Hong Kong

Watertown

We LOVED this place. If you've seen Mission Impossible 3, this is where Tom Cruise runs along the rooftops.

Dragon Dance

Hangzhou - Bamboo Forest

"I always come here," Joy says. Although it's not convenient, whenever she's in Shanghai she likes to take the two hour car ride to get here. She says she likes the peace and tranquility, "when you want to think about something."

In the background there's the constant sound of the stream tickling down little waterfalls, and sometimes birds calling.

Most places we went were crowded with Chinese people on their New Years holiday, but as we hiked through the bamboo forest we had it pretty much to ourselves.

Hangzhou - West Lake

Our boatman seemed genuinely amused, chuckling even, as he told us we were the heaviest load he had rowed across the picturesque lake. Every way we turned was one lovely scene after another.

Jenny worried about us tipping over, not without reason. : )

Lou Wai Lou

At Lou Wai Lou restaurant, a vast place that's been in business here beside West Lake since 1840, we had their delicious signature pork. You're served a clay pot with a generous chunk of pork short ribs in a savory, slightly sweet sauce, topped by a folded steamed bun. You unfold the bun, put pieces of the pork onto it with chopsticks and make a sandwich the makes my mouth water, just remembering it.

Joy was great because she could order, explain, and provide general guidance in her lovely, soft-spoken English.

Hangzuo Road Trip

Our Chinese New Year is already starting off lucky. We went with David and Jennie Lopinsky, and with Geoffrey (Australian) and Joy McClean the two hour drive to Hangzao in a Honda Odyssey.

We stayed overnight at a Ramada, but what a beautiful place to visit.

Dave and Jennie are from LA and she came home to see her aged mother. Joy and Geoffrey came with their two daughters from Malaysia where they live now. He works for Gray advertising as their VP over marketing for Asia. Such interesting people!! And what a great trip.

Picture taken at the end of our trip, which is why we may look a little dazed.

First Day of New Year

We went with Jenny to the Temple of the City God and joined the throngs who came to burn incense for good luck in the coming year. Although many claim to be agnostic, each person held a handful on incense sticks and bowed three times, n w e s, before the various statues and shrines.
Lots of red lanterns inside the smokey Temple proper to celebrate; dragon decor everywhere to welcome the Year of the Dragon. Although it was crowded, people were polite and friendly and in good spirits.

New Years Eve

After the fireworks the Extended Wong family gathered at a restaurant for dinner. We took up two round tables. It was also the grandmother's birthday (94) so her seven children and their families celebrated with her, singing Happy Birthday in Chinese and clapping along with it.

She's seen a lot. During the Cultural Revolution she raised her granddaughter, Joy, while the parents were sent away to work on farms.

"We hope you're having a good journey"

On New Year's eve, just before the family fireworks, they burn faux money. Jennie's family folded gold and silver paper into Chinese money shapes. Then they set fire to the money, making sure all of it burned. The smoke would rise up and take it to their loved ones, especially those who died recently. This family was remembering their father/grandfather, as well as two uncles.

Then they would say simple things such as, "We hope you are well. We hope you can use this money on the other side."

It's very sweet and tender. The red paper scraps you see are left over from the myriad firecrackers of those who already set theirs off.

Fireworks

N O I S E is the chief goal with New Years fireworks. Yes, there are skyrockets, but the louder the better.

We added our two cents with this roll of 3000 firecrackers--and a very short fuse--good for nearly two minutes of popping and banging.

The box below was part of the fun for the Wong family. You just light the fuse and an array of skyrockets go off one after the other. Fun!!

Two-year-old Iona was OK with a sparkler, but her mother took her into the apt. foyer to watch the really loud ones from the window.

French Concession II

French Concession

We expected to see the skyscraper skyline, but having never paid attention, we were surprised by the charming French Concession. It's actually a big area and includes skyscrapers today, but there are pockets of little charming lanes and alleyways. Then there are neighborhoods of 100+ year old homes and mansions that were built in a bygone era for international business people.

Shanghai

Beautiful buildings. We're staying in Pudong, a newer area of Shanghai. Amazing architecture everywhere.

Winter Holiday

A busy four-week schedule for our long winter break from school:

1. Shanghai to stay with friends from U.S., Dave and Jennie Lopinsky. Jennie is from Shanghai.
2. Hong Kong for an In-Service Conference with fellow BYU teachers; attend Hong Kong Temple.
3. Guilin and tour of southwest China, including the mountain regions.
4. Thailand to visit with friend, Kay Turner, who recently moved to Bangkok.

We're not going to all the places on the map; it just gave an idea of the cities we would visit in China.

Qinling Mountains

As we take the 50 minute bus ride out to our teaching campus, we see this mountain range appear. They provide a backdrop for the New Campus where we teach. The days were so hazy at first that we could only see their shadows. The range marks the line between north and south China. We're in the north.

Dinners

Most restaurants serve groups at round tables like this. The gathered here when the BYU supervisors came from Provo to see our city. Rog made reservations, ordered the dishes with our cute student translator helping.

Cool

Sports

During the fall, Rog attended the big Jump rope competition at the primary school next to our apt. At the park by the city wall, ping pong players took over at one of the many, many tables. We took a turn, but our style was substandard. : ) See how he holds the paddle?

Tea House

We miss Paula and Tom. On one of their last days here, we stumbled onto this lovely tea house where we were served chrysanthemum tea and seeds and fruit. Each group of guests has their own sofa and chairs and coffee table, separated by screens.