Blogs from Tonglu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, Asia

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Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou » Tonglu June 22nd 2012

The 1st day of the Dragon Boat Festivalwe took a bus from Hangzhou West Bus station to Tonglu, where Crystal gave us a great 5 hour tour of Tonglu. We hadn't taken a long distance bus this year and it was PACKED full of people due to the holiday. We had no expectations of our time in Tonglu. so it was a very great way to spend one of our last days in China. We checked out Barbizon Miller Resort, Crystal's family members soft shell turtle farm and restuarant, picked Bay Berries on their farm, had a city tour in Crystal's Nissan Teana (US Altima model) and relaxed at her family home with cucumber facials. Crystal's step sister is 24 yrs old and her younger cousin is in high school, it was fun to meet more ... read more
bus ride to Tonglu
Goose & Ducks
sunflower

Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou » Tonglu April 6th 2011

Should've taken my camera last night, but hadn't realised the restaurant would offer such a wealth of photo opportunities. We met up with the Russian family (parents, teenage girl and wee boy) and they suggested a favourite restaurant of theirs over the other side of the river. It's near a korean place we've been to, and on one of my running routes, but is quite expensive so not somewhere we've been before. It was very posh inside with a whole wall lined with fish tanks. I'd say 98% of the restaurants here have fish tanks, but you can tell the quality of a place by how clean they keep them, and these were immaculate. There were crabs of all sizes along with all the usual fishy creatures. The restaurant was a hot pot restaurant, which was ... read more

Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou » Tonglu April 3rd 2011

Exciting times in Tonglu. Rachael and I have lots of weekends away in the diary now, and our last mini holiday to book. We have four days off at the beginning of May and we're trying to decide between going to Suzhou, which is a city, and a beach. I've wanted to go to Suzhou for a while, but kind of feel that we've seen several in the last few months and that it might be nice to do something completely different. No doubt the beach will have temples in the vicinity anyway! I need to check the weather and accommodation etc but I've got my fingers crossed for a beach break. Actually, the weather's been gorgeous up until today. I'm very close to becoming addicted to the mango milkshakes from a new shop near the ... read more

Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou » Tonglu March 28th 2011

We went to a new bar tonight. I went the first time I came to China, but, much like most of the bars in Glasgow, it's changed ownership many times since then. It's current incarnation is called something like 'musibar' and it's our new favourite place :) We went in peak time but it wasn't too smoky. The people were friendly but not in your face and thankfully didn't do that thing of coming to sit at your table and drink your alcohol. There were prostitutes there of course, but I think because Rach and i were there they left our table alone. The music was all western, and I recognised most of it. Some real classics as well as newer stuff. They did that annoying DJ thing of mixing between two songs so you never ... read more

Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou » Tonglu February 17th 2011

We got back from holiday to find that we have another three days off, which is lovely. Gives us a chance to catch up with everything and do laundry (it takes ages, we have the world's oldest washing maching - you actually have to stand over it and hand spin it) before the term starts. On Tuesday night, our first day back, we were in a party mood so Tarik, Benny and their friend Tom came over and we got pizza. We then went out to KTV and much alcohol was consumed, to the extent that even Tarik and I had a go at singing. I did take a video but will not be posting that one anywhere! Despite the pizza we also ordered food in KTV which felt greedy but meant that none of us ... read more
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Night time view from the school
It was so cold in January

Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou » Tonglu January 18th 2011

It is so cold. And I have a cold. Today I'm wearing two pairs of thermal leggings and am quite chuffed that I can still fit into my black skinny jeans over all of that. This is despite eating non stop since I got back (it's a survival mechanism - I'm making my own layer of blubber). Two pairs of socks, fleecelined boots, a thermal top, t shirt, jumper and cardigan. Outside, I'm just about okay (apart from cold toes and nose) but if I go somewhere with AC it gets pretty toasty. It's snowing today. Very light but hasn't stopped all day. I've taken a couple of pictures out which I'll post when I get home. It is beautiful. Unfortunate though because we've been outside a primary school marketing for the last hour and a ... read more

Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou » Tonglu January 11th 2011

Tips to lift a blue mood 1. Put your mp3 on shuffle and be reminded how awesome your music taste really is. Every song is a good one! This is especially effective if you are walking outside, but be warned, you may start grinning like a loon. 2. Learn something. In my case, I restarted my Chinese lessons, even though I've kind of been dreading them. 3. Cook. I find making things from scratch very therapeutic, and feeding other people especially soothing. 4. Teach someone. Amanda made a lovely roast vegetable pesto pasta tonight for the first time, with a little help from me. 5. Exercise. Even if you do feel fat in your gym leggings, it's the only way to get rid of the Christmas love handles. 6. Help someone. Rachael was feeling poorly, me ... read more

Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou » Tonglu January 5th 2011

Today I start work at 3pm. I'm off to the local middle school to do a general interest English class, then I'll have my wee kindergardeners (who I think will be hyper after two weeks off) and, this evening, my adult learners. I am shattered. The journey was about 28 hours door to door and I only managed to doze for about 2. Of course, compared to the mammoth 40 hours trip on the way home it was a breeze, but still very tiring, especially after the last three days at home when I pretty much did nothing but eat. I went to bed at 10 last night and woke up 11.30am because someone phoned me! I hope I haven't slept too long, becuase I really need to be able to sleep tonight. We aren't off ... read more

Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou » Tonglu December 13th 2010

I'm not having formal Chinese lessons at the moment due to a combination of not being able to find the right teacher, and my general busy-ness. I'm using my Rosetta Stone fairly often, but the main conversation practise I get now appears to be in the bath. I've been going for more of the herbal baths at the salon, and in fact they want me to go back every day between now and when I head home for Chrismas. I don't *think* it's just because I'm really dirty, rather the bath is a preparation for this vibrating treatment I'm now getting. It's an absolute luxury, and all in takes about 2.5 - 3 hours each time. Goodness knows who actually has time to dedicate that long to themselves everyday - I'm going to have to get ... read more

Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou » Tonglu December 2nd 2010

So the last few days I have been indulging in medicine, China style. It's not Chinese medicine, which is generally dried herbs which smell really, really awful but rather the Chinese take on Western medicine. The doctor has been wanting to reduce the infection on my face for ages by poking the acne with a needle, but that is waaaay too sore so after the first time (and the tears!) I have been steadfastly refusing. Then last time we went he suggested that an IV might do the same. Chinese people are big fans of taking medicine via IV drips, rather than topically or orally as it gets into the blood stream more directly so I thought I would give it a go. Initially I tried to take the prescription the doctor at the clinic gave ... read more




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