Eat, Drink, Be Merry

You cant say you have been to Tsingdao without visiting the Tsingdao Beer Museum.

Beer Street

And with a clink of the glasses, we toasted to the city, to each other and to the long dreadful 11 hour train ride (hard seater mind you) back to beijing.

Seagulls on the rock

A walk along the coastal lines in Tsingdao, brings you to many other places. A moment here, i was in cairns, and another moment there, i thought i was home.

Missing the nice weather :( Right now in beijing, we rejoice even when its negative 2 degrees. That is now our new warm. I already forget what its like to have the sun on your back. i am never taking it for granted anymore.

Beach No. 2

Ba Da Guan is another area in Tsingdao, where i suppose the rich and famous gather, judging from the size of the houses there. No, i correct, villas. Its nice to fantasize once in a while.

"Hua Shi Lou"

Seagulls on the rock
Wheeee!

Under my Umbrella

I almost died from embarrassment yesterday. So i heard that we just got ourselves a huger than ass tee vee, and my dearest father (i dont care, i am putting this on your account), decided to show off his new toy. Not to the mother, not to family alone. What in the world were beiyi and friends doing in my house, i have no idea.

Dearest dad hooked his computer to the tee vee, made a skype video call to me, and had me broadcasted LIVE. Every line, bumps, crease, flaws, EVERYTHING on my face was on high definition for all to see. And for a good 5 mins, i was left clueless as to why there was a huge uproar from the background. Thank you, i can now die in peace.

A little note to self: never pick up any dubious calls from home.

So anyway, on a good glorious morning last summer, me and frae headed out to beach no. 1 in Tsingdao for a quick hour of suntanning. And there, we met the strangest people ever.

Caught on Cam

Beach No. 1

I dont understand these people. Is the sand softer than the bed in your room, or do you just not grasp the concept of sun bathing? Sigh, we live in a warped world where people enjoy self torture.


My sun bathing essentials: Flip flops, shades and a good company.

German Concession

We spent the better half of the next morning strolling down the streets of the German Concession, appreciating the bold columns and brick walls as we went along.

At the top of a slope somewhere in the concession, stands the St. Michael's Church, a catholic church now frequented by the korean worshipers. However, outside the gates of the church, is a popular spot for bridal couples and their camera crew.


The church is distinguished by the 2 spiral towers, which reminded me somewhat of the Notre-Dame cathedral. Unfortunately, we were denied entry into the church because we were so indecently clad.

St. Michael's Church

Mother Mary

From the church, with just a map and a camera in hand, we wandered along the streets of the concession, heading in the general direction of the beach. There were of course lots to see and snap.

My Secret Garden

1953

I had a little IT mishap earlier in the week. A little spark and some smoke were involved, and my lappie died on me for a few days until it was resuscitated only 2 days ago. Phew, that was a close call, i really need to start backing up my comp! i hate having to be so dependent on this small, inert, rectangular thing!!

Anyway, its a beautiful saturday morning today. From my window, i see people hurrying along their way, huddling up in groups, scurrying away from the cold (it just gets colder here each day). Boy am i glad to be nicely cuddled up, wrapped in layers of blankets, taking a 5 minutes break (we all know how it goes right, 5 minutes is an understatement) enjoying a sight like this. Sighhhs.

Traveling back in time, 1953 to be exact, this was where me and frae walked into after our long stroll along the coastal lines of Tsingdao. We had the obligatory tsingdao beer which went well with our not so fantastic burgers. We were famished anyway, so beggers cant be choosers.

1953

Seagulls on the beach

In the distance, its easy to mistake them for seagulls. Like all other waterfront cities in china, Tsingdao is a delicious draw to the birds in their white frocks. Within an area of 50 meters square, we spotted at least 3 bridal couples. It was a funny sight as we sat around, gawking at the bride's dress and the groom's looks.

Perched and waiting

I thought it silly that we had to pay for entrance to a beach. Before 5pm, Beach No. 2 is opened to the public for a small fee. Luckily for us, the walk from the hostel to the beach took us so long, that it was past 5pm by the time we were there.