I know its kinda dodgy and sounds rushed at the end but i didnt want to extend it.

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Many of us have heard of the famous Hong Kong advertisement on television with the catching of ?Shop and eat and shop and eat (买东西吃东西，买东西吃东西)?. Well Hong Kong is, in my opinion, far from that. Hong Kong has many similarities and differences when compared with Singapore. This fun and meaning trip has opened up my eyes that how fortunate we are in Singapore.

As many of us know, Hong Kong island, in addition to Kowloon and New Territories were ceded to the British after the defeat of China in the Opium War during the times of the Qing Dynasty. Because of this, Hong Kong shares many similarities, both in terms of culture and practices. Perhaps it?s due to the same form of westernization it experienced, or perhaps it was because we all came from the same background.

AS we reached Hong Kong?s airport, I was greeted by a feeling of familiarity. Hey! This IS like Singapore! As I finally met my home stay buddy, I felt some form of uncertainty. Will I get along with this guy? But it was not so, instead, we got along better than I had even expected. We share the same hobbies, loves playing computer games and are kind of geeky when it comes to computer stuff, have looks similar to brothers, as what the teachers and some others claimed, we also hate the same stuff!

As you might have known, all European countries have their drivers? seat on the left except for the Great Britain and yes you can find that in Singapore, and no doubt Hong Kong! As my buddy, Eamon Zheng Xing Lun (郑幸伦) was telling me about the places in Hong Kong on a mini-bus, I had a glimpse of how land shortage had been a major problem to Hong Kong. And as I got to his house, I saw the house and I was not in the least surprised, the winding roads had told me to expect this. It was then I began to feel how fortunate I am, and to think there are still people complaining of their houses being too small in Singapore, wait till they see this!

The next day, we were brought around Hong Kong. I had a glimpse of Hong Kong. The shopping centres were too similar to that of Singapore. And as evening dawned, we were joined by our Shanghai counterparts. It was where the friendship among me, Eamon and Billy, the buddy from Shanghai, began brewing.

Finally the day for the most anticipated cultural tour came. As I walked along the streets of Hong Kong, I felt a sense of home. Their public transport, the MTR and their bus service, were really like Singapore. I could sense the hustle lives of Hong Kong residents as they went about their businesses. We had lunch at a local eatery, something similar to a coffee shop of Singapore. They had a wide variety of food. In addition to that, the traditional Chinese they used made it difficult for me to choose what to eat. As we walked, we saw a beggar lying on the floor for money. The wealthy are too rich while the poor ones live in poverty. That was what they told me. I had an urge to give them some money but hesitated. Were they for real? Or were they just fakes? I guess I shall never know.

As the day drew to a close and a few more days passed by till the campfire. This was the only time which I was unhappy. Due to the lack of control the teachers had over the students, they had to come up with a plan to make all of us obey. As we obliged by the teacher?s command to somehow march, anger was brewing inside me. It was only later when I had understood the situation did my anger subside. The campfire was pretty boring compared to the ones I had been to but as this is their first time holding a campfire, I must say they have done quite an exceptional job.

As the last day of our exchange program dawned, everybody was feeling sorrowful. We will not get another chance to see them again, that was what was on everyone?s mind. I too had that feeling. But thinking of the contacts I had gathered the night before had made me feel better. All good things must come to an end. And so it did. As we parted our ways I hoped to be able to see them soon. And the words I wrote on the farewell cards we made kept lingering in my head. Friends forever!

I am going on a mad essay writing spree tonight. 3 Essays is what that needs to kill me.

This rant, a reflection and another recouint of Day Two of HK trip.

I shall begin with today. Job attachment. Woke up at damn early. then went to Kallang MRT then soon we were at the so secluded alexandra techno park. sure the place looks techno budden i feel really out of place. We are to be there for one whole week and to be rotting everyday from 8 to 6. OMG!!!!!

Then we sat inside their room wait for the boss to come, cos she’s late and i assumed her to be the boss around. Then we have our own punch card kind of thinggy! To check our attendance etc. Then we saw some ppl who doesnt look like employees and sure enough they are from polytechnic and i got to know one of them by the name of Nicholas.

And he get to do all those PC stuff and i dont! Wen Hui me and kailee were all stuck in front of the computer doing some lame data stuff.

Oh how oh how am i going to survive four more days ~~~~….