DAY 9, 10 AND 11 -
MAKE THE MONKEYS DANCE FOR YOU - Salutations readers!! :) Away to the fantastical land of Happy Valley theme park we went as an octet. Just as long as we're smiling and together as a family, I don't mind where we are in the world, but it helps if there are thrill rides. Once more, kids were snapping sneaky pics of us and two teen girls practically rejoiced that I consented to pose with them!! It's not like we're members of **insert pop/rock/country band of your own personal preference here ** With fairy dust smiles and gorilla giggles the Monty monkeys behaved as cheeky chimps through the primate photo cut outs.
As an overgrown chicken, I generally don't do treacherous things yet lots of dangerous-looking attractions were in my line of vision. Starting out with a gentle, fun ride on the ferris wheel which didn't have me wanting to flee like those dreaded ones that rock and sway. Not gonna lie, I HATED the Disk'O bike spinning ride that rotated us back, forth and round the circular half pipe. My throat was sore after straining it from my vociferations of utter terror. I seriously wish I hadn't been deceived into going on that, particularly as my squeals sounded as though I was being set on fire!!! It has now made my list of amusement rides I will never ever go on again.
OUR YOUNG AND HAPPY HEARTS WERE THRILLED - Crazy heights are not my thing so I was expecting the suspended swings to fill me with mortal dread. While I'll admit I was scared initially and my face was paralysed by abject fright -- which caused Amy to laugh her lungs out.. I soon relaxed and eventually allowed myself to enjoy the sensation. The Haunted House was not everybody's nightmare.. it was poxy! Only Mum, Joe and I 'braved' following the glow in the dark, green arrows in the walk through 'ordeal' where my mother gripped hold of me too tightly. There was nothing too horrific inside so it was hilariously unnecessary for her to have been clamping my shoulder. Amy got the most enormous stick of candy floss ever known to woman and we delighted in our sickly sweet dalliance with the fluffy spun sugar on a stick.
Caribbean Storm, the big splash log flume water ride was an exhilarating slash suffocating few minutes. Wearing two ponchos back to front in order to cover my face is an ill-advised act that I do not recommend as I was unable to breathe sufficiently. Only look to my example as a what NOT to do because my actions were reckless and not thought out. Amy, Joe and myself were drenched down the steep drop anyway as scoundrels deliberately paid to use water shooters to blast us unsuspecting chumps smack in the face!!
BLISSFULLY HAVING A BALL - Dragon in a snowfield, was one of those runaway mine train roller coasters that we love, for it waters your eyes as it rampages along the track. Before we were permitted on, the ride operators compelled all passengers to follow them in a series of warm up exercises; this was the only form of a work out I engaged in throughout the entire duration of our holiday. After which, I convinced Mum to come on the River Rapids with me as the others all wanted to remain dry. Mum's joy was diminished as she was seated opposite me for balance (her in a wet seat, me in the water-less) and ignored my calls to duck under 3 waterfalls in a row! I actively tried to avoid another soaking while litres of water saturated Mum's back; trying to stifle guffaws was useless, I could do nothing but LAUGH LAUGH LAUGH and stayed dry as a bone.
Dad, Jamie, Amy and Joe queued for over 30 mins (THE longest line length of the day) to go on the Dodgems. I carouselled, returned and they'd barely moved :D A sign indicated that this was not a fair ride for those over 50 years old which Dad disregarded; the old man was humored or his age wasn't obvious to the controller. Brought back more grotesque, insect bites to add to my growing collection of itchy souvenirs - that ain't cool!
I'M ALL FOR THE SIGHTSEEING - Our first port of call the next day was to Jinli Street; a tremendously busy, ancient pedestrian shopping lane, ornamented by prettified lanterns. It gave us a feel for Chengdu of yore and an opportunity to open our eyes and hearts to the time honoured culture therein. Lotsa dosh was spent at the stalls selling piles of treasures; Johannah purchased a fish bag each for me, Mum, Amy and Julie as a sweet present. Our sister-in-law also gifted Joe with a glass ornament that had his name personally engraved inside for a lucky life and Dad a traditional mask.
We charmed more of the locals as selfies were again requested/expected; most of whom are clearly not used to seeing fair-skinned, light-haired Brits. Dressing very brightly for the scorchio temps of 29 degrees was a sweaty, horrible mistake. The outing would have been a smidgen greater if we'd had time to visit in the evening to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the market come alive.
CRUSHED A BOX OF POPCORN CHICKEN - Fast food tucker 1 vs Figure 0!! Thanks a bunch fries and KFC-imitation fried poultry, as if I didn't wibble and wobble enough as it was! Us siblings all ate upstairs away from the 'grown ups', swapping stories from Jamie's childhood to embarrass him sufficiently but affectionately. Yet Johannah still loves our brother!! :D We've all become closer with her and are now doubly blessed to have her as part of the family.
At Sanguo Tea Garden, we observed a Sichuan Opera face changing show which is famous in the region. It was a tea ceremony where a guest was accidentally scalded on his arm by a highly remorseful waitress. A kettle with a spout measuring over 66cm in length, called a long pot filled with boiling water was skillfully poured into china teacups as part of the act. A young woman swayed a cup and saucer in the air for minute after minute; it must be symbolic but of what I know not. The Kung Fu kettle master did his thing and Jamie was beckoned onstage to replicate the pouring skills; in spite of giving his best efforts he still spilt water onto the tablecloth. Lastly, the face changing performer took to the spotlight for an extremely short exhibition of this adept with-a-slice-of-creepy spectacle. Multiple layered masks were removed with lightning speed and nimble fingers all in the blink of an eye. I embraced the wacky and loved the weird..
WE SAW WONDERFUL THINGS - Express bused to the National Heritage Site of Du Fu Thatched Cottage, a scenic park where the revered, Chinese poet born in the Tang Dynasty once lived more than a thousand years ago. He built his thatched home beside the Flower Rinsing Creek; it is here that he penned 240 poems precious to this country. In order to be considered one of the all time bests, he must have been pretty great with verse. Ambling 59 acres of vegetation, I had the realisation that China is much greener than I ever envisioned.
An overload of pretty met us around every bend as we continued to delve into this wondrous land of pagodas and bamboo groves. We climbed to the top of the bell tower to wave down at Julie and Johannah, while appreciating the views from above. The grounds are a place of peace, until your father on cloud cuckoo pops out from the bamboo! Du Fu's home was a darling, little thatched cottage which has been reconstructed in the fashion of his very modest and plain hut. I was a ball of smiles feeding the insatiable fish in one of the ponds.
DO I KNOW PASTA OR WHAT? - Our last supper all together was served at Capricciosa, an Italian ristorante with Japanese influences. With just one sniff of my spaghetti, I was onto the fact that it contained cheese (when the menu didn't include that ingredient) so Johannah had it swapped over. I wasn't expecting my spicy tomato, onion and chilli pepper sauce to be so awesome but I was a very happy customer with every single forkful. A waitress asked if any of our birthdays had been that month and as Amy had hers at the beginning of April they suitably made a fuss over her with a song, a silly birthday hat and bestowed her with free pineapple cake and chocolate ice cream! The cake, I lusted after until Amy gave me a beast of a bite which was as soft as clouds.
Jamie's boss gave us a tour of the enormous school he works for; we had to wear shoe coverings to minimise the risk of infection. The facilities are outstanding including: pools, music and art rooms, dance studio and a room full of teeny tiny beds for the Kindergarten aged children to take naps - TOO sweet!! Jamie showed us what he does daily and gave us an impromptu mini lesson like we were his child pupils. It was nice to see him in this setting as he's in his element and thriving out in Chengdu and now we can picture his place of work when he shares stories with us.
JOURNEYED ALMOST TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH TO BE TOGETHER -We've had the best time in China as a family which made my heart so happy so when it came to the airport farewell, the mood changed to downcast. No matter how we tried not to get sniffy, we were all more than a bit emoshi as the waterfalls of tears fell before our departure. I know we can still communicate via Wechat, FB and Facetime but we can't give Jamie and Johannah hugs! It's just unthinkably sad not knowing when we will get to see them next; it could be months but it may even be years :'( While I will NOT miss the hole toilets (which I must have become used to as I barely gagged once when I passed them by at the airport) or insane traffic, I'll miss these two beyond belief.. and now home to Britain.. for my beige, vanilla life..
I'M ALL FOR THE SIGHTSEEING - Our first port of call the next day was to Jinli Street; a tremendously busy, ancient pedestrian shopping lane, ornamented by prettified lanterns. It gave us a feel for Chengdu of yore and an opportunity to open our eyes and hearts to the time honoured culture therein. Lotsa dosh was spent at the stalls selling piles of treasures; Johannah purchased a fish bag each for me, Mum, Amy and Julie as a sweet present. Our sister-in-law also gifted Joe with a glass ornament that had his name personally engraved inside for a lucky life and Dad a traditional mask.
We charmed more of the locals as selfies were again requested/expected; most of whom are clearly not used to seeing fair-skinned, light-haired Brits. Dressing very brightly for the scorchio temps of 29 degrees was a sweaty, horrible mistake. The outing would have been a smidgen greater if we'd had time to visit in the evening to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the market come alive.
CRUSHED A BOX OF POPCORN CHICKEN - Fast food tucker 1 vs Figure 0!! Thanks a bunch fries and KFC-imitation fried poultry, as if I didn't wibble and wobble enough as it was! Us siblings all ate upstairs away from the 'grown ups', swapping stories from Jamie's childhood to embarrass him sufficiently but affectionately. Yet Johannah still loves our brother!! :D We've all become closer with her and are now doubly blessed to have her as part of the family.
At Sanguo Tea Garden, we observed a Sichuan Opera face changing show which is famous in the region. It was a tea ceremony where a guest was accidentally scalded on his arm by a highly remorseful waitress. A kettle with a spout measuring over 66cm in length, called a long pot filled with boiling water was skillfully poured into china teacups as part of the act. A young woman swayed a cup and saucer in the air for minute after minute; it must be symbolic but of what I know not. The Kung Fu kettle master did his thing and Jamie was beckoned onstage to replicate the pouring skills; in spite of giving his best efforts he still spilt water onto the tablecloth. Lastly, the face changing performer took to the spotlight for an extremely short exhibition of this adept with-a-slice-of-creepy spectacle. Multiple layered masks were removed with lightning speed and nimble fingers all in the blink of an eye. I embraced the wacky and loved the weird..
WE SAW WONDERFUL THINGS - Express bused to the National Heritage Site of Du Fu Thatched Cottage, a scenic park where the revered, Chinese poet born in the Tang Dynasty once lived more than a thousand years ago. He built his thatched home beside the Flower Rinsing Creek; it is here that he penned 240 poems precious to this country. In order to be considered one of the all time bests, he must have been pretty great with verse. Ambling 59 acres of vegetation, I had the realisation that China is much greener than I ever envisioned.
An overload of pretty met us around every bend as we continued to delve into this wondrous land of pagodas and bamboo groves. We climbed to the top of the bell tower to wave down at Julie and Johannah, while appreciating the views from above. The grounds are a place of peace, until your father on cloud cuckoo pops out from the bamboo! Du Fu's home was a darling, little thatched cottage which has been reconstructed in the fashion of his very modest and plain hut. I was a ball of smiles feeding the insatiable fish in one of the ponds.
DO I KNOW PASTA OR WHAT? - Our last supper all together was served at Capricciosa, an Italian ristorante with Japanese influences. With just one sniff of my spaghetti, I was onto the fact that it contained cheese (when the menu didn't include that ingredient) so Johannah had it swapped over. I wasn't expecting my spicy tomato, onion and chilli pepper sauce to be so awesome but I was a very happy customer with every single forkful. A waitress asked if any of our birthdays had been that month and as Amy had hers at the beginning of April they suitably made a fuss over her with a song, a silly birthday hat and bestowed her with free pineapple cake and chocolate ice cream! The cake, I lusted after until Amy gave me a beast of a bite which was as soft as clouds.
Jamie's boss gave us a tour of the enormous school he works for; we had to wear shoe coverings to minimise the risk of infection. The facilities are outstanding including: pools, music and art rooms, dance studio and a room full of teeny tiny beds for the Kindergarten aged children to take naps - TOO sweet!! Jamie showed us what he does daily and gave us an impromptu mini lesson like we were his child pupils. It was nice to see him in this setting as he's in his element and thriving out in Chengdu and now we can picture his place of work when he shares stories with us.
JOURNEYED ALMOST TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH TO BE TOGETHER -We've had the best time in China as a family which made my heart so happy so when it came to the airport farewell, the mood changed to downcast. No matter how we tried not to get sniffy, we were all more than a bit emoshi as the waterfalls of tears fell before our departure. I know we can still communicate via Wechat, FB and Facetime but we can't give Jamie and Johannah hugs! It's just unthinkably sad not knowing when we will get to see them next; it could be months but it may even be years :'( While I will NOT miss the hole toilets (which I must have become used to as I barely gagged once when I passed them by at the airport) or insane traffic, I'll miss these two beyond belief.. and now home to Britain.. for my beige, vanilla life..