Despite loathing Valentines day, I DO like to illustrate a holiday, sexy chickitas and being in love.
So here you go:

Happy CNY!

Chinese New Year just around the corner, KUNG HEI FAT CHOI

1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

Some pics from my nye... I had resolutely decided that I would stay in, enjoy my quiet self indulgent weekend of trashy dvds and fat foods. But at the last minute cinderella styley was persuaded to don some party shoes and go drink my liver into oblivion to celebrate the end of a decade.

Hope you all had as much fun as I did. Let me know your resolutions. I have one simple wish for the year ahead (well ok it's three all rolled into one because Im greedy):

To see new places, eat new foods, and laugh as MUCH as possible

Hugs all round
x

Hooope you have a fantastic Christmas weekend.
Hugs
Tx

We decided to go and buy a live potted plant to decorate again this year instead of a dead tree. Amazing escapade to purchase that went something like this:

Us: How much is that tree?
Man: $450
Us: How much is that one over there?
Man: $700
Us: Ok, we will take the one at $450
Man: I never say $450
Us: You JUST did!!
Man: No no, me no say that!
Us: Yes you DID, we want that one!
Man (pause): That one sold out
Us: All 12 trees there at $450 have sold out?
Man: Yes
Us: Highly unlikely
Man: Yes very true, big tree lover, very good pricey
Us: So which ones DO you have available
Man: That one (points)
Us: The one at $700?
Man: (Nods)
Us: Grrr

Anyway, at least its MASSIVE!! In the car driving home:

Looooooove this holiday. What better excuse do you need to get all dressed up in a ridiculous outfit?!

Here are the photos of the wedding we went to in Beijing.
The couple have been together 10 years and chose the auspicious date 10.10.10.
A mix of westerners (mostly Aussie) and Chinese the ceremony took place at the temple of heaven. The bride was carried in on a sedan chair, accompanied by dragon dancing and firecrackers. A traditional Chinese ceremony ensued with a gigantic banquet to follow.
The bride then changed into a white western gown and the couple had the 2nd ceremony, where they were married by their adorable 6year old daughter.
"daddy, do you take mommy and promise to love her always - and buy her handbags forever" was the best line of the entire wedding.

After that there was much debauched wedding behaviour of the usual variety until the early hours.

Ive discussed before how Honkers goes mental for Halloween. Thus the display of grisly costumes.
Im somewhat perplexed however by the presence of a cake??!

Some pictures from the weekend of camping in Tai Long Wan. Taking advantage of the long weekend (China National Week).
Such immensely beautiful weather. Sorry, I knows all freezing cold again in the Uk (actually jealous) but here its still hot diggity dog!

Sharing some holiday pics and vids with you guys of my recent trip to South Taiwan (hey, be thankful Im not there to sit you down and force you through a slideshow).
So so beautiful.
This is where we were staying, near Jialeshui:
The Guesthouse

The View (*sigh)

Map of the southern coast we explored:

On this little zippy orange juice hornet:




Visit to Taiwans Aquarium -2nd biggest in Asia, GIGANTIC... THIS BIG



Where they had a pair of Beluga dolphins, check them out!


And a WHALE shark... totally mesmerizing:


The night market turned the local ghost town, Kenting, into a thriving smelly jostling area for roadside snacks and sparkly tourist shizzle:



And lastly, what trip anywhere in Asia could truely be complete without the photo dosage of bizarre and wonderful discoveries such as these: