ZhuEn is coming over to celebrate her 25th birthday, and because of that, I have prepared a whole slew of surprises for her. Many preparation work was put in, and everything went smoothly and successfully. We had an extremely happy time spending time with each other. It was all in all, a blessing to see her again.
11 November 2016, Cloudy, University > Tsim Sha Tsui
Her flight lands at 10:05, I was very excited to meet her again after so long. I woke up early in the morning and made sure that her flight went smoothly. Went to office as usual. It was a cold morning, but I felt very warm inside. The morning was spent getting ready for a class presentation/discussion. At about 12, I took the train to ShaTin to meet dearie. Our time was so well coordinated that we didn't even need to wait for each other. The sight of her walking towards me made my spirit go over the moon. Her hug warmed my heart. We went to Maccha house for her favourite Matcha. It wasn't a super impressive meal. After that, we bought groceries and rushed back, slightly late for my lesson. The lesson soon ended. After borrowing a selfie stick from my good friend JiLong, we went back to my hall. There, I cooked dinner for her. The main course was steak, with mashed potato and cucumber.
Steak was a little too rare, but we both enjoyed it a lot. I was really pleased with how the steak turned out, really. The red wine was a great complement to the meal. After washing up, we made our way to GuangDong Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. She was really tired, so I made her lie on the bed and close her eyes while I set up the place to her surprise.
12 November 2016, Clear, Mongkok
Preparations were complete after the clock struck twelve. When she opened her eyes, she saw her birthday cake from Lady M. I sang her happy birthday very slowly, so that she can observe the candles, which actually spelled 'HAPPY'. She then made a birthday wish before blowing the candles. We decided to eat the cake the next morning for breakfast. Hence we turned in for the night. It was her birthday! I intended to bring her to Ocean Park to play, but since she was really tired, we slept all the way till nine. Breakfast was at a local restaurant. Actually, it was brunch already haha. There, we decided to change our plans and visit Ocean Park tomorrow. After lunch, we went back to the hotel and rested more. In the afternoon, we went to Jordan for milk dessert at The Australian Dairy Company. Since it was too rushed, we didn't enjoy it to the fullest. We then went to Mongkok to shop for sneakers, but to no avail. However, she found a very cute fashion shop away from all the crowd. There, she bought a nice shirt for herself. Dinner was at Dim Sum icon.
It was expensive, but highly interesting and entertaining. The dim sums have printed pictures on them, which made them very cute and entertaining. ZhuEn took videos of me making crayon ShinChan 'pee' and 'have diarrhoea'. After dinner, we went back to the hotel to rest early for the next day.
13 November 2016, Clear, Ocean Park
We woke up early and ate breakfast at the local Kam Wah cafe. We shared tables. The uncle sitting opposite us explained to us some of the items in the menu, and we were very grateful. At the same time, since we took too long to choose, we got scolded by the waiter. Haha, this is all so Hong Kong. Nice and 'not so nice' people living together harmoniously. The Polo bun is really amazing! Must try! We asked for a paper bag to take away some bread and egg tart, but got scolded again because she didn't understand our Mandarin Chinese. However, it didn't affect us as we just laughed it off. We reached Ocean Park at about 10:30 AM, a good timing indeed. We started our day exploration by visiting the Marine Exhibition.
It was actually pretty amazing because it is a theme park that also showcase exhibitions aiming to raise awareness for climate change. I am very impressed and touched at the same time. After that, we visited the Panda's den. We saw live Pandas, for the very first time in our lives. They're really cute indeed. We also visited a small aquarium where they housed very expensive koi. ZhuEn printed a commemorative coin here. After all the calm stuff, it is finally time for some theme park excitement! We took the 'submarine' up the mountain to the theme park area. We started with a ride that just goes round and round with increasing speed. Bad choice as it made us both very giddy haha. Next, we went to take the polar express ride, which was just fast. We also went into the North and South Pole experience, where we saw penguins, walrus, arctic foxes and more. At this point, we both had a headache and was getting tired. It was most likely due to weather and wrong choice of clothes. In one of the souvenir shops nearby, I bought a cute T-shirt for her. We sat down for a small lunch before resuming our rides. We bought the korean grilled squid and took a ride on a slow rotating gallery to go up and look at the beautiful scenery of the surroundings. We then walked for a bit and went down a long escalator to take the mine cart roller coaster. This one was really scary as there was a lot of acceleration felt. ZhuEn kept shouting for her mum and I was so worried that she was scared out of her wits. Truth is, she was really enjoying herself. After that, we went for a long queue for a river rush boat ride, wasn't worth the queue as there was only one part where it falls. We then slowly ascended the hill again, towards the ferris wheel. We took the ferris wheel during sunset.
It was such an amazing sight, we just lost ourselves in the orange glow of the sun and the surroundings. After that, we bought some fries and coke and sat down for a small break. Here, we decided that we need to try the scary roller coaster ride that goes 360 degrees, if not we might regret it. Gathering all her courage, we both went for it. Turns out it was less scary than it looks. We really enjoyed the ride, and can say that we have been to Ocean Park with no regrets! Seeing her smiling face, everything was worth it. After this, we went for the last ride of the day, a very long cable car ride down the mountain. After queuing for one hour, it was finally our turn. Some parts of the journey was actually very dark, but we still enjoyed the ride down. We found our way to the exit of Ocean Park and made our way to Kam's Roast Goose 1 Michelin Star restaurant for dinner. Alas, they ran out of goose! In the end, we went opposite the road for dim sums. The lady waiter in the stall was exceptionally friendly to us. On top of that, the dim sums are quite good as well. Really an enjoyable dinner.
14 November 2016, Clear, ShaTin > University
We woke up in the morning and had instant noodles for breakfast. We also got semi-addicted to the Taiwanese brand drink CunCuiHe. The earl grey milk tea is really fragrant. We then packed up and left the hotel for ShaTin. At ShaTin, we went to Yata Mall's food court for her favourite Fried Sotong and my favourite Cheese Baked Rice. Yummy stuff. We then made our way to my university so that I can prepare for my group presentation. ZhuEn travelled alone to TianRenHeYi because it was a really beautiful day and she didn't want to miss out.
At the same time, I was giving my group presentation, which went smoothly, but dragged because many good questions were asked. When it finally ended, I rushed out of the conference room and brought her to the airport, stopping by 7eleven to buy bread and biscuits for dinner as we travelled. It was sad because we could not have a proper dinner together before she flies back to Singapore. The whole process of sending her back was painful. I will never forget this feeling of departure. Till the next time I meet you, my dearie. It isn't so far away.
Her flight lands at 10:05, I was very excited to meet her again after so long. I woke up early in the morning and made sure that her flight went smoothly. Went to office as usual. It was a cold morning, but I felt very warm inside. The morning was spent getting ready for a class presentation/discussion. At about 12, I took the train to ShaTin to meet dearie. Our time was so well coordinated that we didn't even need to wait for each other. The sight of her walking towards me made my spirit go over the moon. Her hug warmed my heart. We went to Maccha house for her favourite Matcha. It wasn't a super impressive meal. After that, we bought groceries and rushed back, slightly late for my lesson. The lesson soon ended. After borrowing a selfie stick from my good friend JiLong, we went back to my hall. There, I cooked dinner for her. The main course was steak, with mashed potato and cucumber.
Steak was a little too rare, but we both enjoyed it a lot. I was really pleased with how the steak turned out, really. The red wine was a great complement to the meal. After washing up, we made our way to GuangDong Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. She was really tired, so I made her lie on the bed and close her eyes while I set up the place to her surprise.
12 November 2016, Clear, Mongkok
Preparations were complete after the clock struck twelve. When she opened her eyes, she saw her birthday cake from Lady M. I sang her happy birthday very slowly, so that she can observe the candles, which actually spelled 'HAPPY'. She then made a birthday wish before blowing the candles. We decided to eat the cake the next morning for breakfast. Hence we turned in for the night. It was her birthday! I intended to bring her to Ocean Park to play, but since she was really tired, we slept all the way till nine. Breakfast was at a local restaurant. Actually, it was brunch already haha. There, we decided to change our plans and visit Ocean Park tomorrow. After lunch, we went back to the hotel and rested more. In the afternoon, we went to Jordan for milk dessert at The Australian Dairy Company. Since it was too rushed, we didn't enjoy it to the fullest. We then went to Mongkok to shop for sneakers, but to no avail. However, she found a very cute fashion shop away from all the crowd. There, she bought a nice shirt for herself. Dinner was at Dim Sum icon.
It was expensive, but highly interesting and entertaining. The dim sums have printed pictures on them, which made them very cute and entertaining. ZhuEn took videos of me making crayon ShinChan 'pee' and 'have diarrhoea'. After dinner, we went back to the hotel to rest early for the next day.
13 November 2016, Clear, Ocean Park
We woke up early and ate breakfast at the local Kam Wah cafe. We shared tables. The uncle sitting opposite us explained to us some of the items in the menu, and we were very grateful. At the same time, since we took too long to choose, we got scolded by the waiter. Haha, this is all so Hong Kong. Nice and 'not so nice' people living together harmoniously. The Polo bun is really amazing! Must try! We asked for a paper bag to take away some bread and egg tart, but got scolded again because she didn't understand our Mandarin Chinese. However, it didn't affect us as we just laughed it off. We reached Ocean Park at about 10:30 AM, a good timing indeed. We started our day exploration by visiting the Marine Exhibition.
It was actually pretty amazing because it is a theme park that also showcase exhibitions aiming to raise awareness for climate change. I am very impressed and touched at the same time. After that, we visited the Panda's den. We saw live Pandas, for the very first time in our lives. They're really cute indeed. We also visited a small aquarium where they housed very expensive koi. ZhuEn printed a commemorative coin here. After all the calm stuff, it is finally time for some theme park excitement! We took the 'submarine' up the mountain to the theme park area. We started with a ride that just goes round and round with increasing speed. Bad choice as it made us both very giddy haha. Next, we went to take the polar express ride, which was just fast. We also went into the North and South Pole experience, where we saw penguins, walrus, arctic foxes and more. At this point, we both had a headache and was getting tired. It was most likely due to weather and wrong choice of clothes. In one of the souvenir shops nearby, I bought a cute T-shirt for her. We sat down for a small lunch before resuming our rides. We bought the korean grilled squid and took a ride on a slow rotating gallery to go up and look at the beautiful scenery of the surroundings. We then walked for a bit and went down a long escalator to take the mine cart roller coaster. This one was really scary as there was a lot of acceleration felt. ZhuEn kept shouting for her mum and I was so worried that she was scared out of her wits. Truth is, she was really enjoying herself. After that, we went for a long queue for a river rush boat ride, wasn't worth the queue as there was only one part where it falls. We then slowly ascended the hill again, towards the ferris wheel. We took the ferris wheel during sunset.
It was such an amazing sight, we just lost ourselves in the orange glow of the sun and the surroundings. After that, we bought some fries and coke and sat down for a small break. Here, we decided that we need to try the scary roller coaster ride that goes 360 degrees, if not we might regret it. Gathering all her courage, we both went for it. Turns out it was less scary than it looks. We really enjoyed the ride, and can say that we have been to Ocean Park with no regrets! Seeing her smiling face, everything was worth it. After this, we went for the last ride of the day, a very long cable car ride down the mountain. After queuing for one hour, it was finally our turn. Some parts of the journey was actually very dark, but we still enjoyed the ride down. We found our way to the exit of Ocean Park and made our way to Kam's Roast Goose 1 Michelin Star restaurant for dinner. Alas, they ran out of goose! In the end, we went opposite the road for dim sums. The lady waiter in the stall was exceptionally friendly to us. On top of that, the dim sums are quite good as well. Really an enjoyable dinner.
14 November 2016, Clear, ShaTin > University
We woke up in the morning and had instant noodles for breakfast. We also got semi-addicted to the Taiwanese brand drink CunCuiHe. The earl grey milk tea is really fragrant. We then packed up and left the hotel for ShaTin. At ShaTin, we went to Yata Mall's food court for her favourite Fried Sotong and my favourite Cheese Baked Rice. Yummy stuff. We then made our way to my university so that I can prepare for my group presentation. ZhuEn travelled alone to TianRenHeYi because it was a really beautiful day and she didn't want to miss out.
At the same time, I was giving my group presentation, which went smoothly, but dragged because many good questions were asked. When it finally ended, I rushed out of the conference room and brought her to the airport, stopping by 7eleven to buy bread and biscuits for dinner as we travelled. It was sad because we could not have a proper dinner together before she flies back to Singapore. The whole process of sending her back was painful. I will never forget this feeling of departure. Till the next time I meet you, my dearie. It isn't so far away.
