Cheers to Wuhan - S'pore friendship !

The picture that says it all.....the key architects and builders of the Singapore - Wuhan Bridge.
L to R, front row:
Dennis, Jessica, Melissa, Mrs Yip, Mr Zheng, Mdm Gu, Mdm Liu and Ms _.

Rear: Mr D Yip and Mr Ye

There are others involved too.



These are the bridges of the present and future!
They came over to our table to raise a "toast" to all of us ! I nick-name them- Doe, Ray, Me and Fa.
Soon, everyone was moving about toasting one another.
I must admit I have never been so toasted in my lifetime except for my wedding day, ages ago!
All the kids went around to do their merry bit. It was really nice of them to wish and acknowledge their teachers, elders and us.


Fortunately, there was no alcohol in all drinks...only cordial and Chinese tea. That's why everyone was looking so sober and alert.

A candid snapshot of my companions next to me at the dinner table.

Let's Celebrate friendship !

After her heart warming speech, the mood was set. Principal Zheng was next to be invited up the stage. He too spoke off the cuff thanking his staff, the GSPS teachers, his VPs, the great support shown by the parents and last but not the least, the pupils of the 2 schools. He was most appreciative, he said, of the kind compliments that D2 had made in her speech. He added that she was a wonderful speaker.

Principal Zheng speaking in an easy and relaxed manner about the wonderful relationship between the two schools that is now into its 4th consecutive year.

He was applauded long and loudly when he had ended.

At least two parents who are mothers also came forward to speak...in ENGLISH ! I was both surprised and impressed.

Then dinner was served. There was no alcohol at dinner as the kids were present. So, we had cordials and tea for drinks.

By now, Wuhan dishes were no surprises for us, having sampled quite a few...or so we thought!

But there was still one major surprise left!

Can you guess what this was?

It is edible of course. But it sure did not look at all familiar when it was placed on our table. In all my years, I have never seen or tasted such a dish.

It came deep fried with a garnishing of vegetables.

Look closely, it was served with the head and the eyes too! Had this portion been missing, no one could really be certain what it was.

After all had offered guesses, we were told it was rabbit.

That was the 1st time that D2 and I had tasted it.

The Farewell Dinner

When the combined Performance finally ended, it was still in the late afternoon. We walked down to the school field where a Group photo taking session was arranged. It took quite a while as all parents, the kids, staff involved and ourselves, were shifted here and there for the perfect picture. The task was handled by a professional photographer who had loads of patience and a great sense of humour.
After the shoot, we were invited to Principal Zheng's office for a chat and discussion. Before we left, he gave us some gifts of green tea, a set of Shang bells and a book of calligraphy/paintings done by a friend

of his.
We returned to our hotel for a short rest and to get ready for the final Farewell Dinner which was held in a classy restaurant with an extended stage.
The parents of the Wuhan pupils, the combined pupils, the key staff and we ourselves, were all there.
D2 was invited to give an opening speech after the short welcome address. She spoke off the cuff with Dennis as translator in Chinese. After a few sentences, she would pause and Dennis would act. Her speech touched on what we had both observed during our plane delay at Guangzhou and

other positive things that had impressed us tremendously about Wuhan, about Hubei, about China, about the Shui Guo Hu school.
About the friendliness and the great hospitality we have received.
Well, all these and a little more, that
was very well received by all present.
She received much applause for her gracious and inspiring impromptu speech.

Top photo: D2 making a point.

2nd photo: Dennis translating

3rd photo: VP Mdm Liu and Principal Zheng listening intently.

Bottom photo: Principal Zheng and VP Mdm Gu were seated at our table.