China (Suzhou): Our HangZhou (杭州) Trip!

On 20th Nov, we took a coach to HangZhou. Winter season is around the corner. We could feel the chill especially at night. We reached there around 2pm and check-in one of the hotel we booked via Internet. Thereafter, we took a cab to XiHu (西湖). A place that you must not miss if you're going to HangZhou. It was so crowded with people since it was Saturday.


The next day, we decided to go to JiuXiShiBaJian (九溪十八涧). We chose the public transport so as to understand the people and culture there. At the bus-stop, a lady approached us. She asked where do we intend to go. When we told her that we wanted to go to JiuXiShiBaJian (九溪十八涧), she started to persuade us to go to LongJingWenCha (龙井问茶). Having done enough research about HangZhou, we knew that LongJingWenCha (龙井问茶) is a place for people who love tea and wish to buy some there. So, we politely declined her offer of bringing us there.

Upon reaching JiuXiShiBaJian (九溪十八涧), we were looking for toilet. And suddenly to our horror, she appeared in front of us and asking again whether we're going to 龙井问茶. We're so shocked that she has been tailing us all the way. This time round, we're very firmed and told her off.

Thereafter, we walked around the JiuXiShiBaJian (九溪十八涧). Wow, that's the first time I saw maple leaves!!



After the walk at JiuXiShiBaJian (九溪十八涧), we went to a good chinese restaurant. Dear hubby gave me a great treat - a sumptous dinner:D Yummy LOBSTER!!!

On 21 Nov, we went to a western restaurant near XiHu...Heehee...I missed western food so much!! We thought that restaurant was quite good. I meant from the menu and the ambiance there. Alas, the steak is super hard and tasted so funny! After the awful lunch, we went shopping:D Bought a lot English books for dear daughter though:p

On 22 Nov, we checked-out the hotel and took a coach again back to Suzhou:)

China (Suzhou): Birthday Treat!

My birthday is coming soon! Dear hubby decided to apply for few days' leave and we're going to travel to HangZhou!!! HURRAY!!

China (Suzhou): XiShan (西山)

This morning, we took a public bus to XiShan (西山). It's about two hours' journey. The weather is getting cooler now. XiShan is full of rocks. You can see rocks everywhere. That's why it's being called ShiGongShan (石公山) as well.

China (Suzhou): MOZIE Everywhere!

Winter is coming pretty soon, but still have a lot mosquitoes....We bought this mongolia camp for dear daughter:D So mozie can't get near her anymore!!

China (Suzhou): Tong Li (同里), Little Venice

Today, we travelled to Tong Li (同里), little Venice. We took a bus there. It is located on the outskirt of Suzhou. It is also known for a system of canals reminiscent of Venice of Italy.

Canals

Cart selling fruits

Kids Shoes for winter

Traditional Chinese Wedding

It was a wet and gloomy day... We have been to Venice before. I still prefer Venice:p

China (Suzhou): Searching for Preschool

I had shortlisted about 4 nearby pre-schools. Had visited them and dear daughter likes those schools. But alas, I noticed that there're a lot mosquitoes leh... Also, I felt that the teachers are a bit too demanding for a 3years old child. Another big concern is they can't speak English and dear daughter would not be able to communicate with them.

We don't intend to put her in Singapore International School cos it'll cost us a bomb. Pray hard that we could find one biligual pre-school.

China (Suzhou): Taking Public Transport:-)

Today, dear daughter and I took the public bus around SIP. The buses in Suzhou are generally old and not well maintained. The people here tend to throw rubbish and spat anywhere they like. So, the buses are quite dirty. There isn't any bus conductor around. So, the bus driver was rather stressed up. Despite seeing my young daughter with me, she didn't bother to wait for us to be seated and zoom...she moved off the bus. Well, I must say that the bus fare is really cheap. ONLY RMB1 = SGD 20cents per adult and free of charge for children below the height of 110cm.

China (Suzhou): Refused to sleep!

Dear daughter doesn't like to nap in the afternoon since young. But at least she would nap once or twice a week, if I "insist":p It's getting worse in Suzhou now. For the past week, I had literally spending more than an hour to coax her to nap in the afternoon. But alas, she simply refused to nap. Maybe she's still adjusting to the new environment.

I am trying to find a pre-school for her. We managed to download a list of pre-schools in Suzhou via internet. Well, still have to call each of them up to find out more information. Hopefully I can find one nearby. No matter how, she needs friends to play with:p

China (Suzhou): Water Bottle so cheap!!

We did our weekly marketing at AuShan this afternoon. I was busy searching for a water bottle for dear daughter. Can't find any brands that I know at Aushan...mostly local brands and it's too cheap. ONLY 5RMB = 1SGD. Don't know if it's safe to use... Anyway, just get one and let dear daughter use it temporarily. Have to explore other shopping places soon. Heard there's one shopping place that most Singaporeans love to go 新城大厦. Maybe will make a trip there next week.

China (Suzhou): Zhuo Zheng Yuan (拙政园)

Finally, it's Saturday!!! Dear hubby is not working and we could go out. HURRAY!!

We decided to visit Zhuo Zheng Yuan or the Humble Administrator's Garden. Suzhou is famous for its gardens. Zhuo Zheng Yuan is the biggest amongst all gardens in Suzhou and I should say that it's the best!

After buying tickets, a lady offered to be our tour guide. So, we paid her and let her guide us throughout the walk. Hehe...if you're chinese is not good, you probably won't survive:p Thank God, both hubby and I can swim in chinese:D

special window that change the colour of scenary

After a long walk, we're so tired. I don't think I ever walked that long in my life you know. Dear daughter looked gloomy at first because of the long walk. But was soon very happy, because she got a chinese PINK umbrella and it costs us 35RMB = abt 7SGD.

As we walked out Zhuo Zheng Yuan (another exit), we found out that the pink umbrella was sold at a much cheaper price outside:( From then, we know that we have to learn how to bargain in China!!

China (Suzhou): Chinese everywhere:p

Dear daughter and I had been staying indoor for the past few days. Really can't imagine how we managed to "coop ourselves" at home:p We tried watching the local TV channels. All in Chinese medium except one English channel (but it's a current affair channel, very similar to Singapore's channelnewsasia). So, dear daughter can't appreciate:p

China (Suzhou): Oh my Piyo Piyo Water Bottle:(

Dear daughter broke her piyo piyo water bottle. Sob...sob...I bought it at SGD12.90 in Singapore and only used it for 3 days, heartache:( She was upset too...

China (Suzhou): We got a helper!!!

This morning, dear hubby had to report to work. Only left dear daughter and I in our new home. I was busy trying to familiarise myself with this BIG house. From TV, DVD player to kitchen appliances. Well, we bought the wok and pots at Aushan yesterday. Of course, had done my marketing as well. But but hehe...I had not been cooking for many years ever since I got a domestic helper. And I'm left with no choice now since dear daughter is still young. I can't possibly let her eat out everyday right??? The thought of those oily and salty food came into my mind:( I feel so guilty of letting her eating them:p

Thank God that I bought the recipe book from NTUC before flying here. Pancy Seng's "Cooking for Kids". It really comes in handy. I just tried out the simple meatball porridge and it's not too bad!! Dear daughter is a bit insecure with this new place. Maybe she could sense that her mummy is SO TENSE UP!!!

After our simple lunch, someone knocked the door!!! I wondered who was that?? Only to discover that it's the domestic helper, they called 阿姨 in China. Oh, the company had provided us with a helper to clean up the house. Alas, we didn't know that and was busy with the housework since yesterday!!!

China (Suzhou): AuShan the gigantic store!

Late afternoon of yesterday, we quickly made our way to AuShan "欧尚". Recommended by one of the colleagues whom has been there for at least 1year. AuShan a hypermarket, very much similar to Carrefour or Giant in Singapore. Btw, there's a Carrefour in Suzhou as well. But it is located at New SIP, slightly farther from our new home. As we're staying at SIP, we went to nearer hypermarket which is AuShan.

We took a cab or they called "出租车" there, it's very convenient. The best part is it only costs us 10RMB ie. about $2 SGD for one-way journey. Can you imagine?? It's so cheap and really made us HAPPY:D

But Aushan is just crowded with people. You know, it's China. We could barely walk and everyone just hits each other to get through. We're so used to say "Excuse Me" in Singapore right? But in China, you can't hear anything like this. Anyway, I taught my dear daughter to be polite no matter how. So, instead of using "Excuse Me" which not many people could possibly understand, we used "借过". At least, majority of the people could understand, but it doesn't mean that they'll listen:(

Anyway, we quickly grabbed whatever items we could find and needed based on my initial list. Well, at least could tide us over for the 1st week:p

China (Suzhou): Shi Lu Bu Xing Jie (石路步行街)

After a crazy cleaning yesterday morning, we took a cab to Shi Lu Bu Xing Jie (石路步行街) for a walk. Heard from friends there, it's good shopping place:) This is the first time we experience autumn season. Well, it's sunny, breezy and cool:)

We didn't buy anything. Just had our lunch at one of the cafe there. Ate western food. Not bad:)

China (Suzhou): Choking Toilets:-(

The next morning, we woke up and were disgusted to find out that the toilet bowls were flooded!!! Both level 1 and 2. I went to level 3, only to discover a broken toilet cover. I was so upset and cried that I could be at my sweet home!!! The previous tenants left all the shit to us before shifting out!!!

Dear hubby tried to solve the problem. He's a calm man and would tackle problem when it comes. I chose to accompany dear daughter at level 1 instead of facing the problem which would make me even more desperate to go home!! A while later, dear hubby declared that problem was resolved. I didn't ask how he fixed it and didn't wish to know either:p But soon I realised why....Well, in Suzhou we were told that you're not supposed to throw the toilet papers into toilet bowl cause it'd choke it. Apparently the toilet system is different from ours. But soon, we found out a good way to solve this problem. Kept flushing the toilet frequently to flush away the toilet papers, then it wouldn't get choked:-D

China (Suzhou): Our 1st Nite Stay

When we stepped into our new home, I knew straight that a lot of "works" needed to be done. But after a day's long journey, we were all completely exhausted. So, we quickly took our baths and made the bed with our own bedsheet and pillow cases (we brought it from Singapore, heehee...). And fell asleep zzzzzz in this new home and new land...

China (Suzhou): Our New Home

In the 4th Quarter of 2004, we relocated to China, Suzhou. We took SIA flight from Singapore at 10:30am to ShangHai PuDong Airport. From the airport, we were welcomed by a friendly company driver:)

It's about 1.5hours' drive from ShangHai to Suzhou. However, we're stucked in a bad traffic jam that day. It took us 4hrs to reach Suzhou, but I must say that the company driver is really "good" at driving. We're like taking a roller coaster ride:p And were considered fast in reaching Suzhou:)

We reached Suzhou at 8pm. After a sumptuous dinner, the company driver sent us to our new HOME. We stayed in a 3-storey terrace house. It was autumn when we touched down. See the neighbourhood at Rheins Garden.

In my next post, I will share about our adventurous life in Suzhou:-)