Last Roundabout

Supposedly today is my free day here as I’m gonna be flying tonight for home sweet home. Grins. I’m so damned excited to see my family and boyfriend again! Oh dear, nothing can satisfy my longing for them but only a vacation even for just a very short time. As I woke up early this morning, I’ve got my luggage checked and rechecked again for a lot of times already when Ms. S’s phone rang and it was her cousin who apparently said to drop by in few minutes because he’s going to pick up the boys. Today is their schedule to move into their new flat not quite far from our place. After a while of talking I heard Ms. S said that we are coming with them and so off we went. Upon reaching to their place, we helped them move out and move in some of their things into their new flat just on the rooftop of the building. I just couldn’t imagine how beautiful it would be there at night most especially in December and January. Smiles. After helping them move in and chatting with his wife and kids we decided to keep on moving for I haven’t seen some great places around here. Then her cousin suggested us to be our driver and tour guide. We were so thankful and indeed he toured us to great places just to take some pictures here and there. Here is one of the cool pictures I’ve taken that day which I believe would summarize how excited I am right now. Smiles.

As the Day Ends

There are many activities written on my list for today but only a few are done. And now here I am trying to finish all those but I cannot since my eyes are shutting every time I put my fingers on the keyboard. I guess this is it now I need to rest my body and have a rejuvenating beauty sleep. As the day ends, it always reminds me of one of those momentous meditations I had. A day has ended in my life and another day is about to start bearing its wonderful promise of a new life. I do hope and pray that tomorrows are always great for all of us. A picture of Hangzhou’s magnificent and beautiful West Lake would sum up all my thoughts.

Yummy Waxberries on the Go!

Today we had a very relaxing day in the nearby town experiencing our first waxberry picking fresh from the tree with Little, her close friend colleague Mr. Wang, and some other friends. Little is our closest Chinese friend here. She is just a sweet and cool mom who always loves to chat and share cool ideas to everyone close to her. I went there with Anelie my housemate. When we arrived at the place, we were greeted with nice and welcoming neighbors and family of Mr. Wang who owns a waxberry farm in the countryside. We felt like we were just with our family and relatives. The most awaited moment was when we climbed on a not so steep mountain to pick waxberries. For the first few picks we didn’t put it in our baskets instead we were putting it directly right into our mouths, hahah! We really enjoyed climbing the short trees and eating while chatting with everyone. Smiles. And oh, the waxberries’ taste like the ‘lomboys’ in our place in Cebu. Yes and it really tastes like the native fruit of my hometown – lomboy and it usually grows in almost summer season too. The more I ate it the more I felt like I was picking the fruit right there in my hometown. It was such a great experience being together with highly professional people. We felt like at home even when we were still on the car going to the waxberry picking site. Mr. Wang had a huge collection of English songs both classic and modern. Name it and he has it. Whew! This escapade is really the greatest so far from the history of our getaways here. Such a great escape from busyness at work, whew! Mr. Wang gave us each a basketfull of waxberries which really makes even more thankful and even grateful for the trip and treat. Smiles. He even introduced us some great seafood restaurant in his hometown and we ate much while chatting over the lip-smacking grub and a can of Tsingtao. Grins.

Great Adventure Around West Lake

On Wednesday, May 05, 2008, was our last day in Hangzhou, a city famous for its alluring and serene lake – the West Lake. We really love the place so much that even when it was our last day and we got to be early at the bus station still we decided to go to the West Lake again. We even had the guts of renting a bike so as to cut the time walking and therefore enjoy the place to our hearts content. So off we went with our bikes and enjoyed the whole place, not the whole though for the place is just so massive! Well, we went there right after breakfast time and rented a bike. We had our maps ready and started our adventure with ourselves. We just followed it and somehow with my limited Chinese speaking skills I asked some people there to guide us all the way through the nearest and shortest way to go back to where we started and rented our bikes. In the middle of our enjoyment and fun along the way we met a real challenge which somehow tested my Chinese speaking skills and my housemate’s expertise at following directions. Indeed along our journey we got lost and we arrived at a point where we didn’t know what to do and where to go. So the main solution we did was to go back where we turned and head off the other way. Grins. So there was our solution and in a few minutes we found the rental station. With our happy eyes and our smiling faces, we finally returned and got our change for the bike’s rent. But, but, but,,,we were running out of time then we had to go back to the hotel and got our luggage and off to the bus station. So the only way to short cut the time was to get a taxi and I said ‘kwai dian’ which means quickly or faster to the taxi driver. With our hearts pounding so fast every time we met a stop light as well as our minds getting busy with how to get to the bus station as quickly as we could. In a matter of 15 minutes we made it there quickly, got our luggage in the hotel, and off to the bus station. Whew! We could say we were caught in the nick of time at that moment for the bus almost left when we handed our tickets to person in the gate not minding who was he and he said quickly to us. Later to our notice that he was our bus driver for that day. We just looked at each other and said ‘What a lucky day!’. Grins. I guess our bikes could tell everything what we went through that day. Smiles.

The Alluring West Lake of Hangzhou

Last May 04, 2008, I and my friend went to the most beautiful place in Hangzhou city – the magnificent West Lake. This lake is so popular around China for its serene and alluring water land. We went there immediately though it’s raining quite heavy. I walked without any umbrella at all. Then, one old woman offered me with a cheap price but I declined and said it’s okay I’m fine. When we arrived in the lake itself, we took several pictures even when it started to rain even harder. We even asked one of the security guards to take a snapshot with the beautiful flowers. Smiles.My friend loves it so much to the point that pictures in my digicam are flowers or gardens. We somehow enjoyed our first day in Hangzhou. At first we were so excited to roam around the place and we even bought tickets for the lake cruise even though the rain was getting harder and the wind was getting even stronger. The authorities were so afraid for us the foreigners to go through the cruise so they stopped the trip and cut the time short up until forty-five minutes.So we only saw two out of three lakes. Not bad though. There’s always tomorrow to go and enjoy West Lake again. After the cruise we only stayed in our resting place – Starbucks. Grins. We spent a couple of minutes and then we head off to our hotel. That very day was very memorable for us. I can’t forget this experience. Smiles. I’d be sharing one of the enticing pictures that my friend took in West Lake today. Hope you’d find this alluring too.

Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower

Way back on our adventure in Shanghai we did so many things and one of the most unforgettable place I went with my friend is the most famous tourist attraction – The Oriental Pearl Tower. We decided to go there at night to see the beauty of the city and appreciate its panoramic view from the top. Though I could say that the fee to get on top of the tower was a bit pricey but the whole experience to go up there and see the whole view was all worth it. As you know I am claustrophobic and I have this little patience and staying power in a crowd most especially when in a closed space like in an elevator where we stayed for nearly the whole time when we were up there. Gosh I couldn’t imagine myself whining the whole time and I almost fell down my feet for we just stood all the way up and down the tower. There was no room to sit down for we gotta carry our butts and stand up all along the very long queue of people tourists and locals alike who wanted to experience what is it really like to be on top of the most famous tower. Well, so much to say about my experience here is my ‘best shot’ so to say of the panoramic view on top of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai. This could sum up all the experiences I had while I was in it.

The Long Live Immortal Valley in Wuyi City – SPLENDID!

After having a little wade around the heavenly place near the hotel, we went on the bus to go to the famous mountain – ‘The Long Live Immortal Valley’. It’s just a few minutes from the hotel so we arrived there in time just before the clock ticked two in the afternoon. The weather was really fine at that time though it was a little foggy and cool but everything was really great! Along the way I saw various fields such as tea, flowers, vegetables, and fruits not to mention the bamboo groves which eat most part of the place. The various rock formations, trees, and fields shielded the massive mountains. I was so amazed when we were met with old people who were also ready to climb the steep and wet pathways of the mountains. I think almost all old people here are used to climb mountains and do their exercise and prayers there. These mountains are just a few of those splendid scenic spots around this city.

So, so much for that, we started climbing the steep trails. The good thing is that their trails are all concrete and not slippery though wet. There are railings which add more safety for the climbers. There are really parts wherein it test your endurance and determination. I passed that part where there are two narrow stones like guards on the way to the well and fountain. I successfully passed my big butt and tummy all through the way. Thanks goodness, whew! I felt relieved and happy after that. It was my sort of ‘I finally made it line’! Smile of succes filled my face and heart after that. Smiles.

Lunch Time in San He Da Hotel in Wuyi City

We arrived in Wuyi at lunch time and hurriedly settled on the dinner table at half past twelve. We devoured the food served to us with delight coz it’s really cooked with the heart. I really liked their menu and thanked the cook after dinner. It was such a wonderful place coz I believe we were the only guests at that time. We felt like prominent people visiting their hotel. Indeed that place was so heavenly. After lunch, we strolled around the vicinity and took couple of pictures with our wacky faces and poses. Luckily we have our “professional” photographer – Tina. Smiles. Indeed, those pictures mirrored how contented we were on the food that we gobbled. At around quarter past one in the afternoon, we were all set forth to visit the most famous ‘The Long Lived Immortal Valley’.

Journey Going There – Wuyi City_tuesday, 22apr2008

As I said here, we are going to Wuyi to have a fantastic excursion in that heavenly place as my friends tried to put it into words. We went there yesterday, so early we went at around half past seven to catch the lunch dinner in the hotel. We were so wrapped up with excitement and enthusiasm along the journey going there and we kept on talking on the bus. If I remember it right, everyone was just so busy sharing their food, things to do in there, brainstorming on their readings about the place. History, adventure sports, and timelines were part of the topics discussed while others were also very busy taking pictures here and there. Going there is really wonderful and the place is so scenic one won’t dare closing her eyes though it tries to close. I could see massive rock formations which are so amazing with its different shapes and heights. The river and the lakes along the way sprinkled and intensified our imaginations of how awesome our destination would be like. Indeed it was really superb view along the journey. I just gave Anelie the camera to document everything for my hands are shaky and I am not really keen on taking fabulous snapshots. I admit it I still have a lot to learn more on taking quality and wonderful pictures. Smiles.

Party Mood

There is nothing really exciting than thinking and planning for a getaway. As I was the last to end my class this evening, I came in feeling tired and worn out as usual. I got four classes every Sunday this Spring term so that is my reason why I am tired after the day’s end. Sundays here are so long for me and tiresome indeed most especially when it comes to my third class which is in the afternoon and I got the naughtiest boys in town. Gosh! Indeed it is always tiring yet exciting for me every Sunday not to mention that I am going online for the rest of the time since I got two days off after that day. I could even skip my meals with just sitting with my laptop surfing and updating my sites on the Internet. I just don’t know why I am so addicted with it, haha.

Going back to the getaway plan, the school is organizing a trip for the two schools and everybody is invited to join and have fun for two days and one night in Wuyi. This place is so famous for hot springs here in Wenzhou. As told, we are expectedly going there on Tuesday the 22nd and almost all teachers are going there except for those who are non-nature lovers. As we have discussed this evening, we are going there at half past seven in the morning, not bad though. The great news is that they are closing the school on Wednesday so I got three days off next week, wohooo!

By now, I am so excited thinking that we are going to have fun, trekking, massage, and swimming in the hot spring this coming Tuesday. There is nothing much more thrilling than motivating myself of the forthcoming trip. And guess what, the school is paying for everything. As they say that there is nothing free in this world today but this time I beg to disagree,