Me! :): Before I forget.

It already started to feel a little weird.. still could not get over the fact that I actually traveled to Bath just 2 days ago. This short 2 days trip that was planned since a few weeks ago came to a great success as we got to visit most of the hotspots in Bath.

It was on Saturday that I took my 5 am bus there. Some people called me crazy but when the incredible difference in tickets came in to play, I figured it was a no contest. A single way trip to Bath is 3 pounds, and in comparison to the 15 pounds, conversion of the currency played a big factor.

Anyways, being at bus stop at 5am, I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw Alicia, one of my Malaysian friends in Exeter. Apparently, she had the idea of visiting Bath's Christmas Market as well but only decided to go on a one day trip. Well, it's good to have an acquaintance in the bus as 3 hours of bus ride alone can be boring.

I reached the Bath City Centre at 8am and the first impression I got was.. 'why the hell is it so cold man.' Even with thermals and jacket, I was shivering like mad, not to mention Alicia who wore much lesser than I did. However, I did not miss the chance to take a photo with this Christmas tree right opposite my bus stop.

When I first arrived

It was so cold that even smiling seemed like a tough job to do.

Initially, I planned to walk all the way to the university. On my google map, the estimated time of arrival was 43 minutes by walking, which was actually fine by me. However, the temperature and weather just didn't allow me to do so and I ended up taking a bus.

Upon arrival at the university bus stop, I figured that I am probably doomed as I didn't have Chuan Jiet's or Vicky's UK number and I did what any another annoying friend in the world would do - spam their whatsapp. Well, the other alternative was Hui Peng, which had a 'last seen 5 hours ago' on my messenger box. I sent a message seeking urgent help. Luckily, Hui Peng replied me,. at the sight of that I was definitely on cloud nine. My hands were already numb and I could not really feel them anymore (I am not even joking.) Through facebook messages, she guided me to a place to wait for her as she prepared to come and pick me up. Apparently the place was right outside a big mart - even bigger than my forum's shop - which I thought was big enough lol, and I got myself a Cherry-Apple cider as a warm up drink.

5 minutes felt like eternity while waiting for Hui Peng as the cold weather threatened to engulf me. The mere sight of her brought me a sense of relief, and we headed off to her room. It was certainly nice to be back indoors. We talked for a bit and deep in my heart I was amazed by how well organised her room was except for the big luggage hogging the entire way. When CJ finally came over, followed by Leon, we headed over to CJ's room to drop off my luggage. Sleepy-looking Vicky greeted me at Chuan Jiet's door before I barged straight in to drop my luggage somewhere at the floor - which was my sleeping spot for the night.

After everyone was ready, we headed to the town.

Landscape view from the top of hill

Walking to city was a long way, but gravity helped us downhill pretty quick. Bath city, unlike Exeter's was much bigger and buildings there had a drop of classic-modern style of architecture.

Before visiting around, we waited for Ken (on his way from Nottingham) in a signature brand shop.

After having buffet for lunch, Chuan Jiet started his tour guide duty showing us around.

Bath Abbey

Royal Crescent

Vicky asked me to do this for the Gay Street

Swag nation guys.

Another Christmas tree somewhere

Vicky - master in selfies

Group photo

Nottingham-Exeter-Southampton

Another tree

That's basically for the first day.

For the night, we camped at Chuan Jiet's room to watch 七号房的礼物 - a korean movie which was supposed to be touching but it was too unrealistic to make me cry lol. We had a small chat before heading to bed later on.

My bed was not even a bed it was a blanket over a floor. I had to use Vicky's jacket as a pillow and her blanket as blanket as mine was laid on the floor. The cold was so cold that I had trouble falling into deep sleep. Woke up at 5am to put my thermal and socks on before I could carry on sleeping til 8 am.

We were all prepared and ready to go at 10am. Our next destination was Sally Lunn's house, a well-known house from the past which made mouth-watering but *cough* (overpriced) bread. It was good though.

After sending off Ken at the station at 12 noon, 3 of us spent rest of the day strolling around town before staying put at Costa from 3 - 5.30.

During dinner, that was when a lot of DMC happened. ( deep meaningful conversation - term adopted from my flatmates) We had our dinner in a pub, so drinking was inevitable, although CJ got himself a mixed juice instead of a proper drink. Vicky and I had strongbow and guiness pint respectively.

The environment was perfect for talks and we discussed a lot about life, studies, family, relationships, resolution. It was a roller coaster of feels and emotions for the night as I listened to them and related their issues to mine. I did not know much about them after 1.5 years in college as the time we met were mostly in a society (we were not from the same class), and I thought that night probably brought our friendship to a new level.

They sent me off at the bus stop at 8.20, and to be honest I was on the verge of tears after I hugged them both before hopping on the bus. It was a kind of friendship that I had never tasted since coming to the UK. Making new friends in a foreign country is common, but chances of forming a connection emotionally with them is probably quite slim, unless they are from the same country as you. For me this case, I don't have many.

"Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies." - Aristotle

I learnt this saying during form 5 and it was one that I could not understand. Maybe, just maybe I can understand it finally.