Dec 11, 2013 - 11/12/13

11/12/13 and we visited friends and Australian family members today for lunch. We so enjoyed our time with lunch and wine and so many hilarious moments than our sides ached. Pam, Annette, Sandra, David, Lyn, Geoff and Charlotte. Drove down Beach Road admiring architecture of buildings hat looked pristine. Weather cold and gusty again although warmed up a bit later. Collected Cameron from basketball training and fed him sausages while Charlotte spent time with Gigi rehearsing for Sunday's performance at the Dance school. Talked to Jean...

Dec 9, 2013 - Point Leo

We came down to Point Leo on a cold Thursday. The house Charlotte had booked for us seemed very cold and not much like the one she and Michael let out in Cornwall. And there were no towels even thought they had been paid for. The car was emptied of all the bags we'd brought from 11 McCallum St - still from the 'fridge and pantry and gin etc too. We were on the beautiful Mornington Penisula last visited in 1999. Charlotte got in touch with the letting people and towels were promised and delivered next day. We visited T'Gallent winery and...

Dec 7, 2013 - Hong Kong

Heathrow to hong kong went without a problem, can't believe we are on our way after 4 month's of planning. Hong Kong airport is an hours journey from the city centre and it is 10pm so we don't see a lot except for lights. Went for a Chinese and was not that impressed with the food, proper English Chinese is much better, Up at 7.00 next morning as jet lag kicks in (8 hours ahead). Decided to visit the Peak which is a big hill overlooking the city and a tourist attraction. Went up the hillside in a funicular type tram, very touristy at the...

Dec 5, 2013 - Nanning/Hanoi/Cat Ba Island

We liked Nanning - walking along the river, through what remains of the old section which is not much. Seems the “old” China is being completely obliterated. Complicated I know – people are entitled to live in decent safe housing with sanitation but at the cost of destroying villages and communities…..glad it’s not my problem. One day chanced upon a large park with about 1000 people broken into small groups with singing (karaoke style), playing mah-jong, cards, dancing etc. Fantastic, so there is some community left. Some China...

Dec 4, 2013 - Melbourne first few days

After the searing heat of the first day the weather has cooled considerably. Rain on Tuesday night woke us up as the roof is flat. We travelled by rail into the City on Wednesday meeting Michael for lunch in a cafe in one of the lanes by the old Post Office. The rain was still hammering down intermittently though many shoppers and workers didn't bother with brollies. The City is more crowded and with a distinct Asian face since the millennium. The new exchange Square buildings are extraordinary and extensive. Somewhere to go back and...

Nov 30, 2013 - Hong Kong day 3

Impressed by Hong Kong - travel exceptionally easy and cheap too. Mass Transit System clean and fast and even the bus out to Stanley was fast comfortable and efficient. Having right money is important but actually so cheap compared to London prices for same distance you can afford extra couple of dollars. Stanley was blissful and we had French rose with our fish and chips! We strolled in the warm sunshine and admired the numerous brides posing for their photos round the town. Frocks were carried in handfuls and numerous bridesmaids followed...

Nov 28, 2013 - Shanghai/Nanning

Booked Marvel Hotel in Shanghai for one night through Agoda for $92, glad we did considering the horror night we’d had on the train. Very swanky place which usually charged $210pn. First the key card to the room was faulty, consequently the security guard had to let us in. We then went looking for cheaper rooms, looked at 8, all a bit grotty and still expensive. Had problems getting back into the posh hotel as security didn’t recognise us. Second problem was the faulty router (only took 2 hours, 4 staff and numerous phone calls to ascertain...

Nov 28, 2013 - Hong Kong

What an extraordinary number of sky scrapers here. Looks like the sticker bricks stood on end from a distance. Took a taxi in from the airport and hung around having a coffee while waiting to check in. Changed out of travel clothes on top floor admiring view from gym and outdoor swimming pool. After short nap walked far and wide and sussed out somewhere to come back to for supper. Two free g and t and another paid for and off back to find a meal. Not late to bed and surprised to find ourselves only 24 hours from start. Friday found us up in...

Nov 26, 2013 - Getting ready for the journey

Cases packed and almost ready for the journey. Curious to be away for so long and to see upcoming dates in other people's diaries that we are not going to be here for - a sense of loss in an abstract way. Weighing cases easier with devise rather than jumping on and off scales. Empty fridge and flower vases and eat final meal.

Nov 18, 2013 - Beijing/Xi'an/Shanghai

Still in Beijing – visited the Summer Palace – what a wondrous place. Huge site covering 300+ acres. Quoting from LP: “Once a playground for the imperial court fleeing the suffocating summer torpor of the Forbidden City (POOR SODS!), the palace grounds, temples, gardens, pavilions, lakes, bridges, gate-towers and corridors of the Summer Palace are a marvel of landscaping”. All true and then some. The above mentioned lake was deepend and expanded by a mere 100,000 army of labourers. Absolutely stunning place. I do like the “can do” attitude...

Nov 11, 2013 - China in Review

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? This was the trip of a lifetime and we’re so glad that we had the opportunity to do it with friends. The places in China that we were privileged to visit were educational, interesting and often hauntingly beautiful. I’ve gone back and culled a few gems from the thousand or so photos I kept. They don’t require captioning. They are representative of China, the Chinese people and their ancient history and culture, and us, as a group of friends who had such a fabulous vacation together. I hope you...

Nov 9, 2013 - Hong Kong/Macau/Shenzen/Beijing

On our last night in Hong Kong fell in with some very friendly locals at a nearby eatery who befriended us, consequently next morning caught the ferry to Macau with stinking hangovers (would you believe our first breakout of the trip!). Stayed at Pousada de Mong-Ha Hotel, highly recommended by Trip Advisor. Holy smoke, can understand why all the rave reviews. It’s a training hotel/restaurant run by the government. Consequently all the staff are trying their utmost to please. For $102 per night (including a fantastic b’fast) we had 3 rooms,...