Sorry about the absence of new blog entries, it’s been the week from HELL!!!!!!!!!! (maybe it’s just worse because I don’t have access to good coffee!)

But, I shall tell you about Macau. Macau is a gorgeous place full of other foreigners and fantastic shopping and food. It was the first time we got to do the ‘tourist’ thing and take photos and visit ‘touristy’ places. For anyone out there that has ever been to Dongguan, it’s not exactly a tourist paradise. Dongguan is more geared towards business development.

So….after booking our bus tickets the week before, we head to the pick up point at 7am to catch the 7.40 bus. We’re all supposed to meet at 7am in front of the local gym and catch a taxi. At 7.10, we are still waiting for someone! We call and their alarm didn’t go off…SHIT! Nervously we catch a taxi (4 of us) and head to the pick up point feeling very anxious about the 5th person not making it in time! We get out of the taxi and we do an ‘items’ check: i.e. camera, money, undies, PASSPORT! Oops, someone forgot their passport DOUBLE SHIT! While the 4th person takes off in a taxi to go back home, the rest of us head into the hotel (pick up point) and hand over our tickets so that we’re registered and that there’s seats on the bus for us.

Phew, 4th person makes it back in time but we’re still waiting for person number 5! We decided if they didn’t make it in time they could catch the next bus to Macau at 8.40. It’s now time to get on the bus….except someone (another hotel) has double booked seats and there’s not enough room for us…FUCKING TRIPLE SHIT! (Mum, you’ll have to edit this for Grandma!)

5th person arrives very stressed to hear the news that we don’t think we’ll be able to get on the 7.40am bus. Now we’re really pissed off. We make a big stink, person number 4 is very scary when pissed off and there’s yelling between the hotel staff, the bus driver and ticket company rep. After half-an-hour, we generously decide that we’ll catch the next bus. Actually, it’s already 30 minutes late and we don’t want to get on the bus to boos and hisses! 

Ah, finally we’re on the 8.40 bus and it leaves on time (a near miracle in China) and we’re all happy again….until customs.

I have realized (after Macau and Hong Kong) that getting out of China takes a hell of a lot longer than getting in. There was 1 queue for foreigners and it was moving at a snails pace. I head on the news after I got home that visitors from mainland China to Macau was up for 30%. We all finally get through (I think it was an hour) and we’re finally through to Macau! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

After making our way to our lovely and clean hotel, we head for a walk around Taipa, which is the island in Macau on which we’re staying. It’s pretty, quaint and we’re not being stared at…brilliant!

We spent the rest of the 1st day of Taipa, testing the local sangria and coffee. YUM! I spent more money on the food than anything else! It was heaven.

Day 2 was spent on Macau. Macau is where all the main hotels and casinos are, lots of historic tourist sites, and where the best shopping is. We spent the day looking around the shops, smelling wonderful cheap perfume (which I later bought) and checked out different historical ruins and beautiful gardens (photos on Flickr) in the middle of the urban jungle. Though the one bad thing about Macau was the lack of taxis! It took us an hour to get off Macau, walking around looking for an empty taxi. It was very frustrating, very hot and we all just wanted to go back to the hotel and have a shower!

Day 3 we went on the 3rd island, Coloane. Coloane is very quiet compared to Macau and Taipa but was a welcome break from the noise and crowds. It was also were the first egg tart was made. Egg tarts are huge in Melbourne and it was amazing to stumble across such a find. I tried the tarts too, delicious!

It was now time to head back to China and planning school lessons. We were not enthusiastic about leaving Taipa at all! LOL.

The trip home was uneventful and surprisingly I was quite happy to get back home to Jingfeng Gardens.

This coming weekend; xmas shopping in Shenzhen, where the shopping mall is 6 levels of retail therapy bliss!

Love you all!
Katrina

written by  KatrinaB on October 15, 2006 from Macau, Macau
from the travel blog: China Dreaming
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Well it’s been a busy week and we’re all looking forward to this weekend because Halloween is HUGE in China! There are lots of parties on, I’ve purchased some devil horns and that’s the extent my dressing up is going to be.

I had a great weekend with a day trip to Shenzhen (90 mins away) and shopping heaven! We left Dongguan at 8am (on time!) and were let loose on Shenzhen for 3 hours of shopping!

In the first two hours I did 90% of my Christmas shopping; I’ve never ever been this organised before! Obviously I won’t be putting pictures of those up on Flickr :) There wasn’t a lot for babies or toddlers so I couldn’t buy anything for Will, I’ll have to hit the shops in Dongguan.

After lunch (yummy Dim Sum) we had another hour to shop, this time for me! LOL. I need to buy a pair of shoes for school and another for casual… tick. Need to buy a watch so I don’t have to keep using my Palm Pilot to check what time it is in class….tick. Need to buy something frivolous for me…tick :) I love my jade (I think) bangle. Pictures of my purchases are on Flickr.

Now for all those who have never been shopping where being ‘a foreigner’ means you have loads of money (which we know is not quite true) there is an interesting…annoying habit by the shopkeepers. They see you coming and all you hear is ‘missy missy missy you buy watch, clothes, handbags, jade, crystal, wigs, shoes shoes shoes!!!!!!’. Some actually try to physically drag you into their shops! It’s constant and they’ll even follow you on the escalators and down other corridors! We had one of the lovely Chinese staffers from school, Zoe, come with us and she’d never seen anything like it! She found it annoying and they weren’t even talking to her. LOL.

The sad thing is though; I find this less annoying than the staring back in Dongguan. We got back to the bus station in Dongguan and as soon as we got off the bus, it started AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! People actually stop talking and stare as you walk past…I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.

Messages for people at home:

Happy birthday to my brother Ben and friend Michelle! I hope you both have a fantastic day and I’ll be thinking of you.

Gill, hope you feel better soon and I’d love to catch up with you and Gary in Honkers if you fly through!

written by  KatrinaB on October 24, 2006 from Shenzhen, China
from the travel blog: China Dreaming
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FYI - My computer is in need of some TLC and is being taken this morning for repair. It's been running really slowly and might have a virus, so the school IT teacher is going to have a look at it.

So, no blogging or emails for ....... I have no idea! It could be a day or a week.

I now have to move everything i want to keep onto my usb stick (thanks again to Lisa!).

Bye!

Love
Katrina

written by  KatrinaB on October 31, 2006 from Dongguan, China
from the travel blog: China Dreaming
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Sorry about the absence of entries, my computer has been driving me nuts. It's still not working properly and is extremely slow.

I've added some more photos onto Flickr with comments.

It's been a busy 2 weeks with Halloween, school exams, excursions and some big nights on the town (and recovery time!)

Not much else to say! I have to still do a lesson plan for tomorrow and think about what I'm having for dinner...v. exciting.

Love you all.

Katrina

written by  KatrinaB on November 12, 2006 from Dongguan, China
from the travel blog: China Dreaming
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YAY! Xmas is coming! I spent last night with my boyfriend decorating the lounge room and it looks fantastic...photos are on Flickr!

I snuck that one in didn't I....LOL. His name is Charles; he’s American and also a teacher over here but at a different school. We've been seeing each other for about a month and I'm having lots of fun :)

Sorry about the lack of blogging, I haven’t had a lot of free time nor the energy to think about what I’m going to write about: I think I had food poisoning (along with 4 other teachers) and Charles also takes up some of my free time.

I’ve also put photos of Charles cooking in my kitchen for the first time. After 3 months of living in China I’ve finally started cooking due the absence of cockroaches YUK. Charles did all the cleaning (aren’t I a lucky girl!) because it was during my bout of ‘funny tummy’ and I wasn’t much use to anyone. The kids got to do what they wanted for a week because I didn’t have the energy to teach a lesson plan; just sit at the front of the class glaring occasionally if they got too loud.

There is also a photo from this morning when I finally had my first cup of coffee since coming to China. I purchased a coffee maker as an early Xmas present to myself and managed to restrain myself to having a coffee ‘til this morning. I also had vegemite toast (cooked on the frying pan), Sunday magazines from home (saved for two weeks) and it was heaven! Thanks to Jen for the vegemite and cup and to Mum for the magazines. I could have been home :) I have been to Starbucks but I have Mocha fraps (yes Kelly, they are delicious) because I’m a Melbourne coffee snob and I tried a cappuccino at home (Melb) once and it wasn’t good :(

Not much else to say except that living here feels normal now and we’re all looking forward to having Xmas day off not to mention New Years Day as well.

Also, happy birthday to my Grandma Gray for tomorrow!

Better go and do my lesson plans for tomorrow…..sigh…LOL

Love
Katrina
xxoo

written by  KatrinaB on December 3, 2006 from Dongguan, China
from the travel blog: China Dreaming
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Well, nearly to Christmas and I’m coping surprisingly well because it’s doesn’t feel like Christmas at all!

Usually the last 3 weeks would be organizing and attending Christmas functions, seeing all the girls and having work lunches left right and centre :) We are having a ‘Secret Santa’ with the teachers and we’re all heading out to dinner on Christmas Eve to Calzone’s which is an Italian restaurant and then probably a bar/pub crawl ‘til the wee hours of the morning. I’ll spend Christmas morning with a hangover and on Skype with the family opening presents and watching Will have a Field day! The afternoon will be with Charles, opening more pressies and getting ready to work the next day…weird!

New Years Eve will be spent at an expensive hotel (well, not if you convert to Aussie $’s) with Charles and ordering in Room Service, watching decent TV (I hope) and having a bath! I can’t wait…..bliss.

The last two weeks have been madness. The foreign teachers have to put on a ‘performance’ on Friday at the Christmas Festival, which should be a hoot! I’m about to head to Geno’s to practice and tape the vocals. Hopefully someone will be able to take photos and I’ll put them up on Flickr! We also had a film crew at the school last Monday and Tuesday for a promotional video for the school. I was taped one 4 different occasions; teaching a class, participating in an English Corner, a ‘forum’ with the Chinese English teachers and walking across the oval for an hour! Funo! We should be getting a video or DVD and I’ll be sending that home for everyone to laugh at enjoy.

I’d like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year and may 2007 bring you love, joy and happiness.

Thank you for all your support and I promise to put more photos on Flickr!

Love
Katrina xo

written by  KatrinaB on December 18, 2006 from Dongguan, China
from the travel blog: China Dreaming
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Happy New Year!

I haven't been able to post because of unrealiable internet connection due to the earthquake on Boxing Day off the coast of Taiwan. We actually felt the quake here, nothing big just a bit of vibration and swaying xmas decorations :)

I'm now on holidays and loving it! Mum is arriving in Hong Kong on Feb 5 so I'm preparing for her arrival and spending time with Charles. Tamzin, Aine and Ville have already left Dongguan to explore more of China. Kathryn and Olivia leave permanently at the end of this month and it just won't be the same without them :(

I'll put the latest of my photos up on Flickr and I'll post again soon. I don't want to tempt the Internet Gods by writing a big blog!

Love
Katrina

written by  KatrinaB on January 18, 2007 from Dongguan, China
from the travel blog: China Dreaming
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A quick blog to wish everyone a fantastic Australia Day tomorrow and a great long weekend :)

I'll be thinking of you all tomorrow in the glorious Australia heat while I'm shivering in Dongguan. I'm not sure what I'll be doing to mark the day, maybe lunch somewhere or a beer at dinner. LOL

I'm having a great holiday, watching lots of DVDs and visiting Starbucks every second day for frappaccino and cake.

Below are some Singapore Orchids that Charles bought for me (though I did pick them out, didn't want Carnations!). These are the first flowers I have ever received from a boyfriend and I thought I should mark the occasion :)

Happy birthday to Beans who's birthday it was yesterday and Jen who's birthday is on Sunday.

Lots of love
Katrina

written by  KatrinaB on January 25, 2007 from Dongguan, China
from the travel blog: China Dreaming
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Yesterday two of our teachers left to graze on greener pastures. Kathryn and Olivia have left China and I'm really going to miss their quirkiness and their engaging enthusiasm for living :(

Kathryn left first at about 9am to head home to study at Uni in Hobart and Olivia has gone home to QLD for a 3 week holiday before flying to Beijing to study the Chinese language for a year or so.

I helped them carry their luggage, watched the taxi drivers struggle putting Kathryn's suitcase into the car and took photos of their last moments out the front of Jinfeng Gardens. I've put the photos on my Flickr account (www.flickr.com/photos/Katrinab).

Mum is coming next week, YAY! So Charles and I are busy preparing the apartment and thinking of things we can do in Dongguan and places to show her.

I hope you all had a lovely and hot long weekend.

Love
Katrina

written by  KatrinaB on January 29, 2007 from Dongguan, China
from the travel blog: China Dreaming
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Just a quick entry because I've been on this computer for the last 3 hours doing my first lesson plan from the semester and uploading new photos onto Flickr. I'm now ready to through this computer out the window!

I've had a great holiday with a visit from Mum and a trip to Guilin.

I'll write with all the details later.

All you are all well and safe.

Love
Katrina

written by  KatrinaB on February 23, 2007 from Dongguan, China
from the travel blog: China Dreaming
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