Hong Kong Disneyland

Every grandparent should have the opportunity to take thier grandchildren to Disneyland.  To see Fantasy Land through thier eyes, or ride a Carrousel again, or feel the excitment of the Jungle Cruise through the giggles of a 5 year old is pretty heartwarming.  The day started with a little rain, but by the time we got all set with ponchos and umbrellas, the rain stopped and we had a wonderful day.  Surprisingly uncrowded so no long lines where we were, anyway.

One particularly special moment for Lia 

"I feel so fun"

It's vacation time! It's National Holiday in China. Doug is off work, Lia out of school, so we are taking off.  We are going to Hong Kong and Singapore for 10 days. Lia all packed and ready to go.  We are making our way through Shanghai airport on our way to Hong Kong.

Here we are, first stop Hong Kong Disney Resort.

"I feel so fun!" says Lia.  I agree. Enjoying the Hollywood Hotel and then in the morning, it's Breakfast with Chef Micky!

Out and About

Will and I were off exploring again today.  We were actually looking for a particular street market that Will had found the other day when he was out biking.  We found the location but no market. Realized we were there on the wrong day of the week.  So we found some other interesting things. . .Like M50, a place where there are lots of galleries and contemporary art markets, restaurants along the Wusong River.  It is where Stephanie worked when she was here last year.  

Found another quite nice urban park along the river with a museum that told about the urban renewal in the area along this river that flows through Shanghai. Another name is Sujhou Creek.  We can remember 15 years ago when places like this were polluted and trashed but over the years they have really taken pride in cleaning up public areas and maintaining green space.

There are plenty of "old" alleys behind the pretty facades where people live.  Not all high-rises.

We make good use of subways and for the most part find them efficient, clean and prompt. Today they were not so crowded but we have experienced the crush of people during rush hours and in  busy stations. Millions of people are moving around the city every day by subway and bus. Buses are amazingly efficient also, just a bit harder to figure out. We do have a couple of trusted routes that we have figured out how to take a bus.  Our feet are still our favorite way to see Shanghai.

Those local parks are used for everything family and community. People practicing taichi, exercise of all kinds, dancing, music lessons, friendly card games (this one was serious, there was money on the table), mahjong, kite flying, 

This new shopping street comes alive at night also.

We have been attending church where Doug goes. It is held in ballroom of one of the Marriott hotels so is a grand setting. It is sanctioned by goverment and for foreign passport holders only. Two services on Sunday morning, first one in English and translated into Chinese. Room is pretty much full. Pretty fun to hear familiar praise songs sung in Chinese.

It would be difficult to go to a regular Chinese Christian church although there are some around. Lia goes to Sunday school while we go to church, just like in the US.  Service lasts at least 1 1/2 hours with first half hour taken up with some pretty rousing praise songs.

JingAn temple and music lessons

Lia has piano lessons every Wednesday after school so we make our way to her teacher near JingAn Temple.  It's a large, beautiful, Buddhist temple in the heart of the city surrounded by a very busy shopping and commercial area. We usually stay and have dinner in some local place before heading back home. Tonight it was Japanese curry.

Shanghai Tower and dumplings

We tried to go to the top of the world's second tallest building today but got foiled.  The observation floor was not open this morning for some reason we couldn't decipher.  The building is finished this year but not open for occupancy yet. However the observation tower did open this summer.
  It's a distinctive building for sure. There is a 1 degree twist for every floor which is suppose to direct the wind around the building making it typhoon proof. Also has a double layer of glass throughout the whole structure up to 3 feet of space to make it energy efficient. China keeps outdoing itself. The World Financial center is right next door and it was the "famous" building of 2010 with its first-of-a-kind glass observation floor.  When we were here in 2000, the JinMao tower was the tallest building on Pudong and we use to go up to 8th floor lounge for a spectacular view. We never ordered drinks in those days because we thought they were hugely expensive.  Now all three buildings are in each other's shadow making quite the splash on the landscape.   We plan to come back. Can't miss the bragging rites to say we have been there!

So instead we went for dumplings. Little shop with just a few tables. Everyone crowded in and shared space wherever there was room. 

Day trip to Hongzhou

Doug had some business in Hongzhou so we decided to all go and make an outing of it.  We took a morning train and had all day to enjoy the famous West Lake. It's a popular destination for Chinese from all over the country so is always crowded. And it was a beautiful day, besides.

This train is going 305k/hr. We got there in less than an hour, one stop. Super comfortable.

West Lake is the tourist hub of Hongzhou, city built around it. Has several causeways that cross the lake, some for strolling. It's the thing to do. Stopped to feed some koi.

Did I say it was a popular place?! Tons of people out walking the mile long bridge.

Then we took a boat ride back across the lake.

A newly constructed pagoda that is a replica of 9th century pagoda that stood on same spot.

Almost full moon over the city from 6th floor of Shangri-La Hotel.

Mid Autumn Festival

Lia didn't have school, Doug off for long weekend as it is a holiday. Big family holiday which brings families together to celebrate all good things around full moon and enjoy "moon cakes" for desert.  They are sweet pastry rounds that are exchanged among friends and colleagues that have various reputations --I happen to like them.

Not much moon viewing going on, however.  Been raining for several days. More in forcast also. No playground or bike ride today.

  Doug took Lia to Lego Land for several hours of fun at a nearby shopping mall. Great fun for her. Quite a popular place today.

Enjoying the various moon cakes!

The World of Tim Burton

We braved the rain today and ventured out to find the Art and Design Center at XinTianDi to see the exhibition of Tim Burton's World.  Filmmaker, illustrator, author, director, artist who is internationally known as a master of the comically grotesque and the endearingly heartfelt.
  It was a pretty fun exhibit. How does a mind like his work?!