I loved the patterned porcelain at one of the shops near our serviced apartment in Shanghai. They offered really modern, interesting patterns including a burnout lace pattern, a faux dip-dye, a collections of thin lines, as well as coral motifs. I really adore that small pitcher in the center of the photograph.

[1. c. lynn]

From Nanjing, we took the high-speed train to Shanghai. The train ride used to take upwards of 4 hours, and now, they've shaved it down to one and a half hours. Here we are clocking in at around 215 miles/hour.

Our stop in Shanghai was brief but we managed to pack in a lot. First things first, there was a trip to the Din Tai Fung for the best xiaolongbao (Shanghai soup dumplings) in town. Did you know that you can now get these delicious pork soup filled dumplings at their L.A. or Seattle branches? How lucky for us!




[1. J. Aaron Farr; 2. AA, 3. c. lynn, 4. AA]

Another favorite spot that we liked so much that we visited twice, was the Purple Mountain (Zijin Mountain) in Nanjing. We strolled around several important heritage spots in Chinese history including the Ming Xioling mausoleum, where the plum blossoms were on the brink of opening up and the air was just beginning to fill with their intoxicating scent. We also visited the Sun Yat-sen mausoleum and climbed the stairs to the top where we had an incredible view of the Purple Mountain and all of its visitors.



[1-2. c. lynn]

Chinese New Year in J's hometown of Nanjing was a trip in itself complete with major fireworks, multiple seafood-driven banquet hall dinners with J's family, and plenty of gift-giving and Baijiu toasting. We had all of the most elaborate dishes presented to us including shark fin soup, abalone, drunken chicken, braised squab, dongpo rou (pork belly), and many more.

On the night of the 3rd, J's cousins were gracious enough to let us tag along for the fireworks festivities. A group of young Chinese gathered along the main drag and shot off enormous boxes of fireworks for nearly an hour. By the end of the night, the streets and sidewalks were littered in red dust and papers and the sky was still booming with explosions into the morning.

The whole city (and country I'd imagine) was decked out in red lanterns, gold luck charms, well wishes, as well as massive year of the rabbit displays. I wonder if they will keep them in storage for twelve years until the next year of the rabbit or toss them out and begin anew.

[1-4. c. lynn]

As sick as we were, we managed one trip to a neighboring village outside of Yangshuo where we snapped a bunch of country life photographs.

The view of the river wasn't too bad either. (You may recognize the view from the 20 yuan note below.)

[1-8. c.lynn]

After we left Hong Kong for rural Guilin, I lost contact with blogger throughout my trip in China until we arrived in Shanghai. It was probably for the best anyway, as we came down with a serious cold and were stuck resting in bed for several days. We've mostly recovered except for the sniffles and a few hearty coughs.

Staying in Yangshuo might not have been the easiest place to be sick—taking turns fetching water and relying on friends to bring us backpacks full of Chinese medicine, but it was peaceful with mountain scenery and quiet so we didn't feel too badly about missing out.




[1-3. c. lynn]

Last night we were off to the Happy Valley racetrack for some casual bets and a few beers. It was fun to see such a turnout for the races—young and old—including a vibrant ex-pat scene.

After the races, we were whisked over to a Spanish tapas restaurant in Hong Kong called Fandango where our friend knew the chef. Although a little indulgent with the traditional Spanish atmosphere featuring armored knights and a singing duo of guitarists, we enjoyed their delicious tapas—albondigas, potatas bravas, prawns in garlic and oil as well as a chicken paella and roast suckling pig.

[1. c. lynn; 2. yeelonger; 3. Ed Eats]

Although things were a bit hazy this morning—both the weather and our heads after a fun night out on the town with friends, we managed to trek up to Victoria Peak for some beautiful views of Hong Kong city.

[1. c. lynn]

After walking the busy streets of the mainland side of Hong Kong this morning, we had a bite of lunch at a dim sum restaurant at the Royal Plaza hotel before heading to check out the Yuen Po street bird garden and flower market.




At the market you can purchase any type of song bird available as well as all of the accessories that go along with raising a bird—hand carved cages, seeds, bells, and toys. Interestingly enough, the bird market also serves as a classroom for birds. Should you desire your bird to sing a particular tune or phrase, you can hang your bird's cage alongside a neighbor bird that already knows the song. After several weeks of lessons, you should have a proper songstress.



[1-4. c. lynn]

Grey skies today, but we're busy packing, errand running, and prepping for our long flight to Hong Kong.

[1-2. mocvdleung]

I am feeling really excited about our trip to China and Japan. These photos of Yangshou county in Guilin China are so beautiful and it is only one of the places on our itinerary. We are going to have such a great time with J and K as our guides.

[1. feona; 2. M+M]

A scene from our breakfast nook. (I am loving my new Skinny Laminx apron—thanks M!)

Things are moving along here after the holidays with many new opportunities for my career, for travel, for a new living space, and for self-improvement.

I am renewing my efforts to expand our culinary horizons and eat more healthfully in the new year. I have been preparing many more Chinese and Japanese influenced dishes as well as taking a few inspired pointers from Mark Bittman's article in the latest Bon Appetit (ie: quinoa pasta, flavorful soups, and vegan breakfasts).

As far as travel goes, I have exciting news! We will be touring a few cities in China in the near future with our friends J and K. With three very fluent companions, I am thrilled to navigate a new country and delve into new culinary traditions and savor new tastes, colors, and smells.


We will be flying to SF to set up our visas with the Consulate of the People's Republic of China next week so I hope to post much more about our plans and travels in the coming weeks.

[1. c. lynn]

Looking for some extra Thanksgiving platters to plate up the turkey this year? I love Frances Palmer's porcelain platters, which come in a nice selection of pastels, although I'd probably just opt for the simplicity of white.

[1-2. Frances Palmer]