overdue ..

Ok, so i'm aware that its already a month and half into 2008, but i didn't manage to post some december events of 2007.

In between business trips, i went on a weekend hiking trip with Eva, and we had a great time at the Tianmushan national park strolling amidsts the tall cypress trees and bamboo forests. It was so peaceful and tranquil out there we didn't want to leave at all. We both agreed this is the perfect place to run away to if you'd like some quiet time to contemplate your naval or just sort out your thoughts. The owners of the guesthouse where we stayed at were incredibly friendly and hospitable and it felt more like a cosy homestay experience. Our meals were taken together with the family, we played with the feisty 10 year old kid and even attempted to help her with her schoolwork (with limited success). We warmed our hands and roasted sweet tapioca over a charcoal pit[indoors!] while watching TV together and discussing the culture differences between Singapore, Slovakia and China. This is just the sort of travel experience i can't get enough of ...

Cypress trees that stretched way up into the sky ...

i tried climbing but i didn't get very far...


Junwen also visited me in December and it was nice for me to show him my hangzhou - my usual haunts, my favourite Xinjiang noodle shop in my 'hood, and for him to meet my friends.

Here, Junwen attempts to hold up the Baochu Pagoda on Baoshi hill, until he got thirsty...