The First World Hotel Hangzhou

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Yesterday we spent the day walking around one side of the West Lake that featured Chinese gardens and beautiful scenery. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera at that particular time, but I can always go back there to take pictures during the week. Marriage pictures were being taken with the brides wearing very little and in this weather it is simply crazy. I seem to have perfected an outfit that can withstand the cold, so its much easier to walk around. Crossing the ...

The days continue to be freezing and even the layers I wear do little to alleviate the shivering walking the streets. Today I am wearing a T-shirt, skivvy, Jumper, Big Jacket, wool scarf and wool gloves. Even a sunny day seems to not affect the temperature.

Anyway the last couple of nights I have eaten with Monica's cousins. First was at their house, which is very close to wear I am ...

... on they make for you. There were many different designs, but mine just happened to land on the lantern which is what you can see in the pictures. For dinner, we pretty much share everything, although my already slow eating is exaccerbated by the fact that I can't use chopsticks, particuarly with rice, although I am getting better each day. We ate foods such as beef, rice, octupus, chicken and dumplings. Spot the odd one out and ...

... difficult, but given that we were going tonight I thought I could just go walking the streets around here again. I keep getting reminded to watch my belongings carefully as there are many theives around. In fact last night when I was buying a chinese simcard, two men were standing next to me and Monica thought they would try to steal my wallet. Apparently theives steal money from people towards the Spring Festival so that they can send money home to their families.

When I got ...

... took pictures with us. It was interesting to compare the intimate setting of this garden with the sprawling complex of the Summer Palace. Denise had a great time taking pictures in the garden, as I’m sure you’ll be able to see in the gallery with this blog.

After a sub-standard buffet lunch, we headed to the Embroidery Institute to see Chinese Embroidery. I didn’t think there would be much ...

... area is beautiful but the edges of the lake are probably typical of many city parks in China. While at the park, we did get to have our first taste of Starbucks since leaving Canada. I can honestly tell you that it's just as overpriced and mediocre in the P.R. as it is back home but after a night of drinking some rather potent bai jiu, it was a more than welcome change.

From a scenery standpoint, the lake at Qiandao may ...

... We looked at the guy next to us and said, "Shanghai?" He nodded yes wildly. The three of us had to grab our bags in a hurry and push our way through the train. By this point, we had attracted a lot of attention and everyone around us was laughing ,but also trying to help us get through to the door. When we finally arrived outside, we realized we were at an entirely different train station!
Back in Shanghai, the past few weeks have been relatively quiet and routine. I have started ...

... was similar enough I was overconfident I could join in and quickly learn it and different enough that I tripped over my feet the entire time. 3. At a large-scale map of Hangzhou artfully engraved in the boardwalk cement, Adam asked a woman where West Lake was. Instead of referring to the map on the ground, she pointed to the actual lake not 10 yards away and looked at him disdainfully. We overslept the following morning though we had intended to get up early to enjoy a boat ...

... at KFC which i've been told is the most popular take-away in China. Everything is pretty similar to everywhere else in the world, except for these little pastry treats 'Moon Pies' I think they were called. My boss told me that they are delicious and she bought 2 boxes. I was unsure but, I trusted her so tried one and it was actually really yummy. From what I can tell it is puff pastry with a sweet egg mixture in ...

... are the tears of the Weaving Maid and Cowherd. Today, star gazers celebrate Qi Qiao Jie by gazing up at the star Vega, east of the Milky Way which represents Zhi Nu, and at the constellation Aquila, on the west side of the Milky Way, where Niu Lang waits for his lover to join him. Beers N Noodles toya.....shane __________________________ The soundtrack to this entry was Sheryl Crow The album was her self titled first release. Everyday is a winding road!