Ni Hao and You Good to everyone,
As July approaches, it really feels like our time in China is coming to an end, and we are starting to miss China already.

Oh China

Land of all things cheap,

You've been good to us,

Please hold us as we weep.

Oh Australia,

Land of rising interest rates,

Sadly we're coming back to you,

Don't cry - it's not you we hates.

Oh Australia,

It's just that $1.50 a litre for gas doesn't compare,

To the same for a massage, including,

Head, shoulders, arms and a shampoo for one's hair.

Oh China,

We've shared your lows and your highs,

We made it through the smog and traffic,

We ate your ducks, and chopsticked your flies.

Anyway...

Recently we've been making the most of the time that remains, and besides the usual work that we do, we've been getting out n' about and experiencing more of what this country offers.

Our good Chinese friends, Nana and David as they're called in English, scooped us up some tickets for a pre-olympic qualifiying event for Syncronized Swimming, and it was a good chance to see the Olympic Stadium (which they call the 'Birds Nest') and the Aquatic Centre (which they call the 'Water Cube') up close n' personal.

Below: The force of 7 underwater swimmers results in this...

And Below: David and I in front of the Birds Nest

Then we enjoyed a day-trip 3-hours east of Beijing to see the famous Eastern Qing Tombs. The Eastern Qing Tombs, a sacred burial ground near Beijing, is one of the two tomb areas devoted to the emperors, empresses and imperial concubines of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911, the last feudal empire in China), and if that sounds a little boring or even depressing, the scenery and architecture was enough to awaken the joy-senses, even if there was a little rain...Here's the Guardian Creatures of the 'Sacred Way.' There were so many of these creatures, both recognisable and mythical, and human statues lining the way to the tombs of past emperors and empresses (who only wanted to impress), that we were blown away by the granduer of it all. See more pics on our online album to the right.

Here's some of the colours that mesmerized me while there...

One of the funniest parts of the day was seeing this sign (the best so far!) for when words are not enough to explain the sights to the silly foreigners like us:And coming in a close second... an encouragement to dispose of both our organic and norganic rubbish! And even more recently we've had the utmost pleasure of having the folks from Down Under visit us - this time from Michelle's side. Peter and Liz King made the 10-day trip to Beijing so as to get in on the action and taste the good life - what with the countless foot massages, ravaging dinners, bargain bonanzas, city-rural experiences, and the AFL Footy at the pub (go the Crows!). Even Peter King had the pleasure of getting stuck into his namesake dish - Peking Duck. Yummy.


Like just mentioned - rural Beijng was also on the menu. One of my past students - Penny - owns a hobby farm of considerable size, which is run by her brother and sister-in-law, and maintained by her and her husband on the weekends. It's a great taste of the country life in China - with the wheat crops surrounding the area, as well as fruit trees, vegetable patches, orchards, and even rows upon rows of asparagas. Yummy. Penny also has a child of ten years who amazed us with her English skills and memorization of some well known English songs. We spent a day with them on their farm and were treated to some good ol fashioned hospitality.

Once again...here's a bit of colour feasted our eyes on...Well...time flew for the Kings in Beijing, but there was just enough time to promote them to Emperor status:

Finally,

A big CONGRATULATIONS to my brother Matt and his partner Alana on their new baby girl - JADE! We're stoked to be an Uncle and Aunty yet again, but first for the Taylor side. Jade is a beautiful as the name suggests. We can't wait to get back n' have a hold!

This is China

Dig it.