Adventure along the Loch Ness

How did the idea came about?
We were initially planning to head down (or west) to the Cairngorms National Park for a hike. Suddenly, Martin gave us a bunch of Sainsbury's discount coupon for ScotRail. With a return trip on the train just for £19, the Singaporean in me said, "Free discount, must use!" The thought of Gabriel's desire to visit Inverness (the city by Loch Ness, and also the capital of the Scottish Highlands) came to mind. So, one random day in the library, when i should have been studying, a number of googling and web-browsing was done, and the plan was conceived.

Hike the Great Glen Ways, a beginner's long distance route which spans alongside the Loch Ness for 117km, estimating a 5-7days hike. We decided to modify the trekking by starting halfway. Hiking and camping in the Spring, sounds great doesn't it? We were so wrong. We just threw ourselves into my greatest adventure thus far.

Day 1
We started off with our usual style. BEING LATE, to the extent that we had to call a taxi, and being fashionably on time for the departing train in the early 0715H morning.

Drumnadrochit view of the Loch Ness

A gorgeous bus ride down the Loch Ness. The funny thing was that we were gonna be going through the same route again, but instead on foot, and somewhere up in the hills. The view was pretty familiar, having travelled along the same road with my parents. As I reminisced about how 8months passed so quickly, Liz & Gab were busy struggling with car-sickness. They should try visiting China, the bus-drivers and terrainns are even more ruthless!

1st Stop - Fort Augustus!

Fish & Chips (Chippies) by the Loch

We decided to make camp in a designated campsite, just 5min of the town. They had a nice empty for both campers and caravans, equipped with shower facilities AND hot water. But for a whooping £8/pax?! That's a rip-off! Nonetheless, we wanted to be comfortable for the first night before we threw ourselves into the wild.

Typical attempts at Jump Shot

Our failed attempt to start a fire. Without any dry wood, we ended up soaking the cans in hot-water from the toilet

And the night wasn't comfortable, at least it wasn't for the rest. With a nice clear starry night sky, the heat waved goodbye along with the setting sun, leaving us freezing in our tents. In the middle of the night, the couple disappeared. And the apparent story was that they were in the toilet for 5hours, trying to thaw themselves. Rightttt...

Day 2
Everybody's motivation level dropped to as deep as the Loch Ness (at 260m, that's deeper than the North Sea in average!). I wasn't ready to give up, not right at the beginning! Maybel was really initially quite adament to the idea of going on, habouring on a non-existing Plan B (something that i never plan for). By now, the sky had become overcast, and the weather forecast was telling us snow was coming. Thankfully we went on, because the next ~15km was a treat.

After a continuous uphill, our first checkpoint!

Next checkpoint, luncheon meat for lunch (with bread & beans)

As we got closer to the next town, Invermoriston, we noticed a tree marked with an orange arrow, with a sign "Norwood Camp". We decided to check it out.

Orange arrows leading the way into the forest

We ended up at Norwood camp, a large plot of land in the middle of nowhere. We stood outside the gate, deciding on our next step. Suddenly, a scottish man (maybe a farmer?) and his can of Irn Bru (scot's soft drink) appeared from one of the buildings and began walking towards us. How did he know we were there?

"It's £4 per person for the night. You can use our toilets."

"Lovely! We will head down to the town first. And if we decide to come back, how can we find you?"

"Don't worry, I will find you."

*And the sound of chainsaws growled in the distance

No thank you! We are moving on!

Endless trekking...

Never too tired to set-up the tripod for a photo

After ~7hours, the river beside Invermoriston.

By the time we got to Invermoriston, it was apparent that we had missed the bus to the next town (the new Plan B that was devised while walking). Not a mistake on our side, but apparently the bus frequency on Sunday were much lesser. Damn the pamphlet for not mentioning that. The next bus was 2hours later...

We killed time in a restaurant, who were kind enough not to chase us out into the cold. Still, the bus was 20min. Next stop was Drumnadrochit!

The plan was camp at another designated campsite, Borlum's Farm. By the time we got there, night had fallen. No one answered the doorbell. So we decided to explore the farm a little, maybe we could find the owners... Instead, we found the toilet. And since it was apparent that no one was going to entertain us, we used their toilet and quickly scurried off to find a place to camp.

Our 'campsite' - At a road junction & beside the river

'Camp'-whoring! (The couple took the other tent)

Day 3
We had to conjure up a new plan for the day. Everything was not going according to plan. With the incoming weather forcing us out of the hiking plans, we were skipping to the major towns. We had a whole day to spend in Drumnadrochit. So we headed down to the Tourist Centre, picked up some brochures and was back to hiking up a random hill.

Taking the more difficult and steeper path

Sitting by the edge of the viewpoint, overlooking the town & Loch Ness

Using the dry branches that we collect along the way for a nice warm meal

Despite the fog and utter randomness of the hike, the climb was worth it

We walked along the main road towards the next checkpoint, which was the only area of interest that was planned for. Urquhaut Castle had the winning formula to make it a worthy visit. It had some history (though not epic), a magnificant view over a famous scenery, and most importantly - It was in ruins. I greatly dislike Castles which are refurbished and turned into a museum.

What makes a nice castle to visit - Destruction

We waited for the bus, which was yet again, was not arriving at the stipulated timing. It was a Weekday, so no excuses! Figured that the pamphlet timing was not updated. When we wanted to head back into the castle's reception to enquire, just 15min after its closure, the building was already pitch dark. Surely, they left very promptly. This time with no place warm to accommodate us, we battled with the constant drizzle as the temperature dipped to zero.

Jumping (or floating) to keep warm

Keeping warm with the exhaust of another bus

We did eventually get on the bus for Inverness, after more than an hour of waiting in the cold. It had began to snow. We headed for Travelodge (the hotel that i booked while at the viewpoint of the hill), and walking in the cold & snow without knowing the distance was exciting. I enjoyed the uncertainty.

Inverness - Snowing in Spring!

Day 4
We watched a good WWII movie till late. And finally had warm proper sleep. We could finally leave our backpacks behind and had a comfortable walk to Inverness town. There, we convinced ourselves that since we were on holiday, we shall be spendthrift and embark on a food rampage! We visited coffee shops, had ice cream, cakes, sandwich and soup. I also had my first 'atas' chocolates!

SG$1.25 each

Dessert frenzy

 With much time to kill, we visited the public library. Soon, we were tired of sitting around. Hence, we walked to and across the motorway, over to the Black Isle (Eastern Highlands). The highway spans across Moray Firth, the opening of the Loch Ness to the North Sea. I felt pretty stressed walking it, as the cars zoomed passed and the wind blew strongly in ever-changing direction.

Along the highway, with Beauly Firth & Inverness behind

In the distance, we saw a snow cloud approaching. We thought we could out-walk it, but halfway on the bridge, we were showered by heavy hail. So much snow/hail that I was collecting 'Ice Kachang' in my hoodie. Then the snow cloud passed us, and showered over Inverness. And it was sunny again...

Caught in the snow cloud

Dinner was in a nice pub called Hootananny's. Thai cruisine, drinks and live music.

Day 5

Ice cream in the cold. Brrr~

River Ness running through Inverness

Inverness Castle

Haggis, Neeps & Tatties - Sheep's inards, mash turnip & potato

Sticky Toffee Pudding w/ custard

As we sat in the train station, I felt that the ending of the trip was kinda anti-climatic. Said it too early.

A man came into the waiting room, and started chatting up Liz & I. It didn't take us long to realise that he was intoxicated / confused as he started repeating his questions. He lit his cigarette in the enclosed room, started singing aloud, and was receiving his audience of judgemental stares. Gab did come along at a later time, and the couple left at the sight of him, but i sat through all the way (with all the baggage). He was amusing. He reeked of alcohol, the smoke was unbearable, but i wanted to see the outcome.

I did finally manage to inform the train staff about him, who weren't very worried as they were familiar with such people. The trains had all arrived at the platform, and i was alone with this stranger. So i asked,

"Do you have somewhere to go tonight, like home?"

"I hate the British Government."

"But why so, sir?"

"They killed my family"

Taken aback by that statement, I sank into an awkward silence. Then he broke it,

"You are a very good man. Promise me something."

"Sure thing. What is it?"

"Promise me, that you would study hard. And when you finally get married, be good to your family. Be good to your wife and your children."

He handed me his phone, and requested for my number. I wondered whether should i simply fake a number. Or i could give him my actual number, not that he would remember anything. I checked, turns out he had no credits left. I left my real number under his recent call list.

We exchanged a hug. While he stumbled off, he suddenly burst into a momentary fit of rage and hollered at a passing train staff. Then he calmly walked into the distance.

Too many eggs in my basket?

Should i put all my eggs into the basket, and hang them outside my window so that i can 'refrigerate' them?
What if the wind blows, and one falls out? or even worse, the whole bag falls?

Formative test for respiratory module coming up this thursday, less than a week behind - but that is still a fair bit.
Community course poster, oh why oh why do we have this... gotta meet the deadline the group set. Should i put it aside? It's not even graded!

Acapella competition in a month time. The group that i joined, Aberpella, to be honest, is still really young. Not sure why the president is so eager to take part in the competition, despite being only formed less than a year ago. We are still struggling to get coordinated. Only recently did we sort out our musical directions, that with me ending doing an arrangement for one of their songs! I don't even have any actual music background... But seems like nobody else is doing anything about it... But nevertheless, it's a great bunch of people to sing with :) I feel a sense of belonging.

And best of all, research opportunity from my Regent. I am so fortunate to have such a helpful mentor who love students. He offer me (and my fellow regentee) an opportunity to do a poster presentation at the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons forum! Well, the catch is, that the deadline for the abstract in a week time, and it has to be decent enough to be selected! 250 words suddenly seems like a 3000 words essay. There's the pressure to make something decent, so that i don't end up embarrassing myself before respectable surgeons and doctors.

So, are there too many eggs in the basket? I think so. It is gonna be one heck of a ride, but it's all gonna be worth it.
ps.: i really have a bag of eggs hanging outside my window too

Winter Break In Summer

I'm coming home :)

GP

Ringworm. It is not a parasitic inflammation, unlike its name. Instead it's a fungal infection.

So i had this for 3wks, nothing new. Always come at the same area. After struggling so much to make a GP appointment (you need to make an appointment, and it's usually 1 wk later), i thought i finally get to see the doctor today and get some free prescriptions. But i was 15min late for my supposed appointment, and i was turned away O.o Now that's new. As i looked around, there were barely more than 5 patients, for at least 2 doctors. I was too sleepy, and complaining is not in my nature. So i dragged myself back into the cold sunshine.

And my bed. Some of my friends managed to get a new mattress after making a 'complaint'. So i did. And guess what? Either they are out of mattresses, or they have realised only the chinese are asking for a change. So their solution to a mattress which sinks in the middle, springs proding, ending up sleeping in a 'V' shape? Turn the mattress over, because the springs are compressed the other direction! WHOA.

The people in UK are so amusing.

My school on the news, kinda...

I was at school today and i saw a demostration of a surgical robot. Watching the "cyborg" in action was pretty cool, as it stacked rings onto gummy cones.

But little did I know it was for the promotion of a campaign for Scotland's NHS Grampian (Healthcluster equivilant) Urology department to have it's first surgical robot.

Campaign for Scotland's first surgical robot

Doubt i was in the video, but i'm proud that the news report took place in my Medical School. So here's is a teaser video of the place i walk to every darn day.
Interesting though, didn't Singapore have this a while back? haha.

Societies

Ogston (Surgical) Society, Teddy-Bear hospital, HeartStart, PaedSoc (Paediatrics)
Class Rep
Acapella - Competition, gigs, busking, carols

I'm wondering whether am i overloading myself. Or do these even have a greater purpose.
Opportunities to interact with children are lovely. Teddy-bear hospital was my first contact with children, some even younger than 4. It is simply playing Doctor with kids and their teddy bears, in hope to educate them a little about healthcare. But i think the other aim is to ease children into being comfortable with doctors (rather than the man in a white coat that only inflicts pain with a needle).

HeartStart, to educate children about CPR. Really interesting practice they have here in the UK. Back in Singapore, we all probably know the term "CPR", but we were only taught if we were in CCAs related to it (ie. Uniformed groups). To teach something, one has to be well-versed with the topic. And that's something i'm not prepared for. In fact, i joined the programme hoping that it internalises the concept, since we only had a single chance to practice. So i'm now confronted with the chicken and egg situation. Furthermore, translating the information into a language that they can relate to... I think that is going to be challenging. But all in good fun :)

Ah... quiz, formative exams... Quickly be over so that i can go home :)

Lost...

Formative exams just finished. I wonder whether am i study too in-depth. Because in the end the questions that were ask were either really straight forward, or so minor (though on the notes), that i missed them. I really hope it's just for this module - Science of Medicine. The basic chemistry and biology is really boring, and hard to relate to medicine. But i guess this is a stepping stone for all medics.

Today i woke up not knowing what to do. A feeling so familiar. I recall getting up from my own bed, looking out from the 13 story, and just wonder which of my favourite hawker food should i have for lunch. I was really tempted to install a game, PC or PSP. I miss playing games. But i enjoy spending all the free time just chitchatting with hall friends. Everybody has been so awesomem, though there are always a few thorns amongst the bush.


Karma always seem to find its way around to give u a smack on the back too. It's really funny though. One moment you are complaining about somebody to your friends, and next moment you realise u gotta work with that particular someone. This has happened 3 times for myself haha.

Oh home oh home how i miss you. UK is always full of great stories, of being a 1st world country, with awesome service, cheap shopping and living. But so far, im getting more of the ugly side of UK. I wonder whether Aberdeen is a bad representation of UK as a whole though.

4.8km and snowing?

So, Aberdeen's weather is insane. Unpredictable. It could be clear sky in the morning, heavy rain in the afternoon, and then drizzle through the night. It's october, i would say the late-middle of Fall, and the weather new is already saying it might snow next week??? The wind chills goes down to 0 to 5 deg celcius.

But i guess i'm getting pretty accustomed to the cold. Every day, i hike 2.4km to school, and the same distance back. Living in such a climate is different from being a tourist. As a tourist, u may have transportation (ie. Car, Coach), so u can wrap yourself like a dumpling. And who cares if you look ridiculous? You would probably nvr have to even talk to any of the locals. (unless you get really really lost). The weather forecast application on iPhone has turned out to be useful. Rather than showing me, "28 deg, sunny, hot. forever", like in Singapore, the weather does actually change overnight. There is this Aberdeen saying that goes, "If you don't like the weather in Aberdeen, give it 20minutes and it would change.

Wearing what's essential and minimal. Note: This was taken on a sunny week

Wearing what is required helps. Overdressing turns out to be a hassle when u try to squeeze onto the tiny lecture theatre seats, and start shuffling and annoying your neighbours as u realise the heater is cranked up. Then the problem comes to wear do u stuff your jacket? In retrospect, i have yet to encounter such problems. But more often do i wear the bare minimal, and the wind doesn't show mercy. But that's usually unbearable for the first 5-10min of walking, as my aching muscles attempt to contract and thus producing heat.

But some days are simply lovely. A clear blue sky with sunshine. Makes me wanna sit on a tree

I miss sunshine. My room faces west, and being in the northern hemisphere, the sun always shines at an angle, so i get no sunrise, no sunset, basically, sunlight nvr comes into my room. But when i sat in Ivan's room one sunny morning, and let the heat carass my skin, i realise how happy sunshine can make you feel. Everybody on that morning was high and bubbly (despite the perpetual lack of sleep). Wonder why Singaporeans are so gloomy though. Got too heated up?

One of the College's building opposite my Halls of Residence. Sadly, i don't study there. At all.

We occasionally have lesson in the Old Aberdeen campus. (like every wednesday) for only 6 weeks O.o Feels kinda conned, since i stay right smack in the middle of the University. But on those days we walk through campus ground, it reminds us that we are actually University students! Watching students piling up on queues to ridiculously priced and minutely small pastries, or sitting on the grass having a picnic. (Maybe banglahdeshies are related to the locals). When i introduced myself to an Acapella friend, she was so shocked that i was from Medicine. "You are like the first medic i've seen in a long while, they all seem to disappear!" Yeah, cause this profession apparently likes to set itself apart from everybody else. As much as i wanna linger and meet ppl from other courses, it's pretty tough with the schedule, location, work-load. We have school every single day, and they have wednesday off because of "sports day". But it's alright, i'm loving everyday of school. So far :P

Our favourite lunch. Vege-wrapped ham,egg,cheese dumpling :P

Seniors told us that 30% of year 2 medics have liver cirrhosis. I better not get myself near that statistics in anyway. Here is such a boring place. In the night, the only places u can go out to are pubs and clubs. Drinking and getting wasted is the primary past-time for the locals. I wished the had 24/7 prata or mee-pok shops here. The ridiculously early dinners @ 5 to 6:30pm always leaves me munching on snacks in the wee-hours of the morning.

Lessons have started to get interesting. Clinical skills like CPR and gross anatomy from cadavers are so much easier to learn from. Respect to those kind souls who donate their body to a bunch of blur knowledge hungry medical students who rammage through their innards like racoons. But as my lecturer said, if you never put your hands in, you are never gonna learn.

It's been more than a month. Time really passing by fast. It's been so busy i barely have time to miss home, family, friends. But i wonder whether time feels as fast for them back home. And it's the 1st time i've fallen ill since coming here. Hence, i shall sleep early. 12:20am is early compared to my usual 3am study habits, which leaves me with zombie walk to school every morning.

Holiday No More

We've been driving around Scotland, and i am impress with how much effort they put into their tourism industry. U could tour the country along its many trails (eg. Castle Trail, Coastal trail, distillery trail etc.), without a map! The roads are smooth and pretty easy to adapt to, and coming from right-hand drive Singapore (the right way) helps alot. The other motorist are really patient, and the sound of the horn is really really rare. In Singapore, the horn probably means &@$%!, in China it's a warning, and maybe a "hello mate" here in Scotland.

Dunnottar Castle's ruins which overlooks the gorgeously blue North Sea

Anyway, the tourist routes are so easy to follow. Just follow the brown signboard which signifies tourist attractions. Along the trails that span acoss many miles, there are simply so much history and nature to breathe in! The towns are filled with guesthouse and Bed&Breakfast house, which are pretty much apartments being rented out. A great way to immerse into the local's way of living :)

The night spent in Inverness, before heading to find Nessie @ Loch Ness

Eating out is completely not worth it. I miss the cheap and good home cook food back home :( Eating out here is terribly expensive, and it doesn't help that £ > SG$. My parents n I learnt from the locals here. Picnic in random sight-seeing spots, or even in the car!

A table for 4 by a canel! (My bro's not there, but he's replaced by the 'head' of lettuce)

Hall opens tml. I've travelled through and stayed in the 4 major cities of Scotland. Edinburgh the capital, aka. the Athens of the North. Glasgow, the CBD equivalent. Dundee, an industrial-based city which reminds me of Jurong East, where the oil rigs and refinery are just at ur door step. Inverness, the 'Capital' of the Scottish Highlands, where i would be attached there for a moment, in FOUR years?!?!

And Aberdeen, the Silver City. The place that i will call home for 5 years. Tomorrow is, Day One of Life in University.
P.S.: Aberdeen got its name not literally. It deserves the title "the Granite, Grey City", but the sunlight supposedly flashes on the surface of the city, creating its sparkle.

Next Stop - Aberdeen

For all the days of counting, the many hours wasted tossing n turning on my bed, or idling in cyberspace - It's finally here. The departure at the airport wasn't as emotional as i had pictured it to be. Countless times did i replay the scene in my head, just so that i could prep myself. Well, 'thankfully' for the baggage issue, the stress helped dull the senses. So little time to immerse into the hard fact. In the end, i had to entrust my beloved guitar to my dearest girl. *Hazel, hug it to sleep every night!

Well, she was the only one (duh.) that managed to put me into tears. With love, pain, and her awesome calender surprise! I'm gonna remind myself everyday, how many more days before i will feel her soft skin...

But time wasn't really on my side, neither were my kanchiong parents. I rmb Keet Yeng's first departure was pretty hectic too, having to offload some campbell soup to meet the weight limit. But I, was conned but the British Airway customer service lady. Never mind, i've learnt, and after 5 years, i will be a master!

We were clearly overpacking. This is probably a third of the arsenal.

Hence, we clearly had problems fighting them all into the car in Aberdeen.

HopScotch (The Red Bunny) told me that he had to come!

Apparently, he is scottish O.o

Operating on Adrenaline

I see where i get most of my habits from. After our family gathering, i was crazy enough to stay up with the cousins till 7am. And before i went to bed, after the sun rose, i noticed my mom was awake. Apparently, she have yet to sleep too. Even better, she wasn't planning to as she browsed through her office stuff on the laptop. Respect, my mom pwned me.

I think my mom believes "Sleep is for the weak" too.

I think some of my family/relatives are vampires. At 9-11pm after dinner, we feel so darn lethargic that we are so convinced that we are gonna sleep before midnight. Somehow, a refreshing shower or the Internet will pull us through till midnight. It's midnight, the fatigue is gone, and now we can't sleep. There's the endless browsing of cyberspace or work, and next moment we realise dawn has broken. It all awkwardness, we sleep, even though we know we aren't gonna wake up on the schedule that awaits.

And i can't study in the day. Thankfully Scotland has four seasons, with about 70% darkness in winter. Hence, increased productivity.

Over the past 2 days, i've meet 3 groups of ppl i treasure a lot. JC schoolmates, Cathigh bros, and relatives. I feel really bad for taking so much time from Hazel. She needs to study, she has so many commitments to settle. I shouldn't be bogging her down.

So little time. My final weekends are over. I had my last lunch, supper and dinner respectively. I'm 4 days away. Denial, but packing has to begin. I'm excited, after not having studied for so long. And finally, to be able to study something that i like and know that i will fall in love with. But dreading, for there's so much to leave behind. I can't believe this is happening still.

Aussie is the GMT+8?

It is teacher's day in Singapore! But not that i have any teachers to directly wish currently. BTW, do you know that Singapore's teacher's and children's day no longer fall on 1st of September and October respectively? MOE has decided to fully maximise the holiday and relocating it to either the first monday or friday of the month. So guaranteed long weekends! Not that i'm gonna enjoy any of these.

I've never used Skype to keep in touch with someone overseas. So my experience with Keet was a first, and very enjoyable one. Though physical barriers may exist, the Internet have really brought us closer together. It's so easy to forget that u are not together in the same place.


Webcam-ing is fun, esp when u have the arsernal of props within reach to amuse your friend.

Didn't know she grew a moustache!

Conversation topic bounce from one to another as easy as throwing a basketball.

Epic late

It's not really a new record for me, since it's my first. But this certainly sets the benchmark.


It's amazing how ppl in the past kept in touch through carrier pigeons. The letter was probably drenched in bird droppings when it reaches its destination.

The Holy Trine-ity

Behold... My first experience of full-fledge coop gaming on a single PC. Actually, the game was running off my laptop, extra peripherals all hooked up to it.

Trine (3) McNugget Sauces, each for one hero.

We all hate going through tutorials

Gear up. My girlfriend and I took on our suits of armor, bows and wands, and ventured into a time of dark ages.
Trine, and awesome puzzle-action 2D platformer which offers superb graphics and sounds. Don't take this 2D concept lightly, it didn't take us long to be completely immersed in the environment, because they were all drawn with so much details. The game physics were superb too. The puzzles aren't exactly simple and straightforward too. And considering we were playing it 2-player coop, we still found it fairly challenging. Wonder how frustrating it would be for a single-player!

Sadly, no PvP. Trine supposedly merged all the souls of the 3 characters

I would just pause the game to breathe in the scenery

Coop makes puzzling more interesting, as you take non-linear methods to problem solving

Fight fight fight! Not a simple hack-n-slash. These undead have brains!

Medival's age version of Captain America

After a straight 7 hours of gameplay... WE HAVE NOT FINISHED. Thankfully, even after we are done with this, it's merely the first installment! We will await Trine 2's release in anticipation.