BonjourSolange: places of interest

Showing posts with label places of interest. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

1 year in Wuhan

So, I've had 1 year of studies in Wuhan University. It's been an unimaginable journey filled with boredom, excitement, fun, craziness etc. Doing what students do when they study abroad - rooftop parties, dorm parties, bbq, cookouts, clubbing, boozing, dating and more. Oh, and not forgetting to see the cherry blossoms, which Wuhan University is famous for :).

Favorite girls

Bday parties

Housemate's rooftop bday party

Rooftop bbq

Weekend partying

First, let's talk about school. Well.. classes were really boring me out a lot, and if not for the attendance, I'd seriously have not gone for a single class. Nonetheless, I don't deny that I had fun studying with my classmates. I still remember how hard it was during the first 2 weeks because I was new to class, while the rest were well acquainted. Even the other new students were doing fine because they came together as friends, whereas I was the only one. But my classmates were welcoming, and after a year of studies, I feel like we've known one another for a long time. We study together (who am I kidding?), party together, go out shopping together. Some have left for good after their exchange stint, while majority remains and we're gonna continue next year together.

Moving on, when in China, try to explore the different cities whenever you can. Sadly to say, I haven't been exploring much (yet). So far I've only been to: (1) Ezhou (2) Shanghai (3) Yichang (4) Changsha/Hengshan.

Ezhou's Train Station

Ezhou: West Mountain

Shanghai: Zhujiajiao

Shanghai: Nanjing West Road

I LOVE SHANGHAI!

Probably my only Chinese friend. Lovely and talented friend! <3 One of the best things that happened during my Shanghai trip was knowing her.

Yichang: Three Gorges Dam

Yichang

Changsha: Need to try their specialty Stinky Tofu when in Changsha!

Mt Heng: Zhurong Peak

Mt Heng

Mt Heng: Sunrise

Mt Heng: Morning view

Lastly, I wanna say that one of the best things that happened during my first year here was knowing M. It never occurred to me initially that we'd end up together. I had my doubts at the beginning, but now, I only know that he's as close as family to me. There's something special between us, which is we tend to think alike (like to the scarily same extent). Sometimes as much as I don't wish to admit, but he usually gets it right what I'm thinking up in my head. And come to think of it, he actually fits most of my expectations. #perfecto So just yesterday, I sent M off at the train station. Nothing happened, it just seemed like a normal goodbye, like saying goodbye when he takes a bus or something. It probably hadn't kicked in to me at that moment that he's leaving for good. Only later in the night, the emptiness started to engulf. It was good though that I was so tired last night I ended up falling asleep fast and didn't have much time to imagine things. Then morning came and I realized this is the shit manz, I'm alone again. Thankfully, my wall is full of photos of us, and the fact that my sis is coming over soon is gonna be helpful too. But still, te extraño mucho already. Can't wait for next year to come now!

And.. I guess everything above pretty much sums up my first year in Wuhan. I can't wait for the next academic year to come, get my degree over and done with and probably embark on a new journey. But first, I'm waiting for my sis to come (whom I miss a lot) and do a mini adventure!

Till then,

❤sols

Travelogue: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

By Unknown 5:40 PM // No comments

During my previous trip to Cambodia last year, I decided to make good use of my holidays and took a bus en route from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh (HCMC), previously known as Saigon.

After doing some research on which bus company to book my bus, I decided to go with Sapaco. I was not disappointed! The bus ride was safe, quick, spacious and comfortable, and the staff was very efficient at getting all of us across the border checkpoint. Totally thumbs up for Sapaco bus company, I highly recommend any of you who wants to go HCMC from Cambodia to choose them.

The final stop was at Pham Ngu Lao, which is the backpackers' area in HCMC. I then took a taxi to my hotel, Hoang Ngoc 2 Hotel. It was a small hotel, but the room was pretty huge for myself and it was very clean! I'm extremely particular about hotel cleanliness, especially the toilet. After dropping my bags, I wasted no time and based on my memory, I followed the route the taxi driver took and walked myself to Ben Thanh Market, which is about 10 minutes walk from my hotel.

Shopping heaven!

At Ben Thanh Market, you can find everything you need. Souvenirs, shoes, bags, clothes, tidbits & snacks, food, coffee, toiletries, watches, etc. Stall-holders tend to quote you a high price, but fret not, they love it when you bargain with them. Don't be shy because they are used to it. I usually start off cutting the price by 50% at least, sometimes even 70%. Well, you see to the situation yourself and gauge how much you wanna pay for that item.

Finally got to savor authentic vietnamese spring rolls!

I walked for awhile, bought some touristy clothes, ate some vietnamese spring rolls and decided to rest my feet at a cafe opposite before searching for a tour agency to book day tours. I ended up at Art Cafe, which is a cafe on the first floor and an art gallery on the second and third floor. I got an iced vietnamese coffee to cool myself, then checked out the art gallery, before heading out in search for my tours. I ended up only signing up for a tour near a tour agency near my hotel at 11.30pm. In between, it rained heavily, but I didn't want to waste my night away, so I went to check out one of the more popular cafes in HCMC.

i.d. Cafe at District 1

This cafe doesn't have an extensive menu, however, the ambience is good and good music is played. Staff speaks good English too. Don't be surprised to spot a few tables of Singaporeans!

Day 2 started really early for me, because I was off to my Mekong River Tour! It was raining the entire day but the rain didn't stop us from having fun during the tour. There are a few types of Mekong River tours, ranging from one-day to three-days, and there're also a few routes to choose from. I chose the floating market route, and it was really interesting to me. During the trip, we learnt how rice pop crackers and coconut candies were made and then there was a smaller boat tour after lunch.

Thankfully the boat for the tour was well-sheltered from the rain

Settlement along the Mekong River

The floating market. It's actually a wholesale kind of market.

A boat selling turnips

Spotted a nice cathedral

Making of coconut candies

Rice for making rice crackers

The must-eat Mekong elephant fish

Row row row your boats

Companions on my boat

After the boat ride, it was time to call it a day. I'd highly recommend to go on the Mekong River tour, and I believe whichever routes you choose, it will be equally fun.

For the next day, I went on another tour to the Cu Chi Tunnel. This is yet another tour not to be missed if you are traveling in HCMC. Filled with a rich history, it is a great experience to know how it was like for the soldiers during war time last time. Especially when you get to enter into the tunnel, you'd know what I mean. Just a short distance was enough for me to take it, I cannot imagine how the soldiers walked through the narrow, dark tunnels last time. Well anyway, after the tunnels, you get to do shooting with the choice of your guns - machine gun, AK-47, etc. And last but not least, enjoy a little dessert of tapiocas and tea to end off the entire trip.

The guide filling us in on this tunnel

AK-47 baby!

After the Cu Chi trip, I was back to the city and had the whole night unplanned. Hence, I decided to check out the streets and perhaps some cafes along the way. Well, I really must be in luck, because I happened to chance upon another popular cafe in HCMC. L'usine, is a shop cum cafe. In the shop, you'd find stuff like clothes to vintagey goods; pricing however, is on the high side.

Best banana bread ever!

And with that night at L'usine, I concluded my journey to HCMC. Such an amazing city, I wish I'd be back soon to check out more of the city.

Travelogue: Cambodia

By Unknown 11:02 PM // No comments

Sunset at Phnom Bakheng

It isn't my first time to Cambodia, because I simply love this country so much. To me, I find Cambodia to be warm and chill. Perhaps it's where I come from, where somehow, I always feel that everything is always in a rush, or that people always have a motive for doing something. But in Cambodia, I like how slow-paced things are, and I truly feel the sincerity shown by the people there. Cambodia's probably one country I wouldn't mind going back again and again.

I strongly recommend covering Phnom Penh and Siem Reap together, and you'll be able to see the difference between them. If you're going from Singapore like me, it's better to head to Phnom Penh first, since the airfare to Phnom Penh is cheaper than to Siem Reap. Then, it's adventurous to take a bus to Siem Reap.

I personally prefer Siem Reap to Phnom Penh; the latter seems too crowded to me. I think there are more foreigners in Siem Reap, so probably that's why I felt more comfortable there.

Here are some of the things to do / places of interest to me.