Heh.. realised I haven't posted much (or rather, anything) about my HK trip~!~ So here's a short short summary...

Highlight of the trip would be I guess.... HIM!!!

Yeah.. Went for a Jay Chou concert... which we decided in a spur of madness at 3am one night.

And I liked it so much... that I'll be going for his concert on the 18th! Can't WAIT!! IT"S NEXT WEEK!

hmmm.. so what else did we do with a 9 days, 8 nights trip in HK? Like the advert said... 买东西, 吃东西, 卖东西, 吃东西。。。and have loads and loads of fun...

Here's Siyi jumping into the picture at the Tung Chung factory outlets. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we only managed to get stuff from Esprit... Pretty nice tops there. Some of the things there are not rock-bottom cheap, but cheaper than what you get at the stores. So yeap.. after that, we headed to Disneyland!

Minnie at the entrance... and look!

Mickey and Minnie greeting us during the Christmas parade. And that sadly was the only shot I got of these 2 iconic Disney figures.

Mabel, Ade and Siyi... with our boarding passes for a ride...

And here's Sleeping Beauty's castle all lighted up. They set of fireworks at 8pm everynight.. Beautiful! S omagical.. but yeah.. you can just spend half a afternoon there. So I dun think the entrance ticket will be very much worth it. But then again, it is nice to go and see them... Some sort of a childhood thingee...

We also made a trip to Ocean Park! 2 themeparks!!!

Watched the seal and dolphin shows. I heart dolphins! And the good thing was that we did not have to queue very long for the rides. So yep... we took the roller coasters and what not...

Also went into the aquarium... WhootS! loads of nice and huge fishies... Makes me feel like going to pick up scuba diving. How I would love to dive into the sea and swim with the fishes. And it reminded me of the time I went to the Underwater World after my internship with Zhumei and Val. Hahaha...

And yep.. we saw the pandas. They were cute and very clumsy if I would say so...

And then Ocean Park was also where we got Bat Man and Schwein, seen on the left and right shoulder of gingerbread man respectively.

Ok... so much for the fun thingee... what about food? Heh... loads and loads of desserts.

But first.. the main course...From left to right on top, the first is a plate of sliced beef for steamboat. See the soup pot bubbling in the middle of the 2nd row. Yep.. it's from this place called 有骨气 and the soup base is damn good! Yummilicious!

And then how to forget dim sum... har gow and siew mai being served up next... And then we have egg tarts - you can get very good ones from practically everywhere! :)

The last picture is of a crepe we had at this revolving restaurant at Wan Chai. We went for high-tea (so tai tai right?). Hahaha.. good food aplenty! As for desserts...

One of my favourite dessert to have in HK is 杨支金露. It's mango puree with mango cubes together with pomelo. and i declare the one sold at Lucky Desserts (发记) the best simply because they are very generous with their mango! another one would be the Almond paste dessert. And so... I think we went for desserts like at least 5 times during our trip.

Hahaha. by some stroke of luck, the top row of pics are all from Lucky Desserts. We have the Durian Pancake which is pretty good as the durian is rather fragrant. Following that, Almond Paste and finally, 杨支金露.

Next, we have steamed milk which is oh-so-delicious! I had the ginger one and it's just so soothing. 杨支金露 from 许溜山. and then almond paste dessert again from another rather good dessert place called 满记. And finally, there's some red bean paste(?), Mango sago dessert and Walnut paste.

Yep.. shall blog till here... we also went up to the Peak where it was brrrr cold... went into the wax museum there, walked the Avenue of Stars at Tsim Sha Tsui and visited Mabel's uni. heh.. more pictures the next time! :)

Hi! My name is 八万 (or bat man in Cantonese. Note: It is 'bat man' not batman!). In case you can't guess, I'm a reindeer! hurhurhur... I was born in Ocean Park and was 'adopted' on 17th December. Ya... here are my owner and her friends...

Siyi, Adelene and yep.. there's my owner.. savouring and enjoying their egg tarts!

They visited Mabel... and look! there's my good friend, Schwein in Mabel's arms. Yep.. Schwein is a pink pig.. also born in Ocean Park. Oh... There's also Jellyfish... with a pretty pink blush... but no pics... hahaha...

Anyway, in HK, my owner went for Jay Chou's concert! *squeals...* It was superbly good.. but all the photos are in Mabel's computer.. so till she gets back...

In Hongkong, my owner visited Disneyland and watched the pretty fireworks, went Ocean Park, ate loads of mango desserts (esp 杨支甘露... see pic below), hotpot (ie: steamboat) and well.. shopped.

Yep yep... so that's for HK... So before I leave you all.. let me show you my multiple images...

Hi... I'm 'Zorro' bat man, or I can be a demure lady, or an assasin, or well... Maybe it's just to protect my poor nose and lungs from all the polluted air....

Behold... General Bat Man! Don't I just look grand and regal???

Oh.. and on a final note, my owner wishes everyone a Merry Christmas (abeit belated) and a aHappy New Year. May all wishes come true for the next year... Oh... and hopes that you all will forgive her for not updating for so long. She is just enjoying herself nua-ing at home and not wanting to do anything. Another couple of weeks to nua away!!!!!!!!!

Homecoming! Just a few more days... 3 to be exact.

It sure doesn't feel like 4.5 months have passed. Time really flies. And in the process, I have learnt so much more about myself, gained so many intangible experiences that it is overwhelming.

Before coming on exchange, I always wanted the opportunity to be able to work overseas. This goal hasn't really changed much, yet, I will be much better prepared for what comes my way if it ever happens. Adapting to and thriving in a new environment is fine. But at the same time, I really miss my family and friends. The ease and conforts of familiarity.

After coming over, I realised how small Singapore is. But at the same time, I do appreciate it for being small because it is so much more convenient. I know I will miss St Gallen. My cosy room, the garden, Tara and the cats. I will miss taking long, scenic train rides around Switzerland or out of the country. But, another part of me can't wait to come home.

I never thought I'll say this, but I am tired of being away from home. This came after living out of my suitcase for exactly 3 weeks. It is fun. I enjoy walking the streets of Prague, Poland, whereever. Looking at stuff, appreciating other countries. But without a proper, comfortable bed, having to move around every couple of days, it does get exhausting.

Anyway, I think even my body is geared up for returning to Singapore. I'm waking up early these couple of days (think 8 am) when in the past, I would sleep till 11. The power of psychology?

*rant rant rant*

I am irritated... Budget airlines fly you fro mplaces cheaply, but at the same time, they are damn anal when it comes to the time when we have to make changes. Extra charges for making changes, no cancellation refunds... THIS SUCK!!!

Cause I made some changes to travel plans, choosing to extend Prague for another two more days. With this change, I have to cancel the hostel I booked in Athens, change my flight from Prague to Athens cause I can't just cancel Athens as I have made bookings for my subsequent transfers like my boat rides to and fro Crete and my flight to Milan from Athens. So yeah... bo pian lor...

Why change travel plans? Cause I didn't want to bake under the sun while visiting the Acropolis. I like Prague and spending 2 days in Prague is too short. Oh well... will save more money when I get back.

2 weeks from now, I will be back home. Time flies... I want to go home... but travelling is find sans the luggage and stuff. Yeah.. I've been lugging 17kg luggage plus a 3kg backpack around when I move between cities. It is not very amusing. But well.. a ocuple more transfers and I will be back in St Gallen, and then, flying back home.

Venice. 17th May to 19th/20th May.

to go or not to go?

Heh... Spent a lazy sat afternoon at home, researching for my Paris trip, just settling my courses and now, I'm watching Tennis now... Some final live featuring Justine Henin and Serena Williams. hahaha... Life is good...

I feel domesticated again. Clothes washing downstairs, i cooked 'dunch' - Potato with mince meat and rice... Nowadays, I just cook like one dish - either a soup or sth with gravy and eat it with a staple.

Went to a party in Zurich yesterday. Happening hor? Alcohol is like almost free here lar... When you order like a mix, they put like one-third alcohol into the cup. It's damn strong lar... But I took a beer... hahaha.. dun wanna get wasted in Zurich. I still have to take a train back to St Gallen. Then the music was a bit weird. Like the DJ was supposed to be playing some hip-hop and R&B. It was some weird song lar. Nothing like R&B at all. Then there was some goth like band who played some weird songs too... Then caught the 1 am train back to St Gallen and reached backed at 3 plus and it was SUPER COLD!!! Stayed over at a friend's place cause I dun wanna walk back at night. Had tea and bathed. Slept at 5 and woke up at 10. Missed the trip to Bern though. Nvm.. I'll go another day...

Heh.. some updates.. going to Paris from 4th to 8th April.