Day 24 (27th March) Wudang mountain Day 1

Woke up very early today as we need to report at 7am for the trip to Wu dang shan. We ordered Mac delivery for breakfast. By the time the delivery man came, it was almost 7. Therefore, we had to eat on the bus. It took 5 hours to reach Wu dang shan from the campus. We had our lunch in a restaurant near wudang shan. The restaurant is very smoky and the chairs they use are those round plastic chairs with no back support. 5 out of 8 dishes served are vegetables. Just like a vegetarian lunch set. One of the dishes they served is actually donkey meat! I didn’t know it at first and I actually tried it. Felt so disgusted after I knew what I ate was donkey meat.

This is the donkey meat

After lunch, we had a 15 minutes bus ride and we finally reached wudang shan. We visited 3 sites in total and we had to transfer from bus to bus to reach the next destination. Firstly, we visited tai zi po, a Taoist temple.

After that visited zi xiao gong, which is also a temple. On the central axis are five ascending terraces on which were respectively built the Dragon and Tiger Hall, the Tablet pavilion, the Shifang Hal, the Zixiao Grand Hall and the Parental Hall . On each side of these buildings are auxiliary buildings standing in three independent rows . Row upon row, these halls and buildings form a building complex with a distinct division between the main building and auxiliary ones. At each side of the palace is a group of independent quadrangles for use by Taoist monks as living quarters.
We tried the tea that they brewed. After the 3rd mouth of tea, even the tasteless plain water or saliva will taste sweet! Isn't it interesting?

Finally, we got to check in our hotels at 4 plus. The hotel is called jiu long shan zhuang. Sounds like those inns of the olden days. The outer of the hotel looks not bad. However, it is very empty inside and there weren’t any people in the hotel other than the service attendants. It seems like it’s been a long time since there were people staying there. We only had 10 minutes to put our stuffs and we need to assemble at the lobby. The tour guide brought us to tour around the vicinity and after that we were allowed to walk around ourselves. We gathered at 6 plus for dinner at tai he restaurant. The place is very dirty and the hygiene is very bd as well. The waitress used their bare hands to clear the leftovers on the tables and used the same cloth to wipe the big table without even rinsing it once. The food wasn’t anyway better. the fried rice was tasteless and it was just like another vegetarian dinner.

Our hotel, 九蘢山莊

We went back to our hotel after that. This is the best accommodation we had and there’s also a tv in the room. However, the toilet spoils it all! There’s no hot water in our room. Therefore, we had to go teeli’s and amanda’s room to bath. Other than that, everything’s good. Looking forward to tomorrow and also challenge ourselves to climb wu dang shan! Hope everything will go on smoothly. Slept at around 1 plus as we need to report at 7am.


Reflection:
After today, I know more about Taoism. Visiting the different temples is just like I’ve been brought back to the Ming dynasty! It’s really interesting to know the histories of the various temples and the gods that Taoist believes in. Jiu long shan zhuang, as a 3 star hotel, should have all the basic facilities that a hotel should have. I don’t see any reason why should there be no hot water in the room. They should make sure everything is working before letting a customer check in. this gives me a really bad impression of the standard of the hotels in china.

Day 23 (26th Mar 2010)

Today is also the last lesson for IS module. It is conducted by Ms Grace and we were taught about traditional Chinese Philosophy. Here are some mottoes that I have learnt:

1. “学而时习之，不亦说乎？有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？”
Which means: How pleasant it is to review regularly what I have learned before; Here come friends afar, exceedingly how happy I am.

2. “知之为知之，不知为不知，是知也。”
Which means: When you know a thing, recognize that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, recognize that you do not know it. This is a wise attitude

3. “敏而好学，不耻下问”
Which means: 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.

At first, we were supposed to have lesson in the afternoon but we negotiated with Ms Grace that we finish everything in the morning so that we don’t need to attend afternoon class. And she agreed! We were given a worksheet which consisted of 8 exercises and we are supposed to write the difference between Chinese views and our own views. After we completed it, Ms Grace went through with us and this marks the end of IS lesson. So, me and jean went to 江汉路after that. At the bus stop, I bought popcorn from the vendor as it was freshly made. The popcorn is handmade and not by using the popcorn machine. The bus came soon after that.

The utensils for making popcorn

Freshly made popcorns!Something real disgusting happened on the bus. There was an old man flossing his teeth and he left his “flossed food” on the floor and it was totally gross!! Reached the mall and we start our shopping spree! We shopped in the mall at first and bought quite a number of clothes. Then, we went to the night market(步行街) near the mall and we saw even more nice clothes that are much cheaper than the ones we saw in the mall! Everything is so cheap at 步行街 and eventually we lost control. Cheap deal for awesome stuffs gets you this excited! At was 9 plus and we have to get back to the hostel by 10.30pm. So we intended to take a cab back. However, there wasn’t any cab in sight and even if there was, it was not empty. In the end, the bus came and we took the bus back.

Reflection:
Through the various IS lesson, I have learnt many things from Ms Grace and Ms zhao. Now I know more about china, its culture, philosophy, doing business in china, business etiquette, etc. If given a chance, I will want to know more in depth about the history china. Overall, I enjoyed the IS lesson be it taught by both Ms Zhao and Ms Grace.

The bus here is very different. Unlike Singapore, we can’t eat in the bus nor bring any durians on board the bus or we’ll get fined. Worse still, we can’t even drink plain water or eat a sweet on the platform of MRT. In china, we can eat in the bus and bring any food we want onto the bus. The bus stops at every stop and they will announce what’s the next stop. I find it better this way as we can still know what the next stop is even if the bus is crowded and we can’t see the surroundings. However, I think they should be stricter with the hygiene here. The bus driver should have stopped the old man from leaving his “flossed food” on the bus. It is totally unglam and it spoilt the reputation of china and also affects the people on board. They should implement fine system for hygiene to stop this from happening again.

Day 22

Had our first written test for PM today morning. Reached the class room 5 minutes before the test starts. The tables and chairs are arranged just like an examination hall, except that it is smaller and we are to sit according to our groups. Ended the test at 11.30am and off we went to 光谷广场to shop again! First thing we do when we reached there is to eat as we were very hungry. We had our lunch at pizza hut. They also had the lunch promotion and it is even cheaper than the lunch offer in Singapore. On top of that, students are able to enjoy 20% off the bill. However, we did not manage to get the student offer as we are not local students. Once again, I did not leave the place empty handed. Before we left, jean went to Yes, I do to have a haircut. The decoration of the salon is fabulous and their service is really good. There are a few hairdressers standing along the entrance of the salon helping to open the door and greet customers. What’s more awesome is that it costs only 50rmb which is only about S$10 for a haircut that includes washing, conditioning, and blowing. It’s hard to find this kind of service at such cheap price.

Before the test starts

Halfway through the test

Some activity going on for M&M outside the shopping mall. It was quite cold and they were dancing wearing with so little clothes on!

The interior of the salon!

Reflection:
After the written test today, I think I should practice more and make sure that I fully understand the concept so that I can still know how to do even if there is a twist in the question.

Day 21 (24th Mar 2010)

Did two practicals today morning so that we can start with the revision for practical test next week. Ms Neo cancelled afternoon lesson so we can have more time to revise for the written test tomorrow. Went to have lunch before heading back to the hostel to study for the test. As my table is filled with things, I have to use my bed to study. Studying on the bed is not very conducive. The bed is soft and I could not write properly and I kept wanting to fall asleep.
After that, we went to the western restaurant that Ms Neo recommended to have dinner. The place is quite small as there are only 4 tables in the first floor and it was quite cold as we sat close to the door. We ordered chicken and pork chop and fries. The fries is not very cheap as it costs about S$2 for a portion which we can get the same amount for just S$1 in Singapore. After finishing almost half of the food, yan ting found out that the pork chop that they served is not completely cooked. I quickly checked mine and found that it is not completely cooked either. Luckily, I had only eaten one mouth of it. We approached the waitress and she helped us to heat up our food. Went back to the hostel after dinner and did my last revision for the written test tomorrow.

Reflection:
In my learning plan, I wrote that I have to adapt to studying in a different environment. Indeed, it is totally different and difficult having to study in a different environment. I have to force myself to stay focus and not get distracted. Also, I’m used to studying alone and this time round, I can’t as the room is shared among 3 person. Although there isn’t a proper environment for me to study in, I have managed to get myself to stay focus and not get distracted by other things.

Back in Singapore, if the food we ordered is not completely cooked or there is something wrong with it, we will be given a new serving. For the restaurant here, they will not give us a new serving. Instead, they will help you heat up the uncooked part of the food. This shows the difference of the standard of service.

Day 20 (23th Mar 2010)

Had PM lesson today from 9-4pm today. The temperature today is only 7 degrees! It was raining quite heavily in the morning and it was really cold walking against the strong wind and rain. We learnt a new topic called PERT. This topic is not very difficult and is manageable. It includes drawing up the AON plus some calculations and probability. However, we have to remember the formulas as it is not given in exams. After doing 2 tutorials, we were released for lunch. We packed the food back to our hostel and eat as it was freezing cold. Went back for lesson at 1pm and we started on practical 5. We learnt how to set baseline, update project, entering task completion percentage, and actual values for task, and saving interim plans. Hopefully I can remember what I have learnt today. Lesson ended at 4pm and we went back to our hostel and rest and do our stuffs before going for dinner.

Had our dinner at the Chinese restaurant again. This time, there is only Teeli, yanting, and me. Therefore, we ordered 2 dishes only. We told the waitress that we don’t want spice in our food but when the food came, it was still spicy. As usual, there is always a thick layer of oil on top. But overall, the dishes are tasty!

Almost finish the dishes!

Reflection:
The weather in Wuhan is really unpredictable. We were told that it will become better and warmer after last week but the weather today is still very cold! Maybe we are too used to the hot temperature in Singapore that we couldn’t withstand the cold temperature here. I’m glad that the weather in Singapore is not so unpredictable. Also, the food in china is simply too oily and they include spice in almost any food. I think it is really unhealthy and they should cook with less oil and salt and lesser spice in the food to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Day 19 (22th Mar 2010)

Had our Is lesson at 1pm today. We were taught about doing business in china and business etiquette. China is quickly transforming into a mass consumer market. Three of the major growth industries though are the exporting of education, processed food and wine products.
These are the do’s and don’ts of doing business is china.
Do’s:
· Be aware of all favors done for you and prepare to respond in kind.
· In China, business relationships are personal relationships; establish a trusting personal relationship that demonstrates your respect.
· Business cards are important, especially in Chinese.
· Become friends with local influential officials.

Don’ts:
• Avoid unintentional criticism of others.
• Don't poke fun at someone, even if in fun.
• Don't be the first to reach for a restaurant bill.


At around 4 plus, Deputy director of Ngee Ann Poly, Mr Foo, came to have a dialogue session with us. I was anticipating his appearance as I have not seen him before during my past 2 years studying in Ngee Ann. First impression of him is that he is friendly and warm towards us. He asked about how well we adapt here and he is quite humorous as well. After lesson ended, we went to Guang gu guang chang to shop again and I never fail to leave the mall empty handed. We reached the hostel at around 10.15pm. Washed up and here I am doing my blog.

Deputy Principal: Mr Foo

Us with Mr Foo

Reflection:
China is growing and becoming better in everything. Alost everything that we use is made in china. In the future, it may even become a leading country. We should also work hard for our country too.

Day 18 (21.03.10) 3 Gorges Dam

Woke up at 5 plus again as we need to report at 6.30 for breakfast. The breakfast is the same as yesterday so did not eat much. We went back to our room to take our luggage and assemble as we need to check out by 7am and it is time to say bye bye to the cruise!

After we got down the cruise, we went to visit the Three Gorges dam project centre. At the entrance, they need to scan us and our belongings before we can enter. You can see how strict they are. Firstly, we went to the Three gorges project centre room.

The model

Then, we went to 185 观景点.The view on top is totally magnificent! We did not stay too long up there as we need to visit other places too. Lastly, we visited monument park that screens a movie about Three gorges dam. Before we board the bus and go for lunch, we were allowed to buy some specialty of Hubei province from the souvenir store.

Beautiful flowers!

Group E! Daryl, Soon Ling, Sihao, MeowLin, Me

This is their "fake" KFC.

It took 1 hour to reach the restaurant for lunch. The food is much more delicious compared to the cruise. After lunch, we went to the convenient store nearby to buy some water and snacks and we headed back to the hostel straight after that. The ride back was quite fast as we were expected to reach at around 7pm or 8pm but we reached at around 6pm instead.

We unpacked our stuffs and went to collect our laundry before heading out for dinner with Ms Neo. We went to a restaurant at jian she er lu to eat. We ordered steak as Ms Neo tried before and said it’s nice. The serving size is very big compared to what we are usually served in Singapore and it included a small portion of spaghetti. We can also choose our choice of sauce and soups. Tried the wild mushroom sauce recommended by Ms Neo. Did not manage to take photos of the food as all of us are too lazy to bring cameras out. The whole set costs only 38rmb which is about S$8! After that, back to the hostel to rest as there is lesson tomorrow morning.

Reflection:
China should feel proud that they have such a huge and unique dam. It Is totally impressive as it is the world's largest electricity-generating plant of any kind! I got to experience the nature, the scenery, and experience and see how the boat trackers work hard to earn a living. All these could not be seen or experienced anywhere else. The experience on the cruise is also a good one even though the food may not be to our favour. I have enjoyed myself during this 3D2N trip and is definitely a fruitful one!