Glad tidings

So Christmas vacation started a fortnight ago and what have I been doing since? Why, catching up on all the work and revision I postponed during term! I even had to shift my entire workspace to the library because the darn computer kept distracting me Facebook and Youtube. Blogging activity has suffered as a consequence, I'm afraid.

Anyway, I digress. Why am I working this hard during the start of vacation? Well, simply because I have such an amazing holiday planned out that if I don't finish my work, it'll occupy my mind and that's not something I want to take with me on my travels. And everything starts tomorrow. Woo hoo!

So tomorrow, I'll be flying off to Vienna with the British XS Latin Formation Team to represent England at the World Championships. Alex (my best gay friend) and I have been designated travel buddies and will be sharing a room together (how cool is that going to be?!). David (our coach) will be picking us up in front of Churchill college to the airport and it'll be one happening party car. (He calls Alex and I the Chuckle Brothers. Go figure.)

There'll be 28 teams competing and it's going to be really tough for sure. Here are some videos of Latin formation teams and their themes:

Theme: Moulin Rouge
Not very strong technique but presentation is remarkable. Walk-on and walk-off are brilliant though!


Theme: Nightmare before Christmas
Very cute routine to very cute music.


Theme: Anime
A German team with the theme 'Anime'. You can hear the introduction song for Naruto as their walk-on. Now I know I've seen everything. (Brownie points to anyone who can name the rest of the animes from which the songs come from)

The competition itself is on Saturday and we'll probably explore Vienna on Sunday before flying back to England that very evening. It doesn't end there however as I'll be catching the next flight to Italy for the Christmas with two of my friends from Hong Kong. Maslina (a very old school friend) and her friends will be joining us in Rome up to Milan. The itinerary is as follows:

Day 1 (18th December)

Arrive at Naples
(will hopefully catch a glimpse of the Isle of Capri as described so beautifully by Somerset Maugham in his 'The Lotus Eater')

Day 2 (19th December)
Day trip to Pompeii
(my parents might've visited it but I might be mistaken)

Day 3 - 5 (20th - 22nd December)
Rome and Vatican City
(just before Christmas too. It'll be amazing! What with Christmas villages and the atmosphere. We might even catch sight of the Pope!)

Day 6 (23rd December)
Day trip to Pisa
(standard)

Day 7 (24th December)
Florence
(birthplace of Italian Renaissance)

Day 8 - 9 (25th - 26th December)
Venice
(to see the authentic Bridge of Sighs this time)

Day 10 (27th December)
Milan
(as much as it'll bore me to death, my friends wanted to do some shopping there)

On the 28th, we'll be catching a night train to Paris where we will spend the rest of the year till the New Year. I can barely imagine the Eiffel Tower framed by fireworks at midnight of the New Year. It'll be so wonderful!

So that's that. But until tomorrow, I've still got lots of work to do. There's no way I'll be able to finish everything by then but if I work really hard tonight (which I will after I'm done with this post), I should be able to get most of it done. Pictures should follow after I'm back.

Till then, a very merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to everyone!

Life is short

Life is short. We've heard it a thousand times before. But we don't realize it till it happens to us: cancer, stroke, death. And then we start asking ourselves, 'how much of the world have I seen?', 'how many achievements can I be proud of?', 'how many people will grieve at my passing?'. Ultimately, 'what have I done with my life?'.

I guess in some ways we're not that different from animals. After all, we're motivated so much more efficiently by negative cues than positive ones. But then again, life just isn't all about food, shelter and reproduction. And I guess this distinguishes us from animals in some ways. But the main question is, will it be too late by the time we realize it?

Surreal

Opening his small black umbrella, he emerges from the laboratory into the cold wet dusk of night. As the rain falls around him, he walks down the old cobbled streets of Cambridge. The dim yellow streetlights dance upon the rippling puddles which he cautiously avoids. And all around him, pedestrians hurry home as cyclists whiz past.

Shaking the raindrops off his umbrella, he ascends the staircase leading to his room. He unlocks the signposted door with his name printed above it. With a sigh of contention, he enters his warm familiar room, kicks off his shoes and snuggles underneath the duvet of his cosy bed.

The good

On the other hand however, I had a really enjoyable weekend. Here's an account of it:

Friday night was spent watching the monthly meteor shower orionids with a friend until the wee hours of the morning. It was a cold night despite the low clouds which threatened to stop us from seeing any meteors. But we brought a few of packets of crisps and a flask of steaming milo with us as we made our way on foot to Castle Mound - the highest spot in Cambridge. It was perfect. When we arrived, the clouds had cleared and it was dark enough to make out the faintest of faint stars as we laid down to watch the dance of the celestial bodies. We passed the night away, kept each other company, made small talk, seemingly insignificant, but nonetheless meaningful. And witnessed three meteors. It was my first and I made three wishes.


Saturday was a very hectic day with dance taking up most of it. But it all ended very nicely with a potluck dinner I organized with a few friends and freshers. It was a pre-Halloween celebration and we all came in costume. It was a very enjoyable meal with just about enough food and alcohol while the chatter was lively and funny. After the meal, I rushed off to my friend's room for our weekly mahjong session before heading to Queens' for their R&B Ents with the rest of the Dancesport team. It was a very good night indeed with some of us getting slightly tipsy and dancing energetically on the dancefloor. Saturday night ended with a rather interesting chat in Sam's room to which I shall not divulge the contents in order to avoid embarassing myself.


The weekend ended with a relaxing formal at Pembroke. Peter invited me over for a free formal meal at his college to which I accepted. It was my first formal of the term although not my first at Pembroke. This is how busy I am. But the food was good and so was the company. Peter gave a tour of his college before ending with a friendly chat in his room where we discussed many matters including our future involvements with OCEP. It was definitely a very good weekend although I doubt it'll happen again. Very much less as the term progresses. But it was a good respite from it all.

And the bad

The past two days have been the worst days of the term so far. Here's an account of it:

I woke up really early at 7.45 am on Thursday morning hoping to catch up on some of my work before my first lecture at noon as stated on my lecture timetable. While having my breakfast, I thought it slightly suspicious that I've had three consecutive Thursdays starting at noon and this being the fourth one. So I decided to recheck my timetable and to my horror, I realized that I've been looking at the previous week's timetable with the current one stating that I've got a Neuroanatomy practical starting at 10.00 am. So I plowed through the practical manual in order to familiarize myself with the experimental procedure whilst feeling absolutely terrible that I had to postpone my revision.

When I arrived at the laboratory, I was utterly dismayed when we were told to conduct another experiment instead of the one I had already read. It also didn't help that my laboratory partner was not keen on the experiment and just couldn't be bothered to do anything which really got on my nerves. But the one thing which annoyed me the most was when he asked for my answer to a supervision question which I had already submitted. After telling him my answer, he patronizingly shook his head and proceded to explain why my answer was wrong while giving me his correct answer. I honestly do not understand why he even bothered to ask me for my answer when he already had the correct one. The fact that I had already submitted my assignment made it all even worse because that meant I couldn't change my answer.

So after a gruelling two-hour practical which I conducted on my own, I had to attend a Pharmacology lecture which I look forward to as much as going home. The current lecturer has as much passion for the subject as a cold body waiting for an autopsy. It's the way he presents himself. It's the way he stands, walks and talks. It's the tone and slur of his speech. Think of the teacher Mr. Garrison from Southpark and you have a pretty good replica of him. I have never in my entire educational life felt such a strong urge to throw something at him after every. single. god. damned. lecture. I would've followed the rest of my friends and skipped the entire lecture series if I weren't so afraid of regretting that I did not try my best when I fail my Pharmacology exams.

And just a moment ago, I was notified that I wasn't selected to represent England in Germany which I found slightly disappointing although I was expecting not to get selected. It just seemed as if all my efforts for the past few weeks - rushing my work during the day so as to dance the nights and weekends away - were flushed down the drain. Despite the fact that I got selected to represent England in Vienna, I think I'm going to give it a miss because I was really banging on Germany instead. Oh well. I just hope the weekend will take a turn for the better.

It's nice to be part of it too

So I spent the whole day along the banks of the river Cam just in front of Trinity College's Wren Library. The sunny weather was just to gorgeous to be spent indoors and the place was absolutely beautiful. The library overshadows the green lawns which border the river as it takes a bend beneath two willow trees. I like it there.



There's a bench which I've already claimed as my own after spending hours on it writing up my coursework. From it, I can see the hillarious antics of novice punters tackling one of the hardest bends of the river. More so because the furthest edge of the riverbed isn't covered by gravel resulting in a lot of stranded poles.


~


So I struck up a lively conversation with an elderly lady sitting next to me. I like talking to the elderly. They have such a jaded view of the world - one that comes from wisdom and experience after having lived for so long. We both shared the same love for the river - for the reassuring sound of the pole striking the gravel. And after having talked for hours about family, punting and life in general, she said:

"It's amusing to see the world go by, it's nice to be part of it too."

and the world suddenly seemed so different to me.

~

I think people are getting more spoilt by the generation. In Hong Kong, I witnessed a maid carrying a student's bag in one hand while holding up an umbrella for her royal highness in the other in order to shade her pale skin from the sun. And back in my time, my parents couldn't afford to fly with me to England. Back in my time, they couldn't drive up from London to Cambridge. Back in my time, they couldn't help me unpack and decorate my room, sort out bank account applications for me or buy groceries for me. It's quite clear what the world is coming to and it doesn't look pretty.

Term has begun

You know term is about to start when you see:

1. Scholars heaving bulky rucksacks on their shoulders and dragging large suitcases through the gravel to their rooms with their Herculanean effort etched on their faces
2. Familiar faces on the narrow streets of Cambridge and you're suddenly overwhelmed by hugs and kisses as well as besieged by recollections of Summer escapades
3. Friends unloading carts laden with big boxes of their possessions as you immediately run to help them.

~

So I've got a new room this year. It's not as big as my previous room last year and not as well furnished. In fact, it's over-furnished with chairs (which I really don't need considering the lack of space) and under-furnished with electrical sockets (which I desperately need). Other than that however, I am quite pleased with my choice this year and here's why:



1. My room has a lovely tall window overlooking the Typewriter a.k.a. the Lasdun Building (which I think is definitely in the wrong place and should be on a beach somewhere facing the sea). The window is framed by green creepers (for the time being) with the solitary leaf being blown in by the wind to further carpet my already-carpeted floor. It's so romantic. I can't wait for Autumn when the leaves will turn a brilliant shade of red, orange and gold and my room will be ablaze with a barrage of fiery colours.


2. I'm very proud of my shelves. My previous room was not furnished with any and I was in desperate need of them. I've made full use of them now as you can see with books I've yet to read and little mementos I've gathered here and there from my travels. If only it had a glass cover, everything would be perfect. But as it is, I'm very happy with it.

~

I know I've said it before but I absolutely love the marketplace. My Sunday afternoons are almost always spent exploring the marketplace with its stalls of arts and crafts. You can find absolutely anything there from fresh produce to clothes to incense to pottery to paintings. Everything on display is so interestingly beautiful. If only I had more than £5 in my bank account.

~

I realize I've been frequenting King's Bridge ever since I got back. There's something about sitting on its thick cool walls and watching the punts pass underneath. As if they could carry my overflowing thoughts away with them. As if the river could provide me with a sense of comfort by its gentle sway.

You can't go back

You've changed so much.

We were the best of best friends. We'd play house on the school grounds every lunch break. We'd leave the house in the mornings and work the afternoons before coming back to the house for a nice quiet dinner together. We'd sleep in the same room although we never had any kids. I still wonder why. She was pretty and sweet and we were best friends. That was all I knew. And I was happy.

You've changed too.

With a smart tap of her thumb, she flicks the cigarette between her second and third fingers. And as she exhales the foul smoke, the unkempt locks of her bleached hair falls down around her shoulders.

Our conversation is shallow and meaningless. Like the ash which falls from her cigarette only to get lost in the sudden gusts of wind. Insignificant.

I was aching to hold her in my arms. But to do so would be to acknowledge the fact I already know so well. And yet, am trying so hard to deny.

Her boyfriend appears at her door from within the house. He wraps his arms around her fleshy waist and frenches her in front of me. I look away. Not out of disgust but out of a lack of anything else to do.

When they're done, I reach out my hand to shake theirs. I pause a little longer over hers, as if it could give us back the time that was stolen from us. I was disappointed.

I guess we've all changed.

I'd cry if I could but nothing comes. Not even a sob. I guess deep down inside, I was expecting it.

I wonder what happened to all the dreams we had? The hopes and dreams we shared. Where did they die and how did they die along the way?

All that is left now is a framed class photograph taken more than a decade ago. And this is how I will always remember her. Her warm brown hair tied behind her back as she sits so ever gracefully with her legs pressed together and slanted at an angle. As she sits, with her slender hands on her lap, smiling defiantly against the very essence of time that would change us forever.

It just shows. You can't go back. It won't be the same.

Melanie was right.

Of journeys and sojourns

And now that I'm back, I realize I can finally breathe easily again. I have a feeling I'll be getting my first peaceful night's sleep tonight since a month ago. Despite the wet and cold welcome, it's good to be back again. And now, I can finally breathe easily again.

~

I've flown a total of 18 hours: Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok to Frankfurt to London. If that wasn't hell, I don't know what is. Never ever fly Lufthansa. With little space, uncomfortable seats, no personal screen and bad entertainment, its aircrafts are the worst. So, unless I'm flying First or Business Class, there's absolutely no way I'm braving the journey to Malaysia. And since that's financially impossible, I guess I won't be seeing the Muddy Estuary anytime soon.

~

I finally bought the Swatch watch I've been eyeing for more than three years. It's automatic - isn't battery-operated. Aside from its transparent display of sophistication with its miniscule gears rotating and a small spoked-wheel acting as a pendulum, I simply love its representation of time: its never-ending ticking. Even when you pull out the stopper to adjust the time, it doesn't stop. Does time really stop for us to adjust our watches? I wonder if it occured to anyone 'I've wasted 18 hours of my life doing absolutely nothing when I could be out there making a difference.'

~

Night flights are so enchanting. The inky blackness of night blots out all other details of disinterest, leaving behind an etch of the city outlined by dazzling lights. The layout of the city becomes more vivid with this contrast of light and darkness. And if you're flying just long enough, the golden chariot of the sun rides the sweet bosom of the sky, unbridled by clouds - strong and mighty in all its splendour.

~

It's surprising how many interesting people you meet on your journeys. On the flight, I was sitting next to a tall pretty German girl a year younger than I who had just spent four weeks teaching English in Myanmar. I couldn't believe the coincidence as we shared similar experiences with each other - e.g. the hillarious banana dance - and give each other suggestions and advice. She's given me the necessary contacts should I want to teach English in Myanmar next year. That definitely kept the insanity at bay.

Also met an old Hong Kong lady who was asking for directions - she must've thought I was from Hong Kong with my dyed hair and pierced ear. Thank God for six weeks in Hong Kong. Although I couldn't follow her fast speech (I had to ask her to repeat herself three times), I got the gist of it and gave her directions. Surprise, surprise! She was also heading to Cambridge.

~

Aside from the usual going out and in, there's nothing interesting to report of my sojourn in Malaysia other than my birthday gifts from my parents. I usually tell people not to buy gifts for me because no one ever gets my taste. And so, instead of seeming ungrateful by not using or wearing the gifts I get, I just tell them not to bother.

This year however, mum bought me a white gold chain on which a key was strung. Apparently, it's a Chinese tradition for parents to give their child a key on their 21st birthday. And being in admiration of Chinese tradition and culture, it was the perfect gift (not to mention it being white gold because yellow gold looks chav-y).

But of course this doesn't mean I'm ditching dad's gift - a Tag Heuer watch. I mean, dad's quite a Scrooge when it comes to money and receiving a watch worth thousands came as quite a shock. It's a beautiful one too - worn by Kimi Raikonen. It feels really weird to wear something on your wrist which costs a hundred times more than the total of what I'm wearing. But in the end, you know what the Chinese say about giving clocks (or watches) to other people.

My smashing summer

Yu Chun Keung Memorial College No. 2
My very first school and a secondary one at that. At first, I was very worried because these guys have a notorious reputation. Teachers from previous years have been known to cry because of them. So I was quite surprised to get a lot of respect besides bonding quite well with them. In fact, I learnt a lot from them - not just in terms of teaching but everything a Hong Kong teenager should know (where to hang out, how to dress, how to *ahem speak, etc.) I wouldn't have learnt as much as I did with them had my first school been a primary school. I'll definitely remember them - if not for the fact that i was sexually harassed by the entire class during the school trip to the museum.

King's College Old Boy's Association Primary School No. 2
My second school - first primary school. I was apprehensive at teaching primary school students at first, worrying that they wouldn't be able to understand me and I wouldn't be able to control them. At the end of the week however, I had so much fun teaching these cute little devils that I just couldn't bear to leave them. Most memorable event: definitely the fashion show. Aside from the fact that my class won Best Male Costume and emerged as the best class, let's just say I'm very good at walking the catwalk as well as making macho and camp poses.

Hong Kong Baptist Convention Primary School
Third school - second primary school. Most memorable event: the closing ceremony. I've been teaching dance as my extra-curricular activity - pop dance for secondary school and line dance for primary school. These kids learnt my entire Saturday Night Fever line dance choreography within an hour and asked if they could incorporate the dance into a play for the closing ceremony. I was quite surprised at how keen they were! Nonetheless, I wrote the script - filled with colloquial slangs - and choreographed a kung fu and sword fighting scene between Triad members. It turned out great and was the best performance of all.

YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School
Second secondary school and best school of all. At first, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get into the mindframe required to teach secondary school students after having taught two primary schools for two consecutive weeks. But I've bonded really close with these guys by the end. We hung out together after school at shopping complexes, had dinner, hot pot and tau foo fah together, took a few sticker photos and fooled around just like other teenage guys. I got lots of gifts from them even after persuading them not to get any for me. We've promised to keep in touch and hopefully stay as friends forever. If anything, I'd return to Hong Kong just to teach them again.

Bonham Road Government Primary School
Last fifth school - third primary school. My first impression: 'Dear God!' Instead of the usual 20, I had 26 students. And not just any 26 students, they were the youngest. My fellow group teachers challenged me into taking this class by saying that I wouldn't be able to get as close with them compared to previous classes. I was quite overwhelmed at first to tell the truth - think Maria in 'The Sound of Music' but with 26 children. Thankfully, I got the hang of it before the end. Most memorable event - definitely the closing ceremony. After teaching two primary schools my Saturday Night Fever line dance, I decided to do something different. So I choreographed a Para Para Sakura dance and taught it to them. And what a hit they were at the closing ceremony. It suited these cute little buggers so well. After the closing ceremony, one of my students couldn't bear to part with me and started crying while clinging to my leg. It took me everything to persuade her to follow her mum home - which she did reluctantly - after I promised to return again next year to teach her. It was a fitting end to five weeks of teaching.

Tuk-tuk

And thus are my travels at an end for this summer: when the old tuk-tuk driver returned my wai. A worthy end, no?

~ Tuk-tuk

Wat Traimit

Got up really early to catch a tuk-tuk to Wat Traimit. Let's just say the golden Buddha was quite a disappointment.

~ Wat Traimit

Wat Saket

Walked to Wat Saket to try my luck but it was already closed. Nonetheless, the view of the golden chedi on a hill overlooking Historic Bangkok was more than enough.

~ Wat Saket

Wat Suthat

I then walked all the way to Wat Suthat - one of those subtly beautiful wats - where I lingered for quite a while during a night prayer session. There's something about Buddhist chants which seem to mesmerize and entrance the listener. As I looked around me, it seemed that Buddha himself gazed down upon his devout followers and smiled benevolently as they cultivated the dharma loyally and faithfully.

~ Wat Suthat

Wat Arun

Crossed the Chao Phraya River to visit Wat Arun. It looked so beautiful from across the river with its Angkor Wat-inspired Chinese porcelain spires towering high above the river and sparkling in the dazzling light of the setting sun.

~ Wat Arun

Wat Pho

Wat Pho houses the famous large reclining Buddha. I wonder if in their haste to see the reclining Buddha, tourists miss the 91 chedis so characteristic of this wat, or the four viharns dedicated to the reigns of Kings Rama I - IV or the many small classes of young students taught by resident monks.

~ Wat Pho

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaeo

I was awed by the majesty and grandeur of its many splendid halls. And despite its small size, I was very impressed by the Emerald Buddha which currently dons the rainy season attire. It's so close to us and yet so far and distant all at the same time. Does that not command awe and admiration?

~ Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaeo

Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat boasts of the largest ordination hall in Thailand. I never knew how big wats are in Thailand. I was literally lost in the place. They are practically social centres where people not only pray and worship Buddha as well as meditate and learn the dharma but also eat, drink, rest and socialize together.

~ Wat Mahathat

Cafe' de Tour

Am now at a very cool chilled out bar on the second floor of a building overlooking Khaosan Road. The live music is just perfect and the atmosphere is kicking in. This is where it's at.

~ Cafe' de Tour

Khaosan Road

So I've walked the entire length of Khaosan Road and it's rather like Pattaya's Walking Street with lots of stalls and tourists: typical backpackers' area really. Reminds me of Petaling Street.

~ Khaosan Road

Democratic Monument

I had Phat Thai for dinner which is simlar to Char Koay Teow before heading to the Democratic Monument where I shot some rather impressive photos if I may say so myself.

~ Democratic Monument

Dreamworld

Spent the morning at Dreamworld. Played with snow. Went on a few rides. Made the most out of it. Had lots of fun. I was this excited.

~ Dreamworld

Suan Lum Night Bazaar

Although I'm not one for shopping, I got so caught up in the whole fun and exciting process of bargaining that I bought all of my souvenirs at discounts of more than 50%. Well worth it!

~ Suan Lum Night Bazaar

Arawan Shrine

The atmosphere was so surreal with hundreds of devotees paying homage to the deity. A sea of people prostrate themselves before the image and the altars are laden with overflowing offerings of flowers and elephant statuettes. Songs dedicated to the idol waft through smoke from countless burning joss-sticks which veil the dancers who sing the very songs they dance to.

~ Arawan Shrine

Walking Street

That place is just choc full of bars and each bar has its own collection of women-packed bars. From the ridiculous number of women - serving drunks at the bar, looking attractice on the bar stools or enticing men on the street - it's obvious that these bars aren't as keen on selling liqour than providing 'service'.

~ Walking Street

Pattaya

Took a stroll along Central Street all the way down to the beach before walking along Beach Road. I was lucky enough to catch the sunset - so very beautiful at this part of the world.

~ Pattaya

Pattaya Park Tower

The view from up there was simply spectacular although I could only appreciate it after the initial adrenaline rush of the Flying Fox ride down.

~ Pattaya Park Tower

Wat Khao Prayai

Situated on a hill to the south of the town, the wat houses a large gold Buddha. Elaborate altars to Buddhist deities and Buddha himself as well as strict codes of conduct and etiquette at places of worship reveal the intimate relationship between Buddhism and Thai life.

~ Wat Khao Prayai

Koh Larn

The island was heavenly with its white sandy beach and clear cool water. The birds-eyet view from paragliding was simply stunning with the dazzlingly blue South China Sea spread out on one side and the chalky white buildings of Pattaya on the other.

~ Koh Larn

Pattaya Elephant Village

We rode elephants through a secondary forest. It's quite tall up there and falling down was not an impossibility.

~ Pattaya Elephant Village

Finale II

• My crazy Hong Kong wannabe friend who always encouraged me to be a Hong Kong teenager.
• His dodgy behaviour for the past fortnight has made me question his sexual orientation.
• Loves Shakira's Hips Don't Lie as much as I do.
• He has been such a cool friend to have and has given me an insight into Hong Kong life as a local.
• My workoholic camp director who is constantly reminding me to perfect my lesson plans and handouts.
• So pretty and sweet that I'd go after her if shewe
  

~ Finale II

Finale

The picture says it all.

~ Finale

Tai O Fishing Village

But what distinguished this fishing village from other fishing villages was the many stilt houses planted along the muddy banks of the river beneath the sloping green hills behind them.

~ Tai O Fishing Village

Bonham Road Government Primary School

I'll never forget the tears on Trista's face as she clung to my leg while all of us were sending off our students for the last time at the school gate. It took me everything to persuade her to follow her mum home - which she did reluctantly - after I promised to return to Hong Kong again next year to teach her.

~ Bonham Road Government Primary School

Tribeca

Yesterday was our last night of clubbing. The entire camp went to Tribeca for Ladies' Night.

~ Tribeca

Tuen Mun Town Centre

We had a really good meal of hotpot.

~ Tuen Mun Town Centre

Kowloon Walled City Park

Many pavilions overlooking small man-made lakes dot the garden around the historic almshouse. Paths wind their ways under graceful circular wall openings and pass imposing rock formations. A pleasant stroll in the calm of the evening.

~ Kowloon Walled City Park

Hebe Haven Yacht Club

One of the sponsors of OCEP invited all of us for a boat trip onboard his yacht for a whole entire day. We went onboard Club Two - a beautiful boat - and were shipped away to a beach on one of the remote islands in the vicinity. The view was spactacular - countless small uninhabited islands dotting the immeasurable South China Sea.

~ Hebe Haven Yacht Club

Macau

On retrospect, Macau is similar to Hong Kong - there's a clash of Oriental and European influences. And yet, it's not as developed and reminds one of mainland China.

~ Macau

YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School

I'm happy yet sad at the same time. This has been the best school yet. In the past week, we've forged such a strong bond between us that the thought of parting was really unbearable. I will definitely miss them. If anything, I'd come back to Hong Kong just to teach them again.

~ YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

In the past two days, I've bonded really close with my students. None of us were interested in the exhibits - they were rather dull to be fair - merely cultural exhibits.

~ Hong Kong Heritage Museum