The last full day in Manila was more leisurely. Finally I spent time by the pool, swimming and reading a book.
View from hotel balcony
We went looking for more vegan Filipino food. We took a taxi to one that is a barbeque place. However they did not have seating. Undeterred, we ate on the sidewalk watching people go by. It was delicious food. Sisig is usually made with pig face and belly and cooked until it is crispy. The word sisig (pronounced see-sig) stems from sisigan, an old Tagalog word that means “to make sour,” it did have a slight sour taste that paid well with beer. Bopsis had Spanish origins and is a spicier dish with tomatoes, chillies, and onions.
From there we walked through the streets to another restaurant. Great sights along the way but they did not open when they said they would be.
We passed a few of these tents along the side of a busy road. They are actually funerals with the casket, memorial flowers, and chairs for vigil.
I wanted to try another Filipino desert called Boku pie. It is a delicious in a different area of the Philippines but we traveled to a bakery that is supposed to have it. But they did not have any. They did have ube hopia which had purple sweet potato in it. It is similar to a pastry in Yunnan province in China but a bit heavier.
In our wandering I came across a free library with a resident kitty.
The Sofitel had great Christmas decorations and music. Festive!
And the hotel had great food: sisig, eggplant with mango salsa, and turon a la mode which is fried bananas with ube ice cream.
I visited gardens by the Bay on a night tour last time I visited. It included a walk around and then a view from near the top of the hotel. This time I expanded my stay and paid for the tickets to go in the giant domes. Video: https://youtu.be/oWo0kgt9dCo
The first was the flower dome. It was cool temperature unlike a hot house with some impressive displays and complete view to the outside. Video: https://youtu.be/oWo0kgt9dCo
I played with my new toy. A 360 camera. Because of this I have more video than i have pictures. I am still playing with the video which I have uploaded to YouTube in my library: LouiseMaine.
After the flower dome, we went to cloud city which had characters from the new Avatar movie scattered around. They also had a machine that scanned your face and would turn you into an Avatar. Video: https://youtu.be/GH9IFs-Zc20
There are 360 views to the outside which is breathtaking.
One of my 360 videos is here: https://youtu.be/bHNEekshtaw
Though not part of that tour, as we were leaving Singapore I learned there was a large waterfall in the mall connected to the airport. It is a vortex waterfall and I am so glad I checked my luggage and received my ticket then went across to see it. Pretty spectacular. There are hiking paths along the bottom that you can access at various points that lead to overhead walkways.
Our hotel was in Little India which is pretty if a heritage trail that also goes through a Muslim quarter called Kampong Glam. The street art, good, and vice was amazing. One of the items on our agenda was to get a western COVID vaccine. The trails led is too the hospital clinic we needed.
Kampong Glam, Sultán temple
The food here in Singapore is amazing. One of the other things that we did was to find the local Hawker Street to eat like a local.
There I also found a nice gentleman to fix my sandal as the bottom was falling off. A total of 3 Singaporean dollars which is about 2 USD. He would not take a tip.
And of course I again had a Singapore sling at the original Raffles hotel. The drink was created for women as they were not allowed to drink in public and it looked non alcoholic.
As I was preparing to leave for the US, a number of celebrations were enjoyed with friends. Home is any place where you have family, friends, and a sense of belonging. Sometimes it is more than one place.
Dinner at a sauerkraut fish place with Jack. Of course I saw the menu and noticed pig brain.Not having tried it before, we ordered it too. It really had no specific taste but was quite good.
I hosted a Thanksgiving dinner with friends and the food was delicious. Some favorites of the holidays and others a mixed bag of other international dishes
I am blessed to have so many beautiful people in my life.My ugly Christmas sweater I made for the staff holiday party. LED lights make the fire glow Friends at the school held a cookie exchange.The school wide holiday Bazaar was also fun with great games for students and all things Christmas.
It is difficult to say goodbye to friends leaving the country you are in but we know it is not goodbye but until I see you again. My friend Trisha is going back to the UK.
And of course dragon boat which is my weekend hobby, exercise, and time with more friends.
This year I went out of my comfort zone and played the bass clarinet in a teacher ensemble for the students. I also performed a pantomime with other teachers for the whole school.
Before I knew it, it was time to leave for the US. I left lessons for when I am gone in January, made sure there was plenty of food for the kitties and people to take care of them, and planned my packing. A COVID test less than 24 hours old was required to get on the plane. At the airport, I ate in the China southern lounge.
After an uneventful flight to LA, the rest was a travel nightmare. Spirit airlines cancelled 8 flights and waited until boarding time to announce. Without a US sim card, I had no cell phone off of wifi. With the help of another kind person, I found a flight from John Wayne airport fire the next morning and she dropped me off at a hotel across from the airport.
I arrived 12 hours after I was originally to land in Pittsburgh where I went to my son Ryan’s apartment. He cooked a yummy falafel meal and it was great to finally be near him. Talking on the phone for three last 2.5 years was difficult.
The next morning I planned to renew my driver’s license, get a COVID vaccine, and walk around Pittsburgh to where Ryan works. It had been some time since I have been in a smaller city and could see beyond huge skyscrapers. It was an enjoyable walk through the different areas of Pittsburgh.
The hot metal bridge area in the Southside is where trains and barges brought coal to make steel. Along the river were many historical relics from that time.
Ingots of iron.
For lunch I stopped at double wide grille. Here they have all kinds of food including vegan and vegetarian. It is located in an old gas station and the food is so good here.
Afterwards we drove to my brothers house in the country. I planned on staying here for the rest of the week before going back to Ryan’s. I drove to see my old friends at punxsutawney high school and just relax and watch movies. I also need time to get new credit cards and take care of the mail I received the last 2 years. On a run that week, it started to snow and the wind was brisk. A big weather change from Guangzhou.
I will also be traveling to Wisconsin to see Becca. I am sure it will be cold there.
Warning. A bit of rambling about the last two weeks leading up to Chinese new Year!
This year for Chinese New Year we were advised not to go anywhere. We can’t leave China and there are a few imported cases and always a concern that all it takes is one to start another outbreak (though China’s policy about testing and quarantining to be sure means that areas are downgraded quickly in 3 to 4 weeks.) I am glad I went to Harbin at Christmas as it was shut down due to a few cases.
Last Chinese New Year I went to New Zealand and did not come back for 9 weeks. It was epic in terms of seeing sights but a bit nerve wracking not being sure where the world is headed. Fast forward to this year and I am glad to have been able to travel China last year, but not going anywhere right now was a bit unsettling. I looked at it as a time to spend with friends and relax a bit (except for chiropractor appointments).
Chinese New Year is hallmarked with families deep cleaning their houses and removing excess. This allows for the old to leave and allow the new in. I used some of the time to clean and organize my belongings as well. The cats did not like their deep clean, but that was necessary too! I came across a 2020 ornament I was given on the 1st of last year when I entered Greece. I thought maybe it should be destroyed given the year that we had, but would make a good ornament to remember that year.
This year is the year of the OX: The Ox is the second of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Ox was about to be the first to arrive, but Rat tricked Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox. Thus, Ox became the second animal. (The pig is the last animal as it had to stop and eat along the way!) Ox are know to be hardworking and honest.
In the weeks before Chinese New Year, many decorations could be seen going up around the city.
Okay, not a decoration, but where else do you see a chicken in a box sitting at a bus stop? I am certain it was someones dinner that night!
Chinese lanterns in the tree near the train station.
Over Chinese New Year, my Google phone stopped working correctly. That made it impossible to do anything as getting rides, ordering food, paying for groceries use the phone. Compounded to that is the code used to track whether you have been to a place with covid cases. Without the phone it is inaccessible. During Chinese New Year, many places close as it is like our Christmas to new Years. Jack was able to take me to a Xiaomi store to get a Mi 10. It has taken awhile to get my apps loaded and things working (let alone recovering everything from my old phone (without a Google phone and all the great apps and backups that would be impossible).
In the mall, a Tim Horton’s opened up, so we stopped for some coffee.
Over Chinese New Year was Valentine’s Day. Jack gave me some Moutai, which is a kind of baijiu (a grain alcohol that is pretty strong). Each type os different and Moutai is aged longer and the most expensive that you can buy here.
I also was able to get together with my friend Lily and her son Edward. (and Killian). I haven’t seen her in 6 months as our schedule always conflicted. It was great to meet for Dim Sum and share some banana bread I made for a party a few days before.
This is a new statue from a famous sculptor in Guangzhou of robust ladies in a variety of athletic pursuits. It shows beauty in everyday life and freedom and enchantment in their figures. It flies in the face of portrayal of chubby women and that is the purpose.
A sculpture of an ox.
At the start of Chinese New Year, I went to Haizhu park to meet people for some live music. It was part of a cultural event where they carved olive pits, learned other crafts, then stayed overnight in a hostel that focused on books and coming together. i did not get to participate in the other events due to an appointment and work the next day. It was good to visit this amazing place and hear music with friends. The rooms are tucked in among the books.
The decorations in Haizhu park where beautiful. I had been there during the day, but not at night.
I also was able to visit the pig cafe. A cafe full of potbelly pigs! What heaven. Instead of buying a drink and food for me to enter, your purchase food for the pigs. Each bowl of food after is much cheaper and it was fun to feed all the piggies!
At school we usually have a lion dance and other festivities, but many of these have been cancelled to stop large public gatherings. Our Chinese department worked with students to put on a fascinating show for the school. All students wore masks during the assembly and it was great to see the singing and dancing. The students who performed the fan dance were wonderful as well as those who were acting out scenes from Mulan.
At the end of the last day before vacation, our school held a get together on the rooftop of the new building. Wine, beer, snacks, subs, smores, and karaoke made for a very fun night! I work at an unbelievable and supportive school!
After arriving back from Shanghai I spent more time with Jack. He had been so sweet and lovely. He gave me a great silk floral arrangement and organic perfume oil for my birthday.
I went to lunches with my friend Elaine. She always finds great food to try. This was a black tea with whipped cream and pecans. It was delicious.
Jack surprised me with plans to go to a village north of the city called Xitou. We had already made plans to go to my friends Tricia and Dan’s for new years eve get together in Huadu so went on a road trip a night early.
Ww ate at a place in Xitou village. They had rice wine that has bees soaking in it. It is to help with certain medical conditions. I didn’t try it but very curious….
The food was amazing. The soup (tang) was made with many different kinds of mushrooms. It was very tasty soup. The sweet potatoes had the best sauce ever.
The mountains in Xitou were beautiful.
The village was also beautiful. Some old buildings are original. Many new places have been erected for others to come from the city to stay and is growing as a tourist destination.
We also had congee and rice roll with egg the next morning in the village.
Then we took a hike to the next village.
We took a wrong road and saw this bird. It is a wild bird that stays there and is hand fed. He was fascinating. The owner of the property brought it a cooked potato to feed the bird.
There is actually a place to charge your phone and make a call in the middle of the bamboo forest. This is solar powered.
In the other village they grow Camellia flowers for tea. It is also being developed for tourism.
Meat drying outside.
After the hike we walked in the village to look at what they are selling.
Tofu dessert and sesame seed dessert. Warm and delicious.
Lunch was amazing at another village. The sour cabbage dish was delightful.
View from the restaurant.
We arrived at my friend’s. There we played games, ate pizza and dips, and watched movies and shows until the new year. With the pandemic, there are no formal ball drop celebrations and in China there are some parties. Getting together as a small group was still better.
I’m the morning, Jack and I ran 5k, had breakfast with everyone and took a stroll around their area. It was a great end of one year and start of the next.
In the morning I ran with Ollie the golden retriever. Fun! He finds all the cat hiding places!
We then went to Disney town. Not Shanghai Disney. Even though it was warmer that day, it was still nippy to be on fast rides. Disney town is within sight of actual Disney but with shops and restaurants.
It was nice to outside peruse the Disney store.
I hadn’t been paying attention to the intricate Lego sets and they were impressive. There were a few large Lego decorations.
We strolled some more. Lastly we went to eat at the cheesecake factory.
We don’t have a cheesecake factory in Guangzhou and no telling when I will be somewhere where there is one. I had the guacamole salad and we shared sweet potato fries. I took key lime cheesecake to have later.
Harbin is the largest city in China that is the closest to Siberia.
The last day on Harbin! I’m actually excited to get back to Guangzhou and warmer temperatures. It is pretty here but the temperatures range from -15 C to – 20 C. At that temperature the air is very dry. Using lip balm and moisturizing often is a must. You also need several layers under a really good coat and insulating snowpants and boots.
We packed everything and put our luggage on the bus. We headed to the riverfront and walked to the flood control monument which intersects the riverfront and the road to the central market.
We first walked down the central market street to west 12th to see St. Sophia’s church. The architecture here is but Chinese but like any eastern european country.
St. Sophia’s is a Russian Orthodox church which is beautiful. Unfortunately they were renovating the inside so we could not enter.
From there we went in and out of shops in order to warm up a bit. Taking gloves off to take a picture left fingers numb!
Musicians took turns playing music or singing from this balcony. It was beautiful. This guy played beautiful old music on the saxophone.
One of the things people do here is buy ice cream to eat on the street. It is just ordinary ice cream, but something people do. It actually didn’t make me any colder.
We went in and out shops mostly to look for caviar. There was none to be found. I think it is banned due to covid-19. The virus had been found on fish products earlier in the year. I was disappointed in that.
I did find this bread flavored soda. I did try it. It tastes like that yummy taste you have in your mouth after you eat really good bread. It is a lingering bread taste and actually quite tasty. It is a favorite in Russia.
We found a Russian restaurant that had good food though I did not find the potato latkes I was looking for. I had a beetroot salad and potato mushroom soup.
Next we took the cable car across the river. The number of things you can do on this completely frozen river is amazing. Skating, sledding, pulled by dog teams, and other fun activities. If you love winter and outdoor activities, you will not be bored! The spaces they have created here is amazing. The ice is 1 meter thick.
A walk along the river back to the bus to look at smaller snow sculptures.
We also saw construction of the sculptures in this temperature. It was amazing.
A street food market for stinky tofu. It is just fermented tofu. Yummy but had to eat fast before it became cold.
It was cold. We started the tour at -20C and finished at -16C. There are a few coffee shops around to get out of the cold. Of course if you keep moving and don’t take your hands out of gloves to take pictures it is easier.
These sculptures are made by making artificial snow as that snow is wetter and sticker than the snows that falls on Harbin. They place the snow in big wooden boxes to pack then use the block to make these incredible sculptures that are the largest in the world. All of this is made from packed snow.
Topiary dragon.It started out at -20C and when the sun was shining warned up a bit.You could ride this vehicle and soon around on the river ice.I loved the dragon.Close up of the dragon head.This one is still under construction and looks like a little mushroom house village.
Siberian Tiger Park
The siberian tiger park was pretty cool. People move through the various paddocks in caged vehicles. Some tigers are in cages if they are not acclimated to weather, weak, pregnant, or young. They can get enough nutrition that way. There are over 1300 tigers and the park is very large.
You can pay to feed them by holding meat through the bars or even feed them a live chicken which is dropped through a chute.
Some of the buses also will be used to feed the tigers. You can always tell which bus.
They are such beautiful animals.
Volga Manor
This was a Russian village created by a wealthy entrepreneur in the turn of the century. It prospered until the cultural revolution when it was destroyed. Since then it has been rebuilt on the actual style of the original buildings.
We took a bus to the castle at the end where you took a freight lift to the 5th floor. There you could lay on an inner tube and hold on to each others legs to sled ride down this impressive ice chute. It was so fun we did it twice.
We looked at the Russian church.
There were many other buildings that were not open.
Of course there was a vodka chateau. We learned about vodka.
Sampling the vodka was fun. It was poured in ice cups. I sampled an amber colored vodka that had a definite spicy kick at the end. I also tried a dark colored vodka that had a really full flavor. You could buy your favorite vodka in the gift shop. I purchased the two I tried!
Walking back to the bus was beautiful to see the lit houses.
Afterwards some pedestrian street shopping and food at a Japanese restaurant. On the way back to the hotel we saw this sign which is so very covid-19. It is a little blurry as the bus started moving.
Merry Christmas! An early morning start to catch the plane and I had some of the stollen bread that my dear friend Tricia and Dan bought me for my birthday! It was delicious. Not like the recipe I grew up with which is a yeast soft bread with candied fruits and nuts inside. This was somewhere between that and a fruitcake. It was yummy and will be good when I’m hungry on the trip.
The flight to Harbin was diverted due to weather and did not arrive on time. I still had enough time to change into multiple layers to visit the Ice Festival. On the way there you could see people on large snow mounds making it into something for the festival. Harbin is close to the Russian border with China.
We arrived at the festival around 3 in the afternoon. The sun sets just after 4 here. So far the weather is not bad. It is cold but tolerable with layers. If course when the sun goes down….
It is negative 16 Celsius. That is around negative 5 F.
It was great to see my friends Amber and Michael on this trip. I haven’t seen them in awhile. A core group of us met and took trips together this summer. Covid-19 wreaked havoc but did give us that.
Some of the ice houses were already starting to light up when we arrived.
We went ice bicycling. It was pretty fun around this frozen track that wound through a building and under a bridge. Hard to move legs in the bulky clothes but once you find a rhythm…
There were some restaurants to stop in and get warm. While we were there the sun went down and the ice buildings were lit up.
This snow sculpture of the Buddha is my favorite of the day. It is enormous.
As the festival officially opened in February, some buildings were still being constructed. Ice from the river is brought in and cut into smaller blocks. It is 1 meter deep there. Lights are put in on the top blocks. It takes a lot of orbison to hand cut all of these blocks.
The shows they usually have are with Russian acrobats. They unfortunately could not come back to China due to covid-19 restrictions. They had finishing and dancing which the audience participated in and warmed us up.
More nighttime pictures. Eventually my phone powered down from the cold but taking my hands out to take pictures left my fingers numb!
Afterwards we removed layers at the hotel and went to a nearby neighborhood for hotpot. Yummy and just what was needed after being in the cold. Finally I drank the Harbin beer manufactured here in the actual city.
