Last Day In Busan

We started our last day by traveling to the Busan Tower and getting a great of the city.

The mountain behind Busan tower is called Dragon mountain. There was an impressive statue there to represent the mountain.

Then it was off to Jagalchi Fish Market. This market was amazing. So much fresh fish on show! Lots of fish that were new to us and some that we recognized from home (Snapper and Paua were some of the things I saw).

Then it was off to Taejongdae Island.

It was hot but beautiful there.

After Taejongdae it was off to Gukje markets and some shopping.

We ended the day with a hot chocolate and reflections on the trip. Ratings were high.

And... It's Mrs Seo's birthday tomorrow so we celebrated with a song and cake!

Last day at Sinyang

Our last day with our friends at Sinyang

Today we had a very enjoyable morning at Singyang School. It was great to see the children from our 2 schools interacting so well. It was as though they had been friends for a long time.

Thanks to Mr Kim, Mr Shim and all the staff and parents at Sinyang Elementary who made us so welcome. We look forward to seeing you again in Auckland. 

In the afternoon we said our farewells and headed to Busan for some sightseeing.

Yuri is our tour guide.

Hangzhou Day 1

IWe had a wonderful time in Hanzhou. It is quite a different place to Shanghai. Much greener and a bit smaller (only 7-8 million people)

The people at Qinglan School made us 'Warmly Welcome'. We were treated with lots of kindness. After the children went with their home stay families Cara Luung Ja and I were taken sight seeing. It was fantastic. 

We saw a tea ceremony

And cruised the markets

Then had a beautiful meal

It was a great day

Hangzhou Day 2

We were again welcomed warmly on day 2 at Qinglan Primary. They held a welcome assembly for us that made us feel special.

The children and teachers created some wonderful calligraphy for us.

Then we saw a Maths and an Art class.

After this one of the students performed a tea cerony for us.

That evening Kyung Ja Cara and I were taken out for another meal, which was very kind.

It was a great day.

Sinyang School

I Our first day at Sinyang has been great. We were made very welcome. The Principal Mr  Kim organised a welcome assembly for us.

William and Amy gave speeches on behalf of our school. They spoke in both Korean and English and represented us very well.

The Sinyang students then sang, danced and played musical items. The standard of the performances blew us away.

Lunchtime at Sinyang was an experience. All 1100 students are feed at school every day. The lunch room was all hustle and bustle. The food tasted great.

After lunch our children and their home stay buddies went on a bus tour of Yangsan

Cool bus eh! 

We visited the Tongdosa Temple. One of the largest Buddhist temple sites in Korea.

 

Then back on the bus and off to Yangsan Museum, which was both interesting and fun!

Back to Shanghai

We left Hangzhou with some wonderful memories and friendships. Thanks to Principal Mrs Lou for having us at the school and especially to Mr Liu, Mrs Fu, Vicky and Maggie for taking such great care of us all.

It was a long trip back in the bus but China is a busy place so there was always something to see on the way.

When we got back it was off to the Bund and then Nanjing Road.

These places are cool! Great places to visit.

Even though it was a wet and misty we headed for the Shanghai  Pearl Tower and took a trip up to the observation deck.

There are someVERY tall buildings in this city.

Getting to know Shanghai

We started with something a bit familiar with a drink from Starbucks. Then we went on a tour of Shanghai.

Like good tourists we went to the Museum and saw some amazing works of art and artifacts. Some pieces were at least 7000 years old.

Then it was off to the French Concession.

Cara and Kyung Ja were keen on the Oktoberfest !

Then we were off to lunch. The food just kept coming. It was great seeing everyone trying new tastes and flavours.

We're Leaving On A Jetplane

We are heading off to China and Korea for 10 days. In China we will visit Shanghai and Hangzhou. In Korea we are going to Busan. We are visiting schools in both places and a bit of sightseeing as well.

Leaving at 11.5pm was good as we got a good sleep and having woken up perky.

We will have a bit of breakfast and then we will be in Shanghai.

We have landed and are happy to be on the ground after 12 hours in the air.