Half a century! - The week that was (past tense)

Hi all, this could be construed as sad that I am able to construct a blog entry on my 50th birthday even after celebrations but the truth is I am! Something to do with needing to work on a Saturday!
This is the week that was

Lunar New Year - from my balcony [all night it seems]

The week we had off was a lazy dull grey week, not that inspiring when you don't have a passport so can't go too far and don't want to spend all the pay in one go.
SZ Commercial centre Luo Hu ( end of Metro line)
Hannah and I managed to fill the time in with visits toDongMan Shopping, Shenzhen Commercial Centre just to lookie see, Visit to the International Book shop and ceremonial fleecing by local vendors, purchasing DVDs, the obligatory daily trip to Carrefours or Jusco. a venture or Adventure to Window of the World which we aborted due to grey skies and discovered more! shopping centres and Shekou Bombay
. Ceremonial fleecing of westerners by local Futian business men - a honey, nut fruit crunch log thing resembling the great SZ wall. Souvenir take home and eat for the rest of our lives (or at least until you visit).!
Another Shopping Centre Shekou

The big adventure was to Guangzhou by train for the day to meet up with Renee (EF teacher) and explore Shamien Island, Starbucks and Hooleys bar
.from GZ train at 180kph
GZ canal creating Shamien island ( seriously cropped for the photo cutting out the road and overpass) Von in GZ
Hannah & Renee outside Starbucks Shamien Island GZ

Then it was my birthday and SZ threw on the great weather, about 18 degrees, sunny for the most part, a view across Hou Hai Bay from my balcony no work and new friends to share my birthday with - Lei wished me a happy 18th!!
The day of my 50th is /was sunny, quite clear and warmer than most of the week but not horrid like Aussie with 40+++ degrees-

Quick Coopers Pale Ale at 3D Bar, dinner at local BBQ (25 RMB each) and a post dinner drink at my apartment and they day was done, ceremony over less fuss but lots of emails and SMS to answer. Cheers to all of you.


Hannah, Luke. Lei and Von at end of the meal to commemorate my 50th , in SZ China about 2 minutes from school and home !

Happy birthday to me....Hannah, Luke and Pad and I on my balcony post dinner

Paddington shared my 21st and now my 50th ! Cheers

and the biggest toast could be to absent friends but in this case that's all of you....so Cheers and here's to many more! Goodnight from us.