Moray Firth Field Trip

The best thing about learning about Geology has to be the field trips.

Previously we went to Stonehaven but the weather was terrible that time and we had to cut short our trip that day. This time round we went to Moray Firth which was much further from Aberdeen which meant a longer bus ride...i am getting sick of bus rides :(

Anyway we had a practical session on the rocks that are deposited at the region and how it affects the prediction of the quality of reservoir rocks that is present in the north sea which is rich in oil and gas and also the reason why Aberdeen is the oil capital of Europe and why I choose to study here.

It makes learning so much more interesting and it was great to get to the outdoor since the weather was so great the past few days!

It is one of the best place to see dolphins but didn't get to see any except these.

That is probably the last lesson of the semester and it will be the exams next..........but before that I'm going for my revision week holiday!!!! Stay tune!!!!

Isle of Skye

Oh boy what a long ride on the bus this was! 8 hours to get there!! and the bus had a air circulation problem which meant we were baking inside for most of the time...our smoked salmon was already cooked, if not the bus would have cooked it for us LOL

The weather wasn't too good either with a bit of rain that creates this fog that didn't give us the best view of Skye.

That aside it was a pretty decent but short trip, considering the time we spend at the sites over the weekend.

Isle of Skye is one of the most famous sights of Scotland, amost a must go for everyone who visits the country. It "is the largest and most northerly large island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillins, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country." according to Wikipedia.

My favourite picture of Isle of Skye

Indeed, the scenery that most define Scotland which are lochs and mountain slopes are all found here. On the first day, we visited the fairy pools which was a series of waterfalls as we hiked upstream and on the second day, the Old Man of Storr.

We embark on the long bus ride!

The way to the Fairy Pools! Should have brought some fairy wands haha

The first of the many waterfalls.

Dinner time at the hostel!

The next day we head to Old Man of Storr

Love the sunrays shining through the clouds on the loch

So Foggy that the Old Man of Storr was completely covered up!

The fog does give the place a mysterious feel to the place..

The old man itself!

The Fog has cleared!

After that we went to the Eilean Donan Castle which was not on Isle of Skye itself but nearby on the way back. It is one of the most photographed castle in Scotland as it is situated on an island that is at the intersection of not one, not two, but three lochs. It was originally used as a stronghold against attacks by the vikings and after it was destroyed (not by the vikings but the English army as it was hiding gunpowder for a resistance against it), it was rebuild by Lieutenant-Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap in the early 20th century and his family still owns it today even though it is being used as a tourist attraction nowadays. They still do use it for events and birthday parties though and you can book it for a wedding or other events!

Where's roy?

It was quite an enjoyable trip where I met new friends from US, Canada, France and Germany and had fun hiking the natural landscape of Scotland and exploring the castle.

Cooper Hill Memorial Race and the Hypnotism without Hypnosis

On Sunday, me and Edwin went with Jianyao, his friend Marion and the Aberdeen Lairig Club (climbing) to Loch Muick for the Cooper Hill Memorial Race which was organised by the Lairig Club to remember the 2 members of the club who passed away during a winter climb in 2006 in the Cairngorms Mountains nearby.

What started out as a sunny day became a very windy day with sleet flying into our face. Trust me it feels like  ants biting your face if you face the wind... but halfway throught the race which I walked (LOL but I never bring running shoes what!) the weather turned for the better and became so sunny that I had to remove the 2 jackets I was wearing and just continue walking in my polo T. Great Scenery all around that is typical of Scotland!

Crazy Weather!

Halfway point!

And then there is the Hypnotism without Hypnosis show by Martin S. Taylor who claims that hypnosis the way we know it is not real and an illusion. All that is required are:
1) Suggestion
2) Peer Pressure
3) Obedience
and there is no trance involved, people remember what is happening and you cannot do something that you do not want to do. In fact sometimes people claim that the hypnotist made them do something stupid and embarassing and it is a very easy way to get out of doing the silly thing that they are fully aware of doing.
While I feel it may be true, it made the demonstration really silly as it would not work on everybody and it feels kinda forced. Not my favourite show definitely, but he was quite the comedian with all the jokes (especially sexual ones haha)

Mass hypnosis! Making everyone unable to bend their arm!

In the mean time, I'm planning for summer trip around Scotland and Eastern Europe and also continuing to study for the upcoming exams. 

And really can't wait for Isle of Skye trip this weekend! WEEEE!!!!

Aberdeen Whisky Festival

Can't believe I forgot to blog about this event! It happened on the 19th of April!

The Aberdeen Whisky Festival is only in its second year is organised by the Aberdeen University Malt Whisky Society which was voted the best society last year. The first Whisky festival was also voted the best event of the year and this year the event is event bigger as it is held in the Elphinestone Hall which is very grand and spacious.

First to show you what a normal whisky session on Wednesday fortnightly is like:

The different types of whisky you can try for 3 quid for 4 drams. Extremely cheap for good whisky~

The area where we have our whisky session. In a student association building in school where this section usually sells secondhand books and also hosts events like this and others.

And we have to buy our tickets before hand as they are really popular especially among exchange students.

The festival ticket is for 8 quid for students which gives you 12 tokens which can be exchange for a dram of whisky. Some better older whiskys require 2 or 3 (a 30 yro whisky which was really flavourful) tokens but most were for 1 tokens. So....it meant i probably drank 8 or 9 whiskys that day which is double what i usually drink in a single session. And there were so many varieties from all the whisky distilleries all over Scotland! Wooo! Felt really woozy afterwards but at least it was whisky not some cheap lousy alcohol. Strengthens your body haha! 强身健体~

Whisky tasting glass all ready for the festival to begin!

And this is Elphinestone Hall!

Which got so crowded later on that people inside had to leave to let more people in! Most popular event in UoA!

Acidentally photobomb this group haha!

They sell whisky cider actually which was really good as well as the handblown whisky glass decanters which I bought one!

Free chips and oatcakes to eat with whisky so that you won't feel too nauseous!

Really awesome event that showcase the national drink of Scotland. Well done!