Narita Express

1. wide seats and long leg room

2. Outer Tokyo suburbs near airport

3. NEX = Narita Express. Clean, and fast

4. rice field

5. Outside Tamachi Station. Notice the white lines on ground segregating smokers from everyone else.

 

Their parents used to do that in White Plains

 

Jun 1 Children's Day

Attended a children's day party at Grace's office.

 

Beijing Trishaw

Photo taken from inside a trishaw in Beijing.

Distance: from bus stop to a shopping mall about 1km away.

Cost: RMB5.

 

Weekend Outing to Beijing Outskirts

At a Trout Farm near JianKou Great Wall, a strawberry farm near HuaiRou, the biggest Kennel in ChangPing. Overnight at a farmer's house at foot of  MuTianYu Great Wall.

 

A night out at Beijing Opera

Represented by China, Australia, the US, the UK and Japan.

 

From Winter to Summer

Beijing was real cold in April, almost winter weather. In a matter of 3 days, the season has changed from winter to summer.  Today's temperature is 31degC.   Taken at Chaoyang Park yesterday.

 

New Mode of Transport

Kristine's 'new' acquisition is a used bike that costs RMB70, my bike came as a long term loan from Miri's parents. Last Sunday with Kimmie on back seat, the three of us cycled to local market 1.5km away. Kristine's first exposure to heavy traffic, but she did well. We came home safely with loads of vegies and fruits.

 

Kimmie's New Passport

Collected her new  passport toda, by bicycle. 40mins on way there but it took longer on way back as I wandered through little alleys behind the main thoroughfares.   Cycling around Beijing in Spring is comfortable, except the strong cold wind this morning. It is a wonderful way to get around fast, bypassing traffic jams that stop and start. There is no speed limit and no traffic signs to obey. I love cycling on pavements the other side of road, against the traffic. Like to have my eyes fixed on oncoming traffic.   Photos: 1. Women Police on bicycle, probably on way to work or after.  They dont normally patrol on bikes 2. SanLiTun Bar Street. This street comes alive late at night. It used to be bars and eateries on both sides of street, but now  one side is rebuilt as shopping arcades. Morocco and Venezuela embassies are at end of this street. 3. A minor road feeding into 3rd Ring Road. Park an ywhich way 4. Aust Embassy at noon. Visa section closed for the day but consular section is still opened 5. CCTV Towers. Landmark building along 3rd Ring Road. The one that perches on 2 bird legs is a modern day architecture wonder. The smaller sibling was burned down by firecrackers 2 CNY ago. 6 Heading home. Taken outside Embassy with my new Ferrarri bike, donated by Mirabelle's parents.

 

Kimmie's new passport

A lady (a Chinese national who speaks excellent English) called from the embassy today saying Kimmie's new passport is now ready for collection.    I said to her 'but I just submitted the application on Monday!!!!!'.   3 full working days to turn around a passport application.   This is faster than applying for the sae in Australia.   There was a long queue outside the embassy on Monday as usual, but anyone with valid Aussie passports are allowed in straight away by showing the passports to the military police manning the gate. Kimmie did that, and that caused a stir with other queuing onlookers....   The embassy is now known as 'Father Australia's home' to Kimmie.

 

Fish from Westernport Bay

At the usual marker point, the usual fish.

 

Westernport Bay - Sunset

Quite time at Westernport Bay. The daytime fish has gone hiding, the nighttime fish has yet to show up.

 

Murray River Catch

Some fish from the Murray River. 55cm Golden Perch, a turtle, a carp, a Silver Perch.

 

Harbin Ice Festival - WOW!!!

Unable to buy return train tickets from MDJ was unplanned, thus the visit to Harbin Ice Festival was also unplanned.

Thanks to TR, what a delightful surprise for the kids! Despite the cold night, the kids and Grace did not get enough of the ice, but we did have a train to catch. There were ice slides everywhere. If one has tough bottoms to withstand the abrasion and cold ice, the rides are free and unlimited.

The ice structures were monumental. Many tall and huge. Impressive!

The festival is staged by local govts. It is profitable from gate receipts alone. The local travel industry benefits too.