If all goes well, I plan to do something random and unexpected with my Dad today all the way till the end of the week.
When I look back at it, it may all sound kind of crazy but here's hoping that this will be a fruitful endeavour.
See you all (yes, thank you, all three of you) next week...
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Holiday Triple Bill - Guangzhou - Part 3
It was late after the evening river cruise and we thus asked the cab driver to bring us to some place near the hotel where we could grab some grub. He dropped as next to a McDonalds and a local steakhouse called Houcaller. We chose the steakhouse as we already knew what McDonalds had to offer, or so we thought.
Anyhow, the ambience and service was good. As with most decent restaurants, tea is served on the house. The prices, as before, were very acceptable. I took the most expensive steak for 59 Yuan while my friend took a chicken chop for significantly less.
Ok... It's not the quality of Lawrie's or even Ashton's but considering that you get a decent Soup of the Day and free flow of salad, I think S$10 for the whole thing is pretty darn good.
After the very satisfying meal, we nonetheless dropped into McDonald's to see if there was anything different from Singapore. And there was.
We had an early night because our flight was at 10:45am the next day and also because we wanted a chance to take pictures of the beautiful gardens outside our hotel.
If walking through the well manicured lawns with flowers everywhere in the cool, crisp morning air was not enough, we had very artistic depictions of the various sports to be played at the upcoming games on display at regular intervals.
How's this for a backdrop?
All too soon, however, it was time to go to the very modern Baiyun airport, where we were met with more reminders of the upcoming games...
As well as some shops you wouldn't find at Changi...
After all that visual bombardment, it was hard not to succumb and buy some Games souvenirs - badges, flags as well as a commemorative stamp set...
As well as take a picture with some of the Games volunteers. And even here there is an anecdote to tell. We first approached a pair of volunteers asking to take a picture. The guy was very happy to oblige but the girl said, "I'm sorry we are specially designated Games volunteers and it would be improper for us to take pictures. I'm sorry."
It was then that I decided to approach an all-guys pairing and they happily acquiesced...
And just before we departed, we decided to try out a drink which seemed to be everywhere in Guangzhou. It turned out to be rather pleasant herbal tea. Not to sweet and with a strong fragrance of Ching Chao. One may quite fancy it as a healthy thirst quencher.
And that was that. The holiday triple bill which was decided upon just a day before we set off.
Anyhow, the ambience and service was good. As with most decent restaurants, tea is served on the house. The prices, as before, were very acceptable. I took the most expensive steak for 59 Yuan while my friend took a chicken chop for significantly less.
Ok... It's not the quality of Lawrie's or even Ashton's but considering that you get a decent Soup of the Day and free flow of salad, I think S$10 for the whole thing is pretty darn good.
After the very satisfying meal, we nonetheless dropped into McDonald's to see if there was anything different from Singapore. And there was.
We had an early night because our flight was at 10:45am the next day and also because we wanted a chance to take pictures of the beautiful gardens outside our hotel.
If walking through the well manicured lawns with flowers everywhere in the cool, crisp morning air was not enough, we had very artistic depictions of the various sports to be played at the upcoming games on display at regular intervals.
How's this for a backdrop?
All too soon, however, it was time to go to the very modern Baiyun airport, where we were met with more reminders of the upcoming games...
As well as some shops you wouldn't find at Changi...
After all that visual bombardment, it was hard not to succumb and buy some Games souvenirs - badges, flags as well as a commemorative stamp set...
As well as take a picture with some of the Games volunteers. And even here there is an anecdote to tell. We first approached a pair of volunteers asking to take a picture. The guy was very happy to oblige but the girl said, "I'm sorry we are specially designated Games volunteers and it would be improper for us to take pictures. I'm sorry."
It was then that I decided to approach an all-guys pairing and they happily acquiesced...
And just before we departed, we decided to try out a drink which seemed to be everywhere in Guangzhou. It turned out to be rather pleasant herbal tea. Not to sweet and with a strong fragrance of Ching Chao. One may quite fancy it as a healthy thirst quencher.
And that was that. The holiday triple bill which was decided upon just a day before we set off.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Holiday Triple Bill - Detour - Zhu Jiang Ye You
We heard that this was one of the highlights of a trip to Guangzhou - an evening cross down the Pearl River.
We bought our tickets from Tian Zi Pier expecting to set off from there but were quickly whisked away in a van to Da Sha Pier to board our ride. We were fine with that but the family travelling with us, who had parked their vehicle near Tian Zi Pier, raised hell and wanted a discount. They looked to us for support but we replied in English that we could not speak Chinese. Heh...
This was what our ride looked like from the outside and from the top deck.
The powers-that-be in Guangzhou obviously know that this is a stretch that rakes in the tourist dollar. As a result, every building overlooking, every bridge spanning the Pearl River is uniquely lit up such that a cruise down the river in late autumn is to have the wind blowing in one's hair and the eyes bombarded by a brilliant spectrum of lights.
For once, I'll let the pictures do the talking, though once again, they do not even come close to being a poor substitute for being there in person.
It was quite a feeling sailing down the river being flanked by buildings bathed in gold and other bright colors.
But in the end, it was still the bridges which stole the show and got the most attention... And for good reason too...
Though the light show at Bai-E-Tan was not to be sneezed at either...
The good thing is that this is not one of those attractions which will be around only for the Asian Games, though acknowledgment of its impending arrival was hard to miss...
Do, do, do check this place out if and when you're there....
We bought our tickets from Tian Zi Pier expecting to set off from there but were quickly whisked away in a van to Da Sha Pier to board our ride. We were fine with that but the family travelling with us, who had parked their vehicle near Tian Zi Pier, raised hell and wanted a discount. They looked to us for support but we replied in English that we could not speak Chinese. Heh...
This was what our ride looked like from the outside and from the top deck.
The powers-that-be in Guangzhou obviously know that this is a stretch that rakes in the tourist dollar. As a result, every building overlooking, every bridge spanning the Pearl River is uniquely lit up such that a cruise down the river in late autumn is to have the wind blowing in one's hair and the eyes bombarded by a brilliant spectrum of lights.
For once, I'll let the pictures do the talking, though once again, they do not even come close to being a poor substitute for being there in person.
It was quite a feeling sailing down the river being flanked by buildings bathed in gold and other bright colors.
But in the end, it was still the bridges which stole the show and got the most attention... And for good reason too...
Though the light show at Bai-E-Tan was not to be sneezed at either...
The good thing is that this is not one of those attractions which will be around only for the Asian Games, though acknowledgment of its impending arrival was hard to miss...
Do, do, do check this place out if and when you're there....
Monday, November 15, 2010
Holiday Triple Bill - Guangzhou - Part 2
We got off from the Guangzhou MTR at Chi Gang Ta Station, which was where the opening ceremony would take place, we were told.
So we got out and came face to face with this behemoth - the Canton Tower. The camera had to be tilted so that we could capture its full height from up close.
We knew we were in for something special when we saw the first flashes of luminiscence emanating from the Tower in the dimming light. But more on that later.
I had actually come to see up-close in real life the venue for the Asian Games Opening Ceremony. As those of you who have already seen the ceremony on TV would know, the arena was built on an island in only one year. Even from a distance, it looked imposing.
Notice the miniature landmarks on the float and the flag fluttering in the background?
From there, we decided to walk back to the hotel and passed by the International Finance Centre. Almost as tall as the Tower, no less imposing and impressive in the night sky.
But the real treat was to come later in the evening when we viewed the Tower and the Opening Ceremony arena from afar.
I don't think my pictures were well-taken enough to show how breath-taking a site it was, which is much the pity.
So we got out and came face to face with this behemoth - the Canton Tower. The camera had to be tilted so that we could capture its full height from up close.
We knew we were in for something special when we saw the first flashes of luminiscence emanating from the Tower in the dimming light. But more on that later.
I had actually come to see up-close in real life the venue for the Asian Games Opening Ceremony. As those of you who have already seen the ceremony on TV would know, the arena was built on an island in only one year. Even from a distance, it looked imposing.
Notice the miniature landmarks on the float and the flag fluttering in the background?
From there, we decided to walk back to the hotel and passed by the International Finance Centre. Almost as tall as the Tower, no less imposing and impressive in the night sky.
But the real treat was to come later in the evening when we viewed the Tower and the Opening Ceremony arena from afar.
I don't think my pictures were well-taken enough to show how breath-taking a site it was, which is much the pity.
Holiday Triple Bill - Detour - Guangzhou MTR
When we took our first cab ride in Guangzhou, we heard in Chinese the following conversation on the radio about Guangzhou's MTR (train system).
"It has been said that the greatest distance we face is that between life and death. But that's not really true in Guangzhou when you take the MTR because here, you have one half of your body in the train and another half somewhere else".
We didn't know what in the world the person was talking about. We were to later find out, however.
But first, we had to get to the MTR from Shang Xia Jiu. When we asked for directions, we kept getting the response.
"Zhou na li jiu shi le." - Just walk that way and that will be it.
So we walked. Past a row of shops that specialized in selling jade - and two curious passers-by who were probably wondering what silly person would be taking photos.
And into a lane flanked by quaint, rustic shops on either side...
The lane was quite pleasant, what with the trees providing good shade as well as an excellent backdrop for the photographs...
But the road was a little longer than expected, so we stopped at a roadside stall because my friend believes that all food sold at the roadside is good and cheap. This one was ok. I think the snack could best be described as an egg cake.
And on we walked down the lane... So much for the MTR being just round the corner. I think maybe in tiny Singapore our concept of distance is different.
When we came to a square of some sort, we discovered a large crowd and wondered if there was a sale going on. Now, my friend absolutely loves sales while I am lukewarm at the best of times and adverse to them when we are pressed for time. So I told her that we weren't going to queue no matter what. She went to check out the 'sale' and returned to tell me, "We are going to queue no matter what. That is the queue to ENTER the MTR".
Maybe they were regulating entry into the MTR so as to prevent overcrowding, I thought.
That they were, but if it meant that it was less crowded inside, I was wrong.
I didn't try to take a picture of us on the platform as I did not want to lose a limb, suffice to say that all those of us back home complaining as to how cramped it is on the platform at City Hall MRT during peak hour ain't seen nothing yet.
I did, however, manage to snap a picture of the queue to enter the station which we exited at.
"It has been said that the greatest distance we face is that between life and death. But that's not really true in Guangzhou when you take the MTR because here, you have one half of your body in the train and another half somewhere else".
We didn't know what in the world the person was talking about. We were to later find out, however.
But first, we had to get to the MTR from Shang Xia Jiu. When we asked for directions, we kept getting the response.
"Zhou na li jiu shi le." - Just walk that way and that will be it.
So we walked. Past a row of shops that specialized in selling jade - and two curious passers-by who were probably wondering what silly person would be taking photos.
And into a lane flanked by quaint, rustic shops on either side...
The lane was quite pleasant, what with the trees providing good shade as well as an excellent backdrop for the photographs...
But the road was a little longer than expected, so we stopped at a roadside stall because my friend believes that all food sold at the roadside is good and cheap. This one was ok. I think the snack could best be described as an egg cake.
And on we walked down the lane... So much for the MTR being just round the corner. I think maybe in tiny Singapore our concept of distance is different.
When we came to a square of some sort, we discovered a large crowd and wondered if there was a sale going on. Now, my friend absolutely loves sales while I am lukewarm at the best of times and adverse to them when we are pressed for time. So I told her that we weren't going to queue no matter what. She went to check out the 'sale' and returned to tell me, "We are going to queue no matter what. That is the queue to ENTER the MTR".
Maybe they were regulating entry into the MTR so as to prevent overcrowding, I thought.
That they were, but if it meant that it was less crowded inside, I was wrong.
I didn't try to take a picture of us on the platform as I did not want to lose a limb, suffice to say that all those of us back home complaining as to how cramped it is on the platform at City Hall MRT during peak hour ain't seen nothing yet.
I did, however, manage to snap a picture of the queue to enter the station which we exited at.
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