First and foremost, I would like to thank the Chinese Academy of Sciences President's International Fellowship Initiative (CAS PIFI) for the opportunity to continue my research at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (GIG-CAS), under the Visiting Scientist scheme. This journey was not only successful in regards to my research, but also a great personal adventure. I have to mention that the GIG provided a safe place and comfortable environment for my research during the nine months. My successes were largely due to the innovative and high-standards of the employees and the labs. The great efforts of my colleagues to manage and orientate me with the available machinery is something I highly appreciated. The successes of my projects are also a result of their hard work and ethics.

The laboratory work was made possible at the institute by the number of machines available. It was an excellent opportunity to work the GIG, which is one of the state key laboratories in China. The facilities available are all of a high standard, and the technicians' competency in using these machines is world-class. As a result, the best science can be undertaken through the scheme. The state-of-the-art labs made it possible to do experiments quickly and efficiently. It allowed me to be competitive and integrate new scientific methods into my research. I believe that the GIG is among the best institutes in the world. I highly recommend using the CAS PIFI program to come here and perform experiments in earth-related science.

The institute also comprises numerous facilities for sports, such as a basketball court, badminton courts, a table tennis room and a gym. All of those facilities are great places to interact with employees and students in your free time. As an example, I had a great time playing basketball and badminton with the people of the institute. In addition, the local climate is warm throughout most of the year, which allows you to maximize the use of these great sport amenities. The dormitory for the international staff provides a close and safe place to stay directly on campus. The rooms were spacious enough and had a separate bathroom. It was possible to spend time with other post-doctorates and organize small gathering in the kitchen, where we could share our cultures and enjoy dishes from our respective countries and regions. I really enjoyed my free time with my dormitory mates and we learned a lot about research in China, Russia, Iran, the Philippines, Spain, Ghana, Thailand and Pakistan. The institute also has its own restaurant, which provides food at all mealtimes. A variety of restaurants are also available in the vicinity of the institute. It’s location, in the district of Tianhe, allowed us to gather in the center of the town and benefit from the close location of the GIG within the city.

The city of Guangzhou provides a lot of great places to spend time at the weekends and during holidays. It is also has a vast array of superb restaurants, each with their own distinct culinary experiences. During my time in Guangzhou, I have enjoyed the different tourist sites, such as the Canton Tower, Zhujiang River and the different food court locations. The city has a fantastic food scene for both Chinese and international restaurants alike. I have particularly enjoyed Canton Place, which is a food court in Guangzhou; there you can find restaurants from everywhere and they are all of great quality. It is also near Zhujiang River, which allows you to go walking at the weekend. Last but not least, Party Pier and Xingsheng Road offer unique locations to go and celebrate throughout the year. These locations have a large number of restaurants and bars to spend time with friends and take in the live bands. During my stay, I have really enjoyed Guangzhou and its surroundings, and I will especially remember the incredible gastronomy that the city offers!