OUR LITTLE WALK

Beach Time

As I said yesterday, we were going on a walk this morning.  So we woke up at 6am and left for the streets at 6:30am.  The weather has started to really turn to Autumn now, especially in the mornings.  19 Deg C.  Was lovely with the little breeze that was blowing.  Anyway, we started on our little walk. We walked for about 10km, between beautiful tree lined streets, before we reached the sea.

 

                                      



On the way we passed a procession of cars that had flowers on.  It was a wedding.  In front of the cars was a truck with men on that were playing traditional music instruments, and throwing fireworks to the side of the road, to let everyone know the wedding procession was coming.  Needless to say, when the  men on the truck saw me taking a photo, they threw the fireworks in my direction.

              
We passed the Olympic swimming park.

 

           

 

 

When we were walking down a very long road many cars slowed down and waved at us and even rolled down their windows to say hello.  One man in particular made a U-turn and nearly came to a standstill and hooted at us and waved.  Don't know if he was hooting at Paul and myself or the girls. 

Well, we got to a main road and there was a sign to the main beach and we had to walk some more.  But Sarah noticed some stairs leading from the main road to the beach, we thought, and we went and explore, and we were right.  It lead us to a viewing platform.  Stunning views.
 
        
 
 

As we walked along the beach there were 3 wedding photo shoots taking place.


We walked along the beach and as usual we were a sight for sore eyes.  Everyone turned to have a good look.  It is very touristy on the beach with a lot of rides for the sea as well as a funfair on the main beach.  It was very busy this morning as it is the last week end before the Chinese schools start on Monday.

   
   
   

The Lagoon - Fishing trawlers in the background

 

On our way to Hudsons

 

A building that has a road as its roof.  Cool.

 

Legs are really sore here.

We then walked to an Australian Coffee / Bar called HUDSONS.  It was a pleasure sitting down and getting off our feet for a while.  We had a bite to eat and what a treat to have bread that was not sweet.  It is also not that cheap as it caters mainly for foreigners.  We also went to the BHG Mall, which is right next door to buy some milk as it is 10Yuan cheaper than RB Mall.

 

   
   

From there we caught a taxi to the RB Mall to buy some glue for Paul's takkies as they were starting to come apart.  We also visited a Watson to get some other goodies.  We caught another taxi to our apartment. 

 

Sarah took this photo inside the taxi

 We were tired by the time we got home at 2:30pm and sunburnt.  But we enjoyed our day and are planning to visit a park tomorrow.

Will post again tomorrow so keep reading.

 

SOME MORE NEWS

Well its been over a week since my last post.
 
We have now been in our new school for a week and a half now.  It has been pretty busy having to get my classroom in order, as well as the art room and Library.  I have been getting home really tired, that just after supper I fall asleep on the couch.  NO its not old age.  The girls have been coming to school after lunch time to help me with some of the preparations that I have to do.  It was also brought to my attention that not only am I teaching ECE, but also Grade 1.  I am very excited.  So now it looks as if I have 3 ECE learners and 2 Grade 1 learners.  School will officially start on the 9 September.  Well email photos once school preparation is finished.



 This is the view of our apartment.  The two buildings that look the same are ours.  We live in the one on the left.  This is a view from our staffroom.

 

At the supermarket  we found some dried fruit and couldn't wait to taste them.  However, it looks like dried fruit, it feels like dried fruit, but doesn't taste like dried fruit, except for the apricots.

The prunes were salty and we couldn't eat them.

 

The kiwi tasted like cod liver oil

 

 The apricots were very nice.

 

During the week we phoned in for an order of pizza from Yummy that I have previously written about.  Very yummy indeed.

Chloe is such a special girl.  Every time I see here she gives me something to eat.  Sometimes I am too scared to try it and take it home for the others to try first.  She gave us these apples, probably the size of table tennis balls, or smaller.  They just eat and eat and eat.  And they don't put on weight.

 

And then Vivien the Chinese Language Teacher gave us a gift all wrapped up.  When I opened it, it was moon cakes.  It is a short crust pastry with fruit mince meat inside. However the spice that they used in the fruit mince meat was different and really potent.

 

                                       



 

Today I had to dress up for my photo for the school wall.  YES I KNOW.  I am on the wall of fame. (big head)  Looking good.

Today is a very special day.  Paul and I have been married for 16 years.  WOW.  FANTASTIC. While I was at school today he prepared a special supper for me.  He is wonderful and I am spoilt.

Tomorrow we will all be leaving home at 5:30am to go walking.  Hopefully we will see some nice things and places.  Will take photos and post them as well.
 
Well that it for today.  I will keep posting and you must keep reading.
 

Hello Hello

Well we still haven't moved into school as yet.  A bit frustrating, but at least I have gotten some work done.  And by doing so my days are going faster.

I wrote about having to walk almost an hour to the nearest shopping mall.  Yes far I know, but even further coming back with groceries.  This shopping mall is called RB Mart.  So when I was at the office and looked out the window I saw the letters BR and some Chinese writing on a building a block from where we live.  Only to find out that it is also a RB Mart, but just a small supermarket.  Well when I went there it sold the basics, but no milk or butter, but hey, it saves us walking one hour to the other one.

Today I went out with Helen, my Principal, for lunch.  No, she didn't take me, I had to buy my own.  But we went to a Bakery / Pizza shop called YUMMY.  And guess what, there goodies are absolutely YUMMY.  I will post pictures of the goodies tomorrow, but I did order two pizzas for us for dinner.  Yum Yum.  Very delicious.  I will definitely be going there again.  And while driving to YUMMY, I passed an English bakery that makes pies.  OOOOOH, I will have to go past to see if it is going to be on my list to shop there.  But will have to take the bus or a taxi to get there as its quite far to walk.

This is the box that the pizzas come in, fancy even to the packaging.

 

We also received our water dispenser today.  Too cute.  It fits nicely on the dining room table and it gives you either cold or boiling hot.  You don't even have to boil the water in a kettle for coffee.  Too convenient.

Will post some more later when there is more exciting news.