Back home - but a back log of China stories!

I'm feeling rather "spaced out" - after arriving in Brisbane at 10.35 am on 16/1/09 after leaving Shaoxing by bus at 7.30 am on 15/1/09 and having little sleep! The bus trip was uneventful as for some reason there was little traffic on the highway between Shaoxing and Shanghai, and we arrived at the airport in good time. But over two hours to wait for our Singapore Airlines plane to leave.

There were three of us on the plane from Shanghai to Singapore, but we left Singapore on different planes. Mine was the last to leave at 10 minutes past midnight. So seven and a half hours in the plane.

Both flights were fairly uneventful, but there was quite a lot of turbulence especially between Shanghai and Singapore, so we (and the cabin crew) remained seated for much of the flight.

In Singapore I wandered around looking at the shops - didn't really spend any money of note, but kept walking as I thought if I sat down I'd fall asleep!

I had a glass of Chardonnay at Harry's Bar and a great Toasted Chicken Sandwich at the Hard Rock Cafe (which I'd recommend! Highly) - it was big enough for two people!

I dozed on and off on the plane - probably because of the chardy and the drink at the HRC, but was still quite tired when I arrived. MM and two granddaughters were there to meet me, and I headed home for a short time before my dental appointment. (I'd broken a tooth on New Year's Day - so had a repair job done.)

MM bought me an E-bike for Christmas, so I've yet to try that out!

I'm still feeling a little surreal but slowly coming good. Had my hair cut today - and did a little shopping, so bit by bit I'm coming good, but still tired.

I have some great photos of visits I made in my last few days in Shaoxing and Hangzhou, so will post those in the next day or so.

Shopping in Singapore

I can remember my last trip when I wandered around the shopping complexes in awe. I had not seen anything like it before. Australia was a little less sophisticated then. Perhaps I am a bit more worldly now, so was not taken aback so much, even though the complexes seem to be larger, and more salubrious than before.

Everything old is new again. There continues to be more building of huge shopping malls, and redevlopment but the place is amazing. Buzzing with activity and plenty to see and do, and plenty of opportunities to part with your money.

People, shops, people shops - so much colour so much activity. There were buskers in the streets, traffic hurtling by, tourists, locals - the whole world seemed to be there.

Along the streets are fashionable cafe's and retaurants, queues for taxi's, jets flying overhead. A real exciting buzz. Could I spend more time there. You bet. Wish I was a millionaire though!!!

Sentosa Island

Chili Crab

One of the resorts on Sentosa

Swaying Palm trees on Sentosa

The air train

Sentosa Island is wonderful - but I did not enjoy my first trip there many years ago, after overindulging in champagne the night prior to my visit!

But my, how it has changed!!! On this occasion we went over via the airtrain from Harbourtown, the huge shopping complex that has grown up on land that was being reclaimed when we were there before. As well there is massive construction underway on the Island, so that perhaps next time I visit, it will have another huge shopping complex and hotel on the island.

It may be a year before the massive complex will be finshed - but it will be huge. I digress.

The air train takes one over to the island to the terminal on the far side. The journey is spectacular - apart from seeing the massive construction site, there are beautiful gardens, and parks, and hotels on the island.

The terminal is where buses, mini trains etc pull in, and here are several cafe's and shops in the vicinity too. The best idea is to get onto one of the mini trains and enjoy a tour of the island with commentary. There are two mini trains here, and they slowly wend their way around parts of the island.

There are huge hotel and resort accomodation buildings, restaurants, shops, sporting activities, gardens, etc. It was school holidays for the Singaporeans so many young people from Singapore and Vietnam were enjoying special activities and games.

The beaches with swaying palm trees looked fantastic, and you could imagine being on some other tropic island well away from civilisation - not on a man made beach a short distance from the commercial hub of Singapore!

We enjoyedtwo tours on the mini train, and quite a bit of walking. We also found a group of restaurants overlooking the beach and enjoyed a wonderful meal there. Chili Crab - one of Singapore's delicacies was enjoyed there!

I made a decision - next time I stay in Singapore, it will be at one of the resorts on the island. The MRT goes to Harbourtown, and the Sentosa train travels from Harbourtown to Sentosa, so should be easy to get around from Sentosa now. I don't recall it was as easy to access previously.

Singapore Zoo

Entrance

Got to be zebras.

Are they real?

I had been before - and it had not been a good experience, but it was a long time ago. My memory of that time is an overwhelming smell of "hippo poo", in very high humidity. They had little airconditioned pavilions where one could "rest" from the oppressive heat. So I was a little uncomfortable about visiting again.

What a change! The zoo has been updated - not surprising as it was so many years ago that I first visited. The animal enclosures were great - in fact it was hard to find a "cage" which one might have seen in an older type zoo. Moats and walls kept the animals confined safely away from visitors, and for the most par the animals looked happy.

There were little trains that plied their way around the zoo - one could get on and off at designated spots, and as it is a huge zoo, it was great not to have to walk the whole way. (Since MM had knee problems he was particularly happy about the train!)

We didn't manage to see ALL the exhibits, but were impressed with them all.

The Polar Bear exhibition was great - and several times a day there is a Zoo Attendant who leads the two polar bears into an exhibition and story about how they live, and how they feed.

And guess what! Not one whiff of hippo poo!!!

Is this the Millionaires' Club?

The Golden Landmark Hotel is an old hotel - would have been quite grand in its day. We found it more than adequate for our stay there, but next time perhaps will stay on Sentosa Island

Across the road from the Golden Landmark was Raffles Hospital, and across the road fromt the hospital was a strange imposing building, which we could see from our hotel window.

The building had no major advertising signs, in fact it was difficult to find the name of the building. It did look as if it was straight out of Gothic City and one could imagine Superman flying around. At the top of the building were amazing larger than life statures of men, holding what would probably be a pearl. A ball at least.

After looking at this building for a few days we decided to have a closer look. It didn't have a massive retail section, and there were steps up to the beautiful garden entrance to the building. We continued and went in through some double doors - wondering if it was a hotel, or office block. What is it?

Even now we are still not too sure, but suspect there are function rooms, meeting rooms etc along with offices. On the ground floor is a most amazing bar. We entered timidly at first, until one of the staff members welcomed us warmly. What opulence we found! It was amazing. None of our photos do justice to the scene that was before us.

We felt "underdressed" in our jeans and sneakers, and vowed to return, especially as we were told that on some evening there was live music. So we returned a few days later, dressed a bit more befitting the venue and the occasion.

Everything in the club was amazing. Over the top. Dramatic and beautiful flower arrangements. Luxury furniture. At one end of the huge room was a refrigerated wine storage that went high up to the ceiling. How does one get the bottles from the top rack? Or any of the other racks? A fairy goes up on a trapeze! No kidding.

One of the staff - dressed as a fairy complete with wings worked behind the bar, and also in the coffee lounge/cafe at the other end of the seating area.

Above this coffee lounge was a huge stage area - and it was here that the band played and the sultry singer entertained the clients. The whole place was decorated in a most opulent manner - the walls and ceilings all sported wonderul decorations - art work, gilt edges. It was hard to take in. Hard to take photos that would do justice to it.

On the floor above were restaurants - each overlooking the bar below.

We had a few drinks - and enjoyed it. Amazing. (Later when we were back in Australia we told some friends about this place, and it appears that the daughter of one had been to the Millionaires Club and was able to tell us a bit more about it. Apparently organisations treat their staff to conferences here. )

Merlion Park

One of the very popular tourist places in Singapore is the Merlion Park. This statue was created in 1972, and since then has been the "face" of Singapore.

When I first visited Singapore 20+ years ago, we did not go close to the Merlion, but were shown the Merlion from the bumboat on which we toured the bay. At that time the area was very much in the early stages of development as much of the area was being reclaimed and the land was being prepared to build the new financial district of the city.

So it was a dramatic difference to what we saw then.

One of the stops when we did our full day city tour, was the Merlion Park, now on the edge of an amazing Marina Bay. On one side of the bay is the new open air performance stadium, which would be a spectacular venue for major concerts and events.

The area immediately around the Merlion was all high rise buildings - the new financial district is spectacular.

There are two Merlions in the park, and our bus stopped at the end of the new bridge, and the main one was being refurbished as we visited.

Still it was good to see and relive the story of the Merlion and the creation of Singapore, the city.

Changing Singapore

Marina Bay in Singapore

The last time I had been in Singapore - other than a brief stop at the airport en route - was in 1992, when my daughter and I spent about 10 days there. Much I had remembered, but it certainly seemed a lot greener than before, and oh, how it had grown.


The trip from the airport to our hotel was most interesting. Places that I had not seen before, but I do remember that it was dark at the time of both journeys along that road before.


Our first major outing was the day tour of Singapore - something I like doing when I "hit" a new place. The bus was rather fun (despite being late and keeping us waiting!), but it took us past some of the significant places like the Singapore Botanical Gardens, Thian Hock Keng Temple, the Merlion Park, a jewelry shop, up to Mount Faber which provided breathtaking views across Marina Bay to Sentosa Island, and a great view of the high rise buildings of the city centre.


We had plenty of time to get out of the bus and stretch our legs and have a close up look at some of the sights.

Leaving Shanghai

After a week touring Shanghai it was time to depart and head for Singapore. It was an early morning start - a Sunday morning too - and the roads were quiet as we left our apartment by taxi and headed out to the new airport.

When I arrived in Shanghai I had been aghast at the sight of the airport - not knowing that it was about to be closed as the new one was almost ready for business. What a difference! The new airport was astounding with modern shops and facilities.

It is reported that when the Shanghai government decided some 20 years ago to create the new Pudong Shanghai International Airport and the Pudong business precinct, across the Huangpu River from old Shanghai that a million farmers were displaced. Where once there were farms and small villages is now modern high rise buildings including the new financial district of Shanghai, rows and rows of apartments, and of course the airport. Also from Shanghai city to the Airport is the elevated track for the MAGLEV, the high speed "train".

The modern Airport is a welcome sight after the one that I had seen on my arrival - and with huge walls of glass giving visitors a view right over the tarmac, and beyond where some small farms still exist, and out to the China Sea where many boats ply their trade in and out of Shanghai Port.

We quickly checked in, and had time for some breakfast before our flight was loaded for the journey to Singapore.

A good trip - as is our experience with Singapore Airlines, and after a few hours we landed safely at Singapore and quickly found a taxi to take us to our hotel. The Golden Landmark Hotel - just a little out of the main city area of Singapore - is opposite Raffles Hospital, and not far from a MRT station, which we made use of later in our time in Singapore.

After bookingin we went for a short walk around the hotel - and found we were adjacent to Arab Street, which feataured many small shops selling silk and other fabrics, (mostly described as Italian silk - but it was silk manufactured in China, but dyed in Italy - which we were told was the best quality and the best colours and designs.) As well there were rug shops, and small eateries.

A huge mosque was beside the hotel, and there were several major events on during out time there, so many people came from India, and Pakistan to take part in the religous festivities.

Some books I've been reading.

I remember the first few weeks that I was in China I felt quite isolated - there was little that I could read. As an avid reader of magazines, newspapers and books I found there was nothing much in English for me to read.

The second time I went to Hangzhou that I was introduced to the Foreign Language Bookstore - and later in Shanghai I found a big bookshop there that had many books in English. How exciting. Each time I would buy another book.

The last few weeks of term I spent most of my time working on exam papers etc, so did little reading and was pleased to get to Shanghai and then Singapore to add to my collection of books.

I have decided to read a few books to help me understand more about the Chinese culture, and have read some great ones, which I will report on.

I'm not really good at "book reviews" as such - but here goes. Not in any particular order.

One book that I really enjoyed was a Memoir "The Thorn of Lion City" by Lucy Lum.

Lucy was born in Singapore in 1933, and this is the story of her extra ordinary life with a dictatorial grandmother, and the invasion of the Japanese during World War II.

I couldn't put the book down - it was a great read, and gave me a little more insight into Chinese culture, and the horrific life that people endured during the occupation by the Japanese. It was especially interesting for me, as I recognised some of the street names and places that Lucy wrote about.

What an excellent book! I recommend it.

"The Thorn of Lion City" by Lucy Lum. Published by Harper Perennial.

Leaving Shanghai

We left Shanghai on a Sunday morning - leaving the New Harbour Service Apartments very early in the morning by taxi to get to the airport. I was thrilled to see the new airport - as when I had arrived in Shanghai nearly five months earlier we landed at the old (almost derelict) airport.

The new airport was quite a sight - with vast windows overlooking the runway with some small farms on the other side. As well one could see a variety of watercraft in the sea beyond - making their way into or out of Shanghai.

I love Shanghai - though not the pollution that seemed to hang in the air like a dirty wet blanket during our time there - but happy to move on to our next destination.

We fly Singapore Airlines (recently voted the best airline in the world!), and were soon booked in, and ready for our visit to Singapore.

Trying hard to cope

I'm back home, sort of. I'm actually house sitting in a house not far from where my husband and I live when things are "normal". I arrived home from China via Singapore on July 7th, and learned that my mother had been in hospital, so I arranged to go to Adelaide and visit her and my father.

My father celebrated his 89th birthday on July 16th - so we had a small party, but his life is difficult as he is my mother's carer. My mother is 92 years of age, and slowly but surely she is "losing it." She is often confused, and despite her protestations that she cleans every day, cooks every day and carries on as normal, the reality is that she has been doing very little for a long time.

She fell in her room one night about 2 am and broke several ribs as it turns out. Dad woke and helped her back to bed and in the morning tried to get medical help for her. Not easy as I will explain later. Mum's story is that it happened during the day, and it was deliberate as she was throwing her jewelry onto a cupboard. Not true, Mum.

Dad called the doctor in the morning, but was told the doctor does not do house calls. Not in fact true - but the reality is that it was a hospital/ambulance situation, and it took several hours for an ambulance to arrive. When the took the x-rays, they reported no injury and sent for Dad to take Mum home. It was obvious to him when she returned home that she and he could not cope, and eventually she was admitted to hospital. (Later, it was found that she had broken several ribs - whoever read the x-ray initially did not notice!!!!!)

Mother spend nearly two weeks in hospital - but her mental state deteriorated which was possibly due to her medication. They gave her pain killers, and increased her other medication, and it appears there was some conflict.

I do get the impression that if someone is in their 90's there's not a lot done for them.

In any case Mum was eventually taken home, but it was clear from my conversations with both Mum and Dad that all was not well.

My sister had been in regular contact with them and visited Mum in hospital - but the reality is that there needed to be an "advocate" for my mother and father. Someone with some medical/nursing knowledge.

That is where I come in! As an ex nurse I have some expertise - though I am unfamiliar with the system in South Australia. It is not easy to manage a situation like this. Like many elderly people they refuse all assistance. I had to be very sneaky to get information and support.

My "walk around the neighbourhood" was not about exercise, but I found my way to the doctor's surgery and spoke with the nurse practitioner. For some reason they thought all was well with my parents. They put on a "show" indicating all is well - such is their desire to remain at home without needing to go to retirement accommodation.

I managed to make phone calls to support services. I managed to meet her doctor and attempt to inform him of the challenges that my parents face. In time I might get the support services they need to remain at home. It is obvious they cannot remain at home without some support. But neither of them are nursing home material yet - if they can get some support.

So I've been in Adelaide for a few days, and still have spend little time at home, and little time catching up on things I need to.

One of the hard decisions I will have to make is whether to return to China at the end of August. All is in place to do so, but I worry about my parents.

Meanwhile if I can catch up on some sleep, I might get around to updating this blog with the photos and information from two amazing weeks - one in Shanghai and one in Singapore.

Tomorrow maybe.

Arriving in China

We left Brisbane at 11.45 pm and arrived in Singapore around 5.15 am (Singapore time) knowing we had some 2 hours to wait. I was last in Changi/Singapore Airport in 1991, and how it has changed.


It is much, much bigger, hugely friendly with displays of wonderful Singapore orchids. Altogether friendly and welcoming. I was travelling with two gentlemen - friendly Aussie blokes whom I met at Australian City College - and we were soon lined up at the Sports Bar for our first drink. I had a lovely red wine and the guys had a few beers.

We were very tired - sleeping sitting up in economy class is not a good sleep, but we were OK. One of the guys had been to Yuexiu before, and I was the only one of the trio that had never been to China.

There is now an airtrain that takes folk between the different parts of the airport. M1 managed to get on the train before the doors closed and M2 and I were stranded, until the train returned. We boarded and found that we had taken a different route. Back to the origional departure spot, and then on to the right destination and we were reunited again. Lots of laughs!

It wasn't long before we boarded the next Singapore Airlines flight - the 5 hours to Shanghai.

As it turned out we landed early in Shanghai and jour meeting and greeting party had not arrived. We had been given instructions to wait for two young ladies who would have "a plate with characters on it and our names." Eventually M1 found them - with the sign with thename of the college in English and Chinese and with "Dianne Michael" on it. The two blokes are both called Michael - which is why I will call them M1 and M2. Easy for me.

The girls had travelled three hours by bus and went off for something to eat, leaving us with our luggage to watch the world (in Shangai) go past.

The Shanghai airport was more than adequate - but compared to Singapore - well, there is no comparison. Shanghai was stark and functional, without the glamour and welcoming of Singapore. No doubt Shanghai Airport will upgrade one day to cater for the increasing number of Westerners to the country.

Eventually we found our bus driver and bus and were on the road to Shaoxing. Will I ever forget that bus ride? Never in a zillion years.