Reflections in Chinese Garden

After much deliberation on what to do today we caught the MRT to Chinese Gardens. It is a stunning place to walk around with many places to practice with my camera. I have put a few of the reflections I found into the slide show. While there we had to shelter from a terrific thunderstorm. It appeared to be happening right over us. Lightning strikes were happening gefore the last one had finished and thunder was continuously rolling and clapping.

Opening of Arts Festival - A Fire Garden

Bradley suggested we go down to see a fire display near the Asian Civilisation Museum on Sat night after work. We usually shy away from doing do much on a Sat night as we are up early for work the next morning but we were pleased we made the effort. Compagnie Carabosse are France's leading alchemists, they had set the area alight with many different displays of fire. It was impressive to say the least. Below are a series of pictures from the nights walk.

There were static displays as well as many moving ones. We were so impressed that we went back on the Sunday night for the show, only to be thwarted by rain. We visited the Asian Civilisation Museum for a wander till the rain stopped. Finally we went back outside and saw they had it many of the fire containers but not the moving one. It was a bit of a let down but still an enjoyable evening.

Helix Bridge

A new bridge opened in Singapore. It links Marina Centre with Marina South. It is an amazing bridge with twisted steel. At night it lights up and is beautiful. It offers a great view of the Fullerton Hotel and the river.

Wayne is pretending to be looking at what the cardboard people ar seeing. it is a very clever advertising ploy.
As you can see the bridge is very different. There were many people,of all ages, walking on the bridge. Locals as well as tourists.
This is from the base looking through to the other end. There are viewing platforms for looking at the business district skyline. We wandered back across the bridge and then went off to have a cold drink - the temperature was in the mid thirties - so it was a very welcome cold drink.
The lights came on and the view was even more spectacular. Next time we will have to go back onto the viewing platform to take photos of the business skyline.
In the background is the Singapore Flyer.

Back in Hong Kong

We arranged with the hotel to take a bus back to Hong Kong. The scene was mainly industrial but we were still enthralled and we want to go back a explore some more and go further into the wonderful country. After crossing the border in a small fan and being dropped off at the airport we finally found the bus to take us back to Lynda's. The next morning we were up and ready for breakfast and off to find the bus to Tai-O village. We went to 3 bus terminal places till we found the right one and lined up with the locals. People were going going onto the bus and then they stopped so we assumed the bus was full. The people in front of us parted and were calling us to go through and onto the bus. The bus ride was interesting going up and down valleys and getting glimpses of the sea. Then we were at the village and wandering though the market discovering all sorts of interesting things for sale.Dried whole fish, dried eggs and many other fascinating stuff. Finally we wandered down past there homes and through some trees where we saw what we thought were butterflies flying only to find that they were cicadas. They were huge!
Along another track we found this lady spreading and turning over this pink paste of shrimps.
It was such a picturesque little fishing village.
And then it was off to see the big Buddha on the hill and we were in awe of this big guy. The first view was like 'wow'...and each view afterwards was like that too.
Being advised to take the Gondola down was one of the best things we did. We queued up and bought our ticket and paid a few extra dollars to have a ride in glass bottomed car. Was worth the extra dollars not to wait for over 45 minutes.
The view was awesome. We were back into Tung Chung and thought we would take a look at Disneyland to see if it was open at night time but alas no it wasn't so we made do with the photo below.
The next morning we went caught a bus to The Peak and were amazed at the view...even though it was smoggy it was incredible. The bus ride up was interesting, going through narrow streets and winding up the hill. We caught the tram down and found our way to take a ferry across to meet up with Lester and Karen who are teaching in Hong Kong.

Then the next day it was time to fly home to Singapore that evening. There was a big question on what to do for the day...so we decided to be kids and to go to Disneyland...it was fun, doing the rides...and I even did a scary one! Well it was scary to me! Ny stomach was not right for at least 20 minutes after the ride.
On the Disneyland train.
Holding the world up at Tomorrowland.
Watch out Buzz...we on our way!
This was the ride I didn't like...felt like I was going to fall out of the car. thankfully it was only a short ride. Hong Kong Disneyland was small but it made me want to go to the big in LA....dreams do happen! I know!

China - day 2

After a short wander around looking for a suitable breakfast we ended up at McDonald's and...yes it tasted it just the same as anywhere else. From here we wandered through some narrow streets and found ourselves at a park. Music was blaring out so we meandered over to it and found that it was a live band playing with an older lady singing in a high Chinese voice. Right beside there was some other music playing and they were doing the old fashioned dancing.

The sign on the rock reads - "I am small, please don't trend on me. Lucky Grass."

Wayne is outside a beautiful temple at the end of the park.
I am still amazed at what they load onto their bikes!

China - day 1

Our hotel in Zhu Hai was wonderful, it had a revolving restaurant, where we had dinner. Unfortunately it wasn't revolving for breakfast. After checking out we asked if they could book us a hotel in their hotel in Guangzhou but unfortunately they were full. We then went over to their business centre and they handed the phone to Wayne and we had a hotel booked. Only problem was the lady couldn't write it down in English....she gave it to us in Chinese.

We bought a bus ticket and was on the bus to Guangzhou. The bus ride was interesting - mainly through the outskirts of the the two cities. When we arrived at the bus terminal it was like 'now what'...so we followed the locals around to where the taxi line was and the queue went for ever. We were approached by a young lady who seemed to have a minimal English and understood what we said, more importantly she could read the note from the previous hotel. We agreed on a price and went with her to a car that was obviously not a taxi but he took us to the correct hotel. Wayne had agreed to a hotel that was in a great position, in the middle of Haizhu Square
The view from the hotel window was of houses and hoses and more houses. Walking around in the early evening was incredible. We couldn't decide or find a place to eat so ended up back at the hotel and ate at their local restaurant - Cantonese. The food was absolutely lovely - and not a chilli in sight.After checking in we went for a walk around the neighbourhood. We were objects of amusement and were stared at. This is one thing I have not been able to get over...but don't mind now as they are seem to be curious and are not threatening in anyway. I try to tie my hair up as much as I can as this seems to be their focal point. In the above photo is a guy with a cart, he is moving rubble from a building to this area. There was lots of building and maintenance going on all over this city.
This bicycle was parked on the side of the road and it had a funny little box attached to the back of it. On closer inspection it was a firebox for cooking satay (we found this out later)
Down by the river were all these fisherman and women. Looking into their catch buckets we found little turtles. They were so cute but I believe they eat them. They have nets on long poles and wait for the turtle to surface for air and then quickly scoop them up.
These guys are playing cards on the river front. They just gather together down and start playing. I gather its for money and I think friendship. There are always onlookers.
I am still continually amazed with what they load onto their bikes and still manage to pedal. Event he ages of the people pedaling is incredible.
Street vendors selling satay, fruit and many other interesting items off the bbq on the back of their bikes. These were very popular with the locals. I couldn't bring myself to try one...the smell was not the pleasantest.
But the river view was cool from the top of a bridge. The pollution levels must be very high...as there was always smog around.
Another bike laden with cardboard. After taking this photo he got on the bike and rode down the street.
After visiting the Shamian area where we played with all the bronze type statues it was time to head back to our hotel for the night.

Macau

The next day we were up and off to have breakfast before catching a ferry across to Macau. After going to the wrong ferry terminal we found the right one and purchased tickets for the 1.30 sailing. It was only a short ride and we were there and going through customs and immigration. Once through we looked for a place to book accommodation in Zhu Hai, across the border in China. Finally found and we were off. Only to be hassled by taxi drivers for a ride into town or a tour. We walked out and got onto a bus that was going to take us to a casino...finally Wayne was going to allow me in!!!!! but no we just used the bus to get closer to the town centre.

This is the town centre, it was just amazing. Walking past the casinos was thought provoking - you see all the glitz and glamour of the building but you see people from all walks of life coming and going. Some don't look like they have enough money to gamble away. Next time I will walk in and have a go!
We are not sure who this guy is but everyone was taking photos with him and we just had to do the same.
We found our way to the facade left of a church. It was incredible to see and to see the view back to the casinos. There was also a fort and this also had great views. We wandered backdown some alley ways -
They were quite pretty but certainly not of the quality of the the casino area. We happened upon a market that were performing Chinese Opera....nothing like opera that we know!

From here we found our way to a delightful restaurant for a local lunch. The waiter didn't have much English but we were able to order some yummy food. From here we caught a local bus to the border to cross over into China for a couple of nights. We were the only white people on the bus and arrived at the border to be met by a huge number of people...and it was more than huge! We lined up and filled our forms in while waiting then realised we were in the wrong queue...we were in the one for the elderly and the ones that needed help. Too bad...we stayed in the queue and were finally through to the other side only to be met by a barrage of people wanting to sell items to us, wanting to offer us a taxi to anywhere...but we knew our hotel was within walking distance of the border. Off we set trying to read the road signs...we knew which road it was on but couldn't read the signs - surprise they were all in Chinese. Finally I asked at a Watsons (like a chemist) and the lady couldn't speak English...had to ask someone else and they couldn't speak English either and she asked someone else who said go down the road and turn right...pointing with her left hand in a left direction. We carried on walking and yes we did find the hotel.