Recording the wonderments of our first trip to China

DAY 1 AND 2 - 

The North wind blew the Montigues away on a family adventure to be reunited in Chengdu with Jamie (the missing piece of our family puzzle) and Johannah (our soon to be sister/daughter-in-law); to wish them the best of everything and eternal bliss together as they marry. I didn't need to be a soothsayer to know that the journey wouldn't be plain sailing (should that be plane FLYING!!) but at least it allows me further global exploits which my soul sorely needs. 

PARTIAL HONESTY: I was a trifle terrified that a drone would crash into our plane as it had only that week on a BA flight landing at this very airport - Heathrow. This news spooked me no end but there was no need to be afraid for we were spared of any collision. It was after check in, that this JACKAL of a security officer lady was brusque to a wee dear who had no understanding of the English language. Heathrow very obviously do not have the best people on this duty for she showed zero patience to the woman who could not comprehend her demands to put certain items in a separate tray. Instead of assisting her, she kept raising her voice irately until I stepped in to help, to which she sarcastically remarked 'eventually!' I formally complained for my first time ever to her superior of such rudeness and didn't dance around how appalled I was by this disgraceful matron. 

There was still too much time to kill before our flight so we got the lay of the land before Amy and I dined at Giraffe. I surrendered to the delectable content of the avocado, hummus and roasted cherry tomato toasted artisan sourdough with basil oil and rocket. I'm still smacking my lips over that and the sweet potato fries I pinched from Amy's plate. She offered them up of her own free will; there was no sisterly hassling.. she truly just is a generous giraffe. Before we boarded our jet, a grounds worker thoughtfully facilitated a mini photo shoot of the 5 of us at the staircase.

AN ASTUTE EVALUATION - Joy is a JOY-less movie with Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in a minuscule role about the creator of a self-wringing miracle mop. Yes, really an entire movie centred about this and Joy's business acumen which has been likened to a fairytale. Eh? Seriously, how did this film relating to a mop, not FLOP?? It is not a magical movie and was the opposite of anything joyful but I thank it for enabling me to snooze soundly for several hours until my grub of spicy pork in Schezuan sauce came by. Naturally, I avoided the pork like viewers should steer clear of this motion picture. 

ARE WE DESSERTING? - Why, yes we are and I hit the dessert jackpot with a chocolate ganache pudding cup which was gobbled up in a flash. It was officially an ugly sight but I cannot regret the decadence of the luscious sucrose. Trust me, you won't need the love or affection of any mortal man or woman when your undivided attention is invested in hoovering every particle!! We were also very fortunate not to be on a full flight so we spread out on the seats at the back of the aircraft. Mum and Dad were able to lay down in semi-comfort securing a row of their own each. 

At the plane's descent, we were granted with our introductory glimpses to mainland China; a barren landscape that I'd liken to craters on the moon, carpeted the terrain. We flew over a more dusty and mountainous expanse before coming in to land in a vibrantly green region studded with high rises and mucho mistiness. My cherub of a sister wasn't feeling at all well, not managing to sleep whatsoever :( so horrible to see her upset and unable to help her be more rested. 

The unholy humidity hit us all like a slap in the face as did our numero uno encounter with the despised toilets. Let's just say that these cubicles are not my definition of nirvana. Chengdu, please excuse my immediate but expected response which was to gag! On the small list of things I grew to dislike about China.. this is number 2 :D 

SEEING THE WORLD MAKES MY HEART SING (except when I'm bushed) - Jamie and Johannah were already at Arrivals to greet us with open arms and it was all recorded, although none of us were exactly fresh faced after 12+ hours of travel. We were over the moon to see them both at 11.15am local time but as it was 4.15am back in Britain, we were not ready to party hearty. Stupid time zones! As Julie's (our Aunt) flight was not due for another couple of hours we waited in an airport cafe, slurping freshly squeezed juice and having a good, old catch up with our J's. The establishment probably didn't want our kind in there, cluttering up the place with our suitcases galore!

SO MUCH CHAOS COMES WITH CHENGDU - Once Julie joined us, we divided into two cars and were made acquainted with the insanity of the streets. Mum was like a fish out of water, overwhelmed by the mania by all the traffic and lack of rules. The beeps signalling the presence of a car to avoid a collision were alarming, as we weaved our way through the hoi polloi. This is so far beyond any bedlam I've ever seen before and so we crossed our limbs that we'd make it to our destination unscathed with all body parts still intact. 

Jamie welcomed us to the 'land of waiting', as our rooms were not ready at Wangjiang Hotel but as Julie's was we all hung out in there until housekeeping had finished. Since we're vacationing in the middle of a park, picturesque views of the spacious grounds through the windows are encircling. No matter how small or silly it may seem, I have an uncontrollable urge to press buttons and LOVED that the rooms had these functions by our bedside whereby it would even open the curtains with one click or show us who was outside our door. 

TO EXOTIC EXPERIENCES - Amy starfished as we pushed 2x single beds together so that me, Mum and Amy would all have room to share, like a big mother/daughter sleepover. Before Jamie and Johannah returned, I showered and changed then we tuned into some reality TV show which I hope catches on in the UK named The Hidden Singer TV show. I don't get it but I love it and it sure feels crazy to listen to Chinese coming out of their mouths.. Our hosts came back bearing Pizza Hut goodies and since they wouldn't do pizza without cheese for me, I had shotgun of the chicken egg fried rice and salad. Flying to Asia was worth it just for this food!! 

My brother has a confident stride and glow about him since he made the move to Chengdu. We were all impressed by Jamie's Chinese language skills when he phoned down to reception to inquire when breakfast was and even his bride-to-be Johannah praised him for his understanding and pronunciation. Never have I been faced with such tremendously gold ornamentation than when we had a nose around our plush 5* surroundings. I was too mesmerised by the décor of the baby elephant fountains, cutesy panda cuddly toys bestrewn in bamboo as a grand foyer centerpiece and the stencil lamp lit path. Which we inquisitively followed, only to find a large lucky stone (I'm guessing it was lucky .. unless it is purely decorative) although it was dark, we wanted a closer look at where the wedding would be held on Sunday. The ceremony is guaranteed to bring tears to our eyes <3 xx