31 December 2008
We only stayed a day in Suzhou - and the first stop was the Singapore industrial park there. What struck me was how pretty and tranquil the place was, with lots of greenery around.
We also visited Ouyuan, the private residence of a court official which had been preserved to give visitors a glimpse of the architecture and gardens of the homes of ancient China. At Hansansi, a famous temple, we climbed steep stairs to the top of a tower to strike a massive gong three times, with our wishes in our hearts, for a chance to have them come true.
在苏州只待了一天，先去了那里的新加坡工业区，感觉蛮不错，很清幽。过后也去了偶园以及寒山寺。偶园里的建筑在湖畔，山石，花草树木的搭衬下，额外美丽。看山看水的，心情自然好。离开苏州前，当地的领队也把大家带到丝绸工厂，爸妈和叔叔阿姨在那里买丝绸被买得可痛快。
We also visited Ouyuan, the private residence of a court official which had been preserved to give visitors a glimpse of the architecture and gardens of the homes of ancient China. At Hansansi, a famous temple, we climbed steep stairs to the top of a tower to strike a massive gong three times, with our wishes in our hearts, for a chance to have them come true.
在苏州只待了一天，先去了那里的新加坡工业区，感觉蛮不错，很清幽。过后也去了偶园以及寒山寺。偶园里的建筑在湖畔，山石，花草树木的搭衬下，额外美丽。看山看水的，心情自然好。离开苏州前，当地的领队也把大家带到丝绸工厂，爸妈和叔叔阿姨在那里买丝绸被买得可痛快。
26 December 2008
My first impressions of Shanghai.
对上海的第一个印象是它的繁忙和那中西合洴中的一份独特感。去了新天地和城黄庙之后, 就得上路往几个江南的城市去了。但是, 我们在旅程的最后三天还是会回到上海。走之前，吃了非常可口的小笼包和汤圆。不好意思, 全都一口直吞了下去，所以没有照片分享。
对上海的第一个印象是它的繁忙和那中西合洴中的一份独特感。去了新天地和城黄庙之后, 就得上路往几个江南的城市去了。但是, 我们在旅程的最后三天还是会回到上海。走之前，吃了非常可口的小笼包和汤圆。不好意思, 全都一口直吞了下去，所以没有照片分享。
09 December 2008
After a month or so of essay deadlines, exams, stress and guilt, the break is finally here. I'll be leaving with the family to Shanghai and the surrounding Jiangnan province today for a vacation.
I'm hoping for good times with the family, some peace away from the laptop, beautiful scenery and just some much-needed rest and rejuvenation.
Happy holidays!
I'm hoping for good times with the family, some peace away from the laptop, beautiful scenery and just some much-needed rest and rejuvenation.
Happy holidays!
07 December 2008
On Saturday, we hosted a picnic in belated honour of Meiling's 21st birthday. The venue was a secluded spot at the far end of Lower Pierce Reservoir.
floral frocks were the order of the day
Daryl's meticulously-prepared, perfectly-assembled sandwiches and garden salad
my melting jell-o cheesecake
L-O-V-E if that is not immediately obvious
the yummy brownie Adilah (or her mum) made
penning our well wishes
and the mini tree we got her
floral frocks were the order of the day
Daryl's meticulously-prepared, perfectly-assembled sandwiches and garden salad
my melting jell-o cheesecake
L-O-V-E if that is not immediately obvious
the yummy brownie Adilah (or her mum) made
penning our well wishes
and the mini tree we got her