Long way home

My journey back means I negotiate the metro once more. Wow! Its rush hour and people are physically pushing and elbowing their way on the train. Amazing scenes of controlled unresponsive acceptable violence.
After yesterday I feel comfortable on the metro as it is clear as long as you know where you wish to end up. Not to dissimilar to the London tube. Except these trains are clean, spacious and frequent. Not to mention very affordable. My 1 hour 30 train ride has cost 70p.
This time I wasn’t so lucky and had my scissors confiscated by security. Ho hum.
I am struggling to spend the £3.50 in Chinese yuan.was about to buy a box of elegant truffles for Julie but was informed they were frozen and unlikely to survive.

Shanghai

Todd generously has taken the day off today and we have ventured,metro and train to Shanghai. The weather is raining. Fine rain. You know the kind. Still warm around 20. The day was taken up with various metro rides to see different tourist areas. Shanghai is a fantastic vibrant city and our first stop was the bund.
Unfortunately because of the weather it was difficult to see this famous iconic island of buildings. Here’s how it should look….

Never mind the the bund, I had my own 5 minutes of fame as many Chinese wanted their photo taken with me , the token white man. I prefer to think they thought i was a famous english film star. Unusual experience but flattering non the less. Next we went on to a market where the common theme was to ask the price of a garment then make an insulting offer of about 10% then go back and forth probably settling at 20% of the original price. Todd got 2 shirts for £10 even though the original price started at £18 for 1 so well played Todd. After finding a really nice open air market we met up with an old friend called Andrew who was visiting the same time. After swapping stories we ventured deeper in the market to have acouple of cheeky pints before going our separate ways.
Once booked into my motel I took a walk in search of food. I found a soup and dumpling place that offered a bowl for a mere £1.50 incredible value and delicious. The room appeared to be situated underneath the engine room of a battle ship. I had ear plugs but got little sleep. On the positive it may help me to sleep on the plan and ease jet lag.

Cheeky pint

After a long walk in the heavy heat I realise this is not the ideal conditions to walk aimlessly around Ningbo. Relax on a beach, yes. Like most cities,unless you are there for a a specific reason then 2 days is usually enough. Ningbo is no exception. Three enjoyable experiences today. So far. Firstly Todd has the beginnings of a cold, so my challenge was to find a chemist or similar for medication. As I wandered in and out of shops, trying to guess what was sold, I came across the biggest pharmacy /health food shop. At the rear of the shop were 4 people all dressed in white coats. I assumed they could provide the answer to my medical requirements. In my slowest clearest English “Excuse me,do you have and paracetamol? ”
Not a flicker. No eye contact. Not a movement. I repeated the question. ,actually waving my arms at the Chinese undead. It was as if I was invisible. No shoulder shrugs nothing. I asked a third time and wander away. I searched the shelves for universal pictures and the hint of English writing. At last.
This will ease his aches and challenge completed.
I continued using my own grid system so as to remember the way back. Passing down a back street I stopped at a massage parlour to look and was literally physically dragged in by a little woman as strong as an ox.
” you massage 200.!” she shouted. “Not today thank you. ,I replied. “Yes today ” and again she manhandled me and dragged me further inside. At this point I got the measure of her strength and pulled away moving my hands and loudly saying “No.!” On reflection the No, came out slightly camper than expected.
Hot day calls for a cheeky Chinese pint with some spring rolls.
Typically I opted for safe haven of an Irish bar local to the appartment building.
Last night we ate out in a local place that made and served Muslim noodles. I probably wouldn’t have chosen to eat in such a place,however the chow main was excellent. Lesson learnt.
Making our noodles. Delicious.

Ningbo continued.

Tuesday brought another restless night. I feel by the time I get back to regular sleep pattern, it will be time to depart the eastern world. The smog this morning is particularly dense and humidity high. I guess you soon adapt to where live, the morning view from the 27th floor appartment window is a reminder of why many Chinese wear face masks
I fear I have been generally negative about my visit to China, so my challenge for today is to roam a small part of this enormous city in search of some positivity. That’s if I can see anything through the smog.
Gatefully my challenge has been achieved. After a meander through the streets, I have come across a Buddhist temple. With traditional architecture and fabulous displays of Buddha’s. Many people are seating and praying. Even though this just off the main street, it has a pleasant feel of tranquility.

I have sat and listened to a lady sing beautifully in Chinese. I am hoping it’s a song connected to her religion. Or she could be the local nutter. She has stopped briefly for a fag.
I don’t wish to make light of this experience,but one of the monks is the spitting image of the master in David carridines ‘kung fu’.
It’s a place where you want one to just approach and say some words of wisdom and change your life forever.
Singing woman has put her KFC uniform on and back to work.
Decide to partake in a KFC myself. Luckily it’s picture menu. Although I fear the woman serving believes she has a western stalker.
As i continue on my merry way I seek out the most flamboyant Barber shops I have ever come across. The males look like flight stewards and females like stewardesses.
Campest Barbers I have ever seen. If it were in Brighton it would fit in perfectly.

Ningbo

Todd and Nicki are back to work today so I am left to my own devices. Thought I would cook a meal for them tonight,so challenge was to buy the food required. As this is certainly not a tourist city everything is in Chinese as apposed to anything being translated to English. Not sure if I bought chicken or dog. The city itself is a mind field of road works and scooters. The ebikes , as they are called, look like a motor scooter but are electric. So when you are wandering along,there is a constant sound of horns warning you of their presence. Roads, foot path, the scooter owns it all. Some stack boxes and people twice it’s size and still motor along. After making it safely to the large wallmart store I opted for chicken (I think) and salad. Some eggs would be nice,so I purchased 3. The assistant placed all my aquired food in a bag. Including the eggs. Not an egg box,plastic bag. If she could speak English she would probably have said” your new challenge is to walk the two miles home, negotiating the traffic and scooters, arriving with 3 unbroken eggs ” challenge accepted and achieved.
Anyone who has read my blog will recognise my fascination/regular
requirement of the toilet. Today was no exception. Soon After leaving the the appartment, my stomach had the Queezy feeling we all know that it means find a toilet fairly sharpish. Luckily they are readily available. The draw back is, one has to be fairly confident in the art of squatting over a hole. Plus remembering to purchase the required amount of tissue paper from the toilet tissue vending machine. When in Rome etc………………..however, as I am not in Rome, I opted for the disabled rest room and sat in comfort. As I left the cubical I felt that I should walk with a slight limp to some how justify my lavatory choice

China

I have two children and I have always encouraged travel. Unfortunately they have both settled in countries half way round the world,so I don’t get to see them on a day to day basis.fortunately ,this gives me an opportunity to travel myself.

This time it is Todd’s turn to suffer the old man for a week. This time I must travel alone as ‘wife to be’ Julie is committed to work. I don’t mind the travelling alone as I have always had an independent streak like most. In fact I think it’s good to have periods in your life to think and manage for yourself. 

So China it is, to see my eldest son, my favourite son,my only son. Todd is a,  teacher and is in a relationship with Nicki , a fellow educator from U.K. having only seen photos of this very attractive woman , I am excited to meet her and get to know her. She appears to share the same passion for adventure as Todd and I love her already.

The drive from Teignmouth to Bristol is a very tedious motorway drive. Every driver trying to bully his way to the front of the never ending queue of racing traffic, under the misconception that his destination time is more important than  anyone else’s.

Before leaving I did the usual dad check on my old banger.oil,water in the rad, windscreen washers. All good. And really as far as my mechanical knowledge goes.I just hope I put through right fluid in the correct reservoir.

After parking in silver zone and thanking the car for my safe arrival, I entered the world of high security. So high that no matter how prepared I try to be,I always get stopped. Today was no exception. This time my whole case was emptied in search of an offensive weapon. The offending article was a wrapped up pair of hair cutting scissors. Yes I could stab someone with them, but I have seen enough action films to know how to strangle someone with a pair of socks. Or suffocated someone with a plastic bag.( not Stewart though. Sally tried it.)  So my flight is 13.45 it’s 10.30 I am early and I have finished my pack lunch.

Flight was fairly smooth and non eventful. Any concerns I had had previously were soon dispelled.if in doubt ask,which I did. Picked and at Shanghai by a young driver that Todd had organised.very heavy rain.first impressions are doesn’t look like your typical China.motorway like any other. Most buildings seem to be square.May be western influence . The first thing that became apparent was that there is know mutual respect among driver’s. No rules.be or be killed. Any lane is for overtaking and speed limit signs are frowned upon. My driver got to my destination unharmed but jet lagged.After a massive meal at popular restaurant”Grandma’s” we entered into a boozy first night in a western bar(nothing to do with cowboys)  western as opposed to eastern. Ok your traditional Irish pub that can be found anywhere in the world. We watched Arsenal draw against Middlesbrough and drunk too much Chinese beer.

Brisbane

We did most of our exploring by walking, bus taking advantage of public transport where ever possible. One thing was obvious that everyone is so proud of their city. From early school age the privilege of living in the place is drummed into its residence.everyone is so bloody polite and seemingly sincere. Just feels like a safe friendly, happy environment where no one us trying it just is. Another thing is nothing is crammed. Roads are wide and buildings are set far apart. And the overwhelming factor of subtropical climate. Love it! Yesterday we visited the city beach. A man made beach in the middle of the city. Unbelievable. Clean and organised no graffiti any where. ​

Evening took us to a water side food market where we enjoyed noodles and customary beer. As we aproached the city boat, we were met by what we thought was the queue but was just a gathering of hundreds of people. Pokermon go has arrived.​

Brisbane

After a days traveling from kuala lumpur, we arrived in Brisbane and picked up by our host Anita. Anita let’s bedrooms in her apartment so we took advantage of this when booking our stay.  

We have both fallen in love with Brisbane and yes I would move there tomorrow. It is a fantastic vibrant city with so much going on.A bit like a clean London with nice weather, encouraging an outdoor culture.​​

Storm in a tea cup

It’s 4am and having trouble sleeping so thought i would reflect on previous day with a cup of tea. Towers were interesting,more to the point that even though I was in a secure building with access to some amazing city views, I still found it difficult to get near the glass without holding on. 

The walk to the towers was informative giving us a better idea of bearings etc. By the afternoon we had experienced torrential rain with thunder and lightning strikes that lit up the sky like darting fire works. 

After a bit of research and a short nap (probably why am writing at this ungodly hour) we decided to explore a new route and find the world famous central market. Unfortunately because of the heavy rain, it appeared Saturday night was not the party night we had imagined.The indoor market place housed Hundreds of stalls,selling what Julie refers to as tat . Some tat, that had to be purchased. Food in the market place was ample with a rice and meat dish for about £3. My kind a place.

After returning to sleep we woke naturally at 11am. Body clock all over the shop . worst still we missed our free all you can eat breakfast. Back to KL Sentral to explore the vibrant market place of China town where real lacost/Ralph Lauren clothes can be bought for a fiver. noodle lunch we wandered aimlessly taking in the atmosphere whikst rejecting sales picthes from the various stall owners. Although cloudy, the intense heat has taken us back to the hotel to laze by the pool and swim in the rain. 

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Kuala Lumpur

Flight from Heathrow was fine, nothing to report there. so left at 11pm slept about 5hours watched 3 films . Negotiated KL metro and found hotel easy enough . arrived about 10pm.hotel is 5 star and amazing. Half Garlsberg £6.50.

​Twin towers today.reportedly the tallest sky walk in the world. Inside is a masive shopping mall full of different nationalities playing with mobile phones.the weather is very humid and cloudy with odd welcome down pour. I fear jet lag has taken hold,as its 2pm and we are both wilting.​​
Twin towers were built in 1995 and are …..actually if you’re that interested , google it.