Finally, the day came.

Excitement.

Nervousness.

Anticipation.

.

.

.

.

And the list goes on to describe the mixed emotions that went through me as the day came.

4a.m, 12^th April 2007. I was barley asleep, but already had to wake up. As per instructed, we were to arrive at the airport at 5.30a.m. (Even though our flight was at 8a.m.)

After the usual shower, breakfast and me happily dressing up (my 1^st time wearing a blazer!), my dad, together with my mum, drove me off to the airport.

IBSM 2007 full force @ Changi Airport!

our ever so coolio Mr. Wong! (psss.. thats where all
our passports were kept during e trip! haha)

ahhh.. there's ms Ng a.k.a our Ah Bu!(w/ insignificant others removed! wa ha ha!)

& thats e handsome man, who proclaims to have wives all over china!

these were our 3 great lecturers who accompanied us during our trip! and of course, the trio who brought us true e pre-trip workshop!

Lesson 1: Punctuality!

Arriving at the airport, I was greeted by the almost full strength of the other 30 odd people whom I was to spend my next 12 days with in China. Some familiar faces, while others, I was to develop friendship with in the days to come. Unknown to me as yet, good friends I was to find in the fellowship.

And so 34 students occupied a corner of the airport, smartly dressed in blazer (and only me being bothered to put on the tie), waited patiently, as if for more companions to come. Minutes passed and (if my memory did not fail me), after an hour, the culprit who made us wait appeared – Mr. Yao(better known as Lao Yao), our tour guide. (O yes, just so if you were wondering what was happening during the wait - while we were waiting, a group of Japanese girls joined us at the airport. And I guessed they served as our entertainment during our wait, with Wen Song and his dad practicing their Jap with the girls. Besides that, mingling around with new found friends, and spending the last few moments with my family before the trip, really help passed time!)

As of that, our 1^st impression (or at least MY 1^st impression) of our “Tao You” (tour guide), was ruined: an irresponsible man – for having a group of 37 people (inclusive of teacher) waiting cluelessly for him.

e culrpit who made us all wait aimlessly! and also e one who loves short bananas!

--- Flight To Hong Kong ---

There was nothing mention-worthy during the flight, except maybe just that I caught the movie “Night at the Museum”, starring Ben Stiller.

Lesson 2: Efficiency

And so we touched down at the Hong Kong International Airport the very same day. As we proceeded to check out of the airport, we had to join a long queue of people doing exactly what we were aiming to do – check out. I noticed that there were many check out counters, BUT only a handful was open. This was barley enough to handle the number of visitors into Hong Kong, as it was seen that the people extended out of the designated queue area! Tourism is a business too! Your visitors are your customers, so you have to take care of them, ensure that they don’t get agitated waiting to enter your country!

Even though the handling of administrative work was rather slow, I’d have to applaud them for the magnificent airport they have! What a beauty! O yea… and did I mention? The weather was just AWESOME! Like totally! Cool breeze, air-con temperature, not too freezing, and just the right amount of sunlight! Did I just mention that the weather was awesome?!

point us o.. point us to the right direction, where we shall embark on our journey!

gateway to 12 days of adventure!

--- Trade Development Council (TDC) ---

Our 1^st company visit was to TDC. It is located at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre extension. Here are some photos taken while we were there!

the beautiful scenery, a perfect background for the beautiful people! Taken outside of the TDC.

a list of services which TDC provides.

with such detailed categorising of their materials, it sure is easy to source out just what you need!

At TDC Info. Centre, we learnt they provide quality business information services to Hong Kong Companies, especially to Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs). And in order to identify a SME, TDC defines them as either

a) manufacturing firm – less then 1oo employees

b) non-manufacturing firm – less than 50 employees

We also found out that the TDC Business Library is the most resourceful business Info. Centre in Hong Kong! An awesome 2 levels of resources relating to business information, equipped with facilities such as computers with internet access, printing, photocopying and fax machines for its users. With a history of more than 30 years, it is no wonder why it is the most resourceful business centre in Hong Kong! Here at the library, information such as business contacts, statistics, export and import trends etc… may easily be found. These information would assist businessmen-to-be in setting up their business.

Also, at the library, there is a devoted area where users may obtain information regarding doing business in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region. Specifically, information such as the laws which regulates business operations in the PRD, trading procedures and many other relevant information to assist them in their business.

---Free and Easy Night! ---

And so legend has it, Hong Kong is THE PLACE, the place where the night lives! The shoppers’ paradise, food heaven, beautiful lightings, fashionably dressed citizens… AHHH!!! All that and more, waiting for us to explore as the night began! And we say, the night is young!

Shopping spree!!!

i'm gonna get you softee!!!

just me and you, all alone my softee....

the busy streets of Hong Kong, the buss of night life! woo hoo!

and that, my friend, is a typical Hong Kong housing estate!