Tuesday, 28 July 2009

Monday 27th July



Today we decided to visit the local market with Michael. We were rather dubious as to what we might see but actually, it wasn't as bad as expected. Most of the stalls were selling very strange ingredients for Chinese Medical Remedies. Others were selling pets - little puppies, kittens, budgies and fish. We were so worried about seeing dogs and cats in cages but mostly they seemed well nourished and reasonably well kept. (Although, some looked very sad and far too hot!) One of the worst sights was a woman who had three very large plastic bowls (about 1m dia). Inside were hundreds of scorpions which she was mixing rigorously with a stick. We discovered that she was, in fact, drying them - gross!!! We managed about half an hour and then decided it was far too hot and made a hasty retreat back to our hotel. Michael and Judy carried on and discovered the most beautiful Chinese temple.


Later today, we visited the Police Station where we were handed Mae's Passport. Almost the last bureaucratic hurdle! Tomorrow, we apply for the Visa and Wednesday (hopefully) we collect it.


We then took a short trip to the Sun Yat Tsen Memorial Hall. The Hall itself was fantastic but the grounds were something else. The Banyan Trees were amazing - one tree hosts 10 baby trees which grow within the main trunk but send out their own trunks which root themselves outside the mother tree... amazing!


Mae getting a little better every day. She's revelling in every new experience. Today she decided just how much she loves baths. She now lies in the bath, rocking on her tummy, dipping her head in an out of the water. Can't wait to take her swimming. Think she'll be a natural!




2 comments:

Lululiz said...

Now look here, Madam T, photos of the market are all well and good but we want to see more pics of Mae!!! Glad to hear though that she is feeling much better.

I thought you were already on the way home, waaahhh, didn't realise you wouldn't be back til the end of the weekend. You WILL be back by the weekend, won't you?

NannyB said...

Glad you managed to fit in some sight-seeing. Certainly sounds very different from the other exotic places you have been. Seems you need a paddling pool for the garden while we still have good weather here - one way to keep Mae happily occupied instead of breaking your back assisting her walking! Mind you, 10mins, which is probably about all she will want, in a paddling pool wont buy you much respite.

Counting down to 'lift-off' and looking forward to seeing you soon. xxx