Showing posts with label Guangzhou. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guangzhou. Show all posts
The celebration
Posted On Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at at Tuesday, July 13, 2010 by Sharon
And the result of the dragonboat race was...
TADA!!!
If you look carefully at the trophy and you can read Chinese, it says '6'. Ok, so we didn't win first, second or third placing but hell did we put effort into the race! It didn't matter though, we still have a trophy to prove that the team was in the finals!
Group photo at the lobby before departing to the celebration dinner the organizer held for us.
Everyone wants a piece of the trophy after putting much effort into the race :D well duh!
We were brought to a very lavish looking hotel (sorry it totally slipped my mind to take picture of the hotel from the outside) and entering the ballroom where the celebration dinner was held just blew all of our minds. According to some of the guys who had been out racing for years, this was possibly the best celebration dinner they've ever had.
Where's our table?
Every table was nicely setup fine dining style, with local products given out for free on each table.
We have milk of different funky flavours
Red wine and packets of ciggies
VERY very tasty vinegar
and free beer :D
Now altogether now YAM SENG!
Needless to say, it was an affair to remember by all that night. We rowed, we laughed and we got drunk. Ok, not me, I mean the guys. I stayed away from alcohol that night. Ok, so I may have a glass of beer and a sip of red wine but that's all. It was truly a celebration enjoyed by all.
Great food = Happy stomachs
Great people = Lots of fun and laughter involved.
Let me talk about the food.
The organizers made sure all of us went back not only with full stomachs but STUFFED as well. Have you ever had a 14 course dinner? Not me, definitely my first time.
Our first dish, oh-so-orgasmic plate of pork! It's so good everyone fought till the very last piece! @_@ Confirmed the best plate of pork I've had ever.
Prawn with pepper, pretty tasty too
After the second dish, rice wine was served.
and so did the alcohol binge! Yuck the taste of the rice wine was too strong for me, I don't have to taste it to know how strong it was :S
Next is the sliced conpoy or dried scallop in sweet corn soup
and bak chang! (glutinous rice in bamboo leaf) It's sweet.
Next in the list we had fried cashew nuts with 2 kinds of meat
Deep fried crisp chicken, loved it!
Pork ribs with ginger
Fried fish with special sauce. I think the special sauce was the vinegar. Didn't like it, it had too much of the vinegar that the dish sucked to the max.
Stir fried beer with black pepper and onion
Fried rice with egg and ham. At this point, I can only stomach the peas and pieces of ham.
Pan fried onion cake, normal and bland
Braised mushrooms with vegetables
Fried noodle... bleh~
Last but not least, the final dish, fruit platter
Our steersman lived up to his reputation as being the last one standing when all of us couldn't go on anymore! He kept eating!
There were performances from different teams throughout the night. Teams from England, Australia, Macau, Hong Kong and even the host country gave performances; be it drama or singing.
As you can see, it was indeed a happening night for all. Performers as well as the audience.
He's not a local celebrity but he acted like one! Ok, so he's a hot fireman from Macau.
One of the many things that happened in celebrations like this is...
Jersey exchange between different teams.
Yes yes, we know you have muscles too!
That's right, if you like other teams' jersey you can just approach any one of the member and ask to exchange jersey with them, on the spot! But not before you're forced to take picture half naked!
Sigh, they all looked like they were molested LOL
After the celebration dinner, the night was still early so the guys decided to take the party down town to a club called Babyface.
In the cab, where you can catch World Cup matches live at the back of the taxi on the tv screen!
The following pictures are self explanatory. All of us had great fun that night! :D
And the peace sign is so overrated -_- It practically appears in 7 out of 10 photos -_-"
This is how much the team manager was "loved"
It was our last night in Guangzhou and all good things must to come an end. We decided to go for another round of 'makan' session (god bless our tummies) for a good end.
It was possibly one of the best supper I've had in my life.
This grilled mackerel dish smelt a little foul when they first served it, I was qite hesitant to try it in the beginning but after much persuasion and convincing from the rest of the people, I gave it a try. The rest was history, I can't stop eating it.
Roti canai, China style haha. Crispy.
Grilled brinjal, awesome sauce but we have this here too.
Mutton satay, omfg so thick and juicy!
Steamed dumplings, best eaten dipped with vinegar, 2 thumbs up!
Grilled 'ku chai', I think it's called garlic chives in English, the kind you normally find in your plate of char koay teow. Who would have thought it could taste this good? It had to be the seasoning they used.
This wraps up the report on our Guangzhou trip. Like I said, I didn't enjoy China in the beginning especially after the stories I've heard of the public toilets but the great company and food made up for everything else. It was too bad I didn't spend more days in China for more sightseeing but I know this will not be my first and last trip.
Thank you, for the patience in reading my long winded stories. Again, I hope you've enjoyed reading my travel stories as much as I've enjoyed writing them :)
Till then, cheers~!
TADA!!!
If you look carefully at the trophy and you can read Chinese, it says '6'. Ok, so we didn't win first, second or third placing but hell did we put effort into the race! It didn't matter though, we still have a trophy to prove that the team was in the finals!
Group photo at the lobby before departing to the celebration dinner the organizer held for us.
Everyone wants a piece of the trophy after putting much effort into the race :D well duh!
We were brought to a very lavish looking hotel (sorry it totally slipped my mind to take picture of the hotel from the outside) and entering the ballroom where the celebration dinner was held just blew all of our minds. According to some of the guys who had been out racing for years, this was possibly the best celebration dinner they've ever had.
Where's our table?
Every table was nicely setup fine dining style, with local products given out for free on each table.
We have milk of different funky flavours
Red wine and packets of ciggies
VERY very tasty vinegar
and free beer :D
Now altogether now YAM SENG!
Needless to say, it was an affair to remember by all that night. We rowed, we laughed and we got drunk. Ok, not me, I mean the guys. I stayed away from alcohol that night. Ok, so I may have a glass of beer and a sip of red wine but that's all. It was truly a celebration enjoyed by all.
Great food = Happy stomachs
Great people = Lots of fun and laughter involved.
Let me talk about the food.
The organizers made sure all of us went back not only with full stomachs but STUFFED as well. Have you ever had a 14 course dinner? Not me, definitely my first time.
Our first dish, oh-so-orgasmic plate of pork! It's so good everyone fought till the very last piece! @_@ Confirmed the best plate of pork I've had ever.
Prawn with pepper, pretty tasty too
After the second dish, rice wine was served.
and so did the alcohol binge! Yuck the taste of the rice wine was too strong for me, I don't have to taste it to know how strong it was :S
Next is the sliced conpoy or dried scallop in sweet corn soup
and bak chang! (glutinous rice in bamboo leaf) It's sweet.
Next in the list we had fried cashew nuts with 2 kinds of meat
Deep fried crisp chicken, loved it!
Pork ribs with ginger
Fried fish with special sauce. I think the special sauce was the vinegar. Didn't like it, it had too much of the vinegar that the dish sucked to the max.
Stir fried beer with black pepper and onion
Fried rice with egg and ham. At this point, I can only stomach the peas and pieces of ham.
Pan fried onion cake, normal and bland
Braised mushrooms with vegetables
Fried noodle... bleh~
Last but not least, the final dish, fruit platter
Our steersman lived up to his reputation as being the last one standing when all of us couldn't go on anymore! He kept eating!
There were performances from different teams throughout the night. Teams from England, Australia, Macau, Hong Kong and even the host country gave performances; be it drama or singing.
As you can see, it was indeed a happening night for all. Performers as well as the audience.
He's not a local celebrity but he acted like one! Ok, so he's a hot fireman from Macau.
One of the many things that happened in celebrations like this is...
Jersey exchange between different teams.
Yes yes, we know you have muscles too!
That's right, if you like other teams' jersey you can just approach any one of the member and ask to exchange jersey with them, on the spot! But not before you're forced to take picture half naked!
Sigh, they all looked like they were molested LOL
After the celebration dinner, the night was still early so the guys decided to take the party down town to a club called Babyface.
In the cab, where you can catch World Cup matches live at the back of the taxi on the tv screen!
The following pictures are self explanatory. All of us had great fun that night! :D
And the peace sign is so overrated -_- It practically appears in 7 out of 10 photos -_-"
This is how much the team manager was "loved"
It was our last night in Guangzhou and all good things must to come an end. We decided to go for another round of 'makan' session (god bless our tummies) for a good end.
It was possibly one of the best supper I've had in my life.
This grilled mackerel dish smelt a little foul when they first served it, I was qite hesitant to try it in the beginning but after much persuasion and convincing from the rest of the people, I gave it a try. The rest was history, I can't stop eating it.
Roti canai, China style haha. Crispy.
Grilled brinjal, awesome sauce but we have this here too.
Mutton satay, omfg so thick and juicy!
Steamed dumplings, best eaten dipped with vinegar, 2 thumbs up!
Grilled 'ku chai', I think it's called garlic chives in English, the kind you normally find in your plate of char koay teow. Who would have thought it could taste this good? It had to be the seasoning they used.
This wraps up the report on our Guangzhou trip. Like I said, I didn't enjoy China in the beginning especially after the stories I've heard of the public toilets but the great company and food made up for everything else. It was too bad I didn't spend more days in China for more sightseeing but I know this will not be my first and last trip.
Thank you, for the patience in reading my long winded stories. Again, I hope you've enjoyed reading my travel stories as much as I've enjoyed writing them :)
Till then, cheers~!
Guangzhou - Training day
Posted On Monday, July 5, 2010 at at Monday, July 05, 2010 by Sharon
An athlete - a title, a status I never thought I would be 'awarded' by the organizers for the period of time we were in Guangzhou. I almost roll on the floor laughing upon being presented this tag to wear it around my neck.
Hence this tag is definitely for keeps for the rest of our remaining non athletic lives :p
The first agenda of the day was to go to a 'special' training center where the rowers will be taught different rowing skills by a skilled master. Every competing team was assigned a guide who will be in charged of the meals and transportation.
Looking happy to depart! and some gloomy faces of course...
It was raining EVERY SINGLE DAY we were there and this was just the beginning. Scene of Guangzhou city on a rainy day.
I did not know where we were heading to in the beginning so it was a big pleasant surprise when I was told that we're actually headed towards the Fohsan Huang Fei Hong Wushu Dragon and Lion Association, a training center where kids and adults alike are trained on the skills of wushu, dragon boating and lion dance. Very impressive I must say!
If the name Huang Fei Hong does not ring a bell, I suggest you google the movie Once Upon a Time in China. Back then, I was so in love in Wong Fei Hong I even dreamt of marrying him haha, ok please note that I was only 14 at that time and it was very normal then to dream of marrying some actor. :p
A huge figure of "Guan Gong" outside the building.
I didn't know what this read back then but now I know, it says 'Poh Chi Lam'
Chinese medicine and herbs anyone?
Ermm, the illustration of the history I assume
We walked past a hall where the students in this association sleep. Right on the floor with only a mat and a blanket to keep them warm through the night.
We toured the place for a little bit while waiting for the master to make an appearance. Came to this huge hall where a few students were practicing their lion dance routine. I'm telling you, these kids are very very fit for their age. They have muscles and packs that will put a regular gym goer to shame anytime.
Fooling around with their training equipments.
I swear I had no idea what I was trying to do. Copy and paste from all the kungfu movies I've seen, at least I think this is one of the styles haha...
Can't read what it says but I assume this is the proud corner as many trophies and awards are placed here.
BIG drum!
Biggest lion head in the world!
This is how huge it is...the lion's mouth reminds me of an old Malay folklore called 'Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup' heh
Even the door is MASSIVE!
Enough fooling around, it's time to get down to some serious business.
That day was the day I felt the whole trip was worth it. For it was the first time ever in my life to witness for myself a real dragonboat, made from fine wood,
and stretches milessss long (ok maybe miles sounds a little exaggerated but man, these boats are looong)
This, ladies and gentlemen, is a 50 people dragon boat.
Gold drums...
The men getting ready to roll...
Unpacking the paddles
See I told you that hugeass paddle bag can fit a
short
small human.
Paddles and butt seats
The 50 men boats were back from training.
I cannot imagine how heavy the boat must be.
Ok, back to our small boat, a 20 people boat.
This is how 'fit' Malaysian dragon boat rowers' are. Note the man in the middle with exposed tummy LOL
And this is how 'fit' the rowers from this association are. It was indeed a jaw dropping, saliva dripping sight wtf
While the men were out there rowing and listening to instructions,
the ladies of the team sat back and enjoy an array of flesh display before them. Although I can't say the sight of men washing their bodies with detergent powder and dirty river water is desirable to look at.
Definitely my first time seeing a big bunch of fit men together.
After the training session, it was time to break for lunch. Lunch was at the big hall where the kids were practicing their lion dance routine earlier.
This lunch, was another event to remember for life. A big bucket of rice was place at the side and you have to scoop your own rice.
Dining place, as simple as it can get.
Do not be fooled by the appearance. This was possibly the best tasting dish/food I've had in Guangzhou in my entire stay. It was SO SO GOOD! Ask anyone from the team!
We were pleasantly stuffed but we had more food waiting for us back in the hotel FOLs :S whether we like it or not, we still had to eat at least a little from this huge amount of food served to us as a respect to the organizers.
After lunch it was time for another training, this time at the real racing site itself.
Countdown to Asian Games
It was a wet wet day... we should have spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping in hotel room or out shopping!
We were bored waiting for the guys to train so we ventured out into the city for quite a bit and I found myself another hidden treasure not found in Malaysia, a green tea with red bean ice cream :p PERFECT! Oh did I tell you they had Green tea Pokka too? I'm a sucker for anything green tea based, as you can tell...
Ok, this post is getting too long.. I'll save the rest of the story for the next post.
I shall end the post with a personal favorite pic, our team photo with the master at Fo Shan and the biggest lion head as the background (even though we're dragonboaters!)
It was indeed an opportunity of a lifetime to get to visit the Fohsan Huang Fei Hong Wushu Dragon and Lion Association, for it is not a place not just any average tourist can visit.
Ok so the rest of the day had been boring for us girls but so what? We're painting the town red later that night so stay tune!
Hence this tag is definitely for keeps for the rest of our remaining non athletic lives :p
The first agenda of the day was to go to a 'special' training center where the rowers will be taught different rowing skills by a skilled master. Every competing team was assigned a guide who will be in charged of the meals and transportation.
Looking happy to depart! and some gloomy faces of course...
It was raining EVERY SINGLE DAY we were there and this was just the beginning. Scene of Guangzhou city on a rainy day.
I did not know where we were heading to in the beginning so it was a big pleasant surprise when I was told that we're actually headed towards the Fohsan Huang Fei Hong Wushu Dragon and Lion Association, a training center where kids and adults alike are trained on the skills of wushu, dragon boating and lion dance. Very impressive I must say!
If the name Huang Fei Hong does not ring a bell, I suggest you google the movie Once Upon a Time in China. Back then, I was so in love in Wong Fei Hong I even dreamt of marrying him haha, ok please note that I was only 14 at that time and it was very normal then to dream of marrying some actor. :p
A huge figure of "Guan Gong" outside the building.
I didn't know what this read back then but now I know, it says 'Poh Chi Lam'
Chinese medicine and herbs anyone?
Ermm, the illustration of the history I assume
We walked past a hall where the students in this association sleep. Right on the floor with only a mat and a blanket to keep them warm through the night.
We toured the place for a little bit while waiting for the master to make an appearance. Came to this huge hall where a few students were practicing their lion dance routine. I'm telling you, these kids are very very fit for their age. They have muscles and packs that will put a regular gym goer to shame anytime.
Fooling around with their training equipments.
I swear I had no idea what I was trying to do. Copy and paste from all the kungfu movies I've seen, at least I think this is one of the styles haha...
Can't read what it says but I assume this is the proud corner as many trophies and awards are placed here.
BIG drum!
Biggest lion head in the world!
This is how huge it is...the lion's mouth reminds me of an old Malay folklore called 'Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup' heh
Even the door is MASSIVE!
Enough fooling around, it's time to get down to some serious business.
That day was the day I felt the whole trip was worth it. For it was the first time ever in my life to witness for myself a real dragonboat, made from fine wood,
and stretches milessss long (ok maybe miles sounds a little exaggerated but man, these boats are looong)
This, ladies and gentlemen, is a 50 people dragon boat.
Gold drums...
The men getting ready to roll...
Unpacking the paddles
See I told you that hugeass paddle bag can fit a
short
small human.
Paddles and butt seats
The 50 men boats were back from training.
I cannot imagine how heavy the boat must be.
Ok, back to our small boat, a 20 people boat.
This is how 'fit' Malaysian dragon boat rowers' are. Note the man in the middle with exposed tummy LOL
And this is how 'fit' the rowers from this association are. It was indeed a jaw dropping, saliva dripping sight wtf
While the men were out there rowing and listening to instructions,
the ladies of the team sat back and enjoy an array of flesh display before them. Although I can't say the sight of men washing their bodies with detergent powder and dirty river water is desirable to look at.
Definitely my first time seeing a big bunch of fit men together.
After the training session, it was time to break for lunch. Lunch was at the big hall where the kids were practicing their lion dance routine earlier.
This lunch, was another event to remember for life. A big bucket of rice was place at the side and you have to scoop your own rice.
Dining place, as simple as it can get.
Do not be fooled by the appearance. This was possibly the best tasting dish/food I've had in Guangzhou in my entire stay. It was SO SO GOOD! Ask anyone from the team!
We were pleasantly stuffed but we had more food waiting for us back in the hotel FOLs :S whether we like it or not, we still had to eat at least a little from this huge amount of food served to us as a respect to the organizers.
After lunch it was time for another training, this time at the real racing site itself.
Countdown to Asian Games
It was a wet wet day... we should have spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping in hotel room or out shopping!
We were bored waiting for the guys to train so we ventured out into the city for quite a bit and I found myself another hidden treasure not found in Malaysia, a green tea with red bean ice cream :p PERFECT! Oh did I tell you they had Green tea Pokka too? I'm a sucker for anything green tea based, as you can tell...
Ok, this post is getting too long.. I'll save the rest of the story for the next post.
I shall end the post with a personal favorite pic, our team photo with the master at Fo Shan and the biggest lion head as the background (even though we're dragonboaters!)
It was indeed an opportunity of a lifetime to get to visit the Fohsan Huang Fei Hong Wushu Dragon and Lion Association, for it is not a place not just any average tourist can visit.
Ok so the rest of the day had been boring for us girls but so what? We're painting the town red later that night so stay tune!
