Journal Entry 5: HK DISNEYLAND

Day 8 (Second Last Day):

Well...Today we went to Disneyland...

Starting from an hour bus ride from the hotel to the station where we would change to a different bus. The jourmey was long, but smooth.
Reaching Disneyland, our destination, we were shocked at the immensely huge line queued up to enter starting an hour even before disneyland even threw its gates open for visitors.

Entering Disneyland felt like a dream come through from a fairytale. Similiarily themed buildings and attractions from different fairytales sprang into life as a towering Sleeping Beauty castle towered over all, standing majestically in the heart of Disneyland. With so many attractions and rides to go to, and so little time, we were spoilt for choice as to what to go on first. Wondering around aimlessly, awestruck by the incredible sight, we decided to try to go on everythinga nd the first thing taht caught my eye was the roller coaster, Space Mountain.

Featuring sharp turns, steep climbs, sudden drops and multiple twists in a high speed ride, it could be really scary for smaller children, but to me, it was an superb experience. The ride, moving in a superfast speed really led me clamouring for more. i was almost sorry when the ride ended, and wanted to ride it again, but unfortunately, the rest of us decided to do something else and we settled for a must less exciting Astro Busters.

Astro Busters is a ride in which you would be given a laser gun where you would have to shoot at targets, giving different scores. The higher you score, the greater your rank. I managed a 30 000 in the first ride and then a 70 000 in the second, giving me a rank 3 - First Class Space Commissioner. My younger brother, aged 6, somehow managed to get other 200 000 points gaining him the title of Super Space Officer.

Next on the list was Adventure world, where we would watch a show featuring the Lion King. Although i didn't want to go there at first, i quickly cahnged my tune after watching some of the superb stunts and majestic performance they they didn't, featuring acrobatics, martial arts and basically complete chaos. Although it was slightly deterring at first, it soon became so awe-striking that i could not tear my eyes off the performance.

That was only the tip of the iceberg. But if I were to go through all the attractions I went, including the 4D theatre, the parades and the boat ride that featured (false) cannibals, poison darts (That were pepper balls) and gods (The seemly dormant rock formation gushed out a large straem of water equivalent to a waterfall and the water below caught fire), it would probably be too long for this post.

Probably the BEST performance of Disneyland EVER was the incredible, indescribable, wonderful, enchanting, delightful, fabulous and unbelivable Fireworks that shot into the sky above Sleeping Beauty's castle. It was such an awestriking performance that I probably stood there for the entire performance, mouths gaped at the spectacular sight before my eyes.

That was the end of my trip. I loved it...

Journal Entry 4: Trip to China, Beijin (Transit to HK) Day 5

Day 5

(I skipped Day 4 because nothing much happened)

Day 5 was one of the most cruel days in my entire holiday, and it was soon evident why.

First, we visited a temple that was called, "The Hall of Heaven". The Hall of heaven is an 15th century masterpiece that was built to honour the gods. When a plural the "gods", I mean it. They really praised a whole lot of (No offence) incredibly ridiculous gods sucha s the god of rain, god of snow, god of fire, etc. nevertheless, it was a delicately preserved and extremely beauitiful structure.

Next, we wnet for our lunch (DELICIOUS PEKING DUCK!), and then we went to the COLDEST PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN TO: ~CHENGDE~

By the way the temperature in the day was about minus 20 degrees celsius and would plunge to almost minus 30 degrees celsius at night. BLOODY HELL, it was friggin' cold. When you are in 4 layers with a heavy overjacket above, you could still feel the cold passing through your bones. A mere 5 minutes out in the cold is about enough to get you shivering non-stop. At that temperature, even 5 to 6 degrees temperature (the temperature the heater is set to at most restaurants is considered really warm.

The Cold was agony, it attacked me like fire. Soon, I couldn't fell my toes or fingers - it was as though they dropped off...ugh! Well, the worst was to come the next day. Since the bus ride there was about 3 hours, the most of the day was already gone. So the next day, we would explore Chengde...

Journal Entry 3: Trip to China, Beijin (Transit to China) Day 3

Day 3

Today features one of the Modern Wonders of the world, only present in China and stretches 10000 miles long. The One and Only GREAT WALL of China (duh!).

Anyway, we woke up to another BONE-CHILLING DAY. The tour guide informed us that the great wall of China was reasonably colder than the town. for today, the town's highest temperature was 0 degrees Celsius and the coldest at MINUS 10. At the great wall of china the temperature was steady at MINUS 5 AT the BOTTOM!!! I had to wear 3 layers inside minus the thick jacket.

Anyway, when we reached the great wall of China, my first impression was that the great wall of china was indescribably majestic and it seemed to go on forever. It was incredibly long and word cannot describe the pure superiority the great wall of China encompassed. By the way, once I got out of the bus, the EXTREMELY COLD and powerful wind kept blowing at my face and the part of my face that was exposed felt REALLY raw after a short while. Well, a visit doesn't end without climbing the great wall of China. Unfortunately, we were at the part where it was all uphill from the bottom and we seemed to be climbing a mountain, so obviously it would be even colder at the top...

Up and up I climbed the thousands and millions of steps (DAMN, it was tiring). After reaching the first sentry post. I was dead beat. It was really high and tortuously COLD. the steps were extremely steep and there it was really narrow, especially since many people was walking up and down the Great Wall. And we didn't stop there, of course we won't climb the ENTIRE BLOODY THING, but we wanted to reached the summit, which was the fifth sentry post.

After forcing myself to start on the steps again, I felt a little better, less tired, although MUCH COLDER. Up and up I climbed, and the tower seemed further and further. Forcing my legs to move, I trudged up the steps. I felt numb on my fingers, face and even my toes. After what seemed like eternity I had only reached the second tower. OMG! How the **** am I supposed to continue climbing?

Well, after reasoning to myself that contemplating the task again would not make it any warmer, i just went out and did it. Without caring and just charged all the way to the third tower. Big Mistake. I almost fell at the middle, and I had a terrible migraine around the stop, so I had to abandon the climb. Sigh...

You really have to respect how in the world tehy built such a wonderful monument. It was extremely long and I didn't even climb 1%, not 0.1%, not even 0.001% of it. The pure majesty of the great wall was a real sight to behold. If you want to experience it, you'll have to climb the wall yourself...

There aren't many picture because unfortuantely, the camera froze up.

Journal Entry 2: Trip to China, Beijin (Transit to Hong Kong)

Day 2:

(Note: I'm not bothering to change the position of the pictures 'cause its getting irritating)

We woke up at around 7.00 a.m. We dressed and got ready before getting on the bus that will take us to our first destination. It was a FREEZING COLD day as the temperature plunged from 6 degrees Celsius to 2.

Today's visit was to the Forbidden City. a GIGANTIC palace where the emperor of China used to stay in... and wow...

Well...anyway...the tour guide showed us around and we stayed there for a while...and boy was it cold...

Anyway, it was a real eye-opener for me. The place was HUMONGOUS. You could easily get lost in it. The place was really beautiful and the many different cultural objects with different meanings really bamboozled me. The place was really an interesting artifact preserved perfectly from the ancient world. The meridian gate was also really fascinating.

It was around 11 a.m. when we finally managed to get out of (hehe) Forbidden City. We spent the next hour walking back to the bus. (for some reason, there was not car park near the forbidden city and the closest one was REALLY FAR away) When we finally reached the bus, we set off for our lunch.

Same experience: A delicious array of food set up for us...really oily and salty, but on the whole, just pure delicious. They also let us have a taste of the exquisite tea widely drunk in Beijing: the wild puer tea that is renowned for slimming and for improving face complexion. Well...I wasn't really into those kind of stuff...but I ...ahem... tried some.

After that we went to a tea shop and had to listen to the explanantion of the different health benefits of the different teas. Then they asked us to buy and my mother spent more than RMB 1000 (About $250) buying teas. If there's something I hate about the people of China is their really persistent attitude at getting us to buy things. For example, after my mother purchased all that teas. She was asked to buy many other things, including given promotings and price cuts...etc. One saleswoman even took her hand and brought her to see some other merchandise... how despicable!!!

Anyway, after that we were taken to a place where people who ferry us on bikes (pretty much like a trishaw) through a small town...well...just look at the pictures. The thing I was holding was a heat-pak...did I mention how cold it was?

Well after that we went to some shops (TOO BORING, SO I WON'T DESCRIBE). And then we went back to the hotel.

Journal Entry 1: Trip to China, Beijin (Transit to Hong Kong)

Day 1: Flight to China
...Anticipation...anticipation...before I knew it, the day had come. The day kicked off with a slow start as we had to wake up at 3.30 am to prepare and drive to the airport since our plane flight was at 7am. Throwing our drowsiness to the winds, we forced ourselves out of bed and got dressed.

Arriving at the airport, we quickly registered and went to a nearby cafe for a quick bite before going through the custom officials to enter the Gate. Since we had arrived early, we had some time on our ahnds and we decided to take a few shots before continuing on our way to the boarding gate.

The Plane Flight was 3 hours...

Well, in the first flight, it was to Hong Kong, then to China, so... We didn't reach there yet.

We walked for a while to relax our tense muscles and went to the boarding gate to CHINA, BEIJIN...again...

Another BORING 3 hours...

Done! We finally reached China, Beijin at around 6.30 p.m.

Since China has the same timeline as Singapore, we didn't need to twidle with our watches. We went to the customs and went through the same, boring ritual and finally, we entered China.

It was the winter season in China, so it was finally cold, especially at evening to night time. The temperature there when we reached was about 5-6 degrees celsius, so we needed a few layers on before we went to embrace the cold air.

Our trip was a package tour, so it took a while to get all the families gathered (3 only, by the way). Then we went to have our dinner. On the way to the restaurant, our tour guide expaline that the food might we rather salty and oily as it was the cuisine of the people in Beijin during winter. She also explained the few things commonly found around Beijin and some of the cultures of the people.

Dinner was served...

It was a sumptous spread of food and we ate until we could not each anymore.

That Ended Day 1...

Book Review: Sapphique

Book Review: Sapphique
Author: Catherine Fisher
Genre: Fantasy

Sapphique is the sequel to Incarceron. Continued from the last book, Finn has escaped the prison which is Incarceron, but his freedom is fleeting as soon he realises that the world he has escaped into is barred by protocol - as inescapable as the walls of Incarceron. Worse, he has left his friends Keiro and Attia behind and his guilt hangs heavily overhead.
Claudia wants to see Finn crowned but the story takes a turn when an impostor claiming that he is the real Giles fight for the throne. Claudia knows that Finn is the true Giles, but when the impostor displays the skills that Giles would have so well, Finn doubts even himself, while Claudia begins to doubt Finn.
Meanwhile, Keiro and Attia are in search of the legendary glove of Sapphique. As they search, their path is obstructed by many obstacles including monsters and magic. As they cross swords with the Warden of Incarceron and the crazy enchanter Rix, both of them realise the truth of Incarceron: Incarceron itself wants to escape.
And through the chaos, in the midst of all the havoc, emerges the ever elusive figure of Sapphique, the only person who has escaped from Incarceron and the only person the prison had ever loved.
The tense, intriguing plot that twists and turns once again proves freedom to be a complex affair as the author examines the true nature of freedom and the cost which is necessary. Once again Catherine Fisher weaves a delightful story from the same threads that made the first book worth reading.
The characters, however seemed dull as all of them a reckless, impatient, high-handed, aggressive, untrustworthy or otherwise highly flawed. For example, Kiero uses his half-mechanical physiology to excuse his own nature; he is inhuman, he says, an assertion which is later shown to be false.
As a sequel to Sapphique, Catherine Fisher has done her stuff again and produced a dark, thoughtful and interesting tale that will grip you from the first page.

Rating: 8/10
Great Book!

Book Review: Incarceron

Book Review: Incarceron

Author: Catherine Fisher
Genre: Fantasy

Imagine a prison so vast in contains seas, forests annd cities. Welcome to Incarceron - prison of the future. Believed by the Outside to be a paradise and the ultimate in rehabilitation theory. In the beginning all criminals and dissenters were sent there along with 70 Sapienti - a caste of mystics, scientists and healers, in order to create a paradise from a hell. The result: a failed experiment. Furthermore, Incarceron has been sealed for centuries and dreams of escape are only crumbs of comfort. Only one prisoner has ever escaped, and he has NEVER returned. In the middle lies Finn, a young prisoner who has no memory, but sure beyond everything that he came from outside. He is a Star Seer and he receives visions that he believes will help them esacpe.

Outside is also a prison of sorts. Technology has been rejected in favour of an authoritarian and feudal regime which insists on everything in Era - a peculiar regression to the age of lords and ladies, courtly manners and transport by carriage. The court is a place of intrigue and plot and politics and the only one who knows the truth about Incarceron's failed experiment is its Warden. Claudia, the Warden's daughter, is caught up in an arranged marriage and an assassination plot.

When Finn and Claudia both find an identical crystal key, they are able to communicate with one another. Their worlds clash together as Finn tries to escape and Claudia helplessly does all she can to help them achieve their goal. Unfortunately, no one except the Warden knows the entrace to Incarceron. However, the Warden will not allow Claudia to find out, much less enter Incarceron.

When Claudia realises there is no way out, she sinks into despair until her mentor tells her that there is indeed a way in, but the way out is very much limited. Claudia decides to enter and bring Finn and if possible his companions back. Meanwhile, Finn struggles from a failed attempt to escape, until Claudia emerges and tell him the way to escape. However, only Finn can escape and their companions are stuck in there. he swears to get them out and the story ends as Finn exclaimed in delight as he sees outside for the first time. The ending is found in the equally exciting sequel, Sapphique.

The narrative is tense and fast-moving with a real atmosphere of menace and the twin worlds juxtapose wonderfully to create equally failing environments. The Prison is a Mad Max world of feral and failed industrialism while the Outside is stifling, corrupt and unequal. Escaping from one to the other is really little more than leaping from the frying pan into the fire. Yet there is hope, and it lies in Claudia and Finn. Their journeys of personal discovery may well be filled with pain, but they are the path to a better future.

This story blends elements of excitement, hope and despair in an almost flawless and superb combination. The novel is both touching and exhilarating. Reading this book is like a rollercoaster ride which twist and turns and you are forced to read until the end, only to find that it is only the beginning.

At over 400 pages, this book is a average size for a novel but may be deterring to those who prefer fast hack-and-slash action. Furthermore, it may be boring if you are unable to understand the plot as it moves swiftly and without pause. Overall, this is an excellent book. After reading it, I was forced to read the sequel to find the ending. So gripping is the storyline that it makes it a uncomparable book.

Rating: 8.5/10

Superb!