Bathroom

Funny chinese signs

This sign was above a toilet in the Men's bathroom!!

Beijing Vacation

9am at the Shenzhen Airport our group is heading for a "historical" vacation. Our family traveled with two other QSI teachers and later ran into two more QSI teachers in Beijing.

Our posh 5 star hostel accommodations. Three bunkbeds and our own bathroom. What more can you ask for???????? It felt like a dorm room in college. We did get free breakfast and a free pool table in the basement.

Local garbage collector on bike in the Hutongs. We stayed at super hostel here in the heart of the Hutongs.

In the background is the Forbidden City. It is huge. You can walk for hours and get lost.
We are standing in Tianamen Square getting ready to go in the entrance to the Forbidden City.

.

Hong Kong Soho District - Chinese New Years

We went with several families via ferry to Hong Kong for the yearly Chinese New Year parade. After arriving we had to take the Star ferry from Central to Kowloon.

The parade started at 8pm but we staked out our spot at 5pm so we could have a good view. Unfortunately we chose the wrong side of the road. We had a great time with our large group trying to get the chinese people to do the "wave"!

Within our goup of about 25 people this was the men's favorite parade entry. The Washington Redskin cheerleaders. For some reason the chinese people weren't that impressed.

The parade was sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airlines. This was one of the better floats.



Chinese New Years is a major holiday for the chinese. It rivals a western Christmas
This is a Chinese New Year tree to symbolize good fortune for the new year. This year it is the Year of the OX! These little orange bushes/trees with empty red envelopes are everywhere. (just like Christmas trees everywhere in the USA)
The oranges on these bushes are sour and not good for eating. They are just decorations.

Early in the morning on Jan. 26th(Chinese New Years) the kids found "red envelopes" on their bed! It is a tradition to give children & single adults "red envelopes" for Chinese New Years. You put money in the envelopes as a gift. Many employers give their employees "red envelopes" at this time of year. (year end bonus)

Soho District!



McCall by a statue of Yoa Ming in the Mall at Giga sports.

The next morning we went to do the tourist stuff. We all rode one of the world's longest escalator in the Soho district. It took us up the mountain of Hong Kong while allowing you to get off on many intersections to explore the Soho District. We actually found a great mexican restaurant. We have been craving mexican food even Taco Bell would be good. There aren't any in China.

Sunday afternoon in the Park!

At Si Hai park we saw how the chinese enjoy their Sunday afternoons. The park was huge with lots to see. Many people were fishing. I don't think I would eat anything out of this pond.

The lady is selling sugar cane. People buy a stick for 1 or 2 yuan. Then they cut it into pieces and peel off the bark. After that they just chew on it.

The older folks sit around in groups and play cards.

In these bins is a wheat like rice. The man is selling it. It is sticky and sweet. He uses his stick to beat on the bins to let people know he is there. Kind of like hearing the popsicle truck back in the USA.

This bull symbolizes the development of Shenzhen. Shenzhen is part of the new territories(special economic zone) Twenty five yrs ago it was a fishing village with dirt roads. Now it is very commericalized and has western businesses everywhere. The bull stands for hard work, spirit, and never giving up. Shenzhen is one of the wealthier areas due to all the manufacturing. Lots of expats live and work here.

The gentleman is playing an "er hu". It sounds like a cello. We hear them every night and it is very relaxing music.

New Year's Eve at Happy Valley in Shenzhen

Only the strong can survive this ride. McCall and Nikki had to pull themselves up with the pulley rope. It was a good workout.

McCall, Rachel, and Nikki on a thrill ride at Happy Valley. Happy Valley is like a Silverwood or Lagoon but not as many rides. It does have a water park that is open when it's warmer.

Nikki, McCall, and Vecka dressed up like little chinese girls at Happy Valley. It was free to dress up but then they charged 10rmb to take pictures with your own camera. Of course many chinese people walking by stopped and took the girls picture.(for no charge)

King of Thailand

The Thai people love their 81 yr old King. Everywhere you look there are posters and shrines to the King. Evidently on Mondays they wear yellow to show respect to their leader.

No one is allowed to tour the Grand Palace grounds and view the Emerald Budda without proper attire. This means no shorts, tank tops etc. Your knees and shoulders must be covered. Hence the skirts and pants that they loaned use at entrance.

The guard didn't move a muscle or even look at us when we took his picture. The gate in the background is ajar and the building is the King's home. No one is allowed in that area.