It's been a busy couple of months since Singapore - the last day in Singapore we went to the impressive botanical gardens with a beautiful restaurant inside. After 24 hours in Beijing I was off to Hong Kong and Guangzhou for work - though there was also time for a day at Cheung Chau island. A car-less island just a short ferry-ride away from Central Hong Kong with wonderful easy walking trails around the island and deserted beaches. After a fantastic trip to Lamma island a couple of years ago, I am very impressed with the smaller islands around Hong Kong and will make sure the others get on my list too.
Andrea and I have been to Chengde (I know I have been in China a long time when I start going to places for a second time!) where we had an entire forest and its deer to ourselves as we managed to sneak under the barrier forbidding tourists to enter the forest until June 1st due to risk of forest fires. There were no fires, just peace and quiet and lots of sun for a few hours that we enjoyed before forcing our way through the hordes of tourists by the lake area. With the temples nearby (one of which is a replica of the famous Potala Palace in Tibet) also worth visiting, Chengde is definitely a good option for Beijingers.
And last weekend, after visiting the Botanical Garden in Beijing, Andrea and I went to one of our favourite lakes in the Old Summer Palace, where, alone and at sunset, I proposed and Andrea accepted. So I suppose that is the biggest recent news... now we're deep in planning whilst also trying to enjoy Beijing's Summer. Spring has come and gone, and Summer is well and truly here with 30 degree temperatures most days, nice evenings where we can sit outside, and bright blue skies regularly.
