Week 50 - Harbin

Mike and I went away for our first childfree weekend, and it coincided with our seventh wedding anniversary.  Mum and Dad were in town to look after the kidlets, so we braved temperatures of -25 degrees Celsius (yes, below zero) to visit Harbin in the top north east corner of China, not very far from Russia.

Every January there is a snow and ice sculpture festival, and this was the opening night at the Ice Sculptures.  Everything was built of ice, and illuminated with fluorescent lights.  There were a number of parks around Harbin each of which had ice or snow sculptures.  It was a real adventure, and we had a wonderful time!!

Week 49 - New Year's Eve Glamour

We were on our way to welcome in 2013 at M on the Bund, in the Glamour Bar.  We were unable to drive very far down Zhongshan Lu, and so were dropped off to walk a couple of blocks.

The mood was vibrant and happy, and the old buildings were all lit up, and crowds of people lined the promenade along the river... it was packed... we welcomed the new year in style with good friends, canapés and champagne.

And of course fireworks along the river.

Happy new year!!!

Week 48 - Family Reunion

Last Christmas when we were celebrating in Melbourne, Jie Jie announced at Christmas dinner that she wanted the next Christmas to be at her house, and invited, with a heavy expectation, Mum and Dad to be there too.  We are so lucky this year, because not only do we have Mum and Dad, but we also have my younger sister and her new husband visiting.  All arrived two days before Christmas, and here we are out at Pudong International Airport to collect Grandma and Bob.  As soon as we saw them come through the sliding doors the kids were sprinting down towards them for their first grandparent hugs after 8 months.  I don't know who had the biggest grin!!!

Week 47 - It's beginning to feel a lot like...

Christmas... 

Over the last 5 Christmases, Shanghai decorators are finally getting it right and putting up the decorations in early December.  In our first year here, they literally put the decorations up on Christmas Eve and took them down as they changed over for Chinese New Year.  This year, it is nice that our local shopping centre has their decorations up now... this is a display on the floor, and the sign says 'No trampling or stampeding'.

Merry Christmas!!