Hike Ho!

The physio came into my clinic Monday to invite me to join a hike to a country park in Fanling today. My first reaction was shock as I didn't expect someone that I have barely spoken two words to in the whole year is asking me out hiking... Those who know me know that exercise is not my thing. The second reaction, I am very sorry to admit was wariness. Cantoland is rife with individuals whose main source of entertainment is to muddle waters. I was quite reluctant to join was my department is not exactly BFF with their department. However, since I was invited to 'bring a friend' I decided to drag the american along to be my buffer against a Cantonese speaking crowd.

The hike was pleasant with brilliant views of mainland China in the distance. We had three gorgeous golden retreivers along with us and everyone was in dog-speak mode and failed to interact with each other. Some school kids who were (obviously arm twisted into hiking on a Saturday) walking the opposing way commented on why we were coming from China in the wrong direction. -_-

The american and I were tempted to call their bluff and warn them to beware of the smugglers! :)

The local crowd had prepared a barbecue and we had a nice time toasting butter bread with honey ( It was the only thing I could BBQ well anyways). I had a pleasant time with my own company and with 'nature' haha.. I only got minor allergic reactions on my forearms as the whole walk was paved and there was hardly any undergrowth. I did not see any tigers, lions or pandas either and was quite disappointed. Due to the economic recession, many factories in ShenZhen have closed. This has inversely allowed us to have better air quality in Cantoland and will hopefully improve skin conditions. I ended the day with a very pleasant massage and facial. Life is good!

On a lighter note, my dermatologist is wonderful! I called him to tell him I was not going to be able to attend his clinic on Wednesday, and he came to my clinic to give me a consultation! My assistant then went to pay the fee, err sit in my 'consultation', pick up my prescription and my medication. All I had to do was sit on my little bum at work. It is very touching to see people go out of their way to help you... I strive to do the same.

Hang Zhou

West Lake.

I went to a little trip to China in the New Year with a friend. We joined a tour group that took us to some of the prettiest spots in China. There were 33 people in the group, and would you believe it, 16 of them were not from Cantoland! Therefore, I managed to huddle together with the non-chinese speaking crowd in ignorance as we wander our own way oblivious to the deathstares of the tour guide! :)

I went to the airport at 5am in the morning after coming back into Cantoland the night before to hail in the new year. We then flew out to Hang Zhou and arrived mid morning. Now Hang Zhou is a place I have always wanted to visit because of the West Lake. Why? Well you see, as a child geek, I read the Asiapac comics on chinese mythology and the most vivid of them all was Madam White Snake. Those who know this story would know she lived at the West Lake charmed a scholar and married in. Anyways, the monks got her and imprisoned her in the pagoda by the lake. She was eventually released when the pagoda collapsed. The pagoda was also a symbol of rising awareness of womens' rights in the country.

Li Feng Pagoda.

We went to check out some gardens, bridges, and rock formations around the lake. Hang Zhou is also known as the city of lovers. There is a lovers bridge, which is said that if you walk along that particular bridge with your beloved, you will always be together. There is also another saying that if you walk the a particular walk with a girl and she is still walking with you at the end of the journey, you can propose to her. As you can probably deduce, it is a pretty long walk, and to be able to stand someone after about two hours of walking in the freezing cold is no mean feat! I was in a pretty crap mood after a day of wandering about in the chill!

Lovers Bridge.

Hang Zhou is famous for it's beautiful scenery and should be revisited in all seasons. I am aiming to head there again in another season to see another side of the city. We stayed at this hotel which didn't look too impressive on the outside but was very comfortable inside. I wonder if it's just me, or the Chinese have a fascination with clear glass shower cubicles to provide the discerning traveller with an uninterrupted view of whoever is in the shower *rolls eyes*.

Long Jing tea military plantation of the PRC. It was frosty!

Fanciful Chinese village houses.

I noticed that the so-called village houses in Hang Zhou were all very fancy. They looked like the candy houses in Disneyland with their multi-coloured walls as well as their over-the-top decor. The villages are full of such examples. In Cantoland this would be unimaginable! However, they do not lose their way of life and continue to earn their living in anyway they can, such is the resilience of the Chinese.

Doing Laundry.

Happy 2009

I received an email from the medic a few days ago to check that I was still alive *yes* and that I have been good *yes*. And since I was so well-behaved, I got a little Stella as a reward... :)

It is comforting to know that there are people who think of you when they are on holiday!

PS: I watched the fireworks on NYE in HK with some friends. The fireworks were depressing at best. Still, it was a step toward my resolutions! I will post up my holiday snapshots soon.