The West Lake

In my very humble opinion, xi hu or The West Lake is seriously overrated. Summer was right when she said that the lake lost its beauty when the decision was made to commercialize the area. A bad decision indeed.

Right, its pretty, its clean and its modern, but then again, i have seen this all too many. It reminds me of the kunming lake at the summer palace, oh but wait, it does also look a little like the random park somewhere around the world. But oh well, nobody can be said to have been to Hangzhou without visiting The West Lake. So there i was.


It was a nice day, so I took the bike for a ride, and cycled from the Orange Hotel.


Its really a big place, and at my speed, one whole day would be needed to cover just the perimeter of the lake.

The West Lake

Its always a blessing to be able to take time off, watching, as old men and ladies pull and push, twirl and twist, seemingly teasing the air to the rhythm of the music.

I wonder..

So there, i walked and looked and snapped around the west lake. There was pretty much nothing to do.

Student's Block

As if to celebrate my homecoming, the streets of my neighbourhood crackled to life as it lighted up with pretty fireworks display! oh yes, i miss you too beijing :)

What a bummer. I should be out having fun too :( hate the exams. For now, the view from my window would have to suffice.

Having a case of what i call a student's block, where the stubborn brain would simply absorb no more. So, here i am posting up pics from my trip to Hangzhou as i wait out this block. From Shanghai, I took an hour plus bullet train ride into the city of Hangzhou, and spent another day in what Marco Polo calls "the most beautiful city in the world".

Upon recommendation from the nice people at Orange Hotel Hangzhou, i took a bus down to the arts and cultural street where at night, peddlers and artists of all forms come out to earn their living.

Night Street

The House of Bronze
Candy Twister The Pumpkin Lady
Finding Wally
Thats me 30 years down the road