Summer - Qingyuan Hot Spring Resort Trip

Almost like a photographer's convention as the big guns came out

Hot stepping it through the bamboo poles at the entertainment Water feature ? at the hot springs

Reading instead of attempting to understand the "lecture" about deer products for medicinal and other weird purposes.

Grass skiing, not quite the adrenelin buzz of snow skiing and not quite the excitement of skiing in Chile in 2008 - but it was fun anway, even if it was hot!

A 3 hour minibus ride from ShenZhen and we were in the "resort" area. We went rafting in a mix of man made and natural environment, concrete "canyons" and a dammed wall of water ensures a 365 day activity , it just means you have to wait for the river to fill up at the launch end.

Helmets doubled as bailers and one paddle per boat indicated there would not be too much paddling.

We we set afloat when there was enough water! and hurtled towards the unknown through tunnels and "drains" and some flat areas where I could get the little camera out of teh waterproof box to take some shots.

It was quite good fun but sometimes previous experiences ( Kicking Horse River in Canada or North Island NZ, or the Borneo washing machine) overshadow what is still a good day out.

Must go, it's time to teach...hopefully this latest fix will work at home too, speeding up the uploading time to reasonable. It's a big business finding fixes around teh Great Firewall.

Cheers

A week flies by...

Well, it was great having friends from home visit. Apart from the really yummy cargo they carried, i also doubled my wardrobe with tracksuit, rugby jumper, T shirts, sports stuff for my "active" life here in SZ. Add to that a package of novels, and some great story books and Cd of kids stories that I can use here in extension activities. Thanks again to all ....

It's strange how you can get excited about normal things like socks and undies, moisturiser and insect repellent!

Not to mention how nice it is to talk about all things familiar without having to watch the language or slow down the speech.

After a couple of hectic days in HK, we headed to SZ. Easy trip really, staying at Tsim Sha Tsui (dodgy looking but cheap and our guesthouse was clean if not tiny), the journey involved an underground walk to the East TST station to board the train to LoWu on the mainland.

After arrival here Jen and Deb had to get SZ visas ( 5 days for SZ only), assuming a lengthy process we were treated to a turnaround of less than 15 minutes and 160RMB for Aussie passport holders. (Much more for Brits)

We then walked to the Metro to catch the Underground to the end of line 1, then te 72 bus to a drop off at my doorstep. See, told you it was easy.

Late lunch (as usual) of dumplings and a supermarket trip then home to the aforementioned balcony feast.

Day 2, trek on bus/Metro to Dongman to shop for Polo Shirts, home in time for me to work briefly. Then home for a dinner prepared by my guests - yummy.

Day 3, borrowed Luke's bike with my mountain bike and my original and uncomfortable China Domestic Model we set off for Seaworld at Shekou via Decathlon Sports. Nearby, we noticed the Olympic drums from the opening ceremony and Deb and I were invited to have a go. Wow, I've played the Olympic drums!

Lunch at TexMex, a bike ride to the old sea port of SZ, and the fish market near the luxurious apartments at Shekou, providing an amazing contrast of lifestyles.

Sore butts and knees once we got home a dinner at local BBQ place where I had my 50th dinner. Hannah joined us, we later adjourned to 3D bar and caught up with Luke and Lei.

News from the balcony - the POOL is full, not sure when it opens for residents use, I'll find out.

After visitors, life returns to normal except that the apartment has been dusted and swept and the kitchen is spotless - cheers. Teaching a full weekend and a split shift Monday the the "weekend" begins.

Thanks Jen and Deb for coming, thanks to China for teh May Day holiday and to Luke for the carefully rostered week, thanks to Tara, Sandy, Jen, Deb, Mum and Dad for the gifts and contributions ... love Vonny

Wine and Cheese, Sth Aust meets Sthn China

My Doc Adams birthday wine a Pinot Gris - Cheers

Jeannerette's Wild China Charity Challenge wine -where Jen reminded me my interest in this country actually started! Cheers to Meg and Luke - happily blaming you!

Balcony picture, Jen and Deb feasting and watching the spectacle of traffic miraculously avoiding each other and clearly avoiding any road symbols such as double yellow lines, arrows, zebra crossings, overtaking at whim....weaving, guessing,hoping,praying and for us 19 floors up... laughing a lot even before the wine was consumed.

Wines and cheese from home on my Chinese balcony! With two great friends what more can I ask for? The fact that the wine and cheese is from home accompanied by home made relishes and a range of other suprises as belated birthday presents - thanks to you for your lovely thoughts.

Maggie Beer, Doc Adams, Sandi's Quince Paste just for a start! Yummy.

Jen and Deb arrived safely in HK, spent a few days holidaying then I joined them and we spent the time in HK at an interesting Cheap but not too nasty Guesthouse... and the day at Stanley Beach and bus hopping..all good fun, finishing up at Ned Kelly's to meet Colin and I will be back soon to chat to him as he was just a bit busy with the band...next trip to HK.

I'll keep you posted on the fun we have over the next few days in between my teaching and what has become routine for me in the last 4 months....stay tuned.

Hair Cut - Chinese style

No, don't panic, I'm not that radical no short bobs with black hair for me. Just a hair cut full of fascination.

Sonia, our Centre Manager was kind enough to take me to her hairdresser, a funky little dude called Wu. But it took an hour before even meeting the hairdresser...after a hair wash, head massage, inner ear cleanse, another hair wash, neck and back massage. Now I know why so many people work in the salons. The juniors earn their way up through their skills in massage and washing and the guy that was working on me was good. Luckily Sonia was there too so she was able to translate their instructions to me. Just amazing...

Then , with your head in a towel turban, you get to move to the styling area to await the hairdressers. Not a long wait , but the next step was lengthy. I just wish you could leave your head and come back later when the cutting was done. Imagine my thick hair, probably a least 16 weeks since the last cut at Scissor Sisters in Adelaide...it took an hour at least to trim to Wu's satisfaction, then the dry and style and more thinning. He was either impressed or amused wit my wavy hair and its dynamic movement. I must say its much lighter ( now it's a bob like Mum's) but the after effect is the need to get some hair clips, hairband, hairdryer, hair clay for styling. That will last five minutes, I'm too impatient but I felt it was worth the effort as Sonia was extremely impressed with the outcome and she did spend her evening waiting for me. Oh the best bit, it cost 30 yuan ( not even $10A), in fact dinner was marginally more expensive.

Sonia had popped out twice to the restaurant next door to prepare our dinner order, the restaurant turned out to be the yummy Muslim BBQ I went to last year when i was in SZ ( near my old apartment). After dinner about 10pm I wandered home to walk off dinner, carrying the leftovers, dutifully reheated in new m'wave!

So, some of those hairdressers are actually doing ridgy didge business into the mid/late evening hours... you can imagine the rest.

Now, up to date, i am going to enjoy the warm evening on the balcony, finishing my beer.

as you can see, not that much amazes me anymore, its just the China I currently live in. Sun setting on a very hazy day.

Happy reading then plan your trip to see/smell/feel it for yourself.

Lamb stew, chicken curry or bread and butter pudding!

Von sitting with Ahmed Sohel of the Burger Hut downstairs from EF Kids School, Nanshan. Hoping to capitalise on the growing numbers of foreigners/ westerners in SZ for business, this new foodie is providing quality yummy food at a very competitive price. It's difficult to be competitive when for 4 yuan you can get dumplings as a snack, but the Burger Hut will provide everything from croissants to a full meal for the homesick!
A regular topic straight after the morning class involves a decision on lunch....so far I think between us we are working our way through the menu. Meals are generous in size too ( I just bought a microwave to capitalise on leftovers!). You should have seen the stares as I was carrying the box home!
It's a brave venture to try and match local prices and still provide a meal worthy of the effort.
Eat in or takeaway or delivery by arrangement...try it if you feel like a taste from home (and chicken off the bone!)

A week in the life of my new trainers

Hong Kong as seen by the new lens (10-20mm) birthday money cheers

The 4 rocks suggest that those that stay here will have longevity and health on Mt Nanshan

Von and Candy (friend of Angela who joined us for the walk)

Von and Angela ( met through the coffee shop)

Umm inside another camera shop in HK.


Interesting week.

Tuesday was painballing and bars (see previous entry).

Wednesday was a trip to HK to buy a pair of trainers , maybe a wide angle camera lens and more reading material. In my element in a coffee shop with a Late, a lammington and a newspaper, I was happy for ages while L&L were doing some other stuff.

After sampling much poor service (now I know why there are so many ads on HK Tv about poor customer service) we decided on the best of the worst but the best price to spend my birthday money on a lens vital for the tall buildings of China, a 10-20mm Sigma lens and the interesting effects created. A pair of trainers/sandshoes at Wan Kee ( I liked the name and as a customer does that make me a wank--?) Back to Sz for a hotpot dinner yummy...and cheap...and good for you! Wow.

L & L, my porters carrying my purchase from Wan Kee
Hotpot as taken with new lens

Thursday, a walk up Mt Nanshan (in my new trainers )with Angela from the coffee shop near work. She's a bundle of energy and bred in a hometown in China somewhere with mountains so she's not at all disadvantaged by short legs! My two colleagues had to reschedule due to other stuff, but Angela's friend Candy came along. She drove us there ( by circuitous route, roads unknown to locals) and back (more directly) to lunch at a local dumpling shop near home and school. Great morning, windy, cool and for them English on tap and for me , pathetic attempts at my Chinese resulting in fits of giggles! Next time, there will be more of us and picnic we hope.

After climbing/walking/lunching off to work.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday teaching... Sunday night a trip to the sports field with Lindsay to meet the EF Football ( soccer team) and have a short run just for fun ( in my new trainers)

Monday teaching at 10am to a VIP student who is hoping to get her visa to Adelaide soon to study at Brighton High so guess who was the logical teacher? Split shifts look horrid on paper but OK when you get to play badminton in between the lessons and fill the huge gap. A NZ, Brit, Aussie had a hit of badminton for an hour (in my new trainers) . As suspected, the strings were not in too much danger, many shots coming off teh frame or the grand swoosh miss but some drop shots and smashes did actually work. Predict sore bum and shoulder muscles next day!

Gaelic footy was cancelled due to the public holiday for TombSweeping Day.

(No need for new trainers!)

Back to Tuesday, lazy day at home. (No need for new trainers!)

Wednesday an hour at the gym ( pretending to be Lei in my new trainers ) as Luke worked out and I pottered around raising a gentle sweat and wondering why the anorexic size 6's were even there? Then a trip to Decalthlon Sports and ruin the good work of saving all week to go berserk in the store after the intention to buy 2 beginner tennis rackets, coming home with some other goodies as well to support the recent sporting week. Booked the tennis court for next Tuesday morning - tennis anyone?

That's it for the week that was apart from trips to the shops to prepare for Jenny and Deb to visit at the end of the month ( they now have somewhere to sleep each and bedding!), extra bottle of drinking water, and a security card and keys...all in hand for now.

My task now, to make sure I actually have some RMB left at the end of the month to enjoy with my friends when they get here. I just hope they don't look so new by then, my trainers that is...)

News from home has also been interesting. Chester and Oscar involved in the Rugby 7's as ballboy and flag carrier, Anna awarded Life Membership of Sturt Softball Club, Gilby being selected in the Hockeyroos squad '09, Bel in the AIS Softball squad...congratulations to you all and it's a regret that I can't be there to share! Enjoy any time in the sun before it gets too hot!

Till next trivia time. Vonny

Lots of laughs and bruises = paintballing

Hi,

Invited to play paintball, something I never done at home but happily do in China for a social event. I must be mad? The common day off for the EF teachers in Shenzhen kids saw a large majority of us turn into badly dressed modern day "soldiers" (or refugees from Tenko?) on our morning off.

Safety equipment (shirt and trousers, helmet), a belt to mark the above the belt line fatal shot..., a bevy of paintball bullets, two teams set off to do battle.

NanHai Hotel in Shekou, has a game range where corporates do battle with red paint, laugh a lot at each other, develop strategies to win the flag, and at the same time avoid getting shot in the tender parts or the bigger targets (the butt). Cheating abounds amidst the laughter and the cries of I'm out, don't shoot (it hurts!).

Bruises , most of us have a few small welts like bad mosquito bites or decent small bruises (about the size of an Aussie five cent or Chinese 5 jio coin) as souvenirs.

Adjourn to Mc Cawleys for lunch : a pint and a roast pork and gravy sandwich... a debrief, a chat and a follow up visit to the butcher and two supermarkets FULL of western, familiar yummy delicious food. I am so glad I don't live in Shekou ( about 10km bike ride), the pay would go just on familiar food. Captain Morgan Rum was my big find, I needed it when I was down with that bad cold and no voice so it's medicinal of course.

Pate!

Earth Hour SZ

Hi, Just to say that I did observe Earth Hour tonight. More lesson preparation by candle light but this time by choice not blackout. My trip to Ikea a few weeks ago at least netted some candles, decorative and functional. From my balcony I couldn't see any sign of difference in the immediate area but apparently some of the major hotels were going to do their bit. HK was quite well placed to show their support with all the glitz and glamour in lights.

It's possible the Shenzhen Bay bridge dimmed its lights but I couldn't see from here - maybe the visibility is low. I think it will catch on as some schools registered so that's a great start to raising awareness at grass roots.

Halfway through the weekend, our busy time certainly makes the day fly by. I am teaching a bit of everything tomorrow starting with the 5-6 year olds, then 3-4s, then 7-10s, then the over 10s. An early start and finish on Monday allows me to get to Gaelic Football for a run, Tuesday we are Paintballing (yikkes) and Thursday morning climbing the stairs at Mt Nanshan before work with a young enthusiastic local girl called Angela ( she makes coffee at the Mountain Breeze Coffee Shop). A return to the active outdoors (while the weather permits). Yes, slow news week!

Cheers

A story of the Rugby ball and the round ball

Monday began with a lazy start then into work to prepare for 3 VIP sessions (1-1 students). After this a journey towards physical activity began. Waiting at the bus stop for an age it seemed to catch the 72 bus to the terminus. Down the concourse and into the MTR (subway) to the junction of lines 1&4 (2 and 3 are not built yet!) change to line 4 to its terminus. Wander out into twilight and follow the text instructions to the sporting field. Why am I heading in this direction? To try my hands and feet at Gaelic Football (now. stop laughing immediately). A bunch of Xpats*
gather to practice / teach the skills of the game for two hours 8.30-10.30pm. For me one of half a dozen girls, a great opportunity to exercise off the pints of beer. Except that after the training/scratch matches we adjourn to a bar called Xpat for a beer! Just build the pint cost into the training costs...
* Irish, NZ,Canadian, US,Chinese, UK, Sth Africa, Aussie just to name a few nationalities




Tuesday, a day off started with slightly rebelling muscles but not as bad as I expected. It had been fun but learning how to play will be a bit tricky, maybe I'll stick to goalkeeper. I sort of did OK in the 7 aside scratch match.


Despite the dreary wet weather on Wednesday I decided to go to Hong Kong to see the Hong Kong 10's Rugby, a tournament in lead up to the sold out 7's (I'm working anyway as I console myself for not being able to go to such a world renowned event). The 10's saw some good running rugby and a wide variety of shapes and sizes playing. The stronger sides have Ex-All blacks or Springboks in their sides. No Aussie side but a few Aussies playing by the sound of the voices.






The 10's is held at the Hong Kong Football Club, the scene of my first Australian Vets hockey tour in 1996 and the hockey pitch just reminded me how much I miss the game and the tournaments.



Mind you, a pint of beer and a Villis pie was good consolation while watching others run around. Someone had to give the Heineken girls something to do in the cold drizzly weather.


Ball retrieval team


Tossing up about staying overnight and returning to SZ next morning and coming home while the border crossing and trains still operated, finances won, and the fear that I might enjoy it (HK) so much that the journey back to the mainland would become a drag. I decided to save the HK Dollars for next time when hopefully I'll get to Ned Kelly Bar for some jazz. Probably when Jen and Deb come over if not before then, at least the immigration officials all use the stamps in the passport economically using up small spaces, not a whole page.
.HK night life in Causeway Bay
late night BBQ snack on my street corner

HK would be much less of a challenge in day to day life. Taxi drivers speak English, signage is generally multilingual and main landmarks have English names. You can buy a reasonable coffee and a roastbeef and horseradish sandwich, a broadsheet newspaper and recognisable necessities in the chemist as well as a full range of unknown goodies. I forgot to mention my visit to the chemist to get first aid stuff for the anticipated scabby knees at Gaelic (my knees that is) and some more reading matter at Dymocks.

Back to reality of the modern SZ. Simple tasks are daily challenges till mastered but i am working on ticking off the tasks.

Anyway, it's now way past midnight and time for bed. Cheers till next time.

A day off with a difference, on St Paddy's Day

Monday night, teachers finalising the week's administrative input under the watchful eye of Lindeman , a result of the Director of Studies getting creative with my camera and Lindsay's wine. The end of a busy week usually has an excitement of two days off and a few sleep ins but this one was complicated by a school outing on Tuesday. We were all off to Evergreen Resort as thanks for our work on the WinterCamp. Scan through and see what this afternoon encompassed.

Teacher's carrot?

Pensive on our day out or avoiding looking at the camera?

SZ Kids 3 and 4 staff at Evergreen Resort. Who is the only one without black/dark hair!

A recycled fanta can water buffalo

Centre Manager Sonia and Ada (yellow) sliding down the deck of the pirate ship

The rainforest is so wet they provide umbrellas!

The sun was shining hence a rainbow in the mist


Rainforest on the edge of development

look what you can do with a 10mm lens!

The adventure park has ropes, swings, rockclimbing, rope challenges to treat most nervous types.

What you don't get to see is the full impact of the rainforest gully, the butterfly farm, the fishing club, the aquarium and enormous fish, flowers, the melon garden, the pottery house and the resort.

We played impromptu basketball, tug of war, played on stilts, hopscotch, and other activities to amuse. I'll be curious to see if there are any sore muscles on Thursday as it was all quite strenuous at times (a competitive bunch).

After all this fun, we met our bus and went to dinner which was Sichuan (swimming in chilli).

A day off with a difference but we did manage to avoid the KTV Karaoke session as it was St Paddy's day and EF teachers were gathering at Sherkou McCauleys so we wandered down there until bed called. The League of Nations of EF kids teachers are a friendly bunch, having commandeered the pool table and most of the top floor it was a celebration again.

I took it easy as I have yet another cough, some form of URTI without a sore throat but with a loss of voice for a while making teaching a challenge where creativity takes over from normal lesson plan. I actually feel OK just sound dreadful when the cough reflex kicks in! A whole week (until St Paddy's day )without alcohol certainly saves money but I am sure you can drown from the inside on drinking so much water.

Hopefully a day in the outdoors and a few beers and doing naught today must be giving the medications a chance to work. Easy day tomorrow too.

Yippee - I have CNN and BBC World TV Channels, giving a great respite from those really annoying commercials on the two HK channels.

Cheers and belated Paddy's greetings to you!