**
There were many events on-going for me last month, with the Austria-Switzerland trip being the most significant one of all. The reason I was able to travel anyways, was thanks to Vicky's invitation. So thanks a lot Vicky!! (If you ever see this). Initially, I had mixed feelings about going abroad for 10 days (Yes.. the trip lasted for 10 days), as firstly, University of Exeter's exam week starts on the 4th of January and the trip was from the 20th of December to the 30th; and secondly, it was projected to be really expensive. Well, as chances like this are not easy to come by, I went full yolo and joined the trip anyway. From when the Christmas holidays started to the day I left Exeter for my trip (12th - 19th), I went into overdrive and copied as much research and short notes as possible so that I could bring it to the trip. :v Those scrappy notes were my gambling token towards, hopefully, average results in the January examination.
Man, reminiscing those past 10 days of the trip, I had no regrets at all. In that short period of time, I made great friends, watched some breathtaking sceneries, ate some amazing food and most importantly, had a whole lot of fun! From things like dragging luggage everywhere, chasing trains and travelling in public transportation for long hours, it was definitely a draining, tiring trip. I can still remember how I would ask the girls the time we should wake up everyday and hoping that it would be late in the morning.. well, it wasn't the case most of the time.
I packed ridiculously light for the trip - a gym bag with a bag pack. I was quite amazed at myself as my travel partners are, to be honest. Well, I think I did well with what I got anyway, not the best cleanliness but hey, I have the habit of showering twice a day and even did that on the trip so I figure it was okay. In the end, I made the right choice of travelling light, as I am able to provide some helping hands with the task of dragging the luggage.
My trip started off in Austria for 4 days and ended after 6 days in Switzerland. In Austria, we visited Salzburg, Hallstat and Innsbruck and in Switzerland, Zurich, Langwies, Arosa, Lucerne, Interlaken, Spiez, Bern, Zermatt, Wengen and Basel. Lol... now that I have listed it out, only have I realised the big difference. XD
Just to clarify, if you are wondering..
No, it did not snow.
No, we did not ski.
And if I am to say something about the countries.
They are both absolutely beautiful countries with a rather cool but not freezing climate.
I think if there is an opportunity, everyone should visit there at least once, especially travelers who enjoy sightseeing.
The downside to traveling to these countries though, is probably the price and expenses required. Food is really expensive there, especially in Switzerland like wtf. The price of a McD meal is like a daylight robbery.
Here are some highlight photos, one for each city:
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| View of Salzburg from Mt.Untersburg |
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| Hallstat - you need a ferry/speedboat ride to reach here |
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| Innsbruck from the top of Hafelekarspitze |
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| Zurich's Old Town |
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| Scenery of Langwies ft. Shirley |
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| Natural Ice Skating rink!! at Arosa |
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| Lucerne!! |
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| Trying to discover the meaning of life at Interlaken |
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| A short stop at Spiez. Nothing much but pretty nonetheless. |
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| Bern is one of the busier cities I have visited in Switzerland |
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| Toblerone's signature mountain - The Matterhorn @ Zermatt |
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| Wengen.. last day. |
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| The border of 3 countries - France, Germany, Switzerland @ Basel |
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| Shameless vertical leap at the top Hafelekarspitze |
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| Probably the reason I was invited to this trip anyways. To be a coat hanger. |
**
I took the 1st bus in the morning back to Exeter and arrived there in the afternoon on the 31st of December. The rest of the days were just me trying to derive all the possible questions that they could've asked for exams and trying to compose my own ultimate essays that would fit in all sorts of scenario.
Well, the concept of having open-ended questions which require students to include contemporary studies that have to be obtained through independent reading.. it is kind of insane. 'What if the studies I find do not fit the question?' - was one thing that worried me a lot. There were only 4 questions which appeared in each of my exams.. and those 4 questions was based of 6 topics which branches out to 18 subtopics probably? To have independent readings of researches regarding each of the subtopics and to remember the details and including them in an 1-hour exam? Daunting.
Oh well, thank goodness that have passed by, hopefully I did not do too bad.
**
Well, new year, new memories, new experiences.
My dreams though, will always remain the same.
希望带给父母和黄家骄傲与荣耀。
希望自己能带给身边的朋友们快乐。
**
最后，
感谢身边的亲戚朋友们，
2015已回不来，
能从中带走的
也只有你们留给我的
美好的回忆。
