Organiser: Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES) NUS Student Branch
Participants: 23 Engineering students from NUS
Date: 01-08062009
8 Days. Alright, I know that a blog post will not do enough justice to chronicles the bits and pieces that happened in such a period of time. (Which explains why we NEED photos!=p). But nonetheless, this post basically summarizes what we experienced and felt throughout the trip.
Day 1: We touched down Chek Lap Kok Airport around 3p.m. As most of the day was gone by the time we settled down at Simon K.Y.Lee Hall, we spent the night walking the streets in Mong Kok. The night streets in Mong Kok is indeed a reflector of the bustling and happening night life of Hong Kong. Neon-lit signboards and food stalls are a common sight. We even chanced upon couples who took their wedding shots in the midst of jostling people! Well, the first day definitely beckoned a great journey ahead for us who were in Hong Kong for the first time.
Day 2: Our first industrial visit for this trip was to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It operates mainly on two securities trading platforms, namely the Main Board and the Growth Enterprise Market (GEM). There are few reasons and advantages that companies seek listing of shares. Among which is the access to capital for growth. The Exchange Exhibition Hall also provided insights into the history of HKEx and facilities involved.
After the industrial visit, we spend the afternoon in Ocean Park. Besides the exhilarating rides and wonderful performances, it was quite heartening to know that the park serves a educational purpose too. It aims to educate the public on conservation program of animals, for example dolphins and giant pandas.In the night, we walked around Soho and Lan Kwai Fong. These places are popular rendezvous for expatriates, what with the nightclubs and bars and fine-dining restaurants. In fact, our quest to find a "budget" meal proved to be a daunting task where we have to settle for a Vietnamese and Thai food instead.=) Oh yeah, we also came across the Central-Mid-Levels escalator when we were getting our way to Soho. It used to be one of the longest escalators in the world. Trust me, it would be less tedious to travel short flights of stairs compared to the escalator. Haha...the length is just overwhelming, though I heard the one at Ocean Park is even longer.=p
Day 3: The activity for the day begins with an industrial visit to Sha Tin Water Treatment Works. After given a talk, we were brought around to visit the processes involved in the water treatment. Along the way, we were brought to attention about the Total Water Management concept that the region used for managing water resources. One unique measure that Hong Kong adopted to enhance water management is the use of seawater for toilet flushing. Besides that, stringent tests are conducted at different stages to ensure that the final output satisfies the requirements.
It would be rather odd if we did not have a walk around the place we were staying. After lunch, we visit the HKU Engineering Faculty, particularly the labs. Despite of the university's rather brick-old facade, the state-of the-art facilities and lab equipments are quite amazing, which I think is one of the reasons that propel the school into worlwide recognition.
After visiting the labs, our fellow friends from HKU brought us to a school tour. Although the university is building its centennial campus, the classical part of it is still very much resemblance of its past.
During the free time after the sun sets, we went to Tsim Sha Tsui. We walk along the Avenue of Stars, took some photos and revelling in the night view. It was quite a waste that we can't appreciate the Symphony of Lights show fully due to the cloudiness. But nevertheless, the promenade offers a "wide-angle" view of the popular night scene of Hong Kong, especially of the skyscrappers.
Day 4: We've got a new stamp on our passport pages again! Haha...this time it is Macau. Well....besides her 
After coming back from Macau, we walked around CausewayBay. As that day was the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, the streets are filled with protesters. Yet, it was a peaceful one under supervision of police forces.Day 5: After a long journey of MTR, we finally alight at another "City of Dreams"-Disneyland. The truth is...I would wish much that the exorbitant price ticket was only a dream. Haha. Anyway, it was all worth it. The performances and musicals are really good. It's like rewatching those Disney classics again. (I like Hakuna Matata and the Stitch dance! Haha) We stayed at the park for the whole day until the climax where fireworks are shown at the renowned castle.
Day 6: The next day is one of the busiest days with two industrial visits. Firstly, we visited the Cyberport. There we observed how technologies are incorporated into work and daily lives. Designated rooms are available for video-conferencing and digital media processing. Besides that, luxury residences are also part of the cyber city.
Then, during the lunch, we had a surprise birthday party for Lai Shan. w00t!
After filling our stomachs, we took a long journey before arriving at our next and final industrial visit-Dunwell Group at Yuen Long Industrial Estate. the company won awards for the VMAT technology for used oil processing. Besides the usual distillation method for recycling oil, we are also made known that the company used membrane treatment technology. Although the product of distillation is more desirable, the membrane treatment technology minimizes the costs and pollution resulted from the oil production. Hence, research is still ongoing on how to improve the final product quality while leveraging on the benefits of membrane treatment technology.
In the evening, we visited The Peak, which is also where Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is located. As usual, we took photos. But this time with vivid wax figurines. We also grab the chance to breathe in the bird's eye view of Hong Kong night scenery.
Day 7: The penultimate day. Well, it is an off day for us. In other words, finish up those places that are on the "must-go-and-see" list! Haha...at least attempt to do so.Of course, no trip to Hong Kong is complete without the famous choice for breakfast-dim sum. We started off the day with a trip to a Chinese "kopitiam". We almost fainted when we saw the crowd there. The place was packed to the brim with people. We waited for a while before managed to share a table with other diners. When the dim-sum "trolley" was pushed out, the "waiter" is just like an artiste-people were rounding up to get the dim-sums. Haha.
After a sumptious breakfast, we went to the Wong Tai Sin temple, which is known for the deity's power of healing.
After that, we went to Stanley Beach. It's so amazing that Hong Kong still possess the untouched and attractive natural beauty in spite of the developments and concretes that mushroom along. The beach attracted a lot of people with its short stretch of golden sand and array of activities including windsurfing. 
On the other side of the beach, there's also the quiter rocks where collectors can be seen collecting "shells".
Following a lunch at the open-air marketplace, 
we loitered around Stanley Plaza. It was holding a bottle art exhibition when we were there.
As the day is still early, we went to Causebay Bay again as last time we didn't manage to walk much. Haha....and of course, final shopping!Day 8: All well ends well. Finally, we left this beautiful place with beautiful memories and friendships bonded as well as strengtened. Hopefully, the end of this trip doesn't mean the end of our friendships and our knowledge gained from the trip. Hmm...and also to think about our next destination. Any suggestions? =)
