2009元旦温泉之旅”活动通知 (2009 New Year Suburban Celebration)

Time for another ITCS outing! (Yes we are living like kings!) Last weekend we went to Wendu Hot Spring Vacation Village.

We had a chance to impress everyone once again with the only Chinese song we know (after studying on it for a full day): 朋友. (Am I the only one who thinks that this video has a homo-erotic undertone, similar to Bronski Beat's Smalltown Boy? Or I guess it isn't really an undertone in the latter.)

The skills we acquired in the States came in handy too. Look at Anke's score of 104, sufficient to win an exciting game of bowling:

Being a couple meant we had to share a room. Our status of revered postdocs dictated therefore that we should have suite, instead of a lowly simple double room:


The next day, it was time for the hot springs:




Just another weekend in the life of any postdoc, I guess...

WuShan Peasts the Whole Fish

Yes, that was really the name of the restaurant --- we think they meant "roasts". Anyhow, Amanda's choice was excellent as always.

Durian!

We celebrated the day after Christmas with a lunch consisting of duck, and durian cookies.

This even gave us the opportunity to post the second episode in the coveted series "Frans xplains Table Manners --- Pictures are worth a thousand words".

Amanda's home province

Unfortunately, we forgot our camera. Fortunately, Amanda's cell phone can take pictures!

We think this restaurant should win the prize for best decoration. The same pattern appeared on the chair covers, door curtains, waitress uniforms and even the walls in front of the restaurant.

Frans wants to have a shirt like this, too, so he can wear that instead of his "hideous sweater".

Maybe this food is our favorite so far.

潘家园 (Panjiayuan) revisited, lunch

We even had lunch at the same restaurant as last time.

Anke could now read the sign on the door, and the restaurant turned out to be a roast duck restaurant, therefore: 烤鸭

Healthy stuff: 黄瓜

Taro root and carrots:

Shrimp: 虾

潘家园 (Panjiayuan) revisited

These are the people in my neighborhood...

Sightseeing in the Muslim district today. Finally a food related picture:

Breakfast with Henk

The sweet potatoes looked and smelled delicious, but we had another pancake...


Mmm, pancakes. (Yes, rubbing the belly.)

Guizhou

One of our favorites