Haohua Hotel Weihai

... because of pirate threats. During the reign of the Jiajing Emperor, a rebel force led by Xian Wang sought refuge on the island, but the rebellion was put down shortly thereafter. Towards the end of the reign of the Wanli Emperor, settlers were recruited to re-cultivate the island. They were guarded against pirate attacks by a detachment of troops. Subsequently, a rise in shipping ...

... those who know me will know that is my fav. drink for fall cuz its so autumish and that means holidays!) walked down to a market, bought some really traditional looking braclets and headed back to the hotel. Incheon, which is the major port of Seoul is currently builing the world's largest ship and I was hoping to get a glimpse of it but no such luck. Boarded the HUGE ferry cruise ship that was going to take us on a 14-hour overnite journey to ...

... of school came on and sat in a row with red scarf's tied round their necks and talked for nearly an hour about god knows what (one of the lowlights) I also got to hear Auld Lang Syne in Korean, Chinese and English, however no one seems to believe me that this was a Scottish song and they think Im just a crazy Scottish person.The highlight of the day had to be the primary 4 kids dancing around in red army uniforms. Que lots of cute photographs in my photo ...

... been hanging around too many Americans) to Qing Dao this weekend. Its about four hours south of Yantai and its a major beach resort where the locals think its good to be tanned. In China people (especially woman) use parasols in the sun, and often wear gloves and always tights partly to protect themselves from the sun and partly to cover up. Or big 80s looking visor things that cover the whole face, which along with the gloves are just as much to protect themselves from dirt ...

... pat bars (and 2 clubs, as yet unvisited) that are any cop (and by that I mean not /strip bars/saunas) but that doesn't mean to say the music is any good by western standards. On Saturday evening we had the pleasure of the company of some Chinese sailors (who were scarily persistent) and some Chinese students. The Chinese in Yantai seem to have a style of dancing which is, different shall we say. And taste in music which ...

... to teach. Me falling over a chair at the side of the stage then onto a bin when stretching to write something in the corner of the black board was an excellent moment. Especially as it was in front of 40 near adults. I didn't no whether to laugh or cry. Mhairi's various spelling mistakes: Adjetive (where is the C Miss ...

... goodbye beach party for myself, Romey and Matt. We had a great fire going on the beach and then back to his for more fun and frolics until the early hours of the morning again. After a mere 3 hours sleep I got up, packed a bag and nipped back to Qingdao for a final farewell. Which frankly involved more drinking and more returning in the daylight. Taught the others the dice drinking game I'd beem taught by a Chinese guy, think it may have been our downfall ...

... yourself. Aside for the sad side of the zoo I can't tell you how dangerous it was too! I could easily have put my head in a hippo's mouth had the desire so taken hold of me! I didn't in case you were wondering...! Perhaps the most 'secure' enclosure was that of the camel's... a rope... nice... Anyway I've included footage of the hippo's comfortable home, the wolf pacing the cage with its cub in its mouth and the camel's rope ...

... home who spoke no English whatsoever. I did manage to tell him that I was from England and was a teacher, and he pointed out the lorry that had parked itself in the middle of the road with its lights off, blocking traffic, while waiting for the police to move off who were further down the road. No lorries are allowed into the city centre, so he'd decided to have a wee break instead of face the strict Chinese legal system! Anyway until the next time, take care, Helena :)

... seahorse, cricket, and insects. Sadly no one was brave enough to try the starfish... maybe next time! Other than food, but on a similar vein, I've joined a gym this week. Yes you heard me right, the first gym I ever join is in China and I don't understand a word! I can't tell you how fun Boxercise is in Chinese...ee....ar....san... I just bounce along like an ...