Talk'n The Talk & Wok'n The Wok

$65 for FREEDOM. Priceless.

2009-11-16T15:58:00.004+08:00

And we're back...

It has been 11 months since my last post, primarily because China has barred us from exercising our freedom of speech. As a result, for the last year, we haven't been able to access Facebook, YouTube, and even this blog.

But yesterday I purchased a VPN and now we are back in business.

London

2008-12-17T04:55:00.005+08:00

October 1-5th:

New temporary residence for the next year

2008-12-15T20:00:00.001+08:00

New York, New York!

The cousins reunite in NYC:

EP made a visit over Labor Day:

The view from the Student Union:

I took this picture from a moving bus (I'm impressed with myself):

Reunion at the Peculier Bar:

Before they tore down the Stadium, Josh got us tickets to the game :)

Half of the PA crew:

My attempt to fix the current financial crisis:

Tailor:

Ode to Gabe

2008-09-05T10:13:00.002+08:00

In typical little brother fashion, I have received numerous hints (à la Gabies himself) that he has not received the amount of blog coverage one would hope for.

FN1: Although please note previous entries regarding Beidaihe, Halloween and Yangshuo.

So wherever this blog entry finds you, please join me in raising a glass to Gabe! The tannest, funniest, smartest, most charming/in shape/cut person we all know.

He is the essence and moral compass of this group. Our sun rises and sets with him. Cheers!

Sorry Justin and Derek...had to include these photos as well.

Kris, with a "K":

The morning after...he obviously just barely made it through the front door.

But back to Gabies...TO GABE!

Countdown: O DAYS!

2008-09-04T14:30:00.004+08:00

After 2 years of watching the countdown clocks all around the city...8/8/08 @ 8pm FINALLY arrived!

Derek and I were fortunate enough to attend the following events: badminton, indoor volleyball, gymnastics, tennis, swimming, athletics (track & field), beach volleyball, table tennis, soccer and baseball.

Night of the opening ceremony in a little Xinjiang joint with our friends:

We visited the set of the Today Show the night before the Opening Ceremony. Me and my Olympic boyfriend, Matt Lauer:

Bob Costas and the boys:

The amazing Water Cube at night:

Ann Curry, aka--Steve's girlfriend, and the ladies:

Artistic Gymnastics:

Stuck in the rain at the Olympic Village:

One of our absolute highlights was soaking up the fans from all over the world. One World, One Dream.

Serena:

H.W.:

Apparently the person who took the photo was more concerned about getting a picture of me and Venus v. me and Derek.

Blue skies (YEAH!)...and extremely HOT temperatures:

Another Olympic boyfriend, Michael Phelps. Witnessing Phelps win two of his eight golds was our Olympic HIGHLIGHT. We almost missed his 200M Fly victory because my lovely husband knew of a "shortcut" in entering the Olympic grounds. Needless to say...there was no shortcut. Thank goodness for our relationship, we made it to the Water Cube with 5 minutes to spare.

200M Fly:

4x200M Free (please note Team USA at the turn...AMAZING):

Derek's Olympic girlfriend, Cindy! She looks even more stunning in person. Darn her.

Bird's Nest:

Tighty whities and China charms. This kid was having the time of his life!

Olympic visitors: Our friend, Geno, and Derek's brother, Kyle.

Men's Beach Volleyball--we were able to watch both Team USA and Team China compete.

I think the conservative Chinese fans saw body parts they had never seen before!

Zhongguo jiayou!

Table Tennis:

Track & field highlight--witnessing the US men take gold, silver and bronze in the 400M hurdles.

The epitome of an Olympic fan!

Doug Collins, Kyle, Derek and Jim Gray (who?):

Kyle with the 400M hurdles bronze medalist, Bershawn Jackson:

My second to last night in the Jing for a few months. Sooooo sad.

My last night in Beijing, the women's soccer team brought home the gold over Brazil.

The most eventful 2 weeks EVER! Loved it.

Summer Lovin Beach & Pool Style

2008-08-07T15:55:00.006+08:00

Beidaihe Round II:

Every blue sky day = Pool party at our place:

Summer '08 is GRRRRREEEEEEAAAAT!

The Olympics are coming!

2008-08-05T18:35:00.004+08:00

EEEEEEEEEEK! The Olympics have almost arrived. We are geared up for a full two weeks of celebration and fun.

Geno and Kyle...we are pumped to see you two soon!

Above photo: Complete strangers striking their Olympic pose along the Great Wall.

Mom Comes to Town!

2008-08-05T17:00:00.023+08:00

July 10th-19th: Derek's mom, Michele, and family friend, Nancy, came for a visit! The trip went by so quickly, I can barely remember what we did. Fortunately, Michele asked that I compose a summary email for her about our many adventures--which now comes in incredibly handy for this blog entry. The magic of cut and paste.

"july 10th--thursday: michele & nancy arrive. we walked along the backroads of the hutongs around houhai, grabbed some 2 kuai beers and proceeded to dali courtyard for dinner (within a hutong). after our marvelous meal we headed lakeside."

Nancy and Michele paying homage to their husbands:

Dali Courtyard:

Mom really missed her baby boy--let the tears flow:

"july 11th--friday: hopped on the subway to tiantan (temple of heaven)--where there were performers singing peking opera, playing instruments, paddle dancing and playing hacky sack. met derek for lunch. then proceeded on to the llama temple."

"went to rumi (persian food) for dinner. out for a drink at FACE bar. midnight foot massages followed."

Michele and Nancy quickly learn we live a rough life out here :)

"july 12th--saturday: the great wall (mutianyu portion). derek took a spill. lunch at the schoolhouse. d went home to catch up on work...and the ladies got their nails done. japanese at hatsune for dinner--YUM! next stop: our friend's house (courtney, leigh and cara) for a rooftop party and tolly's delicious cookies."

"july 13th--sunday: went to panjiayuan (outdoor dirt market). hole in the wall dumpling shop for lunch. drove by the olympic venues and then on to the summer palace."

The Bird's Nest:

Lunch time:

Summer Palace:

"july 14th--monday: flew from beijing to shanghai for brunch at M on the Bund (took in the skyline), hopped on an afternoon flight to HK via shenzhen. checked into the hotel...ventured to central/soho. proceeded to lan kwai fong amid a thunderstorm."

Shanghai--Could you do me the honor of taking a picture with me?

"july 15th--tuesday: took the subway to central. ate delicious bolobaos for breakfast. walked around the outdoor market of meat, fish, veggies and fruit. took the tram up to victoria peak. decided to do a last minute trip to macau. headed back to the hotel...grabbed our passports...and ventured to macau via ferry. saw the ruins of st. paul's cathedral, the Fortaleza do Monte and the venetian."

Gorgeous HK:

Macau:

"july 16th--wednesday: shopping at stanley market and enjoyed the beach side of town. thanks for lunch, auntie E. caught our flight back to beijing. another midnight massage!"

"july 17th--thursday: tiananmen square, the forbidden city and then jingshan park (which overlooked the entire city). went to the acrobat show...then facials...followed by dim sum."

Side note, the following photos are what make Beijing so charming--

(1) The People:

(2) Fashion:

(3) Little China Dolls:

(4) Lao Beijing:

(5) Crazy Foreigners:

(6) The Parks:

(7) Buttless chaps and umbrellas on sunny days:

(8) And eggplant!

"july 18th--friday: ate peking duck. went down wangfujing...and food street. michele and derek ate a scorpion or two."

Derek and Mom discussing the 5 love languages and his hectic work schedule:

Final night pub crawl--Derek won the walk off:

"july 19th--saturday: ate at xiao wang's in ritan park. from there we went our separate ways—nancy and michele headed to the airport and we caught a train to beidaihe."

As a words of affirmation person: a wonderful trip, indeed.

Thank you for visiting!

HK birthday party and then Sanya

2008-07-01T16:40:00.010+08:00

June 12th & 13th: A trip to Hong Kong for a birthday celebration in honor of Ali. The gentlemen had to work, but we ladies had a fantabulous time in the city. Below: Yiqis (minus three key members).

June 14th-18th: Company Trip to Sanya.

Sanya (三亚) is the southernmost city in Hainan (海南) province. Known as the Hawaii of China, it's a popular getaway. Although short and sweet, it was a wonderful vacation.

Wife incredibly bored with husband and his Blackberry:

Phat Camp: 5/21/08-5/31/08

2008-06-30T16:41:00.002+08:00

Yeeeeeaaaaah! Emily came for a visit.

The Goal: Keep her so incredibly busy that she forgets it's her birthday.

Highlights: Hong Kong hookah, catching the 5am ferry from Macau back to Hong Kong island, street food, massage-EEE, being invited into a local man's home near HouHai, bolobaos, dining in Beijing-Shanghai-and Hong Kong all in one day...and Starbucks.

Lowlights: Stacey getting battered at the Shenzhen airport, Shenzhen lady on the plane who never stopped talking and who still calls me on occasion...and, of course, the many many steps we climbed throughout the trip.

A pleasant bike ride around HouHai:

Em & Mao:

Birthday brunching in Shanghai:

Hong Kong street food:

Victoria Peak:

Em, thanks for making the trip! It's always a blast hanging out with you...and playing 20 questions.

上有天堂, 下有苏杭: Above is heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou.

2008-05-15T13:19:00.002+08:00

For May holiday (May 1st-May4th), we traveled to Hangzhou--the most beautiful city in China. Having become accustomed to what mainland Chinese describe as fresh air and picturesque scenery, I prepared myself for disappointment. However, Hangzhou turned out to be quite refreshing! Shame on me for becoming so jaded.

Hangzhou is a sub-provincial city located in the Yangtze River Delta and is the capital of Zhejiang province. Located 180 kilometers (112 miles) southwest of Shanghai, as of 2004 the entire Hangzhou Region ("shì", 杭州市) or Prefecture-level city had a registered population of 6.5 million people.

As one of the most renowned and prosperous cities of China for much of the last 1,000 years, Hangzhou is also well-known for its natural scenery, with the West Lake (Xī Hú, 西湖) as the most noteworthy location.

The bamboo forest on our way to West Lake (Tiffany, April and Stacey):

Wing, Derek and Justin.

Chinese national holiday = chinese crowds = millions, many with umbrellas on sunny days just waiting to poke your eye out. Ella ella ella eh eh eh unda my umbrella.

The famed West Lake:

Posing with the locals:

串儿 (chuanr) = delicious chinese kabobs.

Those suffering from food anxieties order more than they can handle but still hesitate to share. I'm not naming any names...

After a very long day of walking, Wing and Justin squuueeeeeezzzzeeee onto a motoche:

Tea Party! The following day we peddled our way to a local tea plantation. Tea is an important part of Hangzhou's economy and culture. The city is best known for originating Longjing, a famous variety of green tea. The aroma in the air is simply wonderful.

Soaking up the Floridian rays:

It always seems like we are fixing Justin's bike. But that is what Dads are for! We heart DAD.

The Mitchells' definition of a vacation = Haagen-Dazs by the lake.

The nightlife awakes at Xihu Tiandi.

Pictured below: The most amazing guitarist this side of the hemisphere and his two groupies.

When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin' when I hold you
Don't you know I feel the same

'Cause nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain

A rough night for this stranger with his head in a tub of popcorn. Derek made me take a picture.

I have two beautiful couples before me, but I only have one photograph in my hand. That photo represents the couple who is still in the running for America's Next Top...

Sorry, Derek and I love that show! Shout out to Amanda--ANTM! D, next time, try to smile with your eyes.

Frank...wasn't that his name?

We land back in Beijing...and the best way to end a vacation? Take-out Rumi and a two hour massage. Bravo yiqis!

7.8 New China Experience

2008-05-12T18:51:00.003+08:00

Earthquake!

Around 2:30pm today I was sitting in my 19th floor office when I felt dizzy for a few seconds. Another 10 seconds later it got stronger, I looked outside and realized the building was swaying. Lasted about a minute. The quake was measured at 7.8 and was centered around Chengdu in the Sichuan Province in central China, about 950 miles away from Beijing. Can't imagine what it felt like close to the epicenter. No reported damage in Beijing as far as I know.

I've never really considered Chinese construction to be among the safest in an earthquake, so it wasn't the most enjoyable experience I've ever had.

All is well though!

Derek

Check out this posting on China's version of YouTube:

4/4/08-4/6/08: Is This What You Wanted? Yangshuo.

2008-05-07T17:48:00.004+08:00

Over Qing Ming Jie (Tomb Sweeping Day), 14 of us made our way to T3 (PEK's much anticipated new terminal) and flew down to the quaint town of Yangshuo.

Our awesome friend, Ali, planned the entire getaway. She is, BY FAR, the most organized person I know. As a self-admitted Type A, her skills put me to shame (insert smart ass comment from Josh Jon).

The running joke is that when Ali moves back to the States the rest of us will not know where to eat, get facials, purchase wigs--much less get in touch with each other. Gabe, you are one lucky guy. Team Ali is skinny, tan and #1!

Upon arriving in Guilin, Ali had a bus to Yangshuo ready to go.

First sign that it is going to be a rough weekend for Derek--traveling with Gabe, Danny, Dan and Justin.

Second sign--it's 10:00 am and Derek is drinking beer on a bus.

Insert educational tidbit: Yangshuo lies in the northeast of Guangxi Province and to the southeast of Guilin City. The famous Li River traverses the county while thousands of hills dot the lush landscape.

Mr. Invisible: Let the hazing begin.

With this group, little sleep is allowed. Various instigators will hunt you down, drag you out of bed and dress you. Beware of flying vases.

Of course, Danny and Ben rallied.

Even after a rough night, we managed to go on a 4 hour muddy bike ride through neighboring villages.

Our sore (yet rock hard) butts were grateful to take a junk boat back into town.

We also had the lovely opportunity to take a "romantic" hot air balloon ride with April, Justin, Will and Cara. It was an amazing experience that can only be described as: loud, crammed, en fuego, BRACE, BRACE.

The outcome? We crash landed into an orange grove. Everyone survived unscathed (Cara, just barely) so now we can safely say it was a definite trip highlight.

Post-crash:

The other major highlight--driving motoches through town.

The motorbike did slide out from under us once, but Derek sacrificed his handsome cankle to save my life. That's what husbands do.

Another memorable group trip.

Yangshuo Video Clips

2008-05-07T17:45:00.001+08:00

The Bus Ride:

Not So Hot Air:

Start Your Engines:

KFC:

2/2/08-2/12/08: Vietnam with Beijing Best Friends Forever

2008-04-09T17:00:00.000+08:00

Over Chun Jie (Chinese New Year), April and I were able to convince Justin and Derek to leave Mistress Ogilvy behind and to explore northern/central Vietnam with us for ten days.

Over the course of a week and a half--we started in the capital city of Hanoi, took an overnight train to Sapa, flew to Hoi An, drove to Hue, flew back to Hanoi, drove to Halong Bay and then hit the capital city again before flying home to Beijing.

The adventure was filled with uncomfortable sleeping quarters, colder than anticipated weather, delicious food, nicknames, pig sacrifices, blood drinking, muddy slip and falls, happy water, cold showers and treasure hunts.

Justin and April, we love traveling with you guys. You will always be number one (said in a Justin voice) in our hearts...at least until the triplets come along.

Let the recap begin! From Beijing we flew into Guangzhou--slightly concerned that the snow storms would hinder our layover. But no worries, armed with our red transfer stickers, we had a free pass to anywhere in the world. No tickets necessary.

After a long day of travel and a pit stop at the corrupt visa station, we arrived at the "No Heat Hostel" who managed to give away our reserved 4 person suite. April and I settled on the Penthouse. The less fortunate Justin and Derek bunked with 6 strangers. Between the cold temperature and cacophony of snores, cats in heat and church bells--the experience was, as Justin puts it, AWE-SOME.

Refreshed, we hit the city of Hanoi.

Vietnam’s capital city offers a unique blend of oriental and western charm. The Old Quarter is decorated with exotic brightly painted temples and pagodas, elegant ochre-washed colonial villas, bustling narrow streets and alleys, grand tree-lined boulevards and shaded lakes. First established as Vietnam’s capital in 1010, when it was known as Thang Long, the city’s name changed several times before it eventually became Hanoi in 1831.

The first two things we noticed about Hanoi were the plethora of scooters and national flags on display.

The first thing April learned about traveling with Derek: One will never go hungry. The man is a bottomless pit who enjoys xiao chi (small snacks).

With the 2008 Presidential race underway, it was especially meaningful to visit Hoa Lo Prison. U.S. POWs dubbed Hoa Lo the "Hanoi Hilton" during their imprisonment--Senator John McCain, who was among them, suffered 5 years of grueling torture at this historical site.

Long before the Vietnam War, the French built the prison to detain Vietnamese dissidents. The exhibits manage to emphasize the horrid conditions under French rule while simultaneously painting a somewhat rosy picture of POW life.

On a lighter note, just to the south of the bustling Old Quarter streets is Hoan Kiem Lake, an oasis of calm right in the center of the city. Some of the capital’s finest colonial buildings can be found nearby--including the magnificent Opera House, History Museum and the Metropole Hotel (although, my personal favorite is Hotel Sofitel--can I get an Amen, April?).

The weather was much colder than what weather.com led us to believe. It was chilly for us Gophers, much less a Florida Gator. So, it was time to shop for long underwear, hiking boots, jackets, hats and gloves (or what lovingly became known as our uniforms). This experience exhausted Justin--who looks pretty bad ass in this photo.

With our winter gear and happy water in tow, it was off to the train station.

Derek and Justin getting in trouble for not paying to use the bathroom.

Whereas, April and Stacey were ready to go.

Our suite. Snug as a bug in a rug. Believe it or not, these sleeping quarters were much more comfortable than the hostel. Plus, as a bonus, we entertained ourselves by singing as many songs as we could think of. Our poor neighbors, they received an earful of the best of the 80s, 90s and today.

We arrived just outside of Sapa (Lao Cai) at 5am. We were so slow at organizing and disembarking that they turned the lights and power off on us (families with newborns beat us off the train). It was pitch black but luckily April brought her head light. As you can tell from this picture, Derek didn't appreciate the camera flash so early in the morning.

Eventually, Justin called Annie (Ahn)--we found our driver and made it to Sapa for our 2 day hike and overnight homestay.

Sapa is an incredibly picturesque village that lies on the Hoang Lien Son mountain range near the Chinese border in northwest Vietnam. During our two day hike we were able to experience hill tribe people, their villages, rice terraces, piles of buffalo dung and lush vegetation.

A little "Down by the Banks" with the local Sapa girls.

April, we look like we are 10 years old.

Derek calling Mike in order to get Super Bowl updates.

Sapa & Hoi An. There Will Be Blood.

2008-04-09T16:54:00.000+08:00

Faces of Sapa:

Even on a hike through the remote villages of northern Vietnam, karaoke was still readily available.

"It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you. There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do. I bless the rains down in Africa."

Remember when I fell down the hill?

The so-called Hot Springs:

Our homestay hood:

A nearby school:

The front of our home:

Front porch:

The main level bedrooms/living space:

Justin & November's side of the loft:

Our side:

The kitchen (can you find the pig head?):

Sitting around the kitchen while Mom and our guide, Mei, prepare dinner:

A delicious meal with Brother Shnick and Mei. Favorite course: french fries.

Pictured below is Uncle, who also lived in the village with his family. Uncle and Dad took a special liking to Justin--who they nicknamed "Buffalo". Derek was named "Man".

On our overnight stay, Uncle invited us to his home in order to sacrifice a pig for the New Year (Tet). This is a tradition that takes place in every home around the village. Throughout the night and into the early morning we awoke to the sound of squealing pigs. Can you hear the lambs screaming, Clarice?

Eagerly awaiting our pig meal (which would be our second dinner in 3 hours).

Grandpa:

Mmmmmm dinner:

As part of the Tet tradition, each of us had to drink raw pig's blood which had coagulated due to the cold. Thanks, Derek.

The only way to top pig's blood in the evening is to drink it in the morning as well. Lucky for us, our host family chose to sacrifice their pig early the next day. Instead of fluffy banana pancakes, we partook in another delicious pig meal (including another bowl of pig's blood).

Other than a few hot flashes from drinking the blood, we survived and made it back to Hanoi.

Waiting for Handspan to open in the wee hours of the morning...CHOCOLATE TORTE (the anticipation begins to mount):

Then it was off to Hoi An via Danang. Highlight: Stacey was able to get on the PA system of the aircraft and make an announcement. This may have been Justin's lowlight.

Hoi An, once known as Faifo, was a major international port in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the foreign influences are discernible to this day. While the serious shipping business has long since moved to Danang, the heart of the city is still the Old Town, full of winding lanes and Chinese-styled shophouses.

Here, we biked around the town, ate, drank, went for massages, saw fireworks, ate, lost a bike key, went to the beach and ate.

Do you know the way to Hue? Or Halong Bay?

2008-04-09T16:50:00.003+08:00

Enjoying Tet fireworks:

The commute back to the hotel post-fireworks:

It was an unbelievable experience to bike through the chaos. Derek loved it. He thinks he is a BMX all-star. You should have seen the way he took the 4 inch curbs.

The beach:

Unfortunately for Gator, it wasn't Miami.

And then somebody lost their bike key in the water. I'm just happy Justin didn't toss our fancy camera into the water as well.

On the way to Hue:

Hue suffered through difficult times during the Vietnam War, when it was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days (during which the VC slaughtered around 1,000 people suspected of sympathizing with the South) and then was subjected to an American bombing campaign to retake the city.

The Imperial Citadel: The former imperial seat of government and Hue's prime attraction, this is a great sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, walls, gates, shops, museums and galleries, featuring art and costumes from various periods of Vietnamese history.

The citadel was badly shattered during fighting between the French and the Viet Minh in 1947, and again in 1968 during the Tet Offensive, when it was shelled by the Viet Cong and then bombed by the Americans. As a result, some areas are now only empty fields, bits of walls, or an explanatory plaque. Other buildings are intact, though, and a few are in sparkling condition. For the rest, while restoration has been going on for 20 years, there is still quite a long way to go.

A pint-sized kung fu master:

At this juncture Beijing Best Friends Forever went their separate ways for 48 hours. No hard feelings. Justin and April opted to stay another day to check out the DMZed. Derek planned a surprise romantic overnight stay on the most EXPENSIVE yacht in Halong Bay. Okay, it wasn't a surprise, nor was it a yacht--much less the most expensive junk boat. But perhaps there would still be a lovikins treasure hunt at the end of the trip?

Stacey & Derek are back in Hanoi:

Thanks to the recommendation of Dean Koutroupas, we hit a water puppet show. It was almost as good as our Phuket Phantasea experience. Almost.

Ha Long Bay, 170 km east of Hanoi, is a beautiful area with 1,969 limestone islands jutting imposingly upon the skyline.

Derek and I had a relaxing time but I did come across the following excerpt which definitely holds some truth to it:

"Unfortunately the place is a tourist trap and the unique panorama is spoilt by a tremendous amount of 'junks' which are in fact slimly disguised tourist boats that bear no resemblance to the authentic Chinese sailing vessels of the same name. These diesel-powered floating money-makers careen about the bay with casual indifference to safety as they bump and crunch against each other in a frenzy to drop their fares onto the obligatory island or floating shop before depositing the harried passengers back at Halong Bay dock feeling like they've been cheated out of their Dong, even if that isn't particularly true. The romantic setting is forever spoilt by the cattle-market mentality."

Cave exploration along the bay:

More pictures of Halong Bay:

Reunited and it feels so good.

On our last night in Hanoi we reunited with Justin and April. They missed us so much that they organized a treasure hunt for our pleasure. The rhyming rendezvous took us to all the sites we had visited in Hanoi. Most importantly, the hunt entailed the infamous yet disappointing Handspan chocolate torte and drinks at the fabulous Hotel Sofitel.

Here is a taste of how clever Justin and Babies are:

"We joked about a Treasure Hunt since before we left Beijing,
But decided what would be more fun than to make it a real thing?
So put on your thinking caps as you ponder every hint.
And recall the memories in Vietnam--what an amazing stint!
Let's get this adventure started at a place we've spent some time.
Go inside Tamarind Cafe to find the next clever rhyme.
Look around and ask of every friendly face you see.
One of them holds in their hand our Treasure Hunt's next key."

Post Treasure Hunt Beers:

PS--I just want you guys to know that Derek is upset you stole his TH thunder.

Justin, Walter (another Beijing friend who happened to be in Hanoi), Derek:

After an amazing and adventurous 10 days, it was time to go home. Even with his green sticker, Justin almost didn't make it.

Cheers to a fabulous trip guys!

11/6/07: Curiosos Part II--Lijiang. Mission: Emily the Strange.

2008-02-02T15:23:00.000+08:00

So where did we leave off?

Derek parted ways with the group in order to go back to work. Haley, Josh and I ventured to Lijiang.

History Lesson:

Lijiang, a small city located in Yunnan Province, is divided into new town and "Old Town".

After a 7.2 earthquake in February 1996, Old Town was extensively renovated, concrete buildings pulled down, and much of the original authenticity of Lijiang restored. With its functioning canals that line the narrow winding alleys and traditional Chinese architecture, Old Town retains much of its charm and is one of the more impressive stops in the entire region.

The dominant local ethnic minority in Lijiang is Naxi. The Naxi are reputedly matriarchal and hence property is traditionally inherited down the female line, and men move into their wife's family home after marriage.

Lijiang history and culture is not as rich and complex as nearby Dali, but it has been much more successful in attracting tourists. Prior to the Mongol invasion in the 12th century, Dali was the functioning capital and the 13th largest city in the world, while Lijiang was a minor regional town.

11/7/07: The Lake

2008-02-02T14:44:00.000+08:00

Unfortunately, the weather in Lijiang was cold and damp. And after purchasing every fish motifed item (in honor of Dewayne) I could in Old Town, there really wasn't much else to see in the city.

We did, however, venture to this lake for a romantic paddle. It is always fun to be the third wheel.

My date, the boat captain:

A scene out of The Notebook:

This picture reminds me of a Successories mouse pad. I title it: Persistence.

Josh and Haley were brave enough to conquer this primitive squatter. Kudos. I, on the other hand, would rather be parched in order not to perch.

Warning, brief soap box moment: This poor creature was caged outside of our hot pot restaurant. Large strides in animal rights are needed.

Off the soap box, as we are already unable to access our blog from mainland China.

Due to inclement weather, we prepared for treacherous hiking conditions on our upcoming two day hike of Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Josh, was enamored by his shoe hunt while Haley and I shopped for some sexy 5 kuai long underwear. Fortunately, we were blessed with fantastic weather on the hike and shed these bad boys as we leapt the gorge.

11/8/07-11/9/07 Thunder Thunder Thunder Cats: We Are The Tiger Alliance Members

2008-02-02T13:59:00.000+08:00

Below: geography lesson in italics, skip to the regular font section if you are disinterested and not an innate curioso.

About 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Lijiang Old Town lying between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) and Haba Snow Mountain (Haba Xueshan) is Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Gorge), which is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands (Jingsha) River (part of the greater Yangtze River) with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters (about 700 feet) below. In total, the gorge stretches about 15 kilometers (nine miles).

Naturally divided into three sections, the first section, which is the narrowest and uppermost section, is the mouth of the fast flowing Jingsha River. In the midst of the river's mouth is a large rock that is positioned at the gorge's narrowest section-only 30 meters (33 yards) wide. An ancient legend says that a tiger used this rock as its stepping stone so it could leap across from one side of the gorge to the other, which is how the gorge got its name.

As the river enters the middle section, it drops another 100 meters (330 feet) and its flow rate increases to an amazing speed. Here the thunderous rushing waters slam into sharp, large rocks and crash down into the river forming swirling whirlpools.

The third and lowest section is acclaimed for being the wildest attraction of all.

The cliffs over-looking this section are even steeper and much more dangerous. Here, the river twists and turns and the river vigorously surges forward creating high waves and a frothy spew as it collides with the mountainsides. This is a view that inspires a sense of adventure and satisfies the deepest yearnings for magnificent scenery.

Josh, Haley and I did a two day hike from Qiaotou, stopping at the Naxi Guesthouse for lunch, to the Upper Trail, over the 24 Bends, staying overnight at the Halfway Guesthouse, didn't stop at Sean's (we would have if Derek had made the trip) and then caught a 30RMB/person "ferry" at Walnut Grove. At least this is what I remember, can I get a confirmation?

The adventure along the way was amazing. We ate delicious Naxi sandwiches, met a wonderful German friend and a hilarious Japanese character, took a picture with Chinese Patrick Swayze, were able to witness mountain goats in their element, saw perhaps a total of 5 people along the trail (one of whom grew up in Minneapolis and is now living in Kenya), ate yummy chocolate banana pancakes, heard and witnessed thunderous avalanches from across the river, discussed the meaning of life and our quarter-life crossroads--all while working out our glutes!

The beginning of our trek, breathtaking:

Lunch at Naxi Guesthouse:

Below: our new friends, Johannes and Miki. I must share this awesome email I received from Miki after our journey together. He is a riot (who loves to take charge and order food):

"Dear Stacey,/ Thank you for your e-mail & lovely photos./ Dear everyone,/ I report the things happened after you three left Daju :/ I & Johannes(J) met Dutch cyclist couple whom we saw on the road. I taught them Ma-jiang (traditinal Chinese game by four players ). We enjoyed the playing & drinking in the guesthouse. And I taught Su-Mo (traditional Japanese wrestling) to J . It was a tough fight night...and at last I threw J . He hit his head on the ground . My poor J went to heaven./ But next day he quickly revived and walked around Daju village.We took a bus to Li-jiang. No check, no fee, no penalty ! Got bless us ! We hungry tigers ate delicious barbecue & enjoyed noisy night life in Li-jiang./ We went back to Kun-ming via Dali and separated. J always wrote travel diary earnestly. In future he will be one of the famous travel authors./ Now too late . I wish you all the best ! Minnesota
Twins gets championship ! Keep in touch . We are the tiger alliance members !"

Back on the trail: I had to pay a random Naxi lady 5 kuai so that Haley and I could sit on this rock and take a picture. You gotta love capitalism within a communist society.

We must have been a little slow moving because we only made it as far as the Halfway Guesthouse the first night.

The ABSOLUTELY STUNNING view from our bedroom for a mere 50 kuai/person. Pictures just don't do it justice.

Josh, we all love the tripod. Best China purchase? I think so.

The water closet wasn't fantastic, but it certainly had the best view of any other water closet I have been in.

Site of the fastest shower I have taken. I would have also given it the title of "coldest" shower taken but for the fact that Derek and I have gone through episodes of no hot water for days at a time in Beijing.

I would also like to take this moment to note that Josh was impressed by my non-Edina like toughness. Thank you, Josh.

The lobby:

The kitchen where delicious Naxi treats are made:

The owner of the Halfway Guesthouse, Chinese Patrick Swayze:

Day II. This shepherd was taking his goats out to graze.

After a treacherous walk along a sheer cliff, across the river we go:

The humorous thing about this sign is that if one was to attempt to swim across the river, I don't think they would have survived.

We made it! Almost. There was still a 40 minute uphill hike awaiting us from this point.

At the Daju finish line, a refreshing pijiu.

11/10/07: Don't Cube Yourself

2008-02-02T12:52:00.000+08:00

Back to Beijing via Kunming.

The following is one description I stumbled upon about Kunming:

The capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming is known in China as the "City of Eternal Spring". Domestic and foreign tourists relish the temperate climate and comparatively pristine air of Kunming. In addition to its own charms it serves as a hub from which to explore Yunnan province. The city has a population of around 4 million.

To be fair, during our 8 hour layover we weren't able to capitalize on everything Kunming had to offer. BUT descriptors like "Eternal Spring" and "pristine air" seem to be a stretch.

A great segue to Old Man Josh's public stretching.

However, Kunming did have its definite highlights like this delicious little noodle shop on the side of the road.

Peking Opera performed at a local neighborhood theater which we stumbled upon behind a storefront.

To be a kid again and find joy in the simplest things, like dirt.

Insert background music: World, Hold On (Children of the Sky).

Haley and Josh, thank you for making the trip. As ALWAYS, it is an absolute pleasure to spend time with you both. We thoroughly enjoy your company and cherish your friendship. We just wish we knew more answers to your questions!

Let us continue to support and challenge each other as we quickly approach 11/08/08 and let us also find the simple joys in dirt. I know, deep. Ultimately, let us get to a point in life where we don't cube ourselves--if that is what will make us happiest. On a scale of 1 to 10, life is good.

Signing off,

Libra/Eldest Child

1/24/08: The Mitchells Discuss the Mitchell Report

2008-01-24T23:22:00.000+08:00

Just another typical Thursday night in Beijing...with Joe Torre and Dave Winfield!

Derek sends his wife over to do the introductions:

One of these people is not like the others, one of these people is not a Golden Gopher (hint: his name starts with a "G" and ends with an "abe"):

Just a couple of hometown boys:

10/30/07: 3 Libra Eldest Children v. The Middle Child

2008-01-18T20:00:00.000+08:00

I apologize for this delayed post: once again, no access to Blogger.

Derek and I had the pleasure of hosting our dear friends Josh & Haley (aka--The Curiosos) over the last week of October thru the first half of November. Our travels took us from Beijing to Shenzhen to Hong Kong to Kunming to Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge back to Lijiang and Kunming and then Beijing. We were fortunate enough to have them as our guests for 2 weeks, which results in a boatload of pictures. So consider this Adventuras de Curiosos Part I. I will post Part II next week.

Why the name Curiosos? For those of you who know Josh and Haley, you know they are certainly well-read and inquisitive. In fact, Derek and I were a little intimidated to have them out here and contemplated pretending to know the answer to all their China questions in order to impress them. But then we figured they probably liked us for who we are. But major props to Roxanne and Bonnie...I can't even imagine Haley and Josh as curious toddlers.

And why the title "3 Libra Eldest Children v. The Middle Child"? For much of the trip, poor Haley felt out numbered by Derek, Josh and I--who all happen to be libras/eldest children. So she blamed much of the so-called ostracizing on birth order and astrological sign. The three of us blamed it on the fact that she likes to talk about poop. All in all, we really had a blast! Thanks for coming out guys. We vote, get off the bus and move to China.

Day 1: Temple of Heaven

The best part about this park is the people watching: a group singing folk songs and dancing.

Buttless chaps:

Josh and the Gentle Giant playing a local Chinese game/dance to music. Notice the following sequence of events.

BOOOOOOOOO! Josh, you suck.

Then we took a treacherous bike ride through downtown Beijing. Call us crazy.

But it was such a great way to see the back alleys of Beijing:

10/30/07: A little workout and then let's eat

2008-01-18T19:15:00.000+08:00

Along our bike ride through downtown Beijing, we stopped at an exercise park in HoHai.

Stretching out the back after a 13 hour flight to Beijing.

Showoff! We tried to get Josh to try this stretch, but he wasn't interested.

Ping Pong in the park. Shaun D., challenge extended.

Night food market:

11/1/07: This ain't the Minnesota Opera...MENDEZ (Heldy)!!!

2008-01-18T18:25:00.000+08:00

A colleague of Derek, Roger, invited us to Peking Opera. Beautiful to watch, somewhat different to listen to.

Thank you, Roger, for the tickets! We really enjoyed it.

Even more so, it was great to talk with Roger, a local Beijinger, over delicious hot pot. Finally, someone else to field all of Josh's questions.

Deep thinker:

11/3/07: Curiosos take on Hong Kong via Shenzhen

2008-01-18T17:35:00.000+08:00

From Beijing we flew into Shenzhen and then took a train and then a ferry into Hong Kong. We could have flown directly into Hong Kong, but Derek likes to be adventurous. Highlight: On the flight from Beijing to Shenzhen the flight attendants led the entire cabin in group exercises. Yi, er, san, si. Yi, er, san, si. Josh was in heaven--an aircraft full of public stretching. The workout was then followed by a dance/song/slideshow presented, again, by the lovely flight attendants about how much they care about their customers. Now that is service!

The Curiosos ready to take on Hong Kong.

Ferry ride over to Hong Kong island.

"Two Finance Geeks by Two International Finance Center":

It was time to hit the town, first stop--drinks at Peak Cafe:

We were lucky enough to whoop it up with two of Derek's co-workers who also happened to be in town on a business trip. Derek, Josh, Stacey, Haley and Cathy.

Derek and Justin--two, salt of the earth (zing Josh), midwest boys just trying to make it in Beijing.

It was a rough night of drinking and dancing, especially for Michigan.

11/4/07: Peaked

2008-01-18T16:38:00.000+08:00

After a delicious bowl of street noodles, it was off to Victoria Peak.

The ride up.

Hong Kong skyline.

11/5/07: Life's a beach and then you go to Kunming

2008-01-18T15:00:00.000+08:00

On our last day in Hong Kong we ventured to the beach by Repulse Bay. Haley had us looking for sea glass (so if you see those gorgeous green and blue items decorating her home, that was the hard work of Josh & Stacey sans pay).

And then it was off to the races. We were in such a rush I didn't even have time to snap shots of the three of us running to the ferry station, then to this crammed shuttle bus only to miss our flight--which, in reality, left two hours before we arrived at the airport because I misheard the ticket agent. Sorry Josh and Hales. I guess it's part of the Puerto Adventuras (said in Craig's voice). Fortunately, about an hour later we were off to Lijiang via Kunming. Part II of the Curiosos' adventures to be continued...

Halloween 2007: Hooters Gals & Friendlies

2007-11-12T18:36:00.000+08:00

In honor of the new Hooters Restaurant Beijing which just opened this summer, the gentlemen went dressed as Hooters waitresses.

And us five gals went as the 2008 Olympic mascots, the Friendlies.

In case you can't find us, Derek is in the red wig and I am in the blue wig. We are getting too old for this.

Xiamen Part II: Gulangyu Island

2007-10-29T12:48:00.000+08:00

Faces of Xiamen:

Covering a total area of 1.78 square kilometers, Gulangyu Island is located off the coast of Xiamen City. The Chinese name has musical roots, as gu lang means "drum waves," so-called because of the sound generated by the ocean waves hitting the reefs. Yu means "islet."

As a place of residence for Westerners during Xiamen's colonial past, Gulangyu is famous for its architecture and for being home to China's largest piano museum.

This tiny community of 20,000 has more pianos per capita than anywhere else on the planet-hence Gulangyu's nickname "Piano Isle."

Located five minutes by boat from Xiamen, Gulangyu is really a Shangri-la-like tourist attraction. No road vehicles are allowed here, bicycles are the only means of transportation.

A Delayed Post: Xiamen

2007-10-16T19:57:00.000+08:00

March 23, 2007-March 25, 2007: Derek and I met up with my Dad and Debbie on a business trip to Xiamen.

Located at the southeast coast of China, Xiamen is a tourist city of Fujian Province famous for its attractive seascape. The city has been a major seaport since ancient times. The name "Xiamen" means a gate of China.

During our travels through Xiamen, we had the privilege of meeting a local family who lived on the oldest street in the city. The household (which consists of a husband and wife, the wife's mother and the couple's daughter) run their business out of a storefront on the main level. The remaining four levels make up their home. Unfortunately, the city has plans to demolish the famous street this year.

A Delayed Post: Chengde

2007-09-11T15:24:00.000+08:00

Over the weekend of March 16, 2007, my second cousin Denise (who just happened to move to Beijing from NYC the same time Derek and I moved here) and I took a two and a half hour bus ride to the city of Chengde.

Chengde is best known as the summer residence of the early Qing Dynasty emperors.

Pictured below is Mountain Resort(Chinese: 避暑山庄; pinyin: Bìshǔ Shānzhuāng; literally: Mountain Resort for Avoiding the Heat)--the world's largest existing imperial garden.

Built between 1703 and 1792, the Mountain Resort took 89 years to complete. It covers a total area of 5.6 km². It is a vast complex of palaces and administrative and ceremonial buildings. Temples of various architectural styles and imperial gardens blend harmoniously into a landscape of lakes, pastureland and forests.

The Kangxi, Qianlong and Jiaqing Emperors often spent several months a year here to escape the summer heat in the capital city of Beijing and the palace zone in the southern part of the resort was therefore designed to resemble the Forbidden City in Beijing. It consists of two parts: a court in front, where the emperor received high officials, nobles of various minority nationalities, and foreign envoys; and bed chambers in the rear, which were the imperial family's living quarters.

Traditional Chinese guard lions (sometimes dogs) which sit at the front gate of many Chinese palaces:

Stone tablets used to record historic events within the palace:

A living Bambi (there was a whole herd of them who roamed the palace grounds freely):

After our visit to the Mountain Resort we stopped by a paper cutting shop--much more impressive than your classic paper dolls.

Outside the Mountain Resort walls are Eight Outer Temples, built in varying architectural styles drawn from throughout China. The most impressive of these is the Putuo Zongcheng (普陀宗乘, Pinyin: Pǔtuó Zōngchéng) (pictured below) built to resemble Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

Below are pictures from another temple we visited later in the day. If Derek had been able to make the trip, we could have secured our love for eternity for just 50RMB ($6.49)--a wise investment:

Beidaihe

2007-09-03T09:51:00.000+08:00

September 1-2, 2007:

Beidaihe is a seaside resort on the Bohai Gulf, 300km east of Beijing, which was originally patronized by European diplomats, missionaries and businessmen around the turn of the century. After the Communist takeover, the village became a resort for Party bigwigs, reaching its height of popularity in the 1970s.

Today it is a Russian hot spot and a nice weekend getaway for Beijing expats.

This weekend Derek and I headed off to Beidaihe with some friends. Although the beaches here do not compare to those of Costa Rica or Thailand (due to pollution, garbage and the simple fact that China has not cultivated its beach town tourist industry), it was a marvelous time with friends and a wonderful escape from the city.

A 3 hour long train ride out to Beidaihe (Derek and I had standing room only tickets...cozy):

We have come to embrace the wildlife/tacky resort decor:

The beach (great people watching, and when one would shut their eyes to relax and catch some sun one could hear the wonderful symphony of Chinese spitters/hawkers):

Intense volleyball game amongst friends (with beer and vodka on the line):

Seafood dinner:

Onto the outdoor bar...

Per usual, even in China, Derek is always the instigator:

Time to head home. Pictured below: the charming China train station crowds. It is as if someone awoke a black haired anthill. But once the train rolls in..."like that, poof [they're] gone." Name that movie.

Before heading back on the train to Beijing, one must always consume some jiaozi. It puts Derek into a deep food comatose (thank goodness we had seats for the ride home).

Pimp My Ride--Courtesy Beijing City Choppers

2007-08-08T22:55:00.000+08:00

D paid 130 RMB for his newly used bike (plus another 10 RMB for a taller seat). Total Cost: $17.50. He probably could have purchased it for half the price, but he bought this baby on his own without the help of his Chinese speaking wife.

For those of you who know Derek, he likes to explore--so a bicycle was a great purchase to see the city. Like many of the Chinese bikes, there is a "seat" behind the rider for an extra person to tag along for the ride. It is not so much a "seat" as it is a platform for your school books. This is a very popular mode of transportation. We have seen old men cycling with their wives in tow, boyfriends biking their girlfriends down the street, two grown men riding to work on the same bicycle. As such, my lovely husband offered me a ride to the grocery store on the back of his bike one Sunday afternoon.

I hung on tight while Derek struggled to get the bike rolling. We went about 10 yards when he informed me that I was too heavy and that his tires were now going flat. Too heavy? Perhaps a certain someone has weak cankles. I have not asked for a ride since.

PS--They do not sell helmets out here! Derek's mom, could you please send one out when you get the chance?

Funny Signs

2007-07-07T23:55:00.000+08:00

The following are some China signs that have struck us as humorous:

When taking the escalator, please mind your head.

This image is hilarious. A chubby cute panda (Held) with a machine gun?

This is the kind of humor Stacey finds funny. He called the poop duty!

Apparently it's survival of the fittest.

If you have crabs, you are not allowed on the plane.

Jing Jing (Steve) and Ni Ni (Jamie)

2007-06-02T21:12:00.000+08:00

April 14, 2007-April 23, 2007:

Word of our amazing hosting skills and tour guide services must travel quickly. Mike and Valerie left Beijing on April 7, 2007 and Steve & Jamie arrived exactly one week later.

Upon their arrival into Beijing, after a long 13 hour plane ride, Derek and I allowed them a 3 hour adjustment period before putting them on a 13 hour train ride to Xi'an. The train station:

All aboard! Except for Derek who insisted on exiting the train to take this picture.

Upon arrival into Xi'an, we visited the Terracotta Warriors.

A brief history lesson: In the year 246 BC, Ying Zheng, at the age of 13, ascended to the throne of the state of Qin and assumed the title "Shi Huang" or first Emperor.

Almost as soon as he became Emperor, work started on his final resting place. The work continued at an unprecedented rate until his death in 210 BC. In 1974 a group of farmers (did we mention that a couple of them offered to sign a copy of their book for us?) digging a well uncovered what was to become the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century when they unearthed a life size Terracotta Warrior. Excavation of the underground tomb revealed thousands of warriors and their horses in battle formation, a whole army that would follow the Emperor into immortality. To date nearly eight thousand life size figures (with no two faces being identical) have been uncovered in three underground halls.

(Below) Picture atop Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum:

(Below) The city wall around Xi'an:

Don't be surprised if you see these two nerds biking around Plymouth on their tandem bicycle.

(Below) The city of Xi'an

(Below) The Great Wall: Jinshanling. From Jinshanling we hiked 7 km to Simatai. Below is my favorite photo I have taken thus far during our 9 months here (can you believe it has already been 9 months?).

Jamie zip-lining back down to the base of the wall.

Although we didn't submit Steve and Jamie to the same amount of gross food we made Mike and Valerie eat (lucky for them the infamous street had already closed the night we tried to go), they still got their share of scorpions.

(Below) Summer Palace:

(Below) Beihai:

Last stop: Shanghai.

Here we are at Steve's Shanghai office:

(Above) Sorry, Mike. Steve and Derek got the chance to golf while in Shanghai.

(Above) Steve trying Derek's favorite Chinese dish: xiao long baos.

(Below) Three cities and 10 days later, it was time to say goodbye over a large bowl of noodles and some baijiu.

(Below) Steve and Jamie on the way to the airport.

And now it's time to throw in a token picture of Derek for good measure. On both Mike & Valerie's and Steve & Jamie's visits, Derek was voted LEAST FUN (mainly because the poor guy had to make a living). I know D felt bad about missing out on all the adventures, but I am confident that Steve missed him even more when Jamie and I brought Steve shoe shopping. Here are Derek and Steve at Beijing Bully's.

Okay, so that picture was taken in Minneapolis (if there was an actual Beijing Bully's...could you imagine life out here?).

So here Derek (doing his Mike pose) and Steve are at a bar which was not quite Bully's, but in Beijing. Reunited and it feels so good, reunited 'cause we understood...name that tune.

As always, we had a wonderful time with you guys! Thanks for making the trip. And although we miss you already, at least we have your Chinese twins here with us in Beijing. Jamie is Ni Ni, Steve is Jing Jing, Stacey is Huan Huan...and Derek didn't want to play.

The Friendlies are the official mascots of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Put together, their names form the phrase: Beijing welcomes you!

Jamie and Steve were such good sports, I made them pose like their character.

Oh Phuket (Pronounced poo-ket)

2007-05-21T14:41:00.000+08:00

April 30, 2007-May 7, 2007

Over the May holiday (yet another full week when China's economy shuts down for a little R&R--the country has three of these "Golden" weeks, one in February, May and October), Derek and I visited Phuket.

Phuket is Thailand's largest, most populous and most visited island. Or as Derek and I like to call it: the land of wonderful seafood, lady boys, the best snorkeling we have seen and where board shorts are in the minority.

Located in the Andaman Sea, we highly recommend it as a vacation spot.

First stop: The Blue Canyon Country Club, where Derek was able to golf in sweltering heat.

We dined on delicious seafood.

Check out this 2.2 kilogram (around 4.5 lb) lobster.

Soaked up the gorgeous views...

And then we hit the most awful horrendous show: Phantasea. A performance that was highly touted as Las Vegas-esque, fell well short of our expectations. Overall, the show was as corny as its name. $120 well spent (thumbs down).

Funny thing was, everyone else thought the show was superfantastical. The day after our Phantasea experience, the tour manager in our hotel inquired as to whether we had seen the highly acclaimed performance. He gushed about Phantasea and informed me he had seen it 5 times.

But then I thought, he promotes tours, he's just full of it.

Fast forward two hours, we run into an Australian couple who were on their third trip to Phuket. They gave us amazing local restaurant recommendations and strongly encouraged us to see Phantasea if we had the chance. WHAT?

So I decided to look for other people's opinions about the show. And by other people, I mean other people who think like me. Thank goodness for Martine's blog entry:

"The closest you get to Disney in Thailand. Perhaps Disney on LSD. So overblown and ridiculous that you can't help but smile. Basically a theme park where the attractions are energetic Thai cover bands in peculiar costumes (only theme that unites the groups' look seems to be 'utter bonkers')....Phantasea is not the kind of thing we normally do. We had been heavily misled by Lonely Planet that we were in for a cirque du soleil-esque night of acrobatic, trapeze mayhem....Sadly there was just not enough of this kind of entertainment for us, too much flouncy about and traditional dance....We declined the offer of the mouse mat, DVD, soundtrack and t-shirt on the way out."

See, it's just so ridiculous that if you are planning on going to Phuket, we would recommend that you see Phantasea. The irony.

(Below) More Phantasea pictures:

So then it was back out on the course, but not in the fairway.

Backwards form:

Much better:

And let's give props to the loving wife who followed her husband through 18 holes in 90 degree/90% humidity weather-then pouring rain-was only going to walk 9 holes with him but then he realized that the ninth hole didn't wind back to the clubhouse-and because she didn't have a required collared shirt, she had to wear a collared black zip-up jacket in the scorching heat while hiding from the golf marshal who spoke to her sternly in Thai. I'm lucky Derek didn't make me carry his bag.

After a hard day on the course, we hit the beach. The ocean, a beer and a good book...what could be better?

I'll tell you what's better...a baby elephant in your hotel lobby! Hello Babar.

(Below) Our view:

(Below) The city of Phuket...

Island hopping. We visited the Phi Phi Islands, located 60 minutes by boat from Phuket. Classic white sandy beaches, surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs and sunlit crystal water, Phi Phi consists of two islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley.

Unfortunately, 4,000 people on the Phi Phi islands perished in the 2004 Tsunami--the majority of whom were tourists.

(Below) Maya Bay, where "The Beach" was filmed. Or as they now call it: DiCaprio Bay (unfortunately, no DiCaprio in sight).

(Below) Our last night in paradise...

Who wears the Pants?

2007-05-10T20:05:00.000+08:00

March 28, 2007-April 7, 2007: Yeah! Mike and Valerie came for a visit. But first, it took a little convincing...

But thanks to D's creative artwork, Mike and Valerie were able to picture themselves in China--so they hopped on a plane. First stop (after a very brief arrival into Beijing): Shanghai.

(Above) Stacey, Valerie and Derek at the top of Jin Mao Tower.

(Above) Mike, Valerie, Stacey and Derek on the Bund.

(Above) The four of us at People's Park.

Next, back in Beijing, Mike, Valerie and I went on an amazing 3 hour/5 km hike (through snow and ice) up a mountain to this remote part of the Great Wall--which has remained untouched. It was well worth the unexpected struggle. In fact, we arrived into town, Chuan Di Xia (2 hours outside of Beijing), with the expectation of visiting some 400 year old houses. But then the locals informed us of this amazing hike. We were ill-prepared for such a treacherous journey. Mike was wearing corduroy pants for goodness sake (but that's why we call him Pants).

Side note: The guy also brought a discman. WHAT?! Are we in the year 1993? I could just hear him singing to Valerie:

We belong together
And you know that I'm right
Why do you play with my heart,
Why do you play with my mind?
Said we'd be forever
Said it'd never die
How could you love me and leave me
And never say good-bye?

Name that tune. Mandy Martin loves this game.

It was a tiring hike capped off by a random evening. In short, after our climb, we ventured off to a local town in order to grab some much needed dinner. On the way into town, an old guy jumped in our car, asked for a lift (after he was already in the car) and recommended a restaurant that ended up being somebody's bedroom (see below)--but, as always, unplanned fun is the best fun. Unfortunately, the old man wouldn't join us for dinner. He had a mah-jongg game to get to.

Beijing acrobats:

And then it was time to eat weird stuff, like scorpions on a stick. They are still alive and moving (below).

(Above) Now, Dr. Johnson, you cannot be squeamish in the ER like you are with eating scorpions.

You'll have to ask Mike which he enjoyed more, eating chicken feet (above) or shopping at the Silk Market. Other items consumed by Mike and/or Valerie: snake, jellyfish, duck brain and duck eyes.

(Below) And then it was time to visit another part of the Great Wall: Simatai.

(Below) The Summer Palace:

Those are just a few highlights of our time with Mike and Valerie. We truly had a blast, thanks for making the trip guys!

Home Sweet Home

2007-04-26T18:54:00.000+08:00

Feb. 14, 2007-Feb. 27, 2007:

Derek and I took a short trip home to Minnesota in February. We filled our guts with Chipotle, Juicy Lucys, Savoy Pizza, Pappasito's (via Texas), Grand Shanghai (Emily!) and waddled our way onto the 13 hour plane ride back to Beijing. Here are some pictures from our jaunt back to the States.

Grandma (looking fabulous), Derek (jet-lagged), Grandpa (looking sharp), Stacey (jet-lagged).

Jamie, VK, Emily. Em's bridal shower.

Stephanie, Isabelle, Valerie.

Mother and daughter. Can the girl be any cuter?

Emily, Jamie.

The bride-to-be and the little munchkin.

Mother-of-the-bride and the bride-to-be trying on their domestic garb. John and Jason should be expecting lots of cheesecakes, muffins and pies baked from scratch.

We took a short trip down to Texas to visit my Dad and Debbie. Above: Derek and his father-in-law talking bonds, politics and Packers v. Vikings over a fine Pappacito's margarita.

We were able to soak up the 80 degree weather poolside.

Tucker (almost asleep) poolside.

The three amigos: Gretchen, Tucker, Dad.

Everything is bigger in Texas, including their all American breakfasts.

Back on a plane and back to Minnesota. Derek and his sister, Krista.

Derek and our wonderful friend, Ms. Re-Kook-EE.

Pants, Craigers.

JJ, DS.

Sweatpants night, although Carisa apparently never received the memo.

Oh how Derek misses shoveling, scraping ice off the windshield, and warming up the car.

Derek and his youngest brother, Eric (and yes, their names rhyme).

Derek's sister Britt putting on a recorder concert.

And just like that, it was time to say goodbye again over some Italian Nachos at OC.

And I had to throw this picture in for old time's sake (with the caveat that the endorsements shown in the picture do not necessarily reflect the political views of those pictured).

Guangzhou

2007-04-19T20:44:00.000+08:00

Dec.2-5th, 2006: Derek and I flew about 2.5 hours south to the crazy and crowded city of Guangzhou. There, we were able to visit some family friends of ours from good old Bloomington, Minnesota--who were kind enough to take us around town.

Guangzhou is the capital and the sub-provincial city of Guangdong Province in the southern part of the People's Republic of China. The city is also known by an older English-language name, Canton, which is based on a French language transliteration of the name of the province in Cantonese. It is a port on the Pearl River, navigable to the South China Sea. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 6 million, and a metropolitan population of 12.6 million, making it the most populous city in the province and the third most populous metropolitan area in China.

Children playing in the water at a local park:

Some large and in charge koi (DeWayne's long lost cousins who go by the surname DeWang):

Shoe sale on the streets of Guangzhou:

Famous five goat statue:

Pictures below are of the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees which was built in 537 during the Liang Dynasty.

The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees was originally called the Baozhuangyan Temple, but during the Northern Song Dynasty, a writer named Su Shi wrote the inscription Liu Rong (Six Banyan Trees) because of the six banyan trees he saw there and it has since been called the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. The temple was burned down and rebuilt during the Northern Song Dynasty.

Flowery Pagoda (pictured below), the main structure of the temple, was built in 1097, and was named for its colorful exterior.

Views from the top of the Flowery Pagoda:

The streets of Guangzhou (a sea of black hair):

More Guangzhou Pictures

2007-04-19T20:43:00.000+08:00

Our lovely hosts:

The outdoor kitchen of a local squatter:

Local storefront:

Guangzhou Hold'em:

Honey making business of a squatter:

China News Update

2007-04-13T12:34:00.000+08:00

In the China Daily (the only English written newspaper in China) they do a recap of local news around the country. The stories are often odd and/or funny, check out the following:

HUBEI TEEN CONTRACTS USUALLY-SENIOR DISEASE

A 14-year-old boy named Chen Chong was a big surprise to his parents, doctors and nurses after he contracted carcinoma of the rectum in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei Province, early this week.

Carcinoma of the rectum is usually diagnosed among senior citizens, but deep-fried food, which is Chen's favorite, has been determined to be the culprit of the disease.

Chen, a grade one student in a local senior middle school, used to eat fried chicken legs every day.

Besides his emaciated condition, Chen's symptoms include haemafecia and anus pain.

Macau Casinos

2007-04-12T13:44:00.000+08:00

With the opening of the Sands Macau, the largest casino in the world as measured by total number of table games, in 2004 and Wynn Macau in 2006, gambling revenues from Macau's casinos were for the first time greater than those of Las Vegas (each about $6 billion), making Macau the highest-volume gambling centre in the world. Other casinos and hotels slated to be opened through 2009 are: The Venetian Macao (2007), Four Seasons (2007), MGM Grand Macau (2007), Ponte 16 (2007), Far East Consortium Complex (2007), Grand Hyatt (2007), Galaxy Cotai Megaresort (2008), City of Dreams (2008), Oceanus (2008), Mandarin Oriental (2009). The first Phase of Macao's Cotai Strip is scheduled to open in 2007 and will include 19,000 guest rooms throughout seven resort hotels, with the $1.8 billion Venetian Macao serving as the anchor. The head of Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, is in the latter stage of negotiation to secure land in Macau, where he is going to set up a US$3 billion casino resort complex. As a result, Macau's economy is growing rapidly due to gambling related tourism and construction from the new casino entrants.

Fortaleza do Monte

2007-04-12T13:41:00.000+08:00

Fortaleza do Monte (Mount Fortress or Monte Forte, officially Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora do Monte de Sao Paulo (Fortress of Our Lady of the Mount of St. Paul)) is the historical military centre of Macau.

The fort was initially built in the 16th century for protecting the properties of Jesuits in Macau. Later it was seized by the Governor, for the defense of Macau.

The tree covered park at the top of the fort has a panoramic view of the mainland area of Macau.

Macau

2007-04-04T09:43:00.000+08:00

While visiting Hong Kong we jumped on a turbo jet ferry and visited Macau for a day.

Macau is a small territory on the southern coast of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Administered by Portugal until 1999, it was the oldest European colony in China, dating back to the 16th century. The administrative power over Macau was transferred to China in 1999, and it is now one of two special administrative regions of the PRC, together with Hong Kong.

Cathedral of St. Paul

2007-04-04T09:42:00.000+08:00

The Cathedral of Saint Paul was a 16th-century cathedral in Macau, China, dedicated to Saint Paul the apostle of Jesus.

Built from 1582 to 1602 by the Jesuits, the Cathedral was the largest Catholic church in Asia at the time, and the royalty of Europe vied with each other to bestow upon the Cathedral the best gifts. With the decline in importance of Macau, which was overtaken as the main port for the Pearl River Delta by Hong Kong, the Cathedral's fortunes similarly declined, and it was destroyed by a fire during a typhoon in 1835.

The ruins now consist of the southern stone facade - intricately carved by Japanese Christians in exile from their homeland - and the crypts of the Jesuits who established and maintained the Cathedral. The facade sits on a small hill, with 66 stone steps leading to the facade. The carvings include Jesuit images with Oriental themes, including one of a woman stepping on a seven-headed hydra, described by Chinese characters as 'the Holy Mother tramples the heads of the dragon'. Other engravings include those of the founders of the Jesuit Order, the conquest of Death by Jesus, and others, all topped by a dove with wings outstretched.

Another Macau Cathedral

2007-04-04T09:41:00.000+08:00

China Charm

2007-03-29T08:31:00.000+08:00

One day last week Derek came home after work and asked if I had read the announcement board in our building lobby. I had not. So he sent me downstairs and told me to bring my camera. Was this really necessary? It was 10:30 at night, I was in my PJs.

And as I started shooting away, many of my Chinese neighbors who walked by probably thought I was nuts for taking a picture of the announcement board.

But it was worth it! Feel free to click on the image below if it's too small to read-in order to enlarge it.

The Jumbo Floating Restaurant

2007-03-27T21:37:00.000+08:00

Aberdeen is an area located on the south shore of Hong Kong Island, and there one can find the Jumbo Floating Restaurant.

This famous eatery was established in October 1976 by Dr. Stanley Ho after four years and over HK$30 million were spent to design and build it.

The Jumbo Floating Restaurant recently underwent a major multi-million dollar refurbishment which transformed it into a theme park on the sea which includes dining, shopping, sightseeing and cultural attractions.

Stacey's Mom's High School

2007-03-27T21:35:00.000+08:00

While visiting Hong Kong, Derek and I had the opportunity to visit my mother's old stomping ground. In fact, we even had the honor of running into one of her former teachers. It was great to picture my mom as one of these young girls goofing around with her classmates. However, my Aunt (who attended the same school--just on a different campus) informed me that their uniforms were much cuter and more fashionable back in the day. I wouldn't expect anything less.

Happy Valley Racecourse

2007-03-20T18:34:00.000+08:00

The track was first built in 1845 to provide horse racing for the British in Hong Kong. Before it was built, the area was a swampland, but also the only flat ground suitable for horse racing on Hong Kong Island. To make way for the racecourse, the Hong Kong Government prohibited rice growing by villages in the surrounding area. The first race ran in December 1846. Over the years, horse racing became more and more popular among the Chinese residents.

On February 26, 1918, there was a tragic fire at the site and at least 590 people died. It is the fire with the highest casualties in Hong Kong history.

The track was rebuilt in 1995, and became a world-class horse racing facility. Several football, hockey and rugby fields are encircled by the horse racing track.

HK Markets

2007-03-20T18:31:00.000+08:00

Victoria Peak

2007-03-20T18:26:00.000+08:00

The following are pictures of Victoria Peak. Unfortunately, it was a hazy day.

Standing at 552 meters above sea level, the Peak is the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island and was a natural signaling post for incoming cargo ships in the nineteenth century. On those less hazy days, the Peak is renowned for its spectacular views of the city and the harbour. It attracts some seven million visitors a year, making it one of Hong Kong's top tourist destinations.

Here, Derek, Jackie and I queued for the tram which takes you up the peak. The tram is a double reversible funicular system (sounds complicated, I know).

The more privileged early Hong Kong residents found the Peak to be the perfect retreat from the island's scorching summer heat (beginning in 1904, it was designated an exclusive residential area reserved only for expatriates--although this practice ended in 1947). Below is a picture of one of these exclusive residences.

Thanksgiving in Hong Kong (we apologize for the delay).

2007-03-12T19:30:00.000+08:00

Nov. 23, 2006-Nov. 27, 2006:

A very delayed posting!

Over Thanksgiving Derek and I ventured to Hong Kong. It is my favorite city because you have beaches, skyscrapers and mountains all packed onto one tropical island which never sleeps.

Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997, after a century and a half of British administration (as a result of the First Opium War, Hong Kong was "rewarded" to the British by the Chinese under the Convention of Chuen Pi in January 1841). Hence, although there is a strong western influence on the island, old Chinese charm is prevalent.

Situated at the south-eastern tip of China, with a total area of 1,104 square kilometres, "Hong Kong" covers Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula just opposite, and the New Territories — the more rural section of Hong Kong, which also includes 262 outlying islands. The city's population was about 6.88 million in mid-2004.

In addition, as of 2004, Hong Kong was the world's 11th largest trading economy, the world's sixth largest foreign exchange market, the world's 13th largest banking centre, and Asia's second biggest stock market.

We have many pictures to share, so more Hong Kong postings to come.

Below are pictures of Victoria Harbour:

Below: Two International Finance Centre was completed in 2003. Designed by César Pelli, this 415 m tall building is currently Hong Kong's tallest, with 88 stories (an extremely auspicious number in Cantonese culture) and 22 high-ceiling trading floors. The high-rise is designed to accommodate financial firms.

It should be noted that, however, the 88 stories do not comprise of an actual number of 88 stories. Some of the "taboo floors" like 14 and 24, which sound like "definitely die" and "easy to die" in Cantonese respectively, are omitted.

It is the third tallest building in the Greater China region and the 7th tallest office building in the world after:

Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan
Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Sears Tower in Chicago, USA
Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, China
Burj Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The rankings are based on structural heights; by roof height only Taipei 101 and Sears Tower exceed it.

The Convention Center:

Kowloon Peninsula:

Central--Lan Kwai Fong

2007-03-12T19:28:00.000+08:00

Central is an area on the north shore of Hong Kong Island. It is the central business district of Hong Kong, and many multinational financial services corporations have their headquarters in the area.

Lan Kwai Fong (Traditional Chinese: 蘭桂坊; pinyin: Lánguìfāng) is a small square of streets in Central. The area was dedicated to hawkers before the Second World War, but underwent a renaissance in the mid 1980s. It is now a popular expatriate haunt for drinking and dining. The street Lan Kwai Fong is L-shaped with two ends joining with D'Aguilar Street.

Repulse Bay (the name poorly reflects the bay's actual beauty)

2007-03-12T19:26:00.000+08:00

Repulse Bay, located in the southern part of Hong Kong Island, is the most spectacular bay in the region. Its name comes from a 19th century battle in which the British army repulsed attacking pirates. Today, Repulse Bay is a luxurious residential area for dining, relaxation, and aquatic activities.

Below: Unfortunately, not a romantic picture of Derek and I. Instead, a lovely picture that Derek took of some other couple.

Happy New Year

2007-03-01T10:11:00.000+08:00

For New Years D and I decided to fly down to Shanghai to ring in 2007.

We soaked up some jazz at Xin Tian Di.

And stood in line for 45 minutes in order to get Derek's favorite Chinese dish: xiao long baos (little dragon dumplings).

The minute we stepped off the plane in Shanghai, Derek was already talking about these steamed dumplings. He's becoming more Chinese everyday.

Here is a picture of the infamous Hyatt Hotel located on the Pu Dong side of Shanghai. The atrium/lobby is quite phenomenal standing tall at 33 stories (the entire building is 88 stories). In this picture, the hotel is getting ready for the New Year by preparing a drop of 10,000 balloons.

For the actual New Year celebration we hit a party on 3 On The Bund. Here's the view from their awesome balcony.

Another view from their balcony.

3...2...1...Happy New Year!

And then we got jiggy on the dance floor.

The Commute

2007-02-14T10:09:00.000+08:00

Below is a picture of the Third Ring Road which is just outside of our apartment complex. And this is what traffic is like everyday on our way home. Often times traffic is so terrible we get off the bus/taxi on the other side of the road and cross the pedestrian bridge home in order to shave a good 20 minutes off the commute.

Otherwise, we walk just about everywhere on a daily basis: the grocery store, the post office, the bank, the gym, etc. Walking versus jumping into our car did take some adjustment, considering Derek and I would drive to Kowalski's from our home back in Minneapolis to grocery shop (distance: 1/2 mile each way). Now, we often walk 1 mile each way to our local grocery store twice a week. While carrying the bags of groceries on the bitter walk home in the winter, I often encourage myself with, "My arms and legs will be so toned and ripped. This walk is fantastic." Derek's response, "Buck up, Mitchell." Often times I don't think he remembers that I am half his size and that my strides are half the length of his. Picture a Great Dane walking with a Shih Tzu who takes 5 steps per each of the Great Dane's strides and you've got Stace and D (speaking of small dogs, I would like to give a shout out to Ernie and Sammers back home).

But leave it to KG to make us feel at home again. This is a billboard close to our apartment. The Chinese love KG, whenever they ask where we are from and they recognize "Minnesota"--they like to ask us if we know KG. Derek can only wish.

Doing Laundry

2007-02-09T12:20:00.000+08:00

My washing machine...needless to say, the Chinese characters threw me off and it took a few cycles to figure out what I was doing.

My dryer. Nobody in Beijing has a dryer! Instead they often hang their clothes outdoors after the wash cycle. But it's so dusty that Derek and I avoid hanging our unmentionables out the window. Luckily, items dry in about 12 hours (even indoors) thanks to the static dry Beijing climate. The clothes dry a little stiff, but we are now accustomed to the starchy feel. However, gone are the days of those freshly dry/slightly tight/butt-hugging jeans. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about.

The Class of 2007

2007-02-03T18:45:00.000+08:00

Meet the first grade class of 2007. These are Derek's (Mi De Li's) tongxuemen (classmates) at Beijing Normal University. We have gone out to dinner with them on a couple of occasions and they are a really good group. This time, we went out for Korean BBQ...DELICIOUS!

SOJU time! Cheers!

The spread.

Too much soju. The poor girl anxiously awaits the outcome of this magic trick.

The outcome, unbeknownst to her.

Another soju victim.

The Mitchells are still going strong.

Shanghai Buddhist Temple 10/22/06

2007-01-04T23:45:00.000+08:00

This Buddhist temple is located in a busy part of the city, but it's amazing how quiet and peaceful it feels once inside the walls.

Buddha statue

Worshipers in the temple

Statues representing different gods

This is a picture of a ceremonial wake, during which monks and family members pray for the soul of the departed.

Even the monks can't escape from their cell phones! I'm guessing he was checking the score of the Gopher football game.

The brown building in the center of the photo is the temple. As you can see it is surrounded by high-rises in the back and a shopping mall on the right...not exactly your mountain temple getaway.

More Shanghai Photos 10/22/06

2007-01-04T23:25:00.000+08:00

Here we are with our fabulous hosts and tour guides, Stacey's family members from her mom's side of the family. From left to right they are (front row): Uncle Bob and Auntie Margaret, who were visiting from San Francisco; Auntie Helen, who graciously allowed us to stay with her; (back row) Cousin Isbrand, who put together the best 3-day tour you could possibly imagine; and Isbrand's son Spencer, who was nice enough to hang out with us "old folks".

The picture above and the two below were taken at Xintiandi, downtown Shanghai's newest, most upscale neighborhood. This 2-square-block pedestrian mall is the hottest venue in Shanghai.

The cafe and boutique development has restored the late colonial architecture known as shikumen, row houses with courtyards and stone gates. The architecture is an artful blend of native traditional and ultramodern Western.

Xintiandi, meaning "New Heaven and Earth", is famous for its trendy restaurants and international shops and after dark its bars and lounges attract Shanghai's wealthy and hip...like the two seen above ;-)

A shipyard on the banks of the Huangpu River

Some of the never-ending traffic on the river

This boat, with its enormous television screen, can be seen cruising back and forth in front of the Bund advertising everything from watches, to electronics, to anything else you can imagine.

Nanpu Bridge, spanning the Huangpu River, was the first to connect Pudong to the city center. It opened in 1991 and handles 45,000 vehicles per day over its 2&1/3-mile expanse.

Shanghai's People's Park (Renmin Gongyuan) is essentially the city's "Central Park". It is built on the site of colonial Shanghai's horse-racing track and it has 30 acres of trees, ponds, rock gardens, amusement rides and this guy...who just laid a giant egg. For more photos of the park see our 10/28/06 posting titled, "More Faces and Places".

The Bund at Night--Shanghai 10/22/06

2007-01-04T20:15:00.000+08:00

The Bund Observatory, often called the "Shanghai Lighthouse". During the colonial heyday of the Bund, it served the harbormasters as a control tower for keeping an eye on the junks and clipper ships that clogged the great port. First built in 1884, the observatory was rebuilt in 1907.

Tourists on the Bund with the neon signs in the background

Pudong on a cloudy, rainy night

Lucky for us they had fireworks over Pudong the night we were there!

Shanghai's Yu Garden (Yu Yuan) 10/20/06

2007-01-04T19:55:00.000+08:00

Yu Garden is one of China's loveliest private classical gardens. Its name means Garden of Contentment, and once inside you literally feel miles away from modern and hectic Shanghai.

Its construction was completed in 1577 by an official, Pan Yunduan, as the private estate for his father, who served in the Ming Dynasty as the Minister of Punishments (imagine handing out THAT business card).

Its 5 acres are a remarkable maze of gorgeous Ming Dynasty pavilions and elaborate rockeries, arched bridges, and goldfish ponds, encircled by a massive, undulating dragon wall.

Shanghai's Old Town 10/20/06

2007-01-04T18:55:00.000+08:00

Shanghai's Old Town is the picture of classic Chinese architecture and it functioned as the main Chinese district of downtown Shanghai during the colonial era (1842-1949). Located just a few blocks southwest of the Bund, it is considered the oldest district in Shanghai with the most traditional shops and best steamed dumplings--which we can attest to! Old Town is the location of Yu Garden and the Huxinting Teahouse, two of Shanghai's most striking treasures, and the area draws as many as 200,000 visitors daily.

Behind us is the Huxinting Teahouse (Huxinting Chashi). China's quintessential teahouse has floated atop the lake at the heart of Old Town since 1784, built by area cotton-cloth merchants as a brokerage hall. Tea drinking was forbidden inside for nearly a century, until the late 1800s, when it became what it is today.

Huxinting (meaning "mid-lake pavilion") is reached via the Bridge of Nine Turnings, so designed to deflect evil spirits who are said to travel only in straight lines. The five-sided, two-story pavilion with uplifted eaves and turrets has served everyone from visiting heads of State to local laborers.

More Western influence...notice the Starbucks and Dairy Queen signs? It definitely takes away from the China charm. Although I can just imagine the various emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties sitting down to enjoy a nice Blizzard or a Grande Skim Latte.

Chinese Cemetery in Shanghai (continued)

2007-01-04T17:51:00.000+08:00

Chinese Cemetery in Shanghai 10/22/06

2007-01-04T17:50:00.000+08:00

During our trip Stacey and I wanted to pay our respects to her Uncle William, who is buried at a beautiful cemetery in Shanghai.

Shanghai's Nanjing Road 10/20/06

2007-01-04T17:40:00.000+08:00

The #1 shopping street in all of China, Nanjing Road features modern stores, international boutiques, cafes, restaurants, silk shops, hotels, office towers and of course, plenty of neon lights. This pedestrian street is packed with international and Chinese tourists numbering in the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands every day. As Westerners, the one feature that really stood out was the fact that nearly every block had a McDonald's or a KFC. There were literally 6-8 McD's over a 1-2 mile stretch--which definitely takes away from the charm.

In colonial Shanghai, Nanjing Road West was known as Bubbling Well Road, the domain of carpet salesmen and clairvoyants; Nanjing Road East, built largely as a pathway to successive horse-race tracks, became dominated by silk shops, luxury hotels and huge department stores.

Huangpu River Cruise--Shanghai 10/21/06

2007-01-04T17:25:00.000+08:00

The Huangpu River is a tributary of the mighty Yangtze River, which it joins 18 miles north of the city. It has been said that nearly 1/2 of China's trade travels the same waters to the Pacific Ocean, and there is constant traffic 24 hours a day. A cruise of the Huangpu will introduce you to barges, carriers, fishing boats, naval vessels, sampans, cruise liners, tour boats, wharves, factories, shipyards and tankers at anchor.

People work, sleep, cook, live and play on the river with rear cabins on many barges functioning as homes to families. Dishes are washed and food is cooked with water taken directly from the river. Stacey can attest to the "sleeping" on the river part, as her Dramamine kicked-in some heavy drowsiness and the river cruise offered a good chance for a nap. While her eyes may have been shut, I managed to keep the camera lens focused on much of the river activity.

A barge nearly submerged while transporting a commodity down river

A naval vessel docked in front of several neon signs on the outskirts of the city

A paddle boat designed to look like a pirate ship

The ship Xin Hai Rong being loaded with what appeared to be coal

Storage silos on the river

The Bund as seen from the river

Dragon Boat used for tours

Local fishing boat

An abandoned warehouse on the banks of the Huangpu

An evening view of the Puxi District of Shanghai West

Pudong District of Shanghai East 10/20/06

2007-01-04T16:44:00.000+08:00

Just 15 years ago the area east of the Huangpu River was nothing but mud flats, rice fields and village huts. Since then a massive development project has turned Pudong into a burgeoning business district featuring the tallest hotel in the world, China's largest stock exchange, and soon, the Shanghai World Financial Center. This building has a scheduled completion date of 2008 and when finished it will rise 95 stories--1,509 feet.

New skyscrapers nearing completion in Pudong

More buildings and river traffic

Pudong as seen from north of the city on the Huangpu River. The tallest building on the left side of the picture is the Jin Mao Building, home to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the tallest hotel in the world. In 2003 this building was the world's third tallest, rising 88 stories--1381 feet. The Grand Hyatt encompasses the 54th-88th floors of this high-rise and includes a beautiful and dizzying 33 story atrium and an 87th floor Sky Lounge with spectacular views of the city.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower--Asia's tallest structure (third tallest TV tower in the world) at 1550 feet. It is known locally as "twin dragons playing with pearls".

Shanghai International Exhibition Center

The Bund (Wai Tan)--Shanghai 10/20/06

2006-12-27T17:15:00.000+08:00

Shanghai is divided by the Huangpu River into Shanghai East (Pudong) and West (Puxi). The Bund (which means the Embankment) refers to Shanghai's famous waterfront running along the western shore of the river. It was the chief shipping, trading, and financial district of the colonialists after the British and other Western nations opened up the city following the First Opium War in 1842. Trade was in silk, tea, and opium, and Shanghai had a worldwide monopoly on these commodities in the late 19th century. During the 1920s and 1930s the great buildings that line the river were built, functioning as foreign banks, the Customs House, luxury hotels, private clubs, and embassies.

The Bund Promenade provides a pedestrian-only walkway stretching one mile along the river shore. Mornings on the promenade feature local workers practicing tai chi and other traditional exercises and most of the day (and night) it is crowded with international and Chinese tourists.

Further down the Bund Promenade.

The Bund, as seen from the Huangpu River.

1920s era building on the Bund.

View from the Bund.

The above photo was taken from the roof-top balcony of New Heights restaurant located at 3 on the Bund. Several buildings along this strip offer spectacular roof-top views of the river and the Pudong District.

Derek and Stacey at New Heights restaurant at 3 on the Bund.

Street-level on the Bund.

A view of the street separating the Bund's colonial buildings from the Bund Promenade, located on the other side of the trees. Just beyond that is the Huangpu River, and the skyscrapers of the Pudong District.

Shanghai Urban Planning Museum

2006-12-23T00:40:00.000+08:00

First, a little background on the city: Shanghai, which means "above the sea", is China's most heavily populated city, with around 19 million people. It is centrally located near the eastern coast of China. (We have included a link to a pretty good map of China and its provinces in the "Links" area in the right margin.)

Shanghai has functioned as China's best example of East-meets-West. It was the first city in China with electricity, streetlights, roads and cars. In the early 1900s old Shanghai was considered a playground for foreign adventurers and a free-trade show for overseas exploiters. It was a major trading port, especially for textiles and handicrafts. In the early 1990s the city of Shanghai began a new transformation. It was essentially torn apart and rebuilt. The city's visionaries believed it could turn into one of THE great cities in the world. It was said that 1-in-5 of the world's high-lift cranes were there at that time.

Shanghai is a fascinating city that serves as China's capital of commerce, industry and finance, and has classic Chinese, European colonial, and modern architecture. It is currently competing with Hong Kong, Beijing, and Singapore to be considered the "capital" of Asia.

The Shanghai Urban Planning Museum features exhibits of colonial and contemporary Shanghai within its five stories. However, the main highlight is the massive scale model of urban Shanghai present and future. As China's largest city, the population of Shanghai is around 19 million people, including a "floating" population of between 3-4 million people. It's hard to fully appreciate the sheer size of the scale model, but to give you an idea, the above picture is actually 6 individual photographs I stitched together to make one.

A look at the Pudong District of Shanghai East. The tallest, blue building on the right is the Shanghai World Financial Center which is currently under construction. The bridge spanning the river is the Yangpu Bridge, which boasts the longest bridge span of its type in the world at 1,975 feet.

If you look closely at the center of this photo you will see two workers performing maintenance on some of the buildings.

GODZILLA!!!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
This gives a good representation of the size of the models and the detail that has been put into making each one look like the real thing. (This worker also brings back memories of Dave Stanley "snorkeling" in Mexico.)

Heading to Shanghai, Weekend of October 20th, 2006

2006-12-22T23:29:00.000+08:00

Our first venture in China outside of Beijing had a very inauspicious beginning. Five minutes before leaving for the airport, as I was washing some dishes, the pipes beneath the sink decided to fall apart. Because I was wearing the rather thick slippers shown in the picture, I did not feel the water gushing out from under the sink. By the time I looked down there was a nice layer covering the entire kitchen floor. When we were done cleaning twenty-five minutes later Stacey and I ran out the door, hailed a cab and rushed to the airport, making it just in time. Notice how the pipes in the photo are not exactly connected? You've gotta love China. (As a follow up, after we returned from Shanghai and had a maintenance person fix the sink, it broke again two days later, gushing water over the floor...again, making us repeat the mopping and cleaning...again.)

Soup in a Bag

2006-12-08T10:50:00.000+08:00

A couple of times a week I meander to the local marketplace along our street in order to grab lunch. The "restaurant" I frequently patron (my Beijing version of Asian Max) is a hole-in-the-wall joint run by three sisters. The place is tiny, and has just enough room to seat two people outdoors. As such, I often take my meals to go.

A few weeks ago, as I was waiting in line, one of the sisters yelled: Lee xiao jie, jin tian wo men you niu rou mian. Translation: Little Miss Lee, today we have a beef noodle soup. It sounded delicious, so I ordered it as my lunch--to go.

Being the naive American that I am, I figured the beef noodle soup would come in some sort of container (preferably plastic). But chalk it up to Chinese charm, they threw the entire liquid based meal into a plastic bag. A poor quality plastic bag. With holes. So I asked for a second plastic bag for extra support--but of course the second bag also had holes.

I walked home (quick like a bunny), bag leaking the whole way there. And below is the end product: a plastic bag of noodles and beef with not much soup (or even beef). So basically, a plastic bag of wet noodles.

Thanksmas

2006-12-08T10:09:00.000+08:00

SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

My Dad and Debbie made a surprise visit to Beijing. Although they were only in town for basically a day and a half, we packed in the fun. We visited some art galleries and museums, and were able to celebrate Thanksgiving one night and Christmas the other. It's always good to have family visit (especially around the holidays). Thus far, Dad is leading the charge with 2 visits in 2 months. Now that we have moved to China we see him a lot more than when we were in Minnesota and he was in Texas.