Beijing Day 2: Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan) was another glaringly hot spot – literally & figuratively. It was completely open to the sky so there was no way we could get reprieve from the sun. We hurried through the buildings, but still spent 2-3 hours there.

She finally agreed to pose for the camera at the Temple of Heaven

Braving the heat and sun with Popo at the Temple of Heaven

We sought some reprieve from the sun by resting in the shade in the park next to the Temple, and received several comments from the locals that we should put socks on Ju (to prevent stomach troubles).

Then, there's the compliments...

That boy can really bring on the crowds wherever he goes. Maybe it's his Ah Pak (uncle) looks, maybe it's his chubbiness, maybe it's his complexion. He is not initimated by the attention, and actually dishes out smiles and excited squeals every now and then, enough to keep his audience begging for more. Sophie used to attract the same kind of attention when we travelled with her in Europe, but I always thought it was because the Europeans don't see Chinese babies very often. But here we are in China, stuffed full of Chinese babies (relatively speaking) and somehow our offspring is still drawing attention, even from other parents with cute babies themselves. It's a mystery to me, but I'm flattered all the same, of course.

The Tohs very kindly invited us over to their apartment for dinner. Sophie & Joshua had their own dinner conversation at their own kids’ table. It was very cute, but I cannot remember the details now. Something about where Sophie visited today, I guess.

Beijing Day 1: The Forbidden Palace

It’s been a long-awaited vacation, if you can call it that. It was scorching hot, tiring, cumbersome, and a test on my nerves juggling the demands of the whole family. But a vacation is a vacation, and a vacation with the family always makes it worthwhile.

Our first full day was taken up by a visit to the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum. Tiananmen Square nearby was crammed full of tourists, and boomed with commentaries from the hordes of tour guides waving flags, umbrellas, and all sorts of stick contraptions. It also oozed with familiarity from the images in the media and from my own visit 13 years ago. Much has changed, and yet much remained the same.

The sun was out in full force, and I felt bad for Ju who was probably baking in the Baby Bjorn. He ended up sleeping for most of the time, probably lulled to slumber by the heat, and by my rocking movements.

The kids are alert after their snacks & milk, so we can get some smiles for this photo

Took a pedicab from the palace to Nan Luoguxiang (South Drum) hutong.

It was a surprisingly pleasant ride, despite our initial reluctance to use them. Cost us CNY 20 per pedicab. Yes I know, I know, we were fleeced...but being fleeced is part of being a tourist, right??

The hutong was also a nice experience, not so much for its history - which unfortunately, we chose to skip on this trip, in order to preserve our sanity travelling with a brood -but because of the interesting shops in the preserved dwellings.

Simple pleasures

The Boys

The new generation hearthrobs - Julian, Adam, and Oscar

The Siblings

Aaaah...Mamma! Ju is pulling my hair!!

With their best friend, aka Baba

Quilts

Yiyi is quite accomplished in making quilts. Here are some samples of her work, presented by our professional models...

Just relaaaaaxx...

After 5 weeks of being apart, Ju finally came home to Singapore with us todady. Popo is elated, Nai Nai is rather heartbroken, Mama is bracing for sleepless nights ahead, Baba is delighted to have another playmate, Sophie is looking forward to bragging about her Didi to her friends again, and Ju, well...Ju doesn't know what all that fuss is about.