woensdag 4 december 2013

Our last Hong Kong adventures

Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong 5-12-2013

Dear All,

Today I've left the Prince Phillip Dental Hospital with mixed feelings. It's not the usual sense of satisfaction after a days work and going out for dinner at one of the local establishments. This will be the last time I will descend the steps and make my way onto hospital road. Our Time in Hong Kong is at an end. It's a mix of gratitude, fullfilment and pride, topped of with a final glance at the main entrance of the hospital. A mix of feelings one would have after experiencing something wonderful.

We've had a taste, a sampling of the Hong Kong student life, both inside and outside the university. I must admit, it's a very appealing flavor. Life in PPDH in combination with the high paced lifestyle of the general population is something that should be able to be enjoyed by everyone. (Frankly, that's my opinion)

We've met a lot of people, from all corners of the world. Be they students, lecturers, supporting staff or people not affiliated with HKU. These people are the ones that made our joy even more enjoyable.

I'd like to thank our hosts, Dr. James Tsoi and Dr. Matinlinna especially for accomodating our stay at their department (Dental Material Science). Not only did they help us with our research, they allowed us to have a glimpse inside their kitchen. In the form of PBL's, Practicals and lectures. For which I'm very grateful. And off course I'd like to thank Dr. Shemesh and Prof. Wesselink for supporting our trip here, without whom it wouldn't be possible in the first place.

And many thanks to all the amazing people I've met during my stay.  The many people that joined me on my trips and adventures outside the protected enviroment of the university. Friendships for life have been forged has these 3 months. Built on memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. (Lest I go senile when I'm old offcourse). I might add, if anyone visits The Netherlands in the future, don't hesitate to contact me. We'll have a party!.

A blog post on this blog, is offcourse defined by pictures of delicious food. Hence without further ado. Here are some pictures of our last days we've spent here.


After having quite a few Big Macs (HK$21,- only!!), I craved a burger with a little more substance. We found one at the Outback Steakhouse in Causeway Bay.


On my way to the post office I saw this guy and his bunch of wires. He was measuring each and every one, I presume looking for a faulty one. Poor guy.


Got this little gem in a bakery where they exclusively sell pinapple buns. I presume they are famous for that, because it was quite crowded in there. This one was with custard in it, made my day.


Can't go wrong with deserts in Hong Kong, glutionous black rice with coconut milk and mango slices.


Freshly made chocolate tart, backed on the outside, gooey on the inside. Topped off with vanilla icecream


We are here for research of course, I went to the Queen Mary hospital to make some high magnification SEM photographs of our rotaries. 


Here's is one of the images I made that day, you can clearly see a crack in the edge of the file with permanent deformation.


Maccarons, though very tasty. In my opinion very overrated, at 34HK$ a piece, I'd rather get several Big Mac meals.


Unagi, my favourite kind of sushi.


Repost, but a neccesary one. Thank you dr. Matinlinna, for everythin.g


And James for all your effort in procuring the materials for our research. And accomodating our stay!


Onigir shop in Causewaybay, I didn't get any, they did look mighty tasty. But unfortunately I was full already as I just had dinner.


Onion Rings at causewaybay Hysan Place. Very tasty, perfectly made, not soggy at all.


Some street art Francis pointed out to me in Soho. It's a combination of Darth Vader (Star Wars) and one of the very early models that appeared in the popular Gundam series.


Breakfast at 'The Flying Pan' in Central (They have a branch in Wan Chai as well)


So we went to Lamma Island. You would expect that this would be a photo from the end. This one however was made at our arrival, we came in way too late (17:30) and the sun was aleady setting.


Realizing it was too dark to do anything anyway, we made some photo's to announce our presence on Lamma Island through the social media.


Korean BBQ after we got back to central after our wonderful Lamma Island trip.


We've been contemplating to eat this bad boy for weeks, last monday the moment was there.
HK$240 worth of sweet, tooth melthing, icecold deliciousness. In the form of a giant sundae.


Never again...


My first and last karaoke experience in Hong Kong. Not that I don't like it, I enjoyed it quite a lot actually, however since It's my last day, I'm not able to do it again.


I was suprised at the logo, frankly I think it's  kind of ugly compared to the original red panda


'chocolate' starfish (get it?)


Quite a large octopus, I'm thinking of getting a live one to eat in Korea. :D


They had several of tanks with jelly fish in it with different lights, quite an eerie yet beautiful sight.


AnAn (I think) Was just lieing there, covered in a bunch of bamboo rods eating.


IT'S SO FLUFFY!!!!


Another Panda, Sleeping, all four hanging aside from it.


Same magnificent beast, but from the back.


Several turtles on a rock sunbathing.


This thing reminded me of the big daddy (for the gamers amongst you)


Penguins, they didn't do anything, just stand there, quite boring


Ocean Park is situated (well part of it anyways) on a hill. You have quite a good view from there.


The dolphin show we managed to visit at the last moment.


They made a sealion wave at us. 


The cable car that you take both up and down the hill.


View from the tram on 'the Hair Raiser'. I didn't get to ride it because we came in late (2PM). I thought the park closed at 10PM, Alas because it was sunday the closed at 6PM.


Even though they set up this christmas tree, I ain't feeling it here. I guess it's not cold enough. However, the locals here walk around with winter coats and scarfs (it's around 10 degrees celcius)


Tofu Faa!

New adventures await us, coming friday we will depart for Seoul!


zaterdag 30 november 2013

The last post (CK)

Dear food loving readers,

The end of our food adventure in Hong Kong is coming to an end. During these 3 months I have not only tasted the HK style food, but also the culture and the research life. Compared to the Netherlands it is really different. These 3 months felt like a month. Time flies! Well, during these 3 months I have been actively visiting my relatives (really actively) and deepened our bond. Well, that was one of my main goals when I came here. Another goal I have set was eat as much as possible of course and I think I have accomplished this mission very well. I didnt any weights despite all those eating. But the main goal of this elective study was of course to do our research and to have a look at another dental university.

This post will be my final post, since Dane and I will be leaving Hong Kong next december to continue our Toriko-adventure in Korea. Next week, my schedule is already fully booked with family visits.

With this post I would like to thank our kind, awesome, funny and cool supervisors: Dr. Matinlinna and Dr. Tsoi. I am really grateful for helping us with the research. I think all the members of the "Team ACTA Four" really enjoyed your way of teaching. Well, I guess that's the power of the DMS (Dental Material Science). DMS rulez as dr. Matinlinna would say. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to attend the practical sessions, PBL's, theme-based session and the symposium about the fibers. I'm convinced more teachers should learn from your way of teaching as your lectures are funny yet interesting. 

I also want to thank all the friends I have met in HK. Thank you for giving us such a great time. Also, I would like to thank all the delicious food, for sacrificing yourself to become our tasty food (since this blog is all about food and research). And last but not least I would like to thank you, our dear followers. Without you guys, we would never have this blog. 

Friday 29th nov our goodbye lunch

Two bottles of...Chinese tea :P

Team ACTA Four with Dr. Matinlinna

The Crazy scientist Dr. Tsoi with his crazy ACTA students! :P

Well, that's it for me. Thank you all for following this blog and I hope you enjoyed as much as I did. Well that's impossible, because you didn't taste the food :P

Chu Kan

zondag 24 november 2013

Le Peak

Last week we have attended and enjoyed the 1st Asian Symposium on Fibres, as Dr. Matinlinna put it. "Fibres rule!". Researchers from several countries, including Japan, Indonesia, Mainlaind China, Thailand and Hong Kong has been presented. Fibre reinforced bridges, bridges with a fibre base, fibre reinforced composites and so on. For us as students it was very interesting, hearing about the current issues in this field. And the current ideas that are being explored. Maybe this is something we could do in the future as well. Who knows. 


Le Symposium banner, with dr. Tsoi and Xiao Jiang (please forgive me if I've mispelled!)



Le Lounge, indian food for lunch


Le Roof Terrace where we had our lunch

Our research period is coming to an end unfortunately. We have made excellent progress since we received our materials. Our first cycle has been concluded. We have instrumented 40 canals (20 each) and examined the files for plastic deformation. After which we put the files in the autoclave at the clinic on the 4th floor. We actually gave it to the head nurse and she put it in, but those are minor details). We have observed some permanent deformation of both the HyFlex CM and the MTwo rotary files. 

Over the next few days we will begin our statistical analysis of the data we have and try to draw some conclusions from them. We'll also try to make some SEM foto's of the used and damaged files. 




Alas, this period coming to an end also means we won't be able to do any fun stuff here anymore (read: eat more yummy food and explore Hong Kong). However, we will cherish the time that we have left here and try to do as much as possible. As for now, here are some things from the last few days.


Holly Brown Ice Cream, tooth melting goodness


Le King George memorial at the Hong Kong Botanical garden


Le Monkey eating something


Le Pond


Le Monkey climbing


Le Sloth with a baby sloth


Le Turtle, turtling around


Le all you can eat hotpot 


Le Gift Bag, received after attending the 1st Asian Fibre Symposium at PPDH. Which was very interesting and educational.


Le Sunset at harbourcity

'\

Le Sunset part 2


Le Peak Galleria



Le Random building on the peak


Le Tram


Le One Piece


Le Doraemon


Le view from the peak


Le overview of the city at night