Day 42 - BYE BYE WUHAN

We were all hyped up about the return to Singapore! My friends and I played computer games with each other for the last time. The others were watching movies and chatting. After packing our luggage and cleaning up the area, we were all lock and loaded to go! We carried all our luggage down the stairs from level 3. The weight of baggage is definitely much heavier than that of day 1 when we arrived in Wuhan. Our luggage are now all filled with days of shopping and gifts for our loved ones.

As for the girls, they are not strong enough to manage their luggage to the first floor, and so I lent them my muscles! Before we boarded the bus to the airport, we sent our regards and farewell to the caretaker of the hostel.


Farewell Picture


Loading Up To The Airport


Transit At Guangzhou to Singapore
We arrived at Guangzhou International Airport after a grueling 3-hour flight.


Gate to Singapore


The Travelator
The tired few stood on the horizontal escalator which brought us to the other side of the boarding gate.


Food on Flight CZ371
As the plane took off from Guangzhou airport, we were saddened as we had spent 6 weeks of our time together here in Wuhan. We felt kind of rooted to China, as we have adapted to the lifestyle and attached to our group of OIP mates. Looking back at the wonderful memories we had in Wuhan, we were all happy and joyous that we acted as one and were very united.


Baggage Collection
Consider it lucky, my checked-in bag-pack was left in Guangzhou airport. The baggage ticket only states that my bag-pack would be transported to Guangzhou, but won't be transit to Singapore. Therefore, I went to the Lost & Found counter to make a report.


Expedite Service
2 Days later, my baggage arrived with excellent service. The airport service delivery man called me an hour before he came. Before hand, I had to declare that there were no alcohols, cigarettes, or illegal contraband. I also had to give a proper description of what the bag look like and what are the contents of the bag for them to confirm that the bag is my property. It is important to be honest, as abusers may take advantage of the system to deliver illegal or prohibited items such as drugs or weapons to an address as a method of smuggling.

REFLECTIONS

Singapore's service is really of top notch standards. To be honest, I did not feel scared at all because I have faith in the service of Guangzhou International Airport and Singapore Airport. There are definitely many cases of lost baggage due to the countless amount of flights which occur every day. Therefore, it is important to come up with a plan to handle unseen circumstances. My baggage arrived by expedite service at my door step, properly sealed to prevent pilferage. On our flight CZ371 itself, there were me and two other passengers who lost their baggage. From this, I learnt to always check my documents, and ensure that everything is proper and ready, such as the baggage ticket from Wuhan to Guangzhou and then to Singapore.

I have definitely benefited a whole lot from this Overseas Immersion Programme. This trip has broadened my perspective of the world I am living in, and enhance my experience and knowledge and allow me to discover more of the history and culture of China. In addition, I made a lot of good supportive friends. The beautiful memories which we had shared, cherish, and enjoyed together will never be forgotten.

I will definitely remember all the lecturers who made this trip possible and fun, as they have put a lot of great effort in planning this OIP trip. I would like to acknowledge them as if not for them, there will be no 3rd generation OIP. The whole group of us on the trip would not have met and learned about each other, and support each other in times of need.

This journey is a memoriable and interesting one, which brought so much joy to me. It is more than just the immersion programme and the Wuhan culture or completing the 2 modules. This OIP has challanged my perspective, and widened my thinking and gave me oppurtunities to be independent.

I miss all my friends there, and this is the most fun-filled experience. I learnt to be independent and tolerant, and to have an open mind and have the passion to learn new things.


All men have a sweetness in their life. That is what helps them go on. It is towards that they turn when they feel too worn out.
-Albert Camus

Day 41 - Fireworks & Haunted Mansion

This is last day which we will spend in Wuhan before flying of the following day. Few of us left the hostel at 7am in the morning to play fireworks! After which, my friends and I headed down to Grand Ocean again, to do a bit of shopping and indulge ourselves for the last time!

When we reached Grand Ocean, he rushed to Ajisen Ramen Restaurant once again for lunch. It is our favorite food stall as the food is value for money! After a satisfying lunch, we were invited by the other group of friends to try out their Haunted Mansion.


Lighting of Fireworks
Zhong Rong and Chin Kuang lighting explosive fireworks. It gives you the adrenaline rush when lighting the fireworks as you are afraid it might blow up immediately! It takes great courage to do so. But it can only happen in places like China, where fireworks are legalized. So why not? It's the first time for me!


Rocket Man
Jarold and I held the firing canistor in our hand where the firework is loaded. I love the feel of the recoil and backdraft of the firework!


Mini Van
This is the usual mini van we take when we need transportation to various places. What a cosy van for 8 pax!


Private Contractor
Our trusty driver, who safely transport us around the city. This van is very old, at least over 12 years, and our driver is still capable of racing through narrow pathways, quick changing of lanes, and running red lights.


Haunted Mansion
We dared one another to take a walk through the Haunted Mansion. There is a rating system which customers can choose from, with 1 Star as the lowest degree of scariness, to 5 Stars which is the highest degree of scariness.


Holding Area
The initial part was the scariest, where we didn't know what to expect when we enter. After getting through with it, the rest was a test of bravary. I thought the walk would be EXTREMELY scary, but it didn't turn out that way because we took the one with 2 Stars. We weren't really satisfied with the performance of the ghosts, and therefore we went in the second time, only that this time we took the highest degree of scariness, 5 STARS!

It was much scarier this time, as the lights were offed, and we had to navigate through total darkness. And there were more activities such as ghosts pulling my legs which gave me a shock and made me scared!

REFLECTIONS

The driving style in China is very hectic and reckless. Drivers do not signal when changing lanes, and randomly cut into one another's lane, which kept me on the edge of my seat when seated at the front! When the traffic light is red, drivers will cheat by filtering right, and then turn left again, which brings them back to the same stretch of straight road. To them, petrol is expensive, and it is not worth slowing down at the red light, because accelerating consumes a lot of petrol. They also want to minimize braking to prevent their brake pads from waring out.

Drivers can swerve through lanes during rush hour traffic, avoiding both cars and pedestrians. The most shockingly remarkable part is that, although their driving style is SO RECKLESS, there are no accidents. Unlike Singapore, strict enforcement of proper driving on roads still result in many accident cases.


Advice is one of those things it is far more blessed to give than to receive.
-Carolyn Wells

Day 40 - IS Video & Farewell Dinner

My group and I woke up at 7am in the morning to do a few video shoots for our IS Video. After that, we went to have lunch at Grand Ocean. Nightfall, we came back at 6pm for a farewell dinner with the China students to mark the end of our trip!


IS Video
We prepared the video shoot for our IS video. Although it rained slightly, we persevered and pushed on to complete several shots.


Salmon Sashimi
A tasty treat of Japanese cuisine. Raw salmon fish with wasabi which kills bacteria.


Spicy Pork Rice
Only this dish would be seen in China. Rice topped with spicy pork slices. Each slices contains 40% meat and 60% fats. Unhealthy it is, but who cares. It is the final days in China!


Customer Service
I ordered a mango juice, which came several minutes later. When it arrived at the table, the waitress did not know what drink it was, and asked her manager in charge. The manager then picked up the drink and put it barely a centimeter away from her nose to smell what drink it is. What a disgusting sight it was, which totally put off my appetite!


Farewell Dinner
We rushed back at 6pm for the farewell dinner with the China students.


Opening Speech
Our beloved Mr An, who gave an opening speech for the farewell dinner!

REFLECTIONS

Today is already day 40 of our Immersion Program. Being away from my family and loved ones is finally coming to an end! A couple of days left and I find myself resistant to return to Singapore. I have made a whole lot of close friends who are very attached together and well-adapted to the life here. Looking back from where we started, I had fond memories with my friends and students from other courses. This is the best and most wonderful group of closed ones who made this OIP a memorable one!

I had definitely benefited a lot from this OIP. This program has broadened my view of the world, and the things happenign around me. It also enhanced my experiences and general knowledge of the history and culture of China.


True friendship consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and value.
-Ben Jonson

Day 39 - Final BPE Presentation

This morning is our final Business Process Engineering presentation on the Flexsim program. After the mind-blasting presentation, my friends and I went for a cool drink and a delicious bowl of dumpling noodles.


Mr Loh
Our trip leader who brought us through the past 5 hectic weeks in Wuhan!


Flexsim Software
Presenting the final assignment with my roommates Jarold and Alvin. This software enables me to visualize the entire process chain of a manufacturing company.


Signing Out
We always keep a record of our presence in the hostel whenever we leave or return. This is to ensure our own safety as our lecturers will know where we are during that period of time.


8 + 8
The famous flavored drink shop! I purchased a cup of Ribena + Lemon to compliment my lunch!


Dumpling Noodles
This is one of the healthier dish (although still not too healthy) which contains less oil. It is very tasty when eaten with a plate of vinegar.

REFLECTIONS

A computer software which give engineers a 3-D view of any process chain will save the company a lot of money. If a company were to carry out a process plan by means of trial and error method, it will cost a lot of money due to the stopping of the manufacturing plant and paying of inactive workers. Thankfully, the invention of computers lead to the development of computer software which allows engineers to improve the process chain at minimal costs.


If builders built houses the way programmers built programs, the first woodpecker to come along would destroy civilization.
-Gerald Weinberg

Day 38 - Rest Day

The Overseas Immersion Program is coming to an end. My friends and I went around malls in search of gifts for our loved ones! We took a mini van to Grand Ocean for lunch at Pizza Hut!


Private Contractor
It is amazing how 8 passengers are able to squeeze into a mini van!


Pizza Hut
One of the healthier food choices in Wuhan. Sadly, it is priced the same as Singapore!


Mushroom & Ham Pizza
Delicious as it looks. Thin crust pizza!


Cheese Cake
I love the fine garnishing done. In secondary school, I took a subject called Food & Nutrition. I always enjoyed cooking, and preparing food. This cheese cake is finished with a professional ending touch by simply garnishing the plate with a circular design of chocolate.

REFLECTIONS

Private contractors are common in China. They use their personal transport to service needy passengers. Although it is considered illegal in China as personal transport is not under a registered service, drivers still do it to earn a living. In the night when the demand for transport is high, drivers can raise their prices, using a biding system. The reason behind it is because they do not operate using meters, as bargaining system will allow them to profit more.

In Singapore, such private services are illegal. Although there are private contractors who render transport service around places within Singapore, or from Singapore to parts of Malaysia, they have to do it discretely. Singapore has kept strict laws on this policy do safe guard the interest of taxi drivers and other public transport service.


You can have power over people as long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything, he's no longer in your power.
-Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn

Day 37 - Lunch at Ajisen

Today is a free day for us, what a good feeling! We left the hostel at 11am and purchased flavored drinks at the local bubble tea shop. My friend called for our usual private contractor to chauffeur us to Grand Ocean shopping mall where we had lunch at Ajisen japanese restaurant.


Bubble Tea Shop
This is our favorite bubble tea shop located 50 meters from our school's gate. There is a wide variety of sweet treats such as strawberry, cranberry, ice blended, coffee flavored drinks.


Personal Favorite
Ribena with lemon is my personal favorite. I will never walk pass this shop without a cup of ribena drink in my hand!


Ajisen Restaurant
Welcome to Ajisen Japanese Restaurant!


Outlets
These are the countries which has Ajisen outlets.


Superb Meal
Believe it or not, a Katsu Don (Curry Pork Rice) + 2 X 6 pieces of sushi, only costs $43yuan (S$8.70). What a scrumptious meal in a fine atmosphere at a reasonable price!


A Terrifying Terrorist
Just being lame for a bit, I wore a scarf on my face that I just purchased.

REFLECTIONS

Food pricing here in China is way cheaper than Singapore's. The reason behind it is because China is the food producer, whereby foods are delivered shortly to the respective stores. However in Singapore, food products from China has to be shipped across long distances, which incur large sums of transportation costs. This is why transportation and logistics is a lucrative business.

On the other hand, fast food outlets such as KFC and Mac Donalds still cost the same as Singapore's. Thus, we do not have any significant interest in fast food here. As a matter of fact, fast food in China is much healthier than roadside stalls, because there is less oil and salt content when prepared. Roadside stalls will prepare their food with endless amount of spices, whereas fast food outlets have to follow standard recipe all around the world.


A house is no home unless it contain food and fire for the mind as well as for the body.
-Margaret Fuller

Day 36 - Shopping and Exercise

Me and 5 other friends took a mini van down to Grand Ocean, where we had a delicious lunch, and did some shopping. This time, we returned to the hostel earlier so we could have an evening exercise!


Flags Remain
Days after China's National Day, their flags still remain hanging along stretches of pathway and outside of shops.


Bags
I bought a pair of beautiful bags for only $40yuan ($8.15).


Bubble Drama
Tasty chocolate milk tea!


Evening Run
That's Jarold running 2.4km!


Spectator
Watching the China students playing soccer.


Rope Climb
Using only upper body strength to propel myself up to the top.


REFLECTIONS
Exercise is essential for one's good health. I will feel lazy if I just sit around the hostel doing nothing. It is important to find some physical form of exercise to keep your body in shape, be it running, swimming, pull-ups, or sit-ups. Staying in the room the whole day would make me feel bored and at times, feel a lost of hope. Therefore, I would always walk around to my other friend's room and chat with them, and keep my mind occupied.


Peace is not achieved by controlling nations, but mastering our thoughts.
-John Harricharan