Thoughts of the Day...

- Tube runs on so many delays...
- I really like the adverts on the Tube
- Missed the free newspapers Metro, London Paper and London Lite


- You can fit more people on a train in China... Open carriages... no doors between carriages... But you can't sit down anywhere... Seats on the London Tube are comfortable!
- Tube is bare expensive... What's with the increase between 7am-6pm 2 quid extra just to get into zone 1 ?

Back in UK now... 现在我来英国！

Been back now for 2 days, still Jet lagged!

Things now I'm back seem so different, with really stupid high petrol prices... I'm surprised anyone is still driving on the road!

Initial Thoughts...
- Shocked I'm actually back Home!
- Forgot how things looked, but some what familiar...
- My stupid R's in my sentences when I speak...I seem to roll them unconsciously...
- Still put stupid pauses in my English when I'm struggling to say something simple...
- Have a faint American / International accent crops up unexpectantly sometimes...
- Still know how to get around... Don't get lost another words...
- Loving fast Broadband Internet.. no filtering and full access to all..!
- God I missed real Milk!!! (not the imported stuff from Mongolia in China)
- Cheap Fried Chicken is the shit!!!!!


Further thoughts..
- I'm screwed this weekend if I'm working... Its the big open weekend for John Lewis (my work place) after we finished 60 million pounds worth of refurbishments... and I don't know where anything is!!!
- Stuck now on foot... no car... but I'm not bothered... cost too much to drive anyway!
- I'm still Jet lagged... (waking up as early as 4am for no reason..)
- I feel weird being back! perhaps that feeling I'm lost still?
- Starting to Appreciate and notice the little things how they work in UK

Leaving China... 再见中国

On a plane bound for London, stuck watching Mr Bean on holiday, thinking to myself how different is China to UK.

- Line control
- Brits on holiday
- UK + Europe train stations
- Christmas
- Food

Haven't told many people when I will arrive back in UK, as I want some time to myself to re-adjust, sort out bills, sort myself out, get ready to go back to work.
some things i wonder...
- God cant imagine wearing a suit again!
- Going on the tube again
- Playing badminton once again
- Getting back to dragon boat racing
- Time for xmas
- Meetups with mates n telling stories

This year has flashed pass, if it wasn't for this Blog I wouldn't remember so much, My Online Flickr account shows many memories...
So it hasn't all been a dream!

Many of my friends are waiting for meetups from my old skool friends to a mini old skool boy reunion...
I'm looking forward in some ways to see my Friends other halves and also realise at the same time I have an absence of a girl @ my side also.
It only bugs me slightly as I prepare myself for much bigger things!

So what will I miss...?
- Fresh Chinese food on every corner
- Variety of Chinese food
- Tsingtao beer(cheap)
- The busy life and buzz
- Meeting new and exciting people
- My China Friends
- Green Tea lattes

What have I learned?
- Lots about China
- How Chinese people work
- Living in another country and city is all right...
- I can enjoy living by myself
-Mando and Canto
- People are different in other areas of China and the World nothing is stereotyped,
- Harder to read body language of different Chinese people
- Greater understanding of things
- Survival by Myself to Stand Tall Alone
- Able to Go out by myself
- Less defensive
- Understanding of myself

What to look forward to?
- Bigger Better Things
- A Good Job
- Not being so scared anymore

Leaving on a Jet plane.... 我回家英国

Beijing Commute to the airport... started first me @the railway station.
Amongst the people trying to con you, to buy shit, get in there taxi, send you in the wrong direction, I manage to locate the airport shuttle / coach, but it was jammed packed with chinks heading to the airport either a shamble of luggage.... fuckers... don't know how to queue and pack their luggage in the main hold, so I had to roll up my sleeves and do it... to top that I had be stopped on the bus to go buy ticket down the road.. (cost is only 16 RMB (1 quid) ...taxi is 100 RMB (8quid +) +!)

Legged it down the Road bought ticket nearly got reassign another bus, explained I left my bag on another Bus, got on Sigh.. got a seat... then decided not to be too greedy and left the seat next to me empty and free.
Big mistake, bus filled up and the hold was full up, so people started to bring their main bags on board!
So when it was ready to get off I was behind a Great Wall of Bags.... people looked at me as I sighed then, grabbing a seat I jumped over the bags and seats... and off the Bus.. (Jackie Chan style).

Beijing airport is shit... its nothing like Shanghai Hong Qiao or Pudong... It's a joke nothing is labelled clearly, departure hall sits behind a customs inspection hall... fortunately I wasn't inspected, cuz I was a honest chink?

Wi-Fi should be free and available like all the other Chinese airport I've been in, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai...
Here you got to have China mobile account to use the net...
Even the Starbucks doesn't have Wi-Fi, bollocks as I was told and been in most Starbucks in China offer it free of charge.

Asides from that my departure was trouble free, I did however get question again by Immigration in the stair passage / gate on the way to the plane, I reckon cuz I was a chink this time, I answered in Chinese, didn't get too much attitude luckily... if i did prob would have answered in English.

Visit to the Underground City

Today I also visited Beijing Underground City 北京地下城.
[To get there go to Chongwenmen Station]

In 1969, USA had landed men on the moon, and this was the time of Nuclear War could be a very real thing. So Chairman Mao decided to prolong China's future and create and Underground City below the streets of Beijing.
This was a feat that took over 10 years to do, and was done all by hand.

This city is capable of holding over 10, 000 people and stretches all the way to Chaoyang???(not sure... forgot), you can access everything in the city, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden Palace and Wangfudajie Steet 王夫大街. The Underground City has apartments, Cinemas, Shops and everything you would need underground, The door at sections are flood proof and gas proof, However from looking at it, it has taken quite a lot of flood damage over the years, and would need a lot of work to bring it back up to liveable levels...
The tour crosses near the entrances to other important places, but obviously for security reasons is not open to the public.

Getting there is a little hard, the lonely planet guide gives an approx indicator, and most of the tourist maps neglect to mark it on their maps as well...
My Direction would be to pop up exit B on the subway, head up to the Taijichuan dajie 太极穿大街. head direction West... 1st road on the right (has police sign for the police station) head straight down... and eventually you will notice it after the shops on the left... says Underground city in English... in chinese... 北京地下城.
I only found it after, a over helpful guy with a bikechair wanted to give me a lift... tosser didn't listen too clearly when I said 10 RMB for the ride... tried to get 50 RMB out of me after he dropped me off... flashed his sign, for his prices... and I cut him off, saying I told him in Chinese that it was 10 RMB I agreed to jump in for his ride... Go figure... I gave him 10 RMB more, as a compromise... and he took it.
[I think I look too much of a tourist if I hold onto my Lonely planet guide and map...]

When you get inside, you aren't allowed to take any pics, also it's a bit intimidating, as the room you enter from the front door, is covered with people in Military combats.
However it turns out after you engage them in Chinese, they are actually guides that will take you down into the tunnels (no extra to pay them... included in 20 RMB entry) to make sure you don't stray off path, give you a tour, and not take any pics either...
My guide was given in both chinese and english... but their english basic, is suffiecient...
Tour does finish in the gift shop before the exit... so be careful, they don't lock you in....
As I was friendly with my guide in Chinese, he didn't leave me in the shop, just walked straight through...


After this I decided to hang out down Wangfudajie Steet 王夫大街, took a walk, bought some souvenirs and took some pics...



The Drop in Clinic... our NHS equivalent walk in centres in China [above pic]
This street you can buy the street food (even the bugs and snakes), and bargain for tiny tourist souvenirs, be aware and bargain hard!

Visit to Dongyue Temple 东岳庙(Taosim temple)

Today decided to visit something a bit different...
So I decided to visit the Dongyue Temple 东岳庙, it's in the Lonely Planet guide for Beijing...
Quick definition... of Taosim,
"popular Chinese philosophical system based in teachings of Lao-tzu but characterized by a pantheism of many gods and the practices of alchemy and divination and magic"
Quoted from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Taoism

I will try and come back and define this for you... I'm still not quite sure how it is...
Anyway you go in, pay around 20 元 to get in...

So what makes this different from Buddist temples which you will see all over China (here and there) is that there are different altars for different people. It is the belief that are other people like the monkey god, God of War and beings such as those that watch over us...
Here @ this temple you will find some of those and more....

Have a look in my photos below... there are different Departments that will look after you in this life and the next....


Department of Individual Responsibility...
Department of Reclaiming Life

Dept of Controlling Evil Spirits

Dept of Wandering Ghosts

Final Indictment Department
Resurrection Department




Department of Hell

UnJust Death Department [above]
Interrogation


Dept of Resurrection [above]Dept of upholding Integrity [above]

All photos are on this link... have not linked all photos on here...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/livestrongjon/sets/72157603260946874/

My other visit to a Taosim temple...this year... ( in chinese also known as Daosim)
@ Huangda Xian Temple… 黄大仙寺 @ Xiqiao Hill / Mountain 西樵山.
http://lifeinthefareast.blogspot.com/2007/10/weekend-road-trip-in-guangzhou.html

Karen Chu's 1UP Blog: San Francisco Best Buy Black Friday War Wounds

Karen Chu's 1UP Blog: San Francisco Best Buy Black Friday War Wounds
http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=7649905&publicUserId=5462536

You guys got to read this one.... It's bloody hilarious... it's about Black Friday Sales in San Francisco, USA.

Basically we all know that people in China don't follow the rules on Lining up! Well the story goes about the 100's of Chinese that showed up for the sale, didn't abide by the clearly led lines.... got kicked out a few times and so on....
but won't ruin the story... I promise it's good...!

*the tip in the story... watch out now who knows chinese now...!

Sorted... flying back early...Olympic Sites... Badminton

Sorted... my mate came through today... even drove me all the way to the China Air Office,
So I could speak to them in person and change my ticket...

Ended up rebooking all in Chinese... they really didn't speak any english... so managed to get through it...

Afterwards had a good lunch, caught up with my mate... and he offered to take me to play badminton @ his badminton club...

Really cool, haven't played since I arrived to China... so gave me a flavour of how rusty I am, how much I can't smash... how much my back now aches!!!! keep stretching so it won't ache so much tomorrow... but it's all good... !

Also was treated to a drive by... to quickly snap pictures of the Olympic sites... saw 2-3 buildings... but shit loads are right now being built... everything is security checked before you can enter... and the public are blocked from entry... however doesn't stop loads of people taking pics from the Highway and building sights...
Check out the pics...

National Aquatics Centre
National Aquatics Centre
National Stadium Below
National Stadium Below
National Stadium Below
National Stadium Below
Apologies for the quality of these photos... didn't know I would be visiting, so all I had was my Camera phone on me to take these pics... better then nothing...!
[pics to follow....]

Day of Chilling and a Day of Stress

Today... only had a few things to do,
- Send Gaj to the Airport
- Get my Air Ticket Date Changed
- Get some Rest

1 and 3 were ok, however how much is it a pain in the arse to get people to send Faxes.

Airline demanded that I should send the ticket via fax and not e-mail.
Fair enough n it... as my ticket was paper not electronic ticket. So I have to call this number, dial 4 and then 1 and then press send.
Way too Difficult for the Hostel people I stay @ as well as the Post Office right next door too...(main post office). Load of bloody bollocks.... and so it will be easier for me to go to the airport to sort out a change in date.... this is tomorrow's plan... however a mate may come through for me... and I may not need to travel to the airport... I hope....!!!!

Roast Duck 烤鸭 for dinner ...

Took Gaj to a famous Roast Duck Restaurant in Beijing...
Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant 全聚德烤鸭店... it's very touristy and it's listed in the Lonely Planet.
It's @ 9 Shuaifuyuan Hutong. On a Thu evening, it's not too busy, you may have to wait 20 mins for a table around 6-8pm.
However as I don't know my way around Beijing yet... it will do... It's expensive!!! 很贵！
Food is good... but we broke under 300 元 for that meal... pretty pricey for a chinese meal. But Great tasting Duck!!!! 好吃烤鸭
Below pic... is the Golden Street @night

Visited the Summer Palace 颐和园

Took the Subway upto Xizhimen Station, then took the bus no.375 号 or 106,
We took the no.375号 there...

Bus Fare only cost around 1.50 元 for each person one way... Journey Time takes around 1.5 hours.
So much cheaper then a Coach and again you can do this on your own schedule, but bare in mind things close in the Palace around 3.30pm in winter time... so get there any time before and you can have a long stroll around. Really aim for 0.5 a day.

We got there kind of late... however still had opportunity to walk around see some things before it got too dark...
We paid a general admission fee of 20 元

Went to the Street Market...东华门夜市

Went along to the Street Market after seeing the Great Wall...
Street market was @ Donghuamen Night Market（东华门夜市）, very close to the main Golden Street of Beijing. opens from 3pm-10pm.
Things do cost a bit more as it meant for tourists... however they stock a huge selection of things to eat...

[bit blurry above pic... as I was eating one handed and taking pics...]
Tried Snake, Prawn and Beef (I think)... Snake taste ok... goes down ok... nothing special, but I liked the spice I got on it...

Great Wall of China 长城 (Badaling 八达岭）

Well this is kind of weird story how I got conned a bit....
Basically I was hunting around for a cheap and convenient option to take a Coach / bus to the Great Wall 长城, I was told in some guide books that you can take a Tour bus Coach for 90RMB from the Coach station located not too far from the Beijing Exhibition Centre (@Zhanlanguan Lu) subway stop Qianmen.

So basically found a booth, but no one was sitting inside it, however there were 2 guys sitting outside it...
They said there wasn't anyone on the 1130am coach (the last one of the day), so if I wanted to go to the great Wall, they could sort out another coach / car to go for around 300RMB for 2 people.
Part of me is just a bit lazy, I wanted to get the Great Wall of China out of the way...
The Agreement was to drive to the wall and back, at my convenient time. Also to include entry fee into the wall and any Tolls.

So we agreed to go... (my mate and me), so a car suddenly shows up, takes us around the block for a swap in driver, which was neglected to be mentioned to me.
So everything else was fine, we were driving on the right road up to the Great Wall, then after that we hit a toll booth, and the driver asked me for the money to pay for it...
....yes Alarm bells start to sound off.... more money coming out of my pocket.

So we got to the Wall, and then sat in the car for a while to discuss prices and what was going on...
I was unhappy first that I had to pay the Toll Fee, and then the guy told me to that I will have to pay as well for entry (40 RMB) into the Great Wall. I argued with him for around 20 mins, burning a fair bit of time, I wanted to test he's nerves without pissing him off.
So end Story after we left the car, was that I would part with 200 RMB as payment to get to the wall, and @ 3.30pm return (time was 1.30pm) to the car and pay another 100RMB to get back to Beijing.
Had already mentioned to the driver that I would pay him the 200RMB and find my own way back to Beijing. Guess he didn't think I would really do it... (come to that later)...

So went up the wall... Check out the photos...



























[photos]

3.30pm approached and we descended the wall, I decided I was through pissed off with the driver, that I didn't want to get back in the car, and opted to hunt for the Cheap bus that takes you into Beijing for 12RMB.

So we walked across the Parking lot, on the adjacent side of the road to the Main car park. So basically the Parking lot for cars is separated from the Coach / bus stop by a highway and a hill.
No Danger of the Punk that was cheated me spotting me and ordering me back into his car to get cheated more...

So went up to the Bus (no. 919号) that takes you back into Beijing and were stopped by a 30's man and woman, talking to us in a mix of chinese and english insisting that the Bus does not go back to Beijing from there but in fact from another location... on another area another words.
But they had a car/ taxi that could take us to that bus stop!

We were a bit tired about this con, and was uneasy taking advice from people that weren't in uniform telling us this. So we waited for the next bus, to get on board to ask the driver for his advice.
Found out that in fact the bus (no. 919号) does stop there and would only need to wait 10 minutes for the next one!
Waiting and got on it... Only cost around 12RMB to get down to Beijing, near enough to a subway station (Jishuitan subway 500m east of the old gate Deshengmen) that would take us home as well!!! Takes 2 hours... last bus is @ 6.30pm

So beware of people conning you!!! We got half conned... stung only slightly as the guy was unable to completely butt **** us completely... which was lucky indeed.... So even if you know Mandarin you can still get conned...

The bus is worth the money... most people are either too lazy to find out where the bus you take, or prefer the luxury of a tour coach.
But the way we did it, was on our schedule and come and go as you please... take your time... enjoy the view, take pics and chill out...

Photos from Tinanamen square and Forbidden City

Luckily the Hostel I have selected is very close to Tinanamen Square and Forbidden City,
It's around 20 min walk or a subway ride (2 stops for 2 RMB) and quick walk.

Photos below are typical Beijing street scene...

This was a funny one below... A sign warning cars not to come up the Wrong Way Street.

These below are pics from the Palace and Tinanamen Square




Outside around 4.30pm ish they stop traffic (cars outside) and stop entrance and exit in the Forbidden Palace, for change of guard as well as lowering the flag in Tinanamen Square.

Watch the Square, lots of people will approach you to buy gifts or beg for monies...

Busy busy...

On Monday... busy busy...
Rushing crazy to find somewhere to post my gear back to UK...
Had a mate offer to use his business contact to send some stuff back via a freighter via sea...

However was a bit urgent to Mail back as I had to fly to Beijing on Tue...
So @ a cost of 337RMB (approx...22 quid) and @ a weight of 10Kg, I sent some clothes and books back to UK using the Post Office in Shanghai. I went to the International Post Office in North Suzhou Road and North Sichuan Road. There people are more civil, they also sort you out... I managed to do all this in Chinese but I had expected to find the international service to do it all in English...
They will prob arrive later like after xmas I expect...
more details...

International Post Office
[Guoji youju]
Corner of Sichuan Beilu and Suzhou Bei Lu 2nd Floor, times 8.30am-11am & 1-4.30pm.
The section for International Parcels is in the same building around the corner, poste restante is at counter no 7.
Sourced from Lonely Planet Guide.

After this had lunch then hit the gym (last time to do it in Shanghai this year!!!!... sad!!!)
Also said a final good bye to my trainer as well...

Then off to Yu Gardens to check out some trinkets to buy as souvenirs for mates... bargained hard a bit here and there...
Then off home to Pack... should have met up with another friend for another final goodbye... but I've been soo tired this trip to Shanghai meeting up people and touring with my mate...

But now really sad to say goodbye to Shanghai... it almost feels final... but perhaps only for this year... waiting on my job offers and will come to a decision what to do...

Now here in Beijing, I reckon I would had been stoned today if I hung out all night in Shanghai...

Back in Beijing now...

Busy days...

Busy day...

On Sunday
- Dragged my butt down to the gym... late start...
- Booked Plane tickets to Beijing
- Met up with Billy to collect my luggage (Shit to send back to UK) and swap stories...
- Met up with another mate for a drink, again swap stories and a final goodbye... :(


- Street Food @ WuJiang Road 吴江路
- Wanders around Xintiandi

Things done today

In Shanghai 在上海

- Gone Gym

- Met a friend up for lunch


- Showed People's square To Gaj


- The Bund to Gaj











- Had a Korean Meal




- Went Clubbing

Xi'an 西安

Today... Saw the Terracotta Warriors... quite a good experience...
We went up taking a bus from the train station to the Warriors preservation grounds... only costing 8 RMB...
Basically met an American in Chengdu who had seen it and had recommended it to us, and said that it costs bare bucks to go on a tour... like 300 RMB close to... and it's much better to take the bus and hire a Guide (in english) in the grounds.

My link to photos is ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/livestrongjon/sets/72157603214293943/

I managed to bargain down a guide from 100 RMB down to 50 RMB for 2 people... she showed us around and gave us a reasonable brief history of the Terracotta Warriors.
[pic]
Essentially some of the warriors have been excavated, but some have been left in the ground, due to unknown ways to extract them properly (colours almost fade within 3 days literally...) , as well as no grounds to keep them in good condition yet...
There are different warriors from the Common foot soldier all the way up to Generals.
All of them to watch the Emperor in the next life.







After the tour, we chilled out @ a restaurant nearby the grounds... quite pricey... for tourists I guess... we also saw Furs to buy (dogs?).

After this.... we headed back to the town, checked out a local Park.
Then took the plane to Shanghai...

My link to photos is ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/livestrongjon/sets/72157603214293943/

Xi’an 西安(2 days)

Staying @ LuDao Hostel, it’s ok, very close to the Railway Station, has a decent café with cheap food (English and Chinese) as well as a good travel service as well, to book plane tickets (which we have) and Tours to go on as well (but a little expensive).

We aim to see the Terracotta warriors tomorrow, and that’s it as the weather is pretty crappy…
Today, we checked in, got conned by a taxi driver taking us from the train station to the Hostel (no meter ) and got conned by 30 yuan (approx 2 quid)… I was too tired to argue, and too much hassle to jump out of the cab to hail another…
Also walked around, Gaj now seems to have more people stare at him… some smile, some laugh… some continue to laugh.

My link to photos is ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/livestrongjon/sets/72157603214293943/




Checked out some of the City walls as well as saw the Muslim Mosque and Big Goose Pagoda.
[Pics]













Weather sucks here… it’s foggy, but again adds to the atmosphere of walking around. The city Walls here look great covered in Fog.



There is a real atmosphere in the Muslim Mosque, it’s a huge complex inside, with street markets, street food and loads of people walking around…

Shall fly to Shanghai Today, moving off early and missing out (Hua Shan Mountain) as the weather sucks still… thick fog… So shall leave earlier then expected…
Should Check out Terracotta warriors and Qin Tombs…

My link to photos is ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/livestrongjon/sets/72157603214293943/

Chengdu 诚都 for 2 Days

Stayed @ the Dragon Town Guest House (hostel) as recommended by Lonely Planet (china) [www.dragontown.com.cn]. Staff are really friendly and down to earth, and communicate very well in both English and Chinese.
Here we also booked…
- Our Panda Tour
- Train tickets to Xi’an
- Sichuan Opera Show

My set for Pics is .... http://www.flickr.com/photos/livestrongjon/sets/72157603212294623/




We got a group room to share with 8 others, but as no one else showed up, we had the room to ourselves (also had a bathroom with but had a really funked up smell!)
The facilities are really good, have free internet access, and some areas you can pickup a open Wi-fi as well…
Hating these toilets.... all over the place in shops and everywhere....
For our First evening we also walked around, near the Dragon Town Hostel , many of the buildings are still very traditional. With the Fog in the evening, it brought a real atmosphere to the streets, with people playing Ma jong indoors, people drinking beer outside and playing cards, and Street Food sold outside too…
[PIC]


Also tried a Sichuan Hot Pot for dinner that evening… I managed to get by on my Chinese and ordered a mixture of veg and meat, no choice for the Base really… just spicy and spicy… only 2 things I ordered and just guessed to order…
Was a lot hotter then I expected, Gaj also wasn’t use to the spices either… but felt really felt good stepping out into the cold… my head felt really warm and alert…








After this we went to watch a Sichuan Opera Show. Was really cool to watch the famous face changing Show, Hand shadow show and some others….

Munch Time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQuv9t6ktGM





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYgAWS0Xkmw











http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwGgjWKo7AQ
Red Pandas


The Next day (Wed) we woke early @7.30am to take the minibus to the Panda Camp.
Met a few other travellers, a newly wed couple (Liverpool, UK), UK guy, Oz Guy and an American Girl.
Why so early? Well the pandas are most active this time of day, they play and eat at this time…
Was really cool to watch them rise, munch…

…and then later we also saw a pack 8 of them, playing non stop… pushing each other off the play park.

Was quite funny, there was a chinese group of tourist... all shouting comments such as kissy kissy... and well listening to the comments that went to chinese was equally funny... usual sex jokes and humping....

After this there is an opportunity to cuddle a Panda and take a pic of it… however the price is steep it’s around 1000 yuan (approx 66 quid). It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it’s expensive!
Later we also visited a Nursery to see baby pandas. However there is no opportunity to take photos, this they ban… but they are also very cute and cuddly at that age! (3 months)

Also check out the museum, has loads of information about the animals in both Chinese and English.
Museum gift shop has tons of things to buy, can even buy Dried Panda dung, also moulded into sculptures as well!






After this we went back to the Hostel, Chilled out for a bit walked around, checked out the main square area of Chengdu.
[PIC]
Weather was bad still… and decided to head to Xi’an on an overnight train. (earlier then expected). Also our Taxi driver to the Train Station, was a dead ringer for Hiro (from Heroes) he spoke like him in Chinese…

Would had like to spend more time in Chengdu, but the weather at the time was not very good, was quite foggy, and perhaps a little smoggy too… (see photos), I’m not too sure about smoggy as I starting not tell the difference!
Would had loved to see the 3 Gorges (nearish by, as well as the Buddha (@ Le Shan) made from Rock)




Train Journey was cool, met 2 other travellers, one from Chengdu and another from Xi’an. Both were friendly, and after a while really wanted to practice their English…
This was also Gaj’s 1st time on a overnight sleeper train!
Also I realised that there are other sections to the train asides from the Hard and Soft sleeper section, there is a café on board, to sit and eat meals cooked from the Kitchen, as well as Seated section for short stops.

My set for Pics is .... http://www.flickr.com/photos/livestrongjon/sets/72157603212294623/


More Panda vids... (not mine orginally found on the Shanghaiist page... and credit to the youtube poster)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2oI9Y-3wAo&eurl=http://shanghaiist.com/2007/11/29/panda-monium.php


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDvzOLRLjPc&eurl=http://shanghaiist.com/2007/11/29/panda-monium.php


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YANcNK4eQTc&eurl=http://shanghaiist.com/2007/11/29/panda-monium.php

HK for 3 days…

Hostel rooms... @ Dragon Hostel





Met up with a mate (Gaj) in HK to show him around China and HK, This was a Sat nite, so I showed him around Ladies Street and Tsim Sha Shui (Avenue of Stars)
For Sunday we started off with a good old Dim Sum Session (in Central / Times Square) with some mates of mine in HK(S + M).



Then after that wandered around Central checking out the City buildings. For some reason there was a huge camp out of Philipionos under the HSBC tower and surrounding area… they were there all day… I suspect it had something to do with the election in HK.



After this we took the Star Ferry across to Tsim Sha Tsui to check out the view from the Boat.


Showed Gaj to the Kowloon Walled City Park, Essentially it’s quite similar to a walled City, walled of areas / Grounds showing a range of lakes, Pagondas, Childrens Play Area (incl Bicycle Park, Running Park, Rides etc…)
[Pic]
After this was Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, this temple was quite large, it’s main trait is the sheer number of fortune tellers it has…


For the Evening we took the Bus to the Peak. Take lots of pics… This time of Year is damn cold, so make sure you take a coat!
Also took a peak at the Mid Levels, saw a Batman shoot take place (well the area was blocked off near a City building… looked like someone was gonna dive off!)



Took a drink in Lan Kwai Fok as well… More quite on a Sunday and still very Friendly.
After that think we headed to Ladies Street again and the Mongkok Computer Centre.
Monday
[Fitness First in Kowloon... The Gateway]
Went Gym again… also booked Tickets for Chengdu, met up with a Friend for lunch as well… and the evening was spent… Checking out Apliu Street Market, Dragon Computer Centre as well.
Next Day flew out to Chengdu… Via China Air (not bad), Also saw Beyonce walking in the airport… v hot!!!


Places Visited
- Avenue of Stars
- Star Ferry crossing
- Symphony of Lights Show
- Soho / Mid Level Escalators
- The Peak
- Apliu Street Flea Market and Dragon Computer Centre
- Kowloon Walled City Park (Tang Tau Tsuen Road)
- Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple (Wong Tai Sin)

Below pic shot of the MTR in HK
Things done
- Shopping in Ladies Market (Tung Choi Street)
- Dim Sum in Times Square
- A Drink in Lan Kwai Fong

Studying Cantonese in Guangzhou

I studied for 3 weeks in Guangzhou...

Here are the details of the School I studied @...
http://www.joy-chinese.com/contact.htm
Original Website...
http://www.joy-chinese.com
JOY Chinese Language Training
Tele : (0086)-(20)-38815306 or 13352825155
Email :alicelm@pub.guangzhou.gd.cn alicelm@joy-chinese.com
Address: Room 1105,Qiaohong block,Guanghua Plaza,No.86 Tianhe north
road,Guangzhou, China
Postcode: 510620

For around 120-150 RMB an hour, I paid 30 hours up front to study Cantonese... obviously however the school main speciality is to teach Mandarin.
I learned quite a bit, combined learning cantonese with Mandarin, I was able to also use english with my teacher. Grammar of course is very different with Cantonese and Mandarin as I found, and I also found that I remembered some things in Cantonese and learned some new things as well.

It's a good school, very central, easy to get to by bus or Taxi and the staff were very friendly to me, this especially since I hung around a lot to use the internet @ the school using my computer.
Some pics I took whilst I was there....

Great Wall old hat as Beijing eyes Great Wheel | Oddly Enough | Reuters

Great Wall old hat as Beijing eyes Great Wheel | Oddly Enough | Reuters

London Eye Replacement Equivalent in Beijing China

Miss snowboarding!!!

here is a clip of me in Switzerland... if you have sound... you will hear me bumping into my Camera man! (Cheers Jan)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkqgzbfnuT4

Pics of near where I live in Guangzhou

Tsing Tao Beer... Favourite Beer for me in China
My Breakfast most days.... Char Siu Buns (meat in a bun)
Fruit Sold from the van, portable easy to setup anywhere...

Traffic Traffic Traffic...



Basketball Courts, Badminton and Tennis courts @ the University I'm staying at...

British Phrases or well known Slang.

Well I'm writing this as people in China always ask me what is British Slang, and sometimes I can't even think about it to realise what it is... This entry is also prompted by a friend from US, who was commenting on my Blog recently and had to ask for what word meant what....

Got Beef with you- I’m angry (pissed) at you for something…

Brolley- Umbrella

Britain, UK, = England

Pair of Brassy ones – Balls (on men)
Have you got any Stones- same as above

Chav- Person always dressed in sports wear, young, rude, always noticeable by their loud mobile phone pumping out loud MP3 pop / Rap / Hip Hop music.

Chugger- A person stopping you in the street, to sign you up to something… in London most cases are Monthly Direct Debit for Charity.
Nick named after Charity and Mugger… 2 words into 1.

Flip Flop- aka slippers

Aga – A traditional Oven, that bakes things at really high temperatures. Needs special cookware to use.

Bling- Shiny Big flashy Jewellery, so obvious you need to blind to miss it… normally big Rings with Rocks… or necklaces with a stone.

Wellingtons- Big Boots to keep your feet wet in the rain

Marks and Sparks- M&S aka Marks and Spence’s, A department Store in the UK that sells most things (However there are still international branches in the world like Hong Kong)

Andrew Lloyd Webber- makes loads of well known Musicals like Cats.

Gay / Fag / Homosexual / Dyke / - means you like the same sex as yourself. However the way it’s all used nowadays it’s damn hard to work out what it all means…e.g. Your bag is so gay…. Your phone is so gay

Slang – An insult … pretty close to slut.

Wank

Cunt – aka C U Next Tue

Central Heating- Way of heating up your House / Flat / Apartment using radiators (heating water over pipes)

Pantomime- A play traditionally @ xmas with lots of songs .

Knick-Knacks means Snacks

Eagle Eyed- Someone who spots unobvious things

Hide the Cigar – Hide the sex

Buck Rogers- Old Space TV Show of a guy who travelled the universe saving humanity.

Great Telly- Very Good TV Show

Mate- Used often in a sentence, Hey Mate, Yo Mate, Cheers Mate. Just to acknowledge a guy.

Love- Used often in a sentence, Hey Love, Cheers Love. Just to acknowledge a girl.

Lame Duck to Golden Goose- Well from poor to golden (rich).

Time Off in Lieu- Time given back to you… as hours, Days Off.

Hoodies- Thugs that wear tops (jumpers) with hoods to mug you.

Taking the Piss / mickey (now offensive? To the Irish) / - means are you making fun of this or me?

Lads- Guys

Filofax- an Organizer / Calendar / Address book / Note book

Lewd / Innuendo Remarks – found this really hard to explain, but I try again… it’s when a guy makes comments to provoke a reaction out of a girl, it’s kind of flirting but not…


Fight Talk
Gave him a Lynching / Let him have it / Give him a beating – beat the shit out of him.

Go Down like a sack of Potatoes – Let just say I would use one of the phrases above and tie it in with this one… its in addition like sugar / Cherry on top of a cake.

Finish it… outside… Finish it… - Generally used by passer bys jeering you on to beat the living snot out of the other man.

You’re a Nob! You’re a Dick

Slapper Bitch Whore from Hell – Well this is just a bitch of a statement isn’t it… A Slapper is a girl who sleeps around a lot… aka a slut.



TV shows well known in UK
I’m a Celebrity get me out of here- Lame Reality show dumping A-C list celebrities into jungles and watching them moan and bitch about the simple shit and doing really weird and disgusting stuff… modelled on Jap reality shows

X Factor / Pop Idol

Dragon’s Den

Ready Steady Cook

The Weakest link

Who wants to be a Millionaire

I ain't made in China... but I'm still Chinese... my popular phrase at the moment!

On Sat, ended up chatting to a guy I was sharing his table in Mcds. Turn out he was from the Hunan Province, he didn’t understand when I asked if the seat was free to sit, when said in Chinese… so I tried again in English and he got it.
He asked the question why I spoke to him in English… and what languages I could speak.. I told him I can speak English, Mandarin and a little Cantonese. Then the standard normal question so where are you from… 我是因国人。I’m British.

La De Da!!! I’m not made in China, but I’m still Chinese! Just that their isn’t a Sentence that will satisfy an answer that I am overseas British born Chinese. You know that won’t invite more questions and more questions about my parents, their parents and so on….
However leading onto another topic, seems many Guangzhou people are worried that many are coming from other Chinese cities to take their jobs, or sell their crap or beg. Same is already as such in Shanghai, as you can’t even walk in the street or on the subway without someone grovelling in front of you for spare change.

Autumn has arrived to Guangzhou, China

Was dragging my suitcase home on Wed afternoon in the rain...

Stupid me forgot to check the weather for Guangzhou before I left HK... I was being cheap and took the bus home... so meant I had to negotiate with the uptight Bus driver that I was only going 2 stops... and not to be alarmed that my suitcase was gonna take up that much space... on his 80% empty bus.

Yup been away for a week and a half, was cooling down before I left, but now I'm no longer turning on the A/C in my room when I go to sleep, have to bring a brolley every time I go out now... and start bringing out my hoodies to look more Hard! and yeah to keep warm!

Temp today is 22C in the day and 15C @ night... yeah all the people in Shanghai and London... don't beat me up for saying Autumn is here... I know your freezing your buns off too!!!

One and a Half Weeks in Hong Kong

Well it’s been a while since I’ve blogged, well it’s because I’ve been hanging out with my mates from the UK in HK.
I’ve come out of China for a week and half to renew my China VISA, however it is just good coincidence that I have many friends living in HK or visiting for a holiday / renewing their HK ID card.

My pic Link for this trip... (As I have not put all photos on this blog...)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/livestrongjon/sets/72157602769256287/

1st day
Well I arrived into HK via train, which was my 1st experience to do so by myself. I took the train from Guangzhou East Station (P.R.C) into Hung Hom Station (HK S.A.R.). Came a little earlier to met up a friend (Lai) who was flying out to Thailand that very same day. When I spoke to her on the phone… I was like wow… so that is what English is suppose to sound like!
Basically I’ve been wondering for a while how bad my English had taken a hit on being out in China for 8-9 months now… and was as I expected… my slow….mmmmm…. pausing when I express myself… and range of very…. Simple….mmmm English!
Chatting to Lai I realised I’ve indeed been out here a while (I know ain’t that obvious) lot I’ve learned from being out here, range of views to see the world and the pro’s and con’s of working out in the far east.

After this my mate (哥哥 aka My Long) from Work arrived he was flying in from Japan, he had taken a holiday there for more then 2 weeks. Was awesome to met him up here in HK, for one he got my English back to normal within 2 days flat virtually, and it’s been bare long since I’ve chat to anyone face to face that I’m pretty close with.
So we ended up holding up in a Hostel in the Middle of Mong Kok. Really central and damn cheap as well, 220HKD (around 7 quid) a night (shared twin room) per person.
Downside I guess is that the rooms are really really small… enough room to sleep on a tiny single bed… room under the bed to stow 1 and a half suitcases… TV, Free phone (local calls only), free broadband (wireless) and shared bathroom (again really tiny… toilet and shower unit all in one small space).
I guess I’m use to the shower unit and toilet units being so close to each other, after being out in China for so long… was only reminded by my friends when they saw it and were like woooooooooooowwwww…. It’s small!!!

This place is called the Dragon Hostel, www.dragonhostel.com it’s located 7 floors up as well, so it’s not very easy to find, but not impossible either… it’s like opposite Ladies Market as well.

Day 2




Generally wandering around, checking out Computer Centres, Street Markets and a walk around the Admiralty / Aberdeen Area.
Oh yeah we also ended up racing to the airport to meet some friends flying in from UK, waited around for a bit, and then found out they were arriving the next day instead! Opps! On the plus side got to munch on some Krispy Kreme Donuts @ the airport.


Day 3
Also went to the Gym, went to Fitness First @ the Gateway in Tsim Sha Tsui.
It has a magnificence view of the Harbour, as well as equipped with a Sauna and Steam Room. Think I’m now addicted to using a Steam room now… feels so good after a week out.
More wandering around Computer Markets, I ended up picking up a nice soft foam case for my laptop, so I can stash and protect my laptop in my back pack… the bag I have isn’t really meant for laptops so can scratch up my Laptop a fair bit as well as no padding… which make me wince every time I knock my bag against something…
Later on met up with some of my Dragon boat Crew (RD), a new family (T, W and J) and one of the Girls who moved back out to HK to live (Wendy L)

My Long surprised me, wasn’t really in the loop on the mystery people that were flying in from UK, that I was suppose to know and worked with… hadn’t been announced from any of my other mates that they were coming or seen anything on facebook suggesting this either… So was a surprise to met up with Jason and Irene, peeps from John Lewis, they had taken a semi last minute holiday out here, as a b-day treat and guarantee from My Long to Show them around… Little would they know that they would leave very light… and go shopping nuts!!!

Day 4

Yeah ummm Jason... Don't eat the feet... just the meat ok!


Went out for Dim Sum, after that also did some exploration of the Harbour (Tsim Sha Tsui)
After that went to the dock / Harbour to take some more pics...

Day 5
Earlier met up with Peggy, someone I went Snowboarding earlier this year, but haven’t seen since. Was cool catching up and found out a lot about her.
Spend in the evening in Central checking out Lan Kwai Fong, which is basically the main clubbing / bar area of Hong Kong.
Scottish Chinese people out and about blowing on Bagpipes.


Really lively here, Streets were full of people celebrating early Halloween, dressed up, taking photos of those dressed up as well as Oasis celebrating it’s 1 year anniversary.

Actually I can’t remember which club we ended up in… but it was an open bar till 9.30pm @ 200 HKD. Music was so so, it was hip hop and R&B however, the DJ played many remixes so was hard to tell how the song was beating… I got 2 numbers that night, from 2 guys I chatted to. They were overseas Chinese from UK as well, so they were telling me how HK clubbing life was like.
Essentially it revolves around who you know, and many of the “good clubs” are all members only… in some cases will have free entry and cheap drinks too… but you can only get in if you know someone.

HK Girls seem to group together a lot! Really hard to chat to any of them or to dance with them, they only seem to separate towards the end part of the night.

Day 6





Met up with Hannah and Abi (Fun) from UK. Hung out with them, and went shopping… Was cool to chat and catch up, find out who’s getting engaged and who’s hooked up… A lot has happened since I’ve been gone… (Aka Gossip)
Cheesy Shot... but what the Hey... Mylong was too Lazy to get off his butt to walk to the bus... so he used his 18X lens to capture this moment!
Now you see them... now you don't!!!
My Long rocking it!!!



Later on also ended up at the Peak as well, Took some funny Photos as well.

You can now pay by using your Octopus card as well now to go up to the Peak building. Watch out for the Shrimp Shop, they did a copy of all things mentioned of “Bubbha Shrimp Company” in Forest Gump the film… some pretty cool gifts and memorabilia. Oh yes also watch out for the “Gadget Shop” as well, the sales assistants get too friendly with the head massage thing, looked like she sneaked up behind my friend and proceeded (look like stabbing her) to demonstrate a head massager. Try to go on a clear night… our night from the photos was pretty smoggy / foggy but we still got some good pictures.






Dragon Ball Z pose...

Also took a walk down Temple Street market as well, was pretty quiet down there, had some unusual things there, but it’s there for the seedy stuff… Maybe it was the time we visited (late) but it defiantly seemed seedier with hookers walking around.

Day 7















Dragon Punch!

Oh Buddha...




Went to Lantau Island to check out the Big Buddha (for me 2nd time this year), was a lot longer to get there this year, due to the Sky Cabins shut down indefinably till they are fixed (back in June 2007 a sky cabin had fallen, so MTR grounded the whole service). So now you have to take the bus up, which can take anything from 1-3 hours to get up.



For Dinner We tried the Hairy crab that I was hunting down… Really good stuff…!!!
Crab waffle cone is the shit!!!


Day 8






















Did a quick round of Avenue of Stars (Tsim Sha Tsui) took some great Pics and Plenty of Posing.




After this also headed over to Sai Kung Fishing Village (Hang Hau MTR and a bus ride) to munch on Sea Food and check out the pier.
Ate a lot of food, but really good stuff… to pick what you wanted, and have it cooked the way you wanted…!

Part of the way through walking around, we watched a group of kids attend a running club pacing it up and down the dock. We all thought this is exactly what kids need in UK in the evenings a decent run up and down the dock… however we also realise that it’s just not that safe in London from perverts, sickos, muggers, rapists and so forth…
Pick your food... Some were scrabbling away so fast they fell into the other tanks...
Dinner in a bag... waiting cooking orders before heading to the Kitchen...


Day 9




Headed to Lamma Island. You can get there by taking a Ferry from Central (around 40 mins ride). Pretty nice beaches, and also quiet (it maybe as it was drizzling that day...).















Other things noticed on this trip
I’m a chicken… I’m using my Mandarin to get around, when I want to use Chinese to speak to shop people / Restaurant people or anyone else. Basically instead of my Cantonese, although I have been trying… but unsuccessfully a bit…
Sometimes it’s received well, for instance in high market places… but using mandarin in markets is a no no… they don’t like it and they aren’t so helpful.
But what I find odd is that in the HK tourist guides they advise using English and Putonghua (Mandarin). Which is really really wrong… people use Cantonese still and prob will do so for another generation or 2.

Prob Visited Ladies Market an unbelievable amount of times!!! Ditto for the Mongkok Computer Centre as well… only 2 weeks away and I be doing it all again!

HK Girls, well I guess I would say they are a lot shorter then the Girls in China. However in both “countries” they seem to enjoy crash dieting so many girls complain about being fat… and consequently diet crazy so they can be thin. The difference I guess is that more girls here would actually go to the gym to shape their body…
Many adverts seem to show the ideal image as being very thin… I don’t like it! My long was arguing fiercely how bad it was… and it’s true… pop stars and girls advertising thin camps, trying to get girls down to their ideal image.

Spent a lot of time shopping this trip… but I didn’t buy much, well due to the fact I still have to budget for another month before I get back to UK.

Got to know and re-bonded with my friends this trip.

In a way feel homesick from this experience, now back in Guangzhou.

I'm running across the road with no regard to traffic... Then realising shit my friends are still waiting on the other side of the road like civilised people!

Hong Kong is defiantly more expensive then Shanghai is.

Seen a different side to HK on this trip!

Words stuck in my mind from this trip
- Snap
- Sweet as a nut!

Muji in HK stocks food and is just sooo much bigger!!!
Watched a lot on this trip my friends shop crazy!!! Watching them empty their pockets on bare bargains… man how broke are they!

My Pic Link again... (As I have not put all photos on this blog...)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/livestrongjon/sets/72157602769256287/

Also details on my last HK trip are here also...
http://lifeinthefareast.blogspot.com/2007/05/shot-off-to-hong-kong-for-golden-week.html
Pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/livestrongjon/sets/72157600579003067/