DMZ

A quick note this morning as starting to rush a bit with getting sorted. Yeterday I headed off on my own at 6.15 and caught a bus into the city and then a cab to join a tour to the DMZ. I managed all the connections which can be put down to Penny's meticulous planning and giving me suitabley filled out notes with things in Korean etc. The trip was really good. It reminded me of the time all those years ago Kim when we were in Berlin and looked at the wall. There is still a lot of tension and aniomosity from the Sth Koreans towards the Norths administration. We went down into one of the tunnels that the North had been doing after the peace treaty. Apparently it could have had 30000 across the border in an hour. Lots of barb wire and sentry posts etc. All just not 2008. They say they are wanting reunification but a lot of it is they are still worried re a possble invasion. It was all interesting stuff.
A bit of a stroll around Seoul before finding my train back to Suwon. After the guys got back from school we went out for a Thai meal. Back at their appartement we had a game of virtual golf which was a good giggle. It will be lunch with them soon then a market for me. Our final meal tonight and off to Singa in the morning.
Love to All

These photo's are a little haphazard so todays game will be to match the storey with the photo.
On Friday I managed to find my way to the Suwon wall and strolled around saying hello to approx 5000 kids coming the other way.
After Cam and Penny finished work we caught the train down to Pusan. We got there about midnight but without hitch got to the hotel. The hotel was excellent about 100meters to the beach. In my room there was the arrangement you see of an alternative way down from the 8th floor if lifts or stairs were not your style. The next morning was a stroll down the beach where there was an international kite flying competition. There was a NZ team which appeared not to have anyone from NZ . The highlight were the satorially sensational Japanese team. Cam also got to spend time with the Zen Kite master who had a huge kite layed out on the beach beside which he would walk gracefully slowly besides at various times looking very regal and giving advice to those lucky enough to receive an audience. There was an aquariam close by which was good value. We took a boat trip with the highlight being to work out how those that were fishing on rocks, islands and at the bottom of large cliffs could have got there or more importantly how they would get away from them. The logical explanation would have been that this is where they lived and just stayed there.
In the evening we went to a fancy restaurant overlooking the beach for a beautiful meal. It wasn't very Korean but that didn't seem to bother anyone.
The next morning we all swam in the East China sea and it really was beautiful. It drew crowds of people to watch people who actually got in.
A chinese lunch and back onto the train not before I realised I had forgotten my bag in the restaurant. Cam was a little exasperated by the clearly Alzheimic father, although when we got there and in fact his bag was the first bag they gave us back he understood there may have been other circumstances than just plain dementia. Back in Seoul we caught a cab to building 63 which is the highest builing. Great view. Afterwards a nice Italian meal and then back to Suwon. A great weekend. I headed over to the Gym again this morning and managed not to need the guidance of anyone.
Am having a great time although the time is rushing past

MUD PACK GANGZHOU

Well time to leave China. Great visit. Katie and I had breakfast in Yiwu then she stayed in the room a while while I headed off to the train. Only problem in the transport was descending the esculator in Shanghai where an older lady with a large suitcase stumbled on the exit point which demonstarted the domino theory to perfection. After a few upsteps shimmeys I had to lift my bags and go over the top which happened with minimal upset. Looking back at the carnage no one was hurt and everyone seemed to get their feet. I am staying at a good hotel in a part of the city I would have no real idea where. Tuesday afternoon I took a look along the Bund and then a river cruise. The buildings were fantastic. Yesterday I took a walk down the Bund and then a river trip. The skyline is super impressive. Weds I took the trip up Jing Mau tower which goes super fast. Outstanding view. I am not sure if you would have Kimmie. Then a walkk along the main walking shopping street with all the glitz you can imagine and side streets filled with the Rolexs Boss etc
Dinner in the evening was Manchurian which I enjoyed although avoided the sheep eyes and gall bladder which I am not overly bothered with.
So now I am in Cam and Penny's flat. It is very comfortable for them although they are very brave having a father staying not much more then 12 feet from them. The plane was a little delayed but Penny had given me good instructions from the airport and Cam had written down the address for the taxi driver so arrived about 8. They took me across the road to one of their regular restaurants which was excellent. Sitting around BarB Que style eating. lots of fun. Also across the road is a Gym and they gave me a heads up on it last night so at 6.15 this morning I headed over. It was great and managed to have my shoes and clothes off roughly at the right time. I had a very supportive smiling Korean man overseeing my every move so no problems. We are having a lunch during their break and then this evening catching the train to Pusan for the weekend. It is brilliant being here with them.
Love G

Gumbay

Hangzhou finished nicely with a visit to a impressive pagoda and a short 69 meter walk to the top with an easy return following the water trail. Then a boat trip on the west lake and lunch by the lake. On the way to lunch we strayed through a square where there was an English speaking thingie going on. This is where they all go to a certain place and break into little groups to speak English. The girls have done a couple of them in Kuming. We did not have enough time to do this and really the best I could do was teach one particularly annoying fellow one phrase "bugger Off".
Then it was back to Yiwu 34th shower and out to lunch with Peter 2 woman English teachers and the deputy principal. We were in a private dining room with our own squatter just a few feet away in a little room. The food and company was magnificent, Every minute or so they would stop what they were doing and wish cheers to anybody looking their way. This had the chance to cause a degree of wine imbingement. Our deputy principal popped down to another VIP room where the principal and group of his cronies were ensconsed. He returned a short time later ready for a red off with anybody interested[he looked far too committed for me].
It was then our turn to go down the principals to be intruduced. When it was my turn Katie whispered to saty Gumbay[I am sure it is not spelt that way]. I duely did which received a roar of approval and I then learnt what it meant. Bottoms up[Totally!] Back to our own room where Gumbay had been introduced to the evening. All very well as long as you are not learning some of the many mysteries of the Great wall red that is the drink of the evening. However our hosts with an average BMI of 10 it was soon time to head home. They were all very complementary of Katie. It was a good evening. This morning Katie and I had a little check of the town and a market then back to her flat where she was off to a teaching afternoon.
Off to Shanghai tomorrow. Sad to say goodbye for a little time to Katie but she is well in charge of things here and there are very good people teaching with her.
luv Gxx

Hangzhou

Today is Hangzhou.
Friday I had the day to myself so had to introduce the taxi drivers to Gerald chinese. [slowly and loudly spoken]. Worked a treat.NOT. However revisited the trade centre and had a look at another mile or so. Staggering. I went down to the local supermarket to get a few groceries for the kids which I found fun. The most successful buy was the baked beans and potatoes. Katie came to the hotel for dinner and we had some fun at what we had ordered. It was another Mongolian style where you put the things in the boiling mixture. Kate wasn't a big fan of the pigs brain or chicken head so had to make do with the more traditional.
Yesterday we assembled for breakfast then off to the train for a trip to Hangzhou. The train was cruising at 204 KMH through intersesting farm lands.
We were all wrapped by this beautiful city. "In heaven there is paradise and on earth there is Hangzhou" The west lake[about 30 in china but this is the best] was the first stop. A very strong young fellow sciffed us across alarge part of it. He drew the line about the excessive drag that was created with Kate dangling her legs in the water. The heat was right up there and it wouldnt have taken much to abandon ship. Then walking on round there was a very picturesque spot with about 6 newly weds lined up for a turn of the view. At 34 degresss I am glad it was not me with the tux on, as it was you can imagine. From here it was a visit sown silk street[silk is quite light] and then off to a night market.Again this was great and could have bought heaps. Dinner in a local restaurant that did the local cuisine with the beggars chicken being the most famous. Good stuff. We agreed to meet at 8.30 to head back to the hotel. 8.28 and the the rain came down which caused taxi getting difficult. Eventually some slightly less than polite behaviour scored success. Great day.
Today anotheh sorte around the place and then back to yiwu and dinner with the headmaster. His zero English and my 2 chinese words will make it interesting. Most headmasters and me have little more than 2 words in common however so should be fine.
Love Gxx

Markets

A quick note today. I am running a bit behind today as I managed to get on the bike in the Gym which I enjoyed and needed.
Yesterday was a visit to some markets here. Description would be put into impossible folder so best not t ot try, apart from to say that on one floor there were more ties than I believed actually existed in the world. In an attempt to sell us half a container load there was one who lady insisted we take a sample. Walking round with increasing bags of shopping and worsening puddles of sweat identified me more as your average tourist and not as the hallensteins purchasing manager. Kate and Casey had fun although Casey is a bit dangerous within 10 meters of a bargain. After 2 weeks excess luggage is in business, it will be interesting in 6 months.
I had a little look at their school and appartment and both look good. lessons were going on about us and it is apparent that hearing the teacher is not a problem. Found a good chinese restaurant for dinner and collapsed into bed. Great day.
Love Gez

yiwu

In a flash hotel in Yiwu. Arrived mid afternoon yestreday and whisked into town. There was the occassional road rule in Beijing, there are none here. That includes side of road give way or anything else. My door did not shut at all and initially this was a worry but after about 3 minutes I could see it as a possible escape hole[should we ever slow down to make it less dangerous than staying in the car, i.e. less then 50kph. Still made it to the hotel in one piece. A very flash pad which is good. I took a stroll and found a coffee shop with every variet known to man except one. Espresso. After careful use of all the chinese I know[niha] I had cappucinno.
Katie rang about 5 and they came round. Their school is very close by and they will show me it later. They were quite keen on a western style meal and we were quite happy about the quality although there appeared to be no particular order thet the food came out. It seemed there might be a relay arrangement where as one person finished the next would get theirs.
The kids have been given today off so we are going to go off to one of the markets. They are enjoying their first exposure to the classes. Kate was a little weary with extreme "Simon says games" causing thigh ACHE.
Had better get on.
Love J.xxx

C Ya Beijing

This was going to be the blog but internet troubles.
Hi Guys, email today because attempt to blog had everything I wrote converted to Chinese. While interesting not much use.Monday was a national holiday[mid autumn/moon cake holiday] Lily sent us a very large box of moon cakes which was lovely but they are not really our style. We had managed to change Kate and Casey's flight to Tuesday as they had Monday off which was good. We went into Tianmen square and then to the forbidden city. It was all very spectacular. Because of the Olympics it had all had a touch up with plenty of new paint so was looking good. This of course took 2-3 hours so lunch was appreciated.We finished off at the silk market which was as hectic if not more than usual. 2 hours was enough for me so I took the up to then shopping home and the crew stayed on for another couple. We walked around our district and found a very agreeable place for dinner and walked home in the most torrential downpour you can imagine[more than just soaked].Tuesday saw Kate off at 8. We then went off to the Birds nest for a couple of hours of Paralymics. The stadium is fantastic and it really was simply magic watching the events. There were quite a few finals and the efforts of the competitors had the body tingling[blind runners/long jump amputees etc] I think the disabilities added to the huge buzz and there efforts would beat most able bodied. One of the best sporting events I have ever been to. From there we went to the wall at Mutianyu. Access is by chair lift. It is much less busy than that at Badaling[spelling]. It is easily as impressive. You get down in a tobaggin down a track. I was a little surprised about its speed and managed to topple out without injury but a little chinese shouting from the guys doing the marshalling. Back into Beijing for dinner which includes a dish of mash potato[cold] but enjoyed by Penny. Home to the hotel and slept very well.Today is the summer palace and Cam and Penny head back and I go down to Yiwu in the morning. Fabulous time made so special by those I am with.I hope all is good there. Thinking of you. Love you. jiggs
That was a bit lazy I know but there is a lady at this internet place at the airport who points at copy and paste in the chinese.
I am waiting for the plane to Yiwu. It was sad to say goodbye to Mr Lui and Nancy. Certainly would get Nancy again for any further visits to Beijing.
Yesterday we went to the summer palace and that was most enjoyable. We found a place where you could dress up in old style chinese gear. Cameron did not mind a bit as he scored the emperor garb and there was a keeness from passing by woman to have their photo taken with him. After that lunch was of a dumpling variety[ I started looking like one and it is getting worse]. Still it was beautiful.
Cam and Penny went off to the airport and I caught a cab down to fanuling street.[4china money 10 fame] There was the oppurtunity to eat centipedes crickets and other gross examples of the bottom of the food chain. I decided not to stoop that low. In the evening I dined alone at a local restaurant enjoying the delights of some pigs ear.
I am looking forward to catching up with Katie again this evening.
Love and Miss you all. Jiggsxxx

Niha

In Beijing and like last time completely blown away. Arrival to be met by Katie and Casey was fantastic.
We were rushed off with guide Nancy to the Ming toombs before we were to enjoy a fabulous lunch[it was good]. Then it was off to the Wall. 34 degrees not much crowds and the highlight of any trip. As was the norm rang grandma. It was a series of one last push and we were at the top of our section. 3 ROSIE red individuals. What crowd there was began parting in front of me as one poor individual had let his arm rub up against mine which was not really what he had anticipated and spread the word ahead. The beer we enjoyed on our return was one of the best for some time. Back to Beijing and dinner at a noodle house with a starter that Casey feelt had been dusted with sand. It wasnt. It was far more adhesive than that and locked the gums tightly for some minuters. The rest of the meal was a much better experience. Then the Martial arts show which was a lot of fun. My chair however was angled at 45 degrees which solved any jet lag problems because constant vigilance or I would have been on the floor.
Next day Summer Palace then back to the hotel to meet Cam and Penny. GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
They were looking fantastic.
Mongolian hotpot with Cam flicking noodle juice about the place [my 1 pair of shorts] and then down to a Hutong to be ridden about in a rickshaw[you could see my chap blanche as I climbed aboad] Around the little streets and visited a couple of little houses. It was fun.
Peeking duck followed by the flying acrobat show. Desciption would not do it justice. OUTSTANDING.
Awake early and off to breakfast now{Sunday 14th] Family moon day.
Am so lucky to be here and the KIDS are just so Good.
Love G

Carbon deficit

Well have made it to Singa. On arrival at ChCh airport it was apparent that there was a garlic lover in the building. As it turned out it was Alex Wylie's older brother who hadn't quite kept himself in the fully fit mode. As it also turned out my changing my seat moved me from between the two sweedish gym instructors to be next to Wylie senior. He happily shared most of my seat for the 10 hours up to here. The other issue regards garlic is the extreme action it creates upon the whole GI system. Somewhere in my training I can recall a figure of the gas produced each day by the average body. I remember scoffing. I was well wrong to do that. Our plane landed with a carbon footprint equalling the whole of Fontera without the payouts.
A shower and walk around and to continue onto Beijing. It would be foolish to tempt fate who might be awaiting the oppurtunity to snuggle my left shoulder.
Take Care

Off Shortly

Busy getting gear together to take on trip. All very exciting