Mongolia

It's October National Day holidays and we are off to exotic Mongolia this afternoon for a week.  Mongolia is a land locked country sandwiched between the Bear (Russia) and the Dragon (China).  Located on mountains and plateaus, it is one of the world's highest countries, with an average elevation of 1,580 meters (5,180 feet) and the dubious title of the "Coldest Capital City in the World".  We have all our winter clothes packed.  Hope to post some pics during the trip if we can get wireless internet.

Morning picnic

Today Max is home from school - he had a fever yesterday and I was called to pick him up. We decided to keep him home today although he doesn't seem to be too gravely ill. He asked if we could have a picnic so here we are enjoying coffee and biscuits in the compound playground. Oh, and Max had a haircut on the weekend.

Stale bread

I find myself using Google to find out the strangest things. "How to clean a capsicum?" or "what is the Chinese word for fabric softener". Today's query to the all-knowing guru was "can stale breadstick be used for bruschetta?". Apparently yes.

The thing you see in China

Cactus for sale by the kilo.

Tianzafung markets today

China Post

Aunty Melva is visiting and I took her to a post office to send a couple of post cards. In a blast from the past, postage stamps are still stuck on with a brush and what seems like Clag glue.

Canal

A canal beside the school. Touched up with Instagram.

Summer to autumn

The warm weather is still with us - but the days are much more pleasant temperature wise. It's the perfect weather to cycle or walk around Shanghai - something I plan to do starting next week when the kids are settled back into school. It won't be long until we're back into jumpers and gloves.

Like a pro

These were taken while boarding our flight home from HK earlier in the week. Max has flown a *few times in his short life and pretty much knows the drill now.

First day

Today was Max's first day at kindergarten and he joined Zara on the school bus for the first time. I went along for the ride - to make sure he got to his classroom. I hung around for a couple of hours to help him settle in. His teacher has suggested I do the same thing for the rest of the week.

Breaking news

Zara has a new doll friend who she wants to replace her faithful 5 year old bunny for cuddling in bed! She is serious!

Heading back to Shanghai

At Hong Kong airport - heading back to Shanghai this afternoon.

Disneyland 3

Disneyland 2

Disneyland 1

Travelling

Kids and I are off to Disneyland in Hong Kong for a couple of days - a quick 2 hour flight away. We fly tonight, visit the park Monday, then back to Shanghai Tuesday. This trip heralds the end of school holidays. Both kids will be at school starting next Wednesday.

Shanghai Zoo

We visited the Shanghai Zoo with Aunty Melva and saw pandas, giraffes, tigers, elephants, bears and zebras. Max naturally wanted to climb over and go in to pat the zebra. And he wanted one as a pet.

Show the love

This is a fairly common sight around Shanghai - couples walking hand-in-hand, wearing identical shirts. Young love!
Or maybe special discount on buying 2!