September 17 All Aboard at Yichang

We left our luxury hotel with our group of 17 travellers and tour director David to fly to Yichang to embark on our cruise on the Yangtze River with an interesting stop at a silk factory on the way. Hard to resist the silk comforters or a hand knotted carpet so we had to make do with a silk scarf. Our room on the ship is fabulous with a balcony and full window wall. We are looking forward to all the sights that lie ahead.

September 16 Shanghai

I am not sure quite what we expected in Shanghai, but the combination of Chicago circa 1929 and ultramodern skyscrapers all built since 1990 was a bit surprising in this historic place. I think that there are 23 million people in the city. Hard to comprehend. Very impressive how quickly the city has grown. People from all over China come here for sightseeing and the streets around our very elegant Art Deco hotel are teeming with people. A trip to a beautiful Chinese garden has given me more inspiration for mine at home. 

Hong Kong and Kowloon

We have enjoyed two days of exploring the varied attractions in the area. From the heights of Victoria Peak overlooking the city to the lively stalls of the Temple Street night market. A jewel in the heart of Kowloon is the Nan Lian Garden and the Chi Lin Nunnery. A peaceful oasis to reflect  after the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city. A real contrast was the Wong Tai Sin temple that is a burst of vivid colour and and excitement with folks young and old  praying to a variety of deities.  The pungency of incense and the clacking of prayer sticks adding to the atmosphere. We  feel very at home here in Kong Kong as so many things remind us some of our Toronto neighbourhoods like Kensington Market and parts of Scarborough and Markham. It was a bit  hard to choose food but everyone is very helpful and friendly and there are pictures on the menus like at home. We are impressed at the  many people that we have seen running, cycling, swimming and doing Tai Chi as the sun rises over the Victoria Harbour. A relaxing swim in our rooftop pool was our contribution!

Next stop Shanghai!

Hong Kong at last

After a 15 hour flight, we were excited to arrive in Hong Kong. Surrounded by water with a back drop of mountains, towering ultra modern buildings stacked along the shores-this is a truly magical cosmopolitan place. We are adjusting to the steamy heat but of course our luxury hotel has good air conditioning plus a pool on the roof! Enjoyed our first meal of the local cuisine. The barbecued pork melted in our mouths!

Fall is Coming

Spent the weekend at beautiful Baptiste Lake with cool night temperatures signalling fall. I enjoyed jewellery production while observing the shed being built for our new acquisition, a 1953 Ferguson tractor. 

September is here

Very excited today to be packing (well ahead of time!) for my upcoming trip to China with my daughter. I am enjoying the cooler temperatures and the garden harvest. There is a flock of robins...yes, a flock that have been arriving in the garden around 6:30 for the past few nights and reminding me of a game we played as children-What Time is it Mr. Wolf?. The robins spread out at various places on the lawn all facing the same direction and run about 4 steps and then stop only to run a few steps again.  What are they doing? Tonight dinner showcased the okra with tomatoes, garlic, onion and green pepper all grown in the garden.  And of course, the new cheese bread recipe for the zucchini was marvellous.