Delivery man

Washing machine on a motor bike. Is there nothing that can't be strapped to two wheels?

ANZAC day Shanghai

This morning a dawn service was held at the Consul-General's residence in Shanghai, marking the 98th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing. Two school children, an Australian and a New Zealander were chosen to raise the respective flags during the playing of the Rouse. I had the job of looking after the school kids, so got a birds eye view of the service. This pic was snapped after the service had concluded.

Copy cat

There has been a quite a bit of imitating going on lately - always Max copying Zara, never the other way round. These pictures represent just a small sample of the goings-on. It often goes like this: Zara needs something, Max immediately also needs the same thing. Zara has a sore toe, magically Max also has a sore toe. Tonight Zara had to go to the toilet, 2 seconds later Max announced that he also needed to go. Without fail. Wherever she is, or whatever she is doing, little brother is just a few steps behind. It's really adorable and I wish I could pause time.

Travelling tip #1

Not cool to take photos with an iPad.

Spring

Spring appears to have arrived in Shanghai now - a temp of 31 degrees recorded around lunchtime today. Away with the jackets!

Baby on back

Look closely...

Xi'an - a few more photos

Xi'an

This finds us in Xi'an for the Easter weekend. Off to see the Terracotta Warriors today - but here's a couple of pics from yesterday. The street is in the Muslim quarter. Zara was fascinated by the Chinese paintbrush shop. And Max and Tanja are chauffeured around in a motorbike chariot!

Doggy bag

The other day we spotted something quite unique. A lady laid a pink shopping bag on the ground, held it open, and her fluffy pup proceeded to crawl right inside, turn around and stick his head out the top. Like he had done it a thousand times before. She then picked up the shopping bag, put it on the footrest and ride off. Presumably the dog sits there watching the traffic zips past.

Easter bunny

Raining

Raining in Shanghai today. Motorcycle taxis lineup ready to whisk people quickly to their destination. And lots of umbrellas for sale at the metro exit.

Fashionable breakfast

A bit of a funny China moment - for me anyway. Our local supermarket (Carrefour) currently has quite a large display of western breakfast foods such as cereal, jam and milk. Very ho-hum for us who were brought up in the west... but to the Chinese it must be something special. The display carries the slogan "Healthy breakfast, new fashion!".

Sunday brunch

Delicious Sunday brunch (well more lunch than breakfast) at Larder, Shanghai. Grandma had to leave us in the afternoon bound for Australia's fair shores. Hope to have her back soon!

Weekend: stop for some frozen yoghurt

Moving

Saturday Max and I helped our friends Jeff and Caitlin move house. All their earthly possessions fitted in the back of our car so we only had to make one trip.

Dessert

The kids enjoyed their trifles made by Grandma!

Lollipops

And Zara showing off her new cat ears jumper.

Bye Grandad

This happened a week ago - but we had to say goodbye to Grandad who returned to Australia last Sunday night.

Shanghai fun

Near Jing'an Temple, Shanghai.

Fast train

Here is Grandma and Grandad about to board the fast train to Beijing. Cruises along very comfortably at 300km/h. You can sit a cup of coffee on your tray quite safely.

Airports

Here we are about 9.30pm last Monday night - after a long day's journey that began on the Great Wall and ended back in Shanghai.

Up the wall

Yesterday we climbed the Great Wall, just outside of Beijing. Well we took a cable car up most of the way and then walked some.

Morning coffee

Kommune cafe, Tianzafung, Shanghai.

More snow photos