Saturday, January 31, 2004
Shanghai Trip - Day 8 - Huangshan
We waked up early to watch the sunrise at 曙光亭. After breakfast we walked to 光明頂, then through 天海. It was foggy again and we cannot see a thing from there. Clouds started to clear up when we walk down 鰲魚峰. My dad and I went up to 蓮花峰. We had lunch at 玉屏樓. You were very tired by that time. We took cable car down and got a taxi to the city. The driver was reckless. We then had a walk on 老街, and had dinner at 第一樓. It was very cheap, about 40 RMB per person, but we ordered up to 7 dishes, all of them were very good. Took the evening train to go back to Shanghai. When the train passed the stations on the way, a lot of people try to get on as it was the end of the New Year vacation. We were lucky to have our own room as the considition in other standing carts were unimaginable.
We waked up early to watch the sunrise at 曙光亭. After breakfast we walked to 光明頂, then through 天海. It was foggy again and we cannot see a thing from there. Clouds started to clear up when we walk down 鰲魚峰. My dad and I went up to 蓮花峰. We had lunch at 玉屏樓. You were very tired by that time. We took cable car down and got a taxi to the city. The driver was reckless. We then had a walk on 老街, and had dinner at 第一樓. It was very cheap, about 40 RMB per person, but we ordered up to 7 dishes, all of them were very good. Took the evening train to go back to Shanghai. When the train passed the stations on the way, a lot of people try to get on as it was the end of the New Year vacation. We were lucky to have our own room as the considition in other standing carts were unimaginable.
Friday, January 30, 2004
Shanghai Trip - Day 7 - Huangshan
The weather was very nice. We went to 猴子觀海 again and the view was totally different. Walked to 西海 and hiked to 飛來石. Had lunch at 西海賓館, it was a bit better then 北海賓館, 55 RMB includes 5 dishes and soup. In the afternoon went to 大峽谷, very nice view on the trial. Then we climbed up 丹霞峰, and went back to 排雲亭 to watch the sunset. It was very beautiful and we met two photographers, father-son, who had travelled throughout China. Dinner back at 北海. We attempted to go out to watch stars at night, but the moon was too bright.
The weather was very nice. We went to 猴子觀海 again and the view was totally different. Walked to 西海 and hiked to 飛來石. Had lunch at 西海賓館, it was a bit better then 北海賓館, 55 RMB includes 5 dishes and soup. In the afternoon went to 大峽谷, very nice view on the trial. Then we climbed up 丹霞峰, and went back to 排雲亭 to watch the sunset. It was very beautiful and we met two photographers, father-son, who had travelled throughout China. Dinner back at 北海. We attempted to go out to watch stars at night, but the moon was too bright.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Shanghai Trip - Day 6 - Huangshan
We arrived at Huangshan city in the morning. Got ride in a crowded van of a local tour to go to the entrance, then took cable car to the top. When we got to the top, it was very foggy and we couldn't see anything. Had lunch at 北海賓館 then climbed up 獅子峰. On the way to 始信峰, it cleared up a bit. Had dinner at the hotel, it was very expensive, a simple dish cost 80 RMB.
We arrived at Huangshan city in the morning. Got ride in a crowded van of a local tour to go to the entrance, then took cable car to the top. When we got to the top, it was very foggy and we couldn't see anything. Had lunch at 北海賓館 then climbed up 獅子峰. On the way to 始信峰, it cleared up a bit. Had dinner at the hotel, it was very expensive, a simple dish cost 80 RMB.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Shanghai Trip - Day 5 - Shanghai
We visited a sex museum in the morning. Had lunch at 王朝 with my mother's relatives. In the afternoon we went shopping and got a lot of clothes at cheap price. We enjoyed negociating a lot because most of the time we could cut the price from 200 to 40. Had dinner at home then went to the train station with my parents. We spent 10 hours on the train. The room was small but not too bad, and we were lucky to have the whole room which normally sleeps 4.
We visited a sex museum in the morning. Had lunch at 王朝 with my mother's relatives. In the afternoon we went shopping and got a lot of clothes at cheap price. We enjoyed negociating a lot because most of the time we could cut the price from 200 to 40. Had dinner at home then went to the train station with my parents. We spent 10 hours on the train. The room was small but not too bad, and we were lucky to have the whole room which normally sleeps 4.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Shanghai Trip - Day 4 - Shanghai
We went to 朱家角 with my uncle. It was a better preserved water villages in China but very much developed for tourism. We visited a couple museums there. The lunch there was not impressive at all. For dinner we went to a lamb hot pot place. After that we wanted to go to 金茂 but it was closed. Also the weather was not good so we decided not to have drink up there. I went out to meet Frances and Helene after you slept.
We went to 朱家角 with my uncle. It was a better preserved water villages in China but very much developed for tourism. We visited a couple museums there. The lunch there was not impressive at all. For dinner we went to a lamb hot pot place. After that we wanted to go to 金茂 but it was closed. Also the weather was not good so we decided not to have drink up there. I went out to meet Frances and Helene after you slept.
Monday, January 26, 2004
Shanghai Trip - Day 3 - Shanghai
We went to 龍華塔 with grandma and father in the morning. After that we went to the Catholic Church in 徐家匯 and tomb of 徐光啟. Lunch at 青松城 with my grandma's sister's family. In the afternoon we went to 城隍廟. It was very crowded there. We bought a lot of small things cheap after negotiation. We also toured 豫園 and had tea in 湖心亭. It cost $50 for a small cup of tea there, but the place was famous because the Queen of Britain also had tea there. After dinner at home we played fireworks downstairs. My uncle then took us to a bath, spa and massage place. We had foot massage there and a relaxing night.
We went to 龍華塔 with grandma and father in the morning. After that we went to the Catholic Church in 徐家匯 and tomb of 徐光啟. Lunch at 青松城 with my grandma's sister's family. In the afternoon we went to 城隍廟. It was very crowded there. We bought a lot of small things cheap after negotiation. We also toured 豫園 and had tea in 湖心亭. It cost $50 for a small cup of tea there, but the place was famous because the Queen of Britain also had tea there. After dinner at home we played fireworks downstairs. My uncle then took us to a bath, spa and massage place. We had foot massage there and a relaxing night.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Shanghai Trip - Day 2 - Shanghai
In the morning my parents and us visited the Catholic Church, 新天地, 一大會址, the former residence of 孫中山 and 周恩來, and where we used to live. It was a very long morning. For lunch we went to 黃家傳菜 with my uncle and family. In the afternoon we went to the Bund with my parents and we visited a modern arts museum by chance. After that we had a walk on Nangjing street ourselves. Surprisingly we found a sex shop which we would never thought of. We sat down and had juice in a dessert place. We went home to have dinner and bought some fireworks downstairs. However, we were too tired to get up that night, though we were waken up at midnight by the noice of firewords around the city. The entire city was lighted up because of 迎財神 and it almost felt like war.
In the morning my parents and us visited the Catholic Church, 新天地, 一大會址, the former residence of 孫中山 and 周恩來, and where we used to live. It was a very long morning. For lunch we went to 黃家傳菜 with my uncle and family. In the afternoon we went to the Bund with my parents and we visited a modern arts museum by chance. After that we had a walk on Nangjing street ourselves. Surprisingly we found a sex shop which we would never thought of. We sat down and had juice in a dessert place. We went home to have dinner and bought some fireworks downstairs. However, we were too tired to get up that night, though we were waken up at midnight by the noice of firewords around the city. The entire city was lighted up because of 迎財神 and it almost felt like war.
Saturday, January 24, 2004
Shanghai Trip - Day 1 - SFO->Shanghai
The plane was only 20-30% full, so we get two rows of seat and could sleep comfortably. I watched Sea Biscuit while you read, and you watched Under the Tuscan Sun while I read. Finally we catched Second Hand Lions together. My parents picked us up in my uncle's car, and when we got home my grandmother had prepared a lot of small dishes for us.
The plane was only 20-30% full, so we get two rows of seat and could sleep comfortably. I watched Sea Biscuit while you read, and you watched Under the Tuscan Sun while I read. Finally we catched Second Hand Lions together. My parents picked us up in my uncle's car, and when we got home my grandmother had prepared a lot of small dishes for us.
Sunday, January 04, 2004
Europe Trip - Day 15 - London->SFO
Had English breakfast on the way to airport. We got upgraded to business class and enjoyed a comfortable flight back.
Had English breakfast on the way to airport. We got upgraded to business class and enjoyed a comfortable flight back.
Saturday, January 03, 2004
Europe Trip - Day 14 - Barcelona->London
Got back credit card from La Pedrera.
Went to Parc Guell, great view of the city, nice garden and structures. Bought Picasso silk scalves.
Visited Port Olimpic, had lunch at Pans Company. Shopped at La Rambla again, got ties (piano and Van Gogh), a nice scalf for you, salt and pepper for my mom, a nasty pastry for your brother.
Had cheesecake. Bought milka chocolates.
Tried to shop for a Miro watch at airport, but could not found a best fit, either no pair or right color for band.
Rided on Easy Jet back to London. Gabriel picked us up from the airport, met with Arnold and played cards at Gabriel's home.
Got back credit card from La Pedrera.
Went to Parc Guell, great view of the city, nice garden and structures. Bought Picasso silk scalves.
Visited Port Olimpic, had lunch at Pans Company. Shopped at La Rambla again, got ties (piano and Van Gogh), a nice scalf for you, salt and pepper for my mom, a nasty pastry for your brother.
Had cheesecake. Bought milka chocolates.
Tried to shop for a Miro watch at airport, but could not found a best fit, either no pair or right color for band.
Rided on Easy Jet back to London. Gabriel picked us up from the airport, met with Arnold and played cards at Gabriel's home.
Friday, January 02, 2004
Europe Trip - Day 13 - Barcelona
Visited Picasso Museum, saw his gradual change throughout the years.
Took pictures at Catedral, old streets in Gotic. Bought some souvenoirs, dishes and candle.
Guided tour of Paula Guell, a mansion built by Gaudi. Bought a book on Gaudi and postcards.
Had Paella and bread with toppings. Went to La Pedrera, building with very nice roof and Gaudi museum. Took picture at La Discorda, too expensive (8 euro) so didn't go in.
Ate on La Rambla, had black Paella, snails and rabbit. Found out that I had lost the credit card, possibly at La Pedrera, but it was closed.
Visited Picasso Museum, saw his gradual change throughout the years.
Took pictures at Catedral, old streets in Gotic. Bought some souvenoirs, dishes and candle.
Guided tour of Paula Guell, a mansion built by Gaudi. Bought a book on Gaudi and postcards.
Had Paella and bread with toppings. Went to La Pedrera, building with very nice roof and Gaudi museum. Took picture at La Discorda, too expensive (8 euro) so didn't go in.
Ate on La Rambla, had black Paella, snails and rabbit. Found out that I had lost the credit card, possibly at La Pedrera, but it was closed.
Thursday, January 01, 2004
Europe Trip - Day 12 - Barcelona
Breakfast at hotel was very good. Went to Sagrada Familia, it was stunning, a lot of interesting maths blended within the beautiful nature-oriented architecture. Bought some sketches of the statues.
Had tapa for lunch. After lunch went back to hotel and took a nap.
Went to seaport, then La Rambla. There were a lot of small shops, like 旺角.
Dined at Senyor Parellada, had Escalivadal (grilled peppers and cod), Paella, duck with fig. Exceeded expectation. White wine was much cheaper then US, only 4 euro a bottle.
Breakfast at hotel was very good. Went to Sagrada Familia, it was stunning, a lot of interesting maths blended within the beautiful nature-oriented architecture. Bought some sketches of the statues.
Had tapa for lunch. After lunch went back to hotel and took a nap.
Went to seaport, then La Rambla. There were a lot of small shops, like 旺角.
Dined at Senyor Parellada, had Escalivadal (grilled peppers and cod), Paella, duck with fig. Exceeded expectation. White wine was much cheaper then US, only 4 euro a bottle.
