Day 1 - Recap...

The Journey Ahead...

Finally! We can be away from our parents for 12 days! Just kidding. The sight of our families and friends, our Principal, VP and HODs, being here for the sending-off really made us feel excited and elated.

We felt worried for we going to travel without our parents for the first time, yet, on the other hand, the thought of traveling with our friends really excite us.- Jianliang, Team 3


For many, like myself, this is our first or second time on the airplane. I am excited when I board the plane. As shown from the picture, I am browsing around my seat area checking out the lights and call button! It was an enjoyable flight especially during the take-off and landing.- Marven, Team 3

After five long hours of sticking our butts to the seats, the plane touched down on Shanghai. We are tired but very excited about the journey ahead.
Once we reached the hotel, teachers and students immediately start calling their family and loved ones to informed them that we have arrived safely.

Day 2- Shanghai - Recap...

Day 02, the first place of visit is the Science and Technology Museum.

The Science Centre is very big; it has an exhibition on Animal World showing realistic looking life-sized animals depicting the different aspect of living in the wild.

Enjoying our lunch! All of us going for the fish!!!

Team 1 doing a pose at the “Dragon Seat” in the restaurant. Spot the Emperor Shahril’s favourite concubine!

Team Evergreen at Yu Yuan Garden. Note the “Icon” of Yu Yuan, a strange looking naturally formed rock at the background.

We (Team 3) are now at Yu Yuan Street. Haha, our kind teacher-in-charge treated us to Starbuck Coffee! Wonderful isn’t it? We then toured around the streets to shop for things and we really enjoyed bargainingJ - Shiqiang, Team 3

The weather was cold, colder than what we were expecting. But we felt warmer when we stayed within a group together and shopped around for souvenirs. Here, my friends and I learnt a good lesson on being wise and alert during shopping. With some bargaining, I manage to reduce the purchase price a box of “Beijing Olympic” doll key chains (1 set of 5 pieces) from $60 to $50. I thought it was a reasonable price, but later when I was about to board the bus, I found that one of the dolls was missing. Immediately, I realized, it was the dishonest shopkeeper who did this so that he can earn more. – Hui Yoke, Team 3

We were told that Nanjing Road is just like the Singapore’s very own Orchard Road! There are lots of shops to choose from and some are of branded goods. This road is reserved for pedestrian only. And the best part is there is even a tram to transport people from one part of Nanjing Road to another. Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to ride on it. L We also learnt something during the shopping spree, that is to learn how to be decisive when purchasing items and not to regret anything missed. – Zafira, Team 3

Some of us check out the gigantic bookstall there.

We then took the bus to Shanghai Bund. It is an exciting place where one can see the old and new Shanghai at the same location. When we are there, we took several group photos including this one of Team 5.

We also managed to have a few photos of the teachers accompanying us. – Shiyong, Team 3

Diner at Nanjing Road area was really great!:D But unfortunately, we are too full from lunch that we left a lot of leftover! Buit on a whole, it was really an experience for Muslim students as they had to use their beginner’s skills of using chopsticks to eat.

After dinner, we went around the Xingtiandi to experience the nightlife there. – Ina, Team 3

Day 3....On the move...

ON THE MOVE..

Early in the morning, the weather was misty.
Arrived at our destination around 10am.






When we first set our eyes on the oriental pearl TV tower, we were wondering if we were still on earth as it looked like a weird alien constructed tower. Just take a look at the picture =D!


Some interesting facts.
The oriental TV tower is the 3rd tallest tower in the world and the first in Asia. It stands at the height of 468 metres which was about 200 stories high. The journey up to the top of the tower was much quicker than expected. It took less than a minute to travel up the viewing tower which was about 263 metres high.

Some pictures taken as shown, weren’t clear due to the weather. Sigh.

Bought some souvenirs and went all the way down back to firm ground, yeah!
Even though it was fun all the way up the tower, it sure was good to have our legs back on solid ground.


We went to the airport at 2pm to get us checked in.
Japheth, one of the travelers, left his passport on the floor!
Responsibility. Picked up by Mr. Shahril.

Took the bus to the plane stationed at the runway.
We felt like royalty as we waved to the crowd instructed by Mr. Shahril.
The plane departed at around 3.30pm.

Arrived at ChangChun around 5.45pm, 17 degrees cold.
Went to collect our luggage and went to the arrival hall where crowds were cheering us on as they thought that we were the Si Chuan helpers.

However the crowd wasn’t for us. Disappointed.
A bouquet was given to JAPHETH! Jealousy.

We took the bus from the airport to the hostel where we were to spend 4 days of immersion. We had our dinner which was fairly sumptuous.
Rushed off to the train station where we get ourselves settled down for the overnight ride.



At the cabin, we got ourselves comfortable positions and await for the train to depart from changchun. We were allocated 6 to a cabin and occupied a total of 10 cabins.







Feelings:

I was not used to the surroundings as the cabins did not have doors. So, we all in all felt insecure.

Departure date...

The daparture date had been carried forward...
Firstly... It was said that we would depart Singapore on the 28th of May..
Now the travel agency's people gave us the latest update that we will be leaving on the 27th of May...
That is on Tuesday...
the date on which we come back to step on the ground of Singapore is on 7th of June...

Everybody is excited about the trip...
And... Maybe everybody is now busy choosing what clothes they will bring to China to wear...
HaHaHa...
Maybe instead of posting in the blog here...
I should join them in packing my luggage...
Haha...
So... Goodbye!!! (SAYONARA)

~signed~

the chronicles of completing the presentation

Today we began experimenting on how to go about creating our presentation on the various religions,cultures,and other various aspects of Singapore and Evergreen. All in all, we had a rather enjoyable and mind broadening session and I am sure that the pupils in ChangChun will enjoy our presentation.

that's all for now,
Japheth

Pre-Trip preparation... (lots of things to do)

Before the trip...
It is normal to do preparation for the trip...
However... What we had to do...
Is maybe loads more than what normally people do...
We had courses given by our teachers...
the time for each course is long even though the main point for the whole course is only about one or two matter...
we had gone through a few of these courses already...

Today... while there are new posts being put up...
the others are busy... either playing on the computer...
or busy finding details of what is to be put in the powerpoint slides that are to be presented to the students in China...
It is to let them know more about our country, Singapore...
And to let them gain knowledge of our school, Evergreen Secondary...
If you can see how "hardworking" they are working on the slides... Haha...

On next Monday...
there will be a one-last briefing on the trip...
And then, after that... On Wednesday...
It will be our departure day!!!
How happy and exited are we... Haha...
Just cannot wait for the day...
Stay tuned to this blog to know the details of what we are doing over there in China!!!

~signed~

Trip to Tan Tock Seng Hospital

The day to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, "joy?".

First, we went to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) to get our influenza jab.

Pre-Trip to Tan Tock Seng Hospital,
Gathered at the school car pouch.

Everyone seem very happy, well maybe not after the exam but the excitement before the trip :)

Lets just take a look at our cheerful evgians filled with excitement,

looking forward to the trip.

And..We didnt expect shy faces :(
Accompanied by the teachers,

we set off to our destination!

We were asked to assemble at the Tan Tock Seng Travel's health and Vaccination Clinic. We waited for about 20 minutes which tested our patience, well at least not after the exam which was displeasing.

Here we are at the clinic, exploring and chatting all the way there.
Still, we were asked to keep silent at the hospital to avoid disturbance to the public.
And now we took turns for our jabs..

At last, we started with the jab and our expression could show sadness among us. What to expect? Its a JAB. Well lets not just be afraid of facing them, cause it lasted less than 5 seconds.

Shocked? Professionals are doing their job like before ;)

Fellow ladies & gentlemen with great courage overcome the fear of having injection! Including teachers who aid us during the jab. However, the teachers took 3 minutes to get us settled down.

Reached Evergreen at around 1pm.

Tired.

At last, we had plasters on our arm, and there we go, to the entrance of TTSH and took a picture.

Whole day of exam. And thats the end of the "fear-ed" day to TTSH.

Our next challenge during china, to get ourselves prepared and beat our timing for photo shots!