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Blogs from Hangzhou , China, Asia - page 18
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June 20th 2011
Today we decided to tick a tourist spot off our list so set out for Lingyin Temple, a buddhist temple west of West Lake. I have to say it wasn’t one of our most successful journeys… we misunderstood the bus route, missed our stop, then had to navigate our way with a map that proudly stated “not to scale.” So about 45 mins later we finally made it to the bus stop at the end of lingyin road, only to realise that we didn’t actually have any cash and we were heading to a temple in the middle of nowhere, with no food. Sheer stubbornness made us plough on - and we were not to be disappointed. We arrived at the outskirts of the temple parkland only to find that they’d been wiley enough to install ... read more
June 19th 2011
Saturday June 18th.. Woke up on Saturday am, the sun was actually out and I was waiting for my friend Erich to wake up and go shopping.... I deicded to go explore around West Lake. It was hot, hot, hot out!!!! Right beside my hotel, they were having a Jeep promo showing the new Jeep model- which was pretty cool.. I then walked about 2 miles around the lake and saw some beautiful flowers, and the locals enjoying the Lake. I then headed back and hit Starbucks for my coffee fix... Coming out of Starbucks there was a cool Camero on display so I had to take a few pics for my nephews back home... I met up with Erich around 2 and we started shopping which is when the rain decided to start. At first, ... read more
June 15th 2011
Today I turned 41 in China.... The HZ employees surprised me with a very nice cake, Happy Birthday in English and in Chinese :) ... Then my old class of 20 gave me a nice card and my new class of 20 new hires got me a card too. Then for some reason they all wanted their picture with me and hugs- I just went with it. Graham, Erich, Li, Grace, Peter, Lisa, John and I were going to go to Teppanyaki for my birthday but we had a little issue at work and we all ended up helping out till about 7pm. Erich, Graham, Lisa, John and I still went out to eat, had a great time at the Buffet at Oakwood with them... I can't wait for it to be night back home for ... read more
June 14th 2011
We circled Sawasdee's listing in the magazine 'More Hanzghou' in our first week here, so with no dinner plans we thought we would treat ourselves and give it a go. The review said that it was one of the top contenders for the most authentic Thai food in the city, but also promised it wouldn't break the bank. So armed with our magazine cutting we set off in the taxi, which after only 10 mins pulled up right outside the door (It's on the second floor of the Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale, 555 Fengqi Road). A note to anyone else as stupid as us - at the top of the stairs turn right not left. We unwittingly found ourselves being seated by a very friendly Maître'D in a restaurant distinctly un-Thai like. After browsing the very ... read more
June 13th 2011
Monday morning, back to work.... Today was team picture day for the local HZ newsletter. Erich and Graham sported their new suits which they had made while we were in Shanghai. Lisa sported her new skirt she had made their- they all looked very sharp. The little team of 20 that I trained in March has now blossomed in to a team of 38, we have 2 more new hires starting on Wed, which will bring the total up to 40! They are all doing so well and such a joy to train.... It is so hard being over here with the Bruins playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, I have to wait till Tuesday am in China to follow the game and find out who will win game 6- I can't wait. The drive back ... read more
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June 12th 2011
Just a selection of things we have seen as we've been wandering about the city...... read more
June 12th 2011
Hello everyone! On Friday at work, we celebrated our co workers June birthdays.... Happy Birthday to Cynthia, Fiona, and Summer! Saturday am, got up and headed to the Hangzhou Railway station where I met my co- workers Lisa, John, Erich and Graham for our trip to Shanghai.... and what an adventure it was between taking the railway, the subway, walking and taxi's we made our way to the hotel and around Shanghai. Shanghai is a lot more westernized than Hangzhou and is a very large city. We started off in the fabric market where the boys and Lisa were having some suits made which were delivered to the hotel on Sunday at 12 - what service !!! We then walked around the Bund and did some shopping, We started the night off in the " British" ... read more
June 11th 2011
So it’s been a while. I have been in Hangzhou for 3 weeks now and I realize that you know nothing of what is going on. My bad. I feel a discomfort in my chest. I think I feel remorse. Nah. I am just joking. It is just gas from the food. Bah-zinga. Classes are easy. I enjoy History of Asia usually, but International Relations is just giving me terms for things I already know for the most part. The only problem is the class discussions. I am in school with Management and Engineering kids that have no clue how to analyze facts or explain how their horribly incorrect conclusions connect to the point their trying to make. What frustrates me more is that I end up doing exactly what they do and offer counter conclusions ... read more
June 8th 2011
A new teacher arrived the other night so we invited him on our adventure to the night market. It’s on Renhe road just off Yan’an road. Not as much street food there as I was expecting, but we bought some amazing noodles for 5rmb. They were served cold with chilli sauce, peanut sauce, and coriander. Highly recommended! I also tried some fried egg on Tofu. It was good, but a little bland. Having got the taste for street food we ventured to a street market a couple of days later. It was off a street to the north on Tianmushan road, just before Gucui Road. Unfortunately it was bucketing down with rain, so we didn’t want to spend too much time browsing, but we got some great egg fried noodles for only 6rmb. When the weather ... read more
June 8th 2011
My driver this visit only speaks the following English words- Hello, Thank you, Good night. And of course, I speak no mandarin except for Hello and Thank you and even that is not too well. Today going in to work we almost rolled over about 3 pedestrians walking the street and tonight he decided to take on a big bus coming our way... I think I may just need to close my eyes during these journeys. My favorite part of the ride is he has 1 cd that I can guarantee he has no clue what the singers are saying because it s a mix of all American music such as Taylor Swift, Black Eye Peas, Jay Z, Rhianna, and Pussy Cat dolls. I know he just puts it on for me because when I get ... read more
