Giant Pandas, Communist Army and lots of tea!

Yesterday morning was a very early one with a plane to catch to Chengdu, home of the Giant Panda!

After a rather routine flight we arrived at Sim's Cozy Backpackers to a warm welcome and a lovely room complete with amazing heating, a great shower, comfy bed, dvd player and fruit basket....what a bargain! The staff were very helpful!

We managed to check our boxes with a lot of things in the first day and explored the city a little bit following the Lonely Planets advice...NOTE TO SELF- do not rely on the Lonely Planet!, and ended up relaxing over a few glasses of wine at the Chengdu bookworm....heaven.....westerinzation!

The night time bought a Schiuan opera with changing masks and costumes, amazing hand shadows and great entertainment, all while freezing our butts off sitting outside at a traditional tea house....the traditional pouring and the endless cups helped keep away the cold and we met a few interesting people．


This morning bought the main point of the trip here- The big, cuddly, giant Panda's! They were truly amazing and very hard to tear yourself away from, especially the 3 month old ones in the Nursery. We also met some amazing travellers who had many a story to tell and were very happy to tell them! Unfortunately we were unable to have a photo with one as 3 weeks ago a man was posing with an adult one and it ripped his arm into 3 - not so cuddly after all! Oh well, the experience of seeing and photographing them in the flesh was worth it!

The afternoon was spent meandering around the Wenshuan temple, drinking copious amounts of tea and speaking to an 83 year old, English speaking member of the Communist Army who, because I live in Jiangsu, his original province, hobbled up the stairs and bought us packets of peanuts and sunflower seeds to munch on....very kind and unexpected!

After consuming a huge amount of fiery Schiuan food in Schiuan (another tick), we are waiting to catch a ride to the airport to start our more relaxing part of the trip to Lijiang...I can't wait.....and I am crossing my fingers that there is no rude rooster awakening all through the night...here's hoping!

Arohanui,

Love,

Amy xo

David, King Suites and a bath!

Enjoying the Club Floor benefits and the view!

Boxing day was again another different experience than the one I usually experience...in other words no left over turkey or ham in sight!

I began my journey to Shanghai in the early hours to meet David, who flew in at 8am (or so I thought!) Luckily I was able to negotiate my way to the hotel VERY easily - early preparation of an emailed business card in Chinese definitely helped! I had splashed out booked into the Crown Plaza Fudan on the Club for - lots of benefits, cocktail hour, free Internet, club lounge, food, breakfast etc.

Our Room 'The Chancellor Suite'! It even had 2 bathrooms and a walk in wardrobe!

As I was early (just a mere 5 hours) they did not have a non smoking room available, already expecting to just drop off my bag off, wait for David and then go into town until check in time I was pleasantly surprised instead of turning me away they then offer a King Suite...HELLLOOOO!

David arrived in 1 piece about an hour later and we spent the day relaxing.....I even got to have a bath...oh the luxury of it! We were the only ones for cocktail and snack hour and enjoyed the view from the 19th floor looking out over Shanghai! Breakfast the next day was sensational (that one was for you Anna!) and after a late check out we stopped off for some fake market shopping and an early dinner at Simple Thai (god,I miss Thai food!.....maybe my next move will be to Shanghai!), before catching the late train home!

Very tired after a long day carrying lots of luggage!

Today is another lazy day, clearing up loose ends, relaxing, massages and dinner tonight with friends before packing for our trip to see the Pandas (YAY!) and to picturesque Lijiang!

I can't wait!

I hope that everyone has a fantastic New Years and a big hug to Laura....Happy Birthday for today! - Love you lots!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Arohanui,

Love Amy xxoo

Just a typical Chinese Christmas.....NOT!

Good on ya Santa...lunch at Provence

Unfortunately Christmas is not one of the many, many holidays that Chinese people celebrate, so finding a venue to celebrate it proved very hard......and with no ovens in sight and only 2 gas rings, cooking was somewhat out of the question! Luckily the Blue Bar came to the rescue and hired out Provence (a very nice western restaurant) and we were able to eat Turkey on Christmas Day (minus the Cranberry sauce but gravy was flowing a plenty).
Our table for Christmas Lunch

We were greeted with many stares the whole day as we waltzed about in our Christmas gear and Christmas hats. I was very lucky to have gotten some Christmas crackers from my lovely brother and sister, which made the spirit of Christmas more present and made everyone wear lovely, silly hats! - My secret plan!
Belinda, Tanya and I
Talking to Mum, Dad, Justin and Katie was fantastic and getting to open my presents from them with them there was great! I was so spoiled with all of my NZ things including books, jandels (oh yeah), sheep droppings, t-shirts, twister and Mo-Mite (oh yeah!) , to mention a few! Also having a few glasses of bubbly with Mum and Dad over skype on Christmas Eve afternoon, was fantastic..oh the joys of technology!

Tanya my 'date' was hilarious and we were in hysterics most of the day. She is another NZ teacher teaching in an International School in KL!
Tanya 'my date' showing off her Porno Santa hat and lovely scarf, a Christmas present from Provence!

Unconventionally, after lunch, we dropped the boys off at the pub and went in search of Christmas Day bargins at H and M! Very nice discounts for a country that does not celebrate! Christmas Day cocktails were in order afterwards, then it was home to do a quick tidy up and pack for Shanghai to pick up David.
Kiwi girls away from Home, make the best of it by having a laugh!

However, Tracy was having something to say about that and it was back down to her house for more Aussie Everton, Hairspray and then a rather spectacular dance off between Tanya and myself...and yes......it was caught on camera....unfortunately not mine!

I hope that everyone had an amazing Christmas!


Big Christmas hugs and kisses,
Arohanui,

Love Amy xxoo

Christmas Eve

Tanya, Tracy, myself and Belinda - Cheers to Christmas with friends!

After using a few of the days in between Christmas and the end of school to catch up on some rest and even some school paper work, it was time some real Christmas spirit to come to Wuxi.

Tanya and Zach (Tracy's good friend and son) had arrived in China so we were already planning the Christmas Eve party with friends, unfortunately China belly struck and Zac got sick....instead we spent a lovely evening entertaining ourselves with good old NZ and Aussie wine, nibbles, hilarious laughs and of course 'Mamma Mia' and one of my most favourite new movies 'Across the Universe'! More laughs ensured we lasted until well after 12...not so good for my wake up call of 4.30am to skype my family! Oh well......once again...'tis the season'!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! xxoo

EtonHouse Christmas Party

My quiz team....winners at heart...'The Sexy Beasts'

Well, due to the festive season I have let my entries get away from me, although this is probably a good thing, it will save me from going on and on (hmmm....?)

The Chinese Staff with 'Santa Tony' having a great time!

The last Friday of school bought a half day and the staff Christmas party at a local deserted 'Australian' Cafe. It was a good night filled with a buffet food, with the best pizza we have all had in China, Christmas general knowledge quizzes, darts, pool and general festive spirit! Although I didn't win any prizes...it was rigged I tell you! It was a great way to end the 11 weeks of hard work, especially after the trying week ending with one of our friends leaving work!

We even had a guest appearance from a "famous" Aussie hair stylist - a very entertaining skit!Poor Anna! In the aftermath of Tony's styling skills and wearing her oh so trendy butterfly ensemble!

Go Santa Go!

What a night....singing, dancing, eating, Santa, presents and all at EtonHouse - who could've guessed school could be so fun!

If you haven't guessed...I am in a delarium from all of the mayhem of our school Christmas party! Here is a wee taste of how the night went...and hey no one can complain about the bad singing but me!

My wee darlings

Nursery, Reception, Japanese Kindergarten, Year 1 and 2 singing Christmas Carols

That's not Mr Valentine...it's Santa really (they didn't buy it one little bit!)
'The boys'- you so know who is my favourite! No guessing here!

Happy Holidays!

Arohanui,

Love Amy xxoo

A quiet night in with Giggling Gerts!

Giggling Gerts!

Friday night bought the end a busy week (only 1 more to go until Christmas!YAY!)

Anna and I decided to take it easy and enjoy some of my home made lasagna, have a sneaky

bottle of relaxing bubbly (it is the season after all) and watch Sex and the City! In typical Wuxi style, Sex and the City never got watched, lots of conversation was had and many cosmos followed. An attempt to get into town was foiled by the 2nd bottle of bubbly and crazy China taxi drivers!

last minute adjustments
Under the Christmas Tree

Next time....in my pj's I shall stay! We never learn!

To ease the craziness of Mondays and the week before Christmas (2 school Christmas functions to attend). Tracy, Anna and I ventured into the construction sight known as the old Sheraton (Sher-la-done in Chinese) and had an amazing buffet dinner - all hail Ladies Night! On the way out we encountered the biggest Gingerbread House that I had ever seen..all real and smelled very delicious...however I assume it may be a little stale!

Tomorrow night brings the children's family Christmas Party until7, complete with Turkey and Santa...all very exciting and Friday is a half day (woohoo) with the staff Christmas party....

I am counting the days until Christmas and then Boxing Day when David will be here and we venture off holidaying in Lijiang and seeing the Pandas.....YAY!


I hope you are all having a great lead up to Christmas!


Big love,

Arohanui,

Amy xo

Tis the season

The festive season has begun here with a vengence!

Last weekend we hit the markets and picked out our Christmas tree and decorations. With so many to choose from it was a hard decision but rest assured my tree looks like true Martin family tradition...although China does not celebrate it sure knows how to prepare with boxes and boxes filled with tacky Christmas cheer!

This weekend I attended the Wuxi International Club's Christmas party. I couldn't believe how many foreigners live in Wuxi, most of them I have not seen before. Granted, most of them are families with wee children, it was something different to do but I am not sure I will be doing it again in a hurry.

The big Christmas shop was done yesterday in preparation for the holiday season and I had a big box of goodies arrive from NZ on Friday, filled with lots of little gifts from Mum, Dad, Justin and Katie. It really made my week and I think that it really started to hit home that I won't be home for Christmas. It is helped by a Christmas tree with sparkly lights and lots of little gifts of love underneath it thou!! At the moment we are in the process of finding somewhere to celebrate the day - most foreigners here are European and they celebrate on Christmas Eve instead.

One thing that will make the Christmas season a lot less lonely is that David will be arriving on Boxing Day all the way from Germany for 10 days. We plan to venture down to the South of China to the warmer climates (it was -2 here yesterday), beautiful scenery and a converted farmhouse on the Lashi Lake. It has boating, horse riding, Yak plateaus and Lijiang the nearby town has the best preserved old town in China with Naxi people, a small minority group here. I can't wait to get away and we will stop by Chengdu to see the Pandas on the way through. Very exciting!

Only 2 weeks until Christmas holidays!

Love you all lots,

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

Shanghai, Christmas, Morroco and a wedding all in one weekend!

Busy Nanjing Lu...spot the Laowais!

Tracy, Azusa and I at Room Twentyeight after brunch
(note the thermals, skivvy's and jackets!)

In China we don't do it by halves and last weekend was no exception.

Azusa, Tracy and I hopped on the fast train and headed to the big smoke in search of Library books and art supplies...not very Chinese but needed to be done all the same. First and foremost it was off to a nice brunch at a restuarant Hadleigh had recommened and it was AMAZING! Struggling around the city with a backpack and trolley case full of books was definately NOT our cup of tea so Azusa managed to sweet talk one of the bookstores into packaging up our books and sending them to the school! Along the way we managed to spot Christmas, lurking in the shadows!

Christmas Tree (in November!)

We managed to take a quick detour to the silk markets and check out the daily goings on and cheap deals...we'll definately be going back there again!

Nepalese Women selling jewellery outside the Silk Markets

After taking in some art galleries (I wish, we had to quickly scour the gift shops for posters...VERY unsuccessful), we raced around picking up Christmas gifts and yummy supplies (proper bread, hummus and sweet treats from our favourite bakery and restaurant) and then after Azusa had departed for the train I showed Tracy my wee Morroco at Marrakesh an amazingly tasty and classically decorated Morrocan restuarant. Reluctantly we left the big city and headed back to the characterless city of Wuxi (as quoted from the Lonely Planet!)

Enjoying a taste of Morroco and 'normal' life in Shanghai

Sunday bought about a birthday BBQ for our NZ fellow Wuxite, Matt. In the pouring rain and freezing teperatures we ventured out, arms full of platters and wine ready for our first China BBQ...haha.....suprisingly it really did feel a bit like home, complete with NZ t-shirts and music. It was a lovely night and there as even a showing of Abby's wedding dres...or should I say her first wedding dress ! The dresses are so cheap here she has 2! As I will miss hers and Matts wedding by only 1 day when I am back it was great to see how fantastic she will look!

Stunning Abby in dress number 1

Parent interviews were held at school this week and they all went well and the parents are all happy, as are the children..WHEW! I even had a few Dad's come which was great and a Mum who was late bought me a coffee and muffin! Score! AND the next day she did it again as she had got it all wrong the day before...I was not worried at all!

David is thinking of coming at Christmas which will be amazing. Well, actually I think it is all confirmed however, even after this long I still don't like to get my hopes up until it has actually happened. It is still hard to get out of old habits!

Even from Germany, David rubbing it in that he still has a BMW and I don't!

I have a new dress hanging up in my house, it is my Greece dress...the perfect island hopping, beach meandering, olive eating, wine sipping, sunset watching dress. At the moment it is serving 3 purposes...it is hanging in my living room to motivate me to the gym, keep me eating healthy and remind me about what I have to look forward to! Greece, here I come...all aches and pains from my well over due return to the gym...but still...here I come!

Being serenaded by a lone saxaphonist in Shanghai

This week I have had the dreaded China belly that seems to be ripping it's way through the school but I am in celebration because finally I am able to hold down some bread! Woohoo, I might even dare to try to venture out to the market tomorrow to pick up a Christmas tree and some decorations....I feel a white Christmas coming on!

The countdown in on,

Big love,
Arohanui,

Amy xo

Fitting in like a glove!

Hre is a taste of my daily life: This is the way we eat our ice cream...I'm a real Chinese now! And I didn't even get any funny looks! Not quite the flattering photo though!

Big Love,

Arohanui,

Amy xo

Christmas already??

After venturing out to Metro (a wholesale supermarket with a good International Section), I was left puzzled as to what the date is! I am sure it was only early November! After being told it was mid November....I absorbed my surroundings....Christmas already? I thought that America was early and was thankful that I had never experienced it...unfortunately China (a country that doesn't even celebrate it) has adopted American ways and Christmas has already started here. We even have lights up in trees around our apartments that are reminiscent of snow!

That said, it is FREEZING here now, which is weird because the sun has been shining with snippets of blue skies for 3 days now. Enough to fool myself and a few others who have ventured out in short sleeves...it was right back inside to tug on the thermals!

Freezing: eating my yummy soup at Uberfoods after a particularlly bad day!

Above: My soup is bigger than your soup!

However, I have taken it upon myself to get into the Christmas spirit and start thinking about my Christmas presents, start purchasing them and planning my holiday break...all very exciting! Although, I have been told that if I break out the Carols before December (or at all...I think), then my life won't be worth living! Oh well, I 'm willing to take that chance and come December 1st....EtonHouse halls and all of Wuxi will hear the sounds of Jingle Bell Rock!

To combat the cold months we tested out the Nanjing Hot Pools and they were fabulous! I think that we will definitely stay out there next time...in a laowai friendly establishment...and come into Nanjing for the fantastic Filipino band and some yummy food at the Blue Marlin. A lovely way to spend the cold weekends! Next time we will also make sure we are on time for the train as watching it pull out of the station and running alongside it, although very like the movies, was not my idea of fun...the riding in the slow train with all the locals in the sleeping part of the train was hilarious and very LOCAL of us....hhmmmmm....fast train on comfortable seats is better I think!

Tracy, Christine and I in Nanjing

As for this weekend, after a few quiet after work drinks with people I feel like I haven't seen in ages, the key word is HIBERNATION! I have purchased some smoked salmon and a few other goodies including some rather cheap French wine (who knows how that will go), and am going to settle on the couch in my warmest 'home' clothes, blanket on lap) and watch DVD after DVD.......cough..cough....I think i am coming down with something!*wink*

Big Love

Arohanui,

Amy xo

Seven Floors up without a harness.....a daily routine!

A quick catch up!

Out with the teachers - Tony was finally out and about!

Boyd, Tony and Pete all enjoying their freedom at Soho!

Catching up - Boyd and I at Gigi's before taking Tony dancing!

After Oz lost to the All Balcks (again) The aussie teachers consoling themselves at the new Ronnies all you can eat BBQ!

Nancy (Pete's lady) and I on Halloween

Belinda's 39th Birthday at the Banana Leaf

Tracy and I at Ronnies after I said Goodbye to Caroline and Greg in Suzhou! *sad face*

Jo being accosted by the flx animal man...just a typical night in Beijing! *IB Asia-Pacific regional conference*

Yay, a decent drink after all the senimars = mexican...yum!

Heavan...missing normal food.....while in Beijing I only ate western....guacamole made infront of us in Beijing!

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