雨

To all my English speaking friends who can't recognize Chinese characters. The title means 'Rain'.

It has come down to the time of the year in UK which the sky becomes so sad til the point that it weeps nearly everyday. Even as I walked back from Exeter's St David's station to my university, I got drenched by the heavy 'light shower' along the way.

My past 4 days in Cardiff was not really exciting. Like I told Rachel (my host in Cardiff), I don't prioritize exploring a new place in a trip. In my book, enjoying company of a friend and someone to reminisce about stories and mutual memories back home is more worthwhile as a visit. (Well, in this case, I came for food. :D)

My Host/Tour Guide/Chef and Me :)

It was my first time travelling by train and well I was a quite anxious about it. I always had this fear of missing the train or stops.. so when I learnt from my friend that the train only stopped for a very short time upon arriving a stop, it bugged me the whole train ride. I couldn't really sleep or do anything in fact on the train as being conscious of the time was a definite necessity.

The train ride from Exeter to Cardiff took 1 hour and 45 minutes, saving about 2x of the time taking bus. Had a little bit of embarrassed moment for me when I inserted the seat reservation ticket instead of the official travel ticket into the machine as I was trying to get through the gate. LOL.

Meh.. Cardiff weather was much much warmer than in Exeter.. but if you were to give me one word to describe Cardiff.. WET is ds definitely the word. I will explain this later on.

My arrival was greeted by Rachel, his brother and Rach's flatmate Tom. They came to the town to get some stuffs, so my job that day was to follow them around the city center (barely visiting any places). Although that, I managed to stop by and bought myself Welsh Cakes in the marketplace. If you are wondering what is Welsh Cake all about.. it's basically flour.. however, it tasted pretty good in combination with jam.

At night, Rach made me dinner! Yes, I didn't have to cook hahahaha, but I volunteered to wash the dishes though. Later into the night, I had a small gathering with Han Rui - one of my Cardiff friend who was on a student exchange program, doing her 3rd year law here. Well, it was not really a small gathering. In fact, the flat people apparently invited other people over and it gradually become a flat party. The weird part was, the party was dominated by Malaysians and a few international ones. The whole night in the flat was filled with laughter and warmth as we chatted and also played some dancing game on Tom's Wii. Well, it was great to have to an opportunity to meet up with Han Rui again right before her flight to other parts of Europe.

At night, I technically slept on the ground.. but with a layer of mattress. So yeah, although it's not the most supreme comfort, but it's better than sleeping on the FLOOR literally like what I did in Bath.

On the 2nd day, Rach brought me to visit the Cardiff City Center.

One part of City Center

Cardiff Castle

I think this is the Morgan street? There are quite a few of these.

Founder of NHS who is going to take care of my health in UK

Awesome clock

My IG photo - Bute Park

IMO, this looks like an exorcism kind of place lol.

There is definitely more to the city than what my photo has shown. Too lazy to take down everything. :D

Well, for dinner I got treated one of the best of meals that I have had since I came to the UK.

Baked Potatoes-Long Beans & Tomato-Curry

Pirvinsha made the potatoes, Tom made the beans and tomatoes and Rach made curry.

And as usual, I washed the dishes. LOL.

Such wholesome meal.. and yea, it tastes exactly like what are you guys seeing right now - Amazing.

Before bed, we watched a movie called If I stay.. it was terrible.. and unbelievable..


Third day, Rach said she would make garlic bread for breakfast.. and I ended up eating the whole loaf of it.. LOL. Skyped Xin Ying (friend from Malaysia) after breakfast before leaving the flat to Cardiff bay at around 1pm. Before heading to the train station, we had a walk at the Bute park. (We entered from another entrance.) Just so you know, The area Bute park covered is huge. It is possible (but unlikely) to get lost in it.

Road to the entrance of Bute Park

River Taff (I'm on a bridge btw)

Did not realize I shot so many photos of the park.

Well, we had to take a train from Cathays station to Cardiff bay.

Road to Cardiff Bay

Shameless selfie

Old National Assembly for Wales

BBC Wales on the other side

Millennium Center - Theater performances are shown inside

Night View

Yea.. so coming to what we have been waiting for. Tonight's dinner.

Char siew + Cabbage + Rice

There's only 3 words to describe this. Less than 3.

<3

Oh yeah, we also watched 被偷走的那五年.. and guess who cried? XD

I went back to Exeter on the 17th.. and back to facing the reality of exams dawning on me soon enough. It was a great four day spent with great experience obtained, instead of just spending time staring on the laptop screen back in the hostel. (The irony, considering that is what I am exactly doing right now. Haha.) Although Cardiff isn't considered one of the most beautiful places in UK, but it certainly has its attractive sites and I had the privilege to visit them. 

I was actually quite conflicted in my decision of travelling to Cardiff in the beginning, as Han Rui and Rach were the only good friends I know studying in Cardiff. It was tough to decide whether it was okay to crash by an accommodation belonging to the opposite gender. I know people would think that it is possible to sleep on the sofa in the living area - which was what I suggested at first, but Rach was kind enough to let me stay the night in her room.. which was much much more warmer. 

Well, I just wanna thank her for the past 4 days, showing me around and also showcasing all her best cooked meals for my every dinner there. It was awesome and reminded a lot of home. Both of us actually lived nearby from each other in Malaysia and well.. to be able to meet each other again in UK, it was emotionally overwhelming. Well Rach, Thanks for having me in Cardiff!! :)

If meeting a friend in U.K.everytime can give me such a great feeling emotionally, I think I would be addicted to travelling. If only.. train prices running through Exeter can be cheaper..

Well it is 3 am now.. an hour since I started typing.. 

Should probably go to bed. Nights.