Remember how we visited the silk factory yesterday?
Adrian, a laconic man on our tour, walked onto the bus this morning and asked, “Anyone want to feel my silk underwear?”
A roar of laughter greeted this. As it died away, Sharon from Bayswater quipped, “Oh look, they’re queuing up!!”
Apartments are an empty shell. No doors, no carpet, no kitchen, no bathroom… you have to buy all of that. In this city, it costs $900,000 Aussie dollars for 100 square metres.
There’s a saying that when you buy an apartment, you empty 6 pockets. Not just the married couple, but both sets of parents as well.
100square metres ALSO includes lobby space, elevator space etc. so the apartment is closer to 75 square metres in actual living space.
My god. What a con.
The Chinese used to prefer sons to daughters, as daughters leave to join another family. But now? They prefer girls.
The boys’ families are expected to provide the lions share of the cost of an apartment.
When a baby girl is born, people say to the grandparents, “Congratulations, you can retire earlier!”
When a baby boy is born, they say, “Congratulations, you must work harder!”
West Lake is a natural lake. We took a boat ride. It’s surrounded by a National Park on 3 sides.
No high rise development is allowed lakeside. Apparently, this place is packed on the weekends.
This is a very green city. Trees line the streets, with floral underplantings. If you had to live in a high rise, like 95% of the population does, at least you can see green in this city.
The lake is located smack bang in the city centre. It appears to me that this might very well be the pick of the cities here, as there’s so much greenery , not just by the lake but all through the city.
Hangzhou used to be the capital city. 1,50 years ago they built a 1,400 kms long Grand Canal from here to Hangzhou, purely for the use of the emperor. It took 10 years to make. Concubines, silk, vegetables, rice… he travelled here once, then he was overthrown. His dynasty only lasted 2 generations.
Our next stop was a tea plantation. I didn’t think that I’d buy anything, after buying tea in both Vietnam and Japan, but I ended up buying enough green tea leaves to last me for 5 years. At least, that’s how long they’ll last if I store them in the freezer.
After the tea, it was a long drive through peak hour Friday night traffic to reach Shanghai.
We went straight to a theatre to see the Chinese equivalent of Cirque de Soleil. It was fantastic. I only took one video, of SEVEN motorbikes racing around inside a globe.
This trip has been a little stressful, as my father is dying. I was at the tea plantation when my sister Kate sent me a voicemail, saying that they’ve started Dad on the morphine. He told the doctor that he didn’t want to feel any pain before he dies, so this means the end is near.
Later, Kate messaged to say that one of the nurses looked at Dad and said quietly to Mum, “Tomorrow…”
It’s Saturday morning, as I type this. I fly home tomorrow.
Dad Joke of the Day:
Hi Frogdancer, have enjoyed reading your latest adventure. I hope you make it home for your Dad x
Thanks Charmaine. Sadly, he died the day before I flew home.
A somber ending to your trip. Safe travels.
Sombre indeed. Everyone looked after Mum beautifully, though.
I think you may be the first blogger I have read who’s used the work laconic in their posts–maybe I should read more from (former) English teachers.
Thank you for sharing your memories and photos of the trip. I will be thinking of you today, as you make a more difficult return home.
Thanks.
Thinking of you on this bittersweet day. Thanks for sharing your life and travels with such an open heart. I thoroughly enjoy all the beautiful photos, frugal tips, and seeing how you navigate retirement.
Prayers today for you and your family.
Thank you.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad, Frogdancer. I hope you got back in time to say goodbye.
Sadly, no I didn’t, and yesterday (when I ot back) was all about Mum and funeral plans.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad, it’s a tough stage looking after elderly parents. Take care.
Sorry to hear. Hope everything’s going as well as it can go at this sad time for you and your Mum.
So sorry to hear about your Dad. That’s really hard <3