Tuesday, September 1, 2009
First. (Day 1-Sept 1st)
FIRST.
After getting ready and all set to go, I bid my house goodbye and made my way to Terminal 1, Row 12 arriving at 5.15am in the morning. Parents were there to send me off with a couple of friends who surprised me by turning up after telling me that they would not be able to send me off.
By comparing the service provided by Singapore Airlines and China Southern airline, I can proudly say that there is NOTHING to compare. Singapore Airlines is no doubt the best airline. To justify my stand, I would state a few incidents. Firstly, the plane was filled with a weird stench which accompanied us throughout the whole journey, but it was still bearable. Next, we waited for almost 30minutes to an hour before the plane took off. And drinks were not provided right after the plane was in a safe state. We were all dying of thirst. So after more than half way through the journey, finally the drinks were served. And in less than 15 minutes, the food came along. So what was the use of serving drinks only 15 minutes before giving us lunch when drinks were provided during lunch again? Next, a good image was not portrayed due to their ‘black faces’ when serving us. The last incident would be that the male steward actually asked my malay friend if she wanted PORK or fish for lunch. She stunned for awhile before requesting for fish. Then a female stewardess came along and started scolding the male steward in front of everyone about not knowing that my friend was supposed to receive halal food. Professional? I believe Singapore Airlines was providing service which was totally the opposite of what I had mentioned above. Proud to be a Singaporean =)
手打面
Chrysanthemum tea was horrendous. All of us were complaining that it tasted weird with a taste of melted rubber.
Our hostel room! Insects infested I would say. And their houseflies are MEGA BIG! (Quoted from Eshlyn =x) Did a quick clean up and off to BED! =DDD
First Time I’m travelling out of singapore without the company of my family.
First Overseas Trip.
First Time I’m Skipping 30 Trainings in a row.
First Day of our Wuhan Trip
First Overseas Trip.
First Time I’m Skipping 30 Trainings in a row.
First Day of our Wuhan Trip
After getting ready and all set to go, I bid my house goodbye and made my way to Terminal 1, Row 12 arriving at 5.15am in the morning. Parents were there to send me off with a couple of friends who surprised me by turning up after telling me that they would not be able to send me off.
Touched.
Thank you all for making the effort and sacrificing your sleep just to send me off. Really appreciate it.
Looking around, I see many parents standing together with their child. Talking to them and giving them their last words of advice since many of us are first timers for travelling along for such a long duration. I believe although many parents told their child how good an experience this trip would be, but from the look of their eyes, they are actually the ones that do not bear to let us go. Finally, the time has come to bid farewell. Family and friends gathered around and made me really DO NOT wish to go for this trip. Giving my parents the last hug, tears just came welling up in my eyes uncontrollably. Tried hard to hold it back but the feeling is just hard to suppress. Waved them goodbye and quicken my pace to cross the check point before I really could not bear to leave them. Taking the first step into a 1 and a ½ months journey of independency. Gathered myself together and we boarded the China Southern Airlines which brought us to Guang Zhou for transit.
By comparing the service provided by Singapore Airlines and China Southern airline, I can proudly say that there is NOTHING to compare. Singapore Airlines is no doubt the best airline. To justify my stand, I would state a few incidents. Firstly, the plane was filled with a weird stench which accompanied us throughout the whole journey, but it was still bearable. Next, we waited for almost 30minutes to an hour before the plane took off. And drinks were not provided right after the plane was in a safe state. We were all dying of thirst. So after more than half way through the journey, finally the drinks were served. And in less than 15 minutes, the food came along. So what was the use of serving drinks only 15 minutes before giving us lunch when drinks were provided during lunch again? Next, a good image was not portrayed due to their ‘black faces’ when serving us. The last incident would be that the male steward actually asked my malay friend if she wanted PORK or fish for lunch. She stunned for awhile before requesting for fish. Then a female stewardess came along and started scolding the male steward in front of everyone about not knowing that my friend was supposed to receive halal food. Professional? I believe Singapore Airlines was providing service which was totally the opposite of what I had mentioned above. Proud to be a Singaporean =) 
In Guang Zhou Airport.
Finally after 3-4hours of plane ride, we landed in Guang Zhou. With ample of free time, we decided to take our lunch in the airport. Walking around in search of a place to settle down, we discovered a China ‘Guardian pharmacy’. But strangely, it is named as ‘ Mannings’. Hmmph… the logic behind this name?
Mannings???
So we went in search of the cheapest eating place which we could find because the prices were all quite unbelievable. At last we still decided to settle our tired legs at a restaurant which looks the best among all but with prices that are almost similar to the other eateries. When we wanted to place our orders, all of us did not know how to call the waitress because from the experience of the previous batch, we are not suppose to call them as 小姐 (xiao jie)as it means hostess which is what we usually use in Singapore’s restaurant. So we tried all ways and means to attract their attention by waving our hands in the air, bobbing our heads up and down trying to have eye contact with any waitress. And finally, one came over to take our orders.
What I ordered were: 手打面(40 RMB) & 菊花茶 (15 RMB each).
Food critic:
Noodles were not even the standard of our Singapore’s Instant Maggie Noodle. It was bland and tasteless with only a scoop of olive as flavoring.
Noodles were not even the standard of our Singapore’s Instant Maggie Noodle. It was bland and tasteless with only a scoop of olive as flavoring.
手打面
Chrysanthemum tea was horrendous. All of us were complaining that it tasted weird with a taste of melted rubber.
菊花茶
Final Conclusion:
Service- =(
Food- =(
Total money paid- 55 RMB ($11.58)
Final Conclusion:
Service- =(
Food- =(
Total money paid- 55 RMB ($11.58)
We were actually paying the price of what Singapore’s Crystal Jade Restaurant is charging, but the food quality is incomparable. No wonder we were told to bring our own lunch for transit rather than to spend our money on the food in the airport.
NOT WORTH IT!
Oh before boarding the second plane, we discovered this while we were in the toilet, behind the cubicle door.
Before entering the boarding area, we were supposed to throw all our liquid stuffs into this bin. Think Singapore should have a special bin for this purpose at the boarding area for our convenience. 
WUHAN!!!
Landed in Wuhan at around 8.00-9.00 pm. Some night views of Wuhan while we were taking the 1 and a half hour bus ride to our hostel.
Taxis in Wuhan have electronic messages placed at the back of their car for purposes such as advertisements, reminding cars behind to watch out and not tail gate etc. Although it is another form of media advertisement or creating awareness, I would not like to see it on Singapore taxis as it is too flashy and a major distraction to drivers on the road. I still prefer Singapore taxis which are kept simple and clean.
Landed in Wuhan at around 8.00-9.00 pm. Some night views of Wuhan while we were taking the 1 and a half hour bus ride to our hostel.
Taxis in Wuhan have electronic messages placed at the back of their car for purposes such as advertisements, reminding cars behind to watch out and not tail gate etc. Although it is another form of media advertisement or creating awareness, I would not like to see it on Singapore taxis as it is too flashy and a major distraction to drivers on the road. I still prefer Singapore taxis which are kept simple and clean.
Wuhan Taxis.
First Supper.
Our first supper in WUST.
It was extremely sumptuous but due to my tiredness from the long plane and bus rides, I was thinking of the bed in my hostel. All the dishes were very spicy and oily with only a plate of white cabbage which was stir fried, non-spicy, and very oily. 99% of all the dishes were all pork parts. Pork blood, pork fats, pork meat, popcorn pork (chicken in Singapore), pork lungs etc etc. Whatever you can think of.
It was extremely sumptuous but due to my tiredness from the long plane and bus rides, I was thinking of the bed in my hostel. All the dishes were very spicy and oily with only a plate of white cabbage which was stir fried, non-spicy, and very oily. 99% of all the dishes were all pork parts. Pork blood, pork fats, pork meat, popcorn pork (chicken in Singapore), pork lungs etc etc. Whatever you can think of.
Getting prepared to get fat in the next 1 ½ months? Faints.
Health conscious Singaporeans will not complain about the little oil placed in dishes such as Char Kway Teow after you see the thick layer of shiny liquid on the dishes here in Wuhan.
Health conscious Singaporeans will not complain about the little oil placed in dishes such as Char Kway Teow after you see the thick layer of shiny liquid on the dishes here in Wuhan.
Room 330
Our hostel room! Insects infested I would say. And their houseflies are MEGA BIG! (Quoted from Eshlyn =x) Did a quick clean up and off to BED! =DDD
Oh before ending off, here’s a picture of our ‘Nice’ 
looking toilet =S
looking toilet =SReflections:
Services provided by Singapore and China cannot be compared. Because Singapore's services are way better than China. Today, we had little encounters which teaches us to understand their behaviour, culture & lingo more. I see more to come in the next 1 and a half months and I will fully understand how things works over here, embracing any short comings with a positive mindset.
XANIER!
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