. Over the PA system, they keep on repeating “早上好所有旅客, 请到2楼让您吃早点.” Knowing what to expect, we didn’t have our hopes high. This is our breakfast:

After breakfast we were to get ready to pack and go to Bai Di Miao. It is on top of some mountain and we had to climb up a total of 325(we counted) steps of stairs in order to reach the place. A lot of work in order to get there! There are services for people who are willing pay to be carried up the mountain.

For lunch, we went back the cruise and had this for lunch:

the soup taste like Oil and water ): so far the restuarant food is the best!And around 1pm, we went for another trip to another part of the river to experience another type of water transport service that is in that area(part of yangtze river)

At about 11pm, we were told that we were reaching the dam and we going to pass under it. I was very excited to experience what I had learnt during my International Freight forwarding lessons in year 1. I’ve learnt about how the ships are being transported from upstream to downstream by pumping out water at each stage of the station and I am going to experience it right that very moment. (: It took more than 5 hours for the whole process( which means the ship reach the other side of the river). And we stayed till late night just to watch this once in a life time activity as it is not a common site.

Reflection:
It is interesting to know how the 土家庭 live. The tour guide explain how simple their lives are and if one family’s daughter is going to get married, they will chop down the tree which they had planted for their daughter since she’s born and use it as a dowry. I also truly admired the people who provide the carrying service up the mountain. For me, my legs were already tired when I’m not even half way through up the top and those people can actually carry a full human load up the 325 steps of stairs. 佩服!佩服!