me, isi, anna, juju, mark and ali went to qingdao for the weekend.

we took the train. i hate train rides but this time it was quite good. we had lots of food and played some games that isi's mama and bubba sent from aus.

 

it rained and rained.... and showed us how beautiful it could be just as we were leaving.  but good times dont require good weather and we had a fabulous time neway. upon arrival we were discovered by a hotel tout. no often these experiences are not good.... but this time we found a lovely man who took us to a great PINK hotel. He gave us discounts on our rooms and a free ride there.  we had ocean views. it was beautiful.

 

it was raining but the boys (being boys) went to play in the sand neway. and boys being boys they had a stone skipping competition. i think juju won... but sometimes memories play tricks on us.. but as far as i am concerned he was the stone skipping on the ocean champion.

 

we found the 'better known cafe' and ate burgers with cheese and bacon and other delicious food. the lattes were to die for. and we ate there many times. i think we were their short-term most regular customers.

 

we went to the new york bar and had expensive drinks whilst listening to a cool band.  it was really cool there. they had some ballet for us to enjoy and it was a beautiful place.

 

on the second day isi, anna and i went on our own private tour. the hotel has a tour guide (for free) and a driver for 20 yuan. we went to the pearl market and bought beautiful jewelary.  the tour guide even did bargaining for us - we were so fortunate to stay at this hotel

 

we picked up alice (who arrived that afternoon) and ate at the 'better known cafe'. nathan and his lovely girlfriend, julia, were also in town so we met up with them at the night market. we bought more stuff and then tried to find a restaraunt. harder than you would imagine. but in the end we ended up at tudarli (korean chain place). food was good. company was better

 

on the last day we saw some beautiful weahter and what looked like the entire population of qingdao (who had been staying home due to the weather). we went to the supermarket and bought cheese and other such things that are in short supply in zhang dian.

 

on the train trip home we got upgraded to best class for 10 yuan. and watched movies, played games and had a little rest.

 

i had such a lovely time in qingdao. next time i will go is to see isi off. ali is coming with me and him.... mainly to hold my hand after his departure. we will stay in the same hotel for the same price (120 yuan - cheap as) even thou it is high season and they could charge us much much more.  i will be sadder next time i will be there cos isi is going home. but i can think of much much worse places to be sad in lol

 

i look foward to going back. my friend chen chen is from qingdao and is already suggesting cool and relativly cheaper places for us to go out and to eat at.

 

i spent a small fortune. but it was well worth it!

 

the destination was fabulous - even in the rain. the food and alcohol was wonderful. the hotel was  really great. but it was the best time ive had in a while cos of those of you i went with or met up with

 

lots of lvoes to u

ruru