Shanghai World Expo: Reflections by Mei Yan

这趟中国之旅的焦点绝对是上海世博会2010！

我们兴奋，整个上海市还比我们更兴奋呢。不管走到哪里都能看到海宝摆出各式各样的pose来欢迎大家到访上海。甚至在我们酒店附近的人行道旁的墙上也出现小学同学为世博而画的图案。由此可见上海人为世博是多么的自豪！

虽然新加坡举办了无数的国际活动，但在抵达世博Gate 8后，这些瞬间就显得小儿科了。真的如导游所说，people mountain people sea, tomorrow come also same sea。人多得不得了！

以后，我再也不敢在搭巴士的时候喊冤了。进场后的情况也没多大的改变，无论望向哪儿都是一片片的人海。而且这海可不是盖的，排队进入各个国家馆，若稍微不留神就会演上《后浪推前浪，前浪死在沙滩上》这部经典戏。

接下来就简单地介绍参观世博的经验吧。

非洲地带的人流最少，欧洲的人流最多。


德国馆从早上一直到晚上9点还得排足4小时才能进馆呢!

当时觉得是理所当然，可是回想起来，这现象值得停下来做个反省。听人常说“the rich get richer, while the poor get poorer”，是不是越先进的国家才让人向往？中国身为第一个举办世博的发展中国家，不就是提醒我们发展中国家有着无限的潜能吗？除此之外，国家的经济能力越强，展馆就越大。虽然无可厚非，但出现这种厚此薄彼的现象，只能叹说是一种讽刺。

意大利

印度

中国

新加坡

英国

前往浦西的途中刚好碰到了相似嘉年华的活动！




浦西主要是MNCs的展馆，而最令人难忘的是可口可乐的Happiness Factory！队是长了一点，但台上不时会有余兴节目，还大派free gift呢！主持人说，谁的笑容最灿烂谁就是limited edition cup的得主，所以大家请看大荧幕！


杯子送完后，mascot们就出场和大家拍照了！



到我们进场时，若在门前喊得不够大声的话，Happiness Factory的门就不会为你芝麻开门了。Literally跑进去以后，工作人员播了video clip，还教我们什么才是打开一瓶Coke的正确方法。相信你也跟我一样是第一次听说有所谓“正确”的方法对吧？好奇者来找我咯！

游玩周庄：Reflections by Christine

曾经听过那么一句话：“黄山集中国山川之美、周庄集中国水乡之美”，而我们参观的周庄就拥有“中国第一水乡”的美誉。那里没有城市般的喧哗，没有城市排满满的高楼大厦，更没有超受年轻人欢迎的购物商场。那试想，它的魅力何在，又是周庄的什么地方如此吸引游客纷纷到这里参观的呢？周庄有的东西可多了呢。大家走进里头，不难看到它许许多多的小桥和清澈的小溪，不难倾听到它小桥流水的河流声，以及感受它古色古香的建筑物所散发出来的浓厚文化气息。周庄的纯朴美和大自然的美，给我留下了深刻的印象，但美中不足的地方就是当天的天气不做美。纷纷买了雨伞然后躲在伞下的我们，满脑子就只是想着那场杀风景的雨到底什么时候才会停啊。也因为到处都是人挤人的场面，大家都匆匆紧跟着前面的人，唯一的顾虑就是害怕和队里的人走散，根本没有多余的闲情慢慢欣赏周边美丽的风景。下雨的天气和不断涌现的人群并没允许我们大家停下脚步去体验周庄能给予游客们的视觉和听觉上的享受。我想那大概是最令人遗憾的地方了吧。

然而，让我觉得最难忘的情景就是看到游客们乘坐在小船上渡河的画面。我想啊，如果天气再好一些，人群再少一些，时间再多一些，若有机会独自坐在小船上，一边过河一边观赏令人叹为观止的风景，一边聆听河流造的轻音乐，较多愁善感的人大概都能吟出好几首真情流入的诗篇了吧！因为时间紧抽，加上人实在太多了，雨也把地都弄得湿湿的非常不好走，我们大家也都大多闲逛了一会儿并没有久留。我们经过好几家买特产的小店，这时大家便一边看师傅亲手制作包装一包包的特产小吃，一边在一旁“大试吃”，和一边筹集大家要买的分量然后拼命杀价。我们在周庄逗留的时间并不很长，但在那短短的时间，看到和听到的，以及大家用数码相机所拍下的照片，我想应该足于我明白为何有这么一种说法了—“上有天堂，下有苏杭，中间有一个周庄”。但愿往后还能有机会，让我返回哪儿再真正地体验和体会周庄静景和动景的意境美。周庄，请你等我咯，我下次大概还会再来探望您哦！

Tongji University: Reflections by Group 4

24 May 2010 to 25 May 2010

24 May 0858: Networking and discussing serious business over tea

24 May 1040: Tongji is well-known for its civil engineering. Look at all the models done by students and professors!

24 May 1045: A leisure stroll in Tongji’s campus – tranquil, beautiful and refreshing. Such scenic view is a rare sight in Singapore’s highly urbanised environment.

24 May 1100: We learnt about the significance of the school motto in English, Chinese and German.

24 May 1110: A structure built in such a way that when one part fails, the whole thing will collapse - a truly embodiment of the school motto

24 May 1115: A reminder that the future is influenced by what we do now

24 May 1140: Even the campus buildings are stunning architectural pieces

24 May 1206: Their own big garden with a pavilion! Really relaxing among the greenery~

24 May 1441: Tianzifang - an enclave of artistry and creativity

25 May 1020: Nanxiang Waterway

25 May 1240: Our lunch! Nanxiang Xiao Long Baos. We had one basket each and it was really filling! Accompanied by freshly grinded soyabean drinkpaste.

25 May 1511: Bird's eye view of Tongji's Jiading campus from the 14th floor of their library. The scenery was really beautiful.

25 May 1540: They have a golf course! Always had the impression that golf was boring but after trying, we found it really interesting.

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25 May 1700: Last shot before we bid farewell. Yu Xi & Xu Hong, all the best to your studies and future endeavours! We had a really enjoyable time with Tongji!

Credits: Han Liang, Yue Jia, Jeremy, Sharon, Eugene Teh

ECUST: Reflections by Group 3

20 May 2010 to 21 May 2010

Click here to see Group 3's Twitter Update on the visit to ECUST.

Credits: Cai Fang, Wei Quan, Calvin, Siok Chen, Jun Quan

Beijing Day 1: Reflections By Elvis

Tiananmen Square (Photo: Yuxuan)

When past meets present is how I would sum up my thoughts after exploring Beijing on the first day. The first sight that greeted us after alighting from the bus was the grand plaza, Tiananmen Square. The entire complex exhibits the modernity and new era that China is heading towards in today’s economy. To further illustrate this, a large panorama screen showing China’s achievements in the last few years stood right at the centre of the magnificent square. In addition, situated at the side of the square, the Mao Zedong Mausoleum serves as an excellent monument reminding her people of the ability that the government promises.

Just a few kilometres away from the square lies the ancient palace, which ruled China during the Ming Dynasty - The Forbidden City. The well-preserved national treasure shows the might the ancient government once wielded and the rich culture that China is often commended. The close proximity of both areas represents the necessity of historical monuments to stay ‘Chinese’ in today’s era.

Another illustration of the close proximity of the past and modern is the next destination that we visited, Hutong District. One of the most well-preserved cities of the past, this area now brings revenue to the country by attracting tourists throughout the day. Our short trip in Beijing reveals both the rich history and culture that China possesses and her genuine attempts to share this with the world.