New Years Day Outing to Sheshan

After all the banqueting, some of us were ready for some exercise and fresh air. The closest hill to pancake flat Shanghai is a measly 100 meters and 30 kilometers away. It was one of our first expeditions when we lived in Shanghai in 2005 .

Nowadays the subway whizzes you within 5 kilometers, and a free bus covers the rest of the way. As expected, nothing was recognizable. What we didn't anticipate was shoulder to shoulder people. Turns out it's the annual "New Years Day Ascend."

Afterwards we walked to the new Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden. The botanic park has three gigantic conservatories. For one who never likes desert gardens, I was pleasantly surprised by the desert conservatory. A second visit is in order we come back to Shanghai in the spring.

It was a very enjoyable day with yet another banquet in the evening.

And up the hill/mountain we go.




At the top of Sheshan are the Sheshan Basilica and an observatory. The Basilica was closed for renovation. We did not visit the observatory.




The tropical plants conservatory at the Botanical Garden.


A young girl sketching in the Desert and Succulents conservatory.


More of the Desert Conservatory.


Check out the driftwood sculpture that resembles a tree.


Sun-Ling, niece, and brother on the skywalk in the Plants Conservatory.

Birthday Extravaganza

My grandmother's 100th birthday celebration is the reason we braved this very cold, damp, gray winter weather to descend into Shanghai. Even though she was born in November 1920, family tradition, great grandchildren school schedules, and China public holidays all dictated the date of party to be 12/31/2018. Old people can be anxious for birthday parties too.

Even though my paternal grandmother was actually older than this grandmother when she died, she was pretty much out of it in the end. This grandmother, on the other hand, still has much of her mental and physical health. even though she is obese, does not believe in exercise, is not a fan of food therapy, and comes from a family of only average longevity/health. She seems a statistical anomaly to us.

John adds: The Celebration was well attended with relatives from both Sun-Lings maternal and paternal sides, Grandmother's former students (she was a teacher), Sun-Ling's mother's university colleagues, in-laws, neighbors, and more.

New Year's Eve morning we wake up to a dusting of snow on the rooftops outside our Airbnb apartment in the Luwan District of Shanghai.


The Celebration Banquet.




Sun-Ling speaks of Grandmother's long life.


Grandmother cuts the cake with help from Sun-Ling's mother.


Sun-Ling, brother, sister and 2nd Cousins.

First Family Gathering

The first family event of the trip is a sort of makeup wedding banquet for my cousin's son. He is the first of the their generation (my paternal grandparents' great grandchildren) to get married. This is the first gathering of the extended family since their September wedding. Everyone was impressed by the elegant venue, a distinct departure from the standard 10-12 person tables.

The banquet table!




Sun-Ling's nieces and nephews.


2nd Cousins with the Newlyweds (back left).


Sun-Ling with her cousin's daughter. Same coats!


Sun-Ling and another cousin's daughter. She loved the doll SL gave her.

In Shanghai

Although there were a few memorable moments on our flights from RDU to ATL to Shanghai PVG, this leg of our trip is thankfilly marked down as "uneventful". Very good Delta flight crew. Movies watched from ATL to PVG: RBG, Crazy Rich Asians, Three Identical Strangers, The Most Unknown, The Great Buddha+.

We are in Shanghai for Sun-Ling's family reunion; the main event is her Grandmother's 100th Birthday celebration. We spent our first night at Grandmother's apartment (see pic below). Looking forward to the big shindig in few days. Stay tuned.

The view from Terminal E during our layover at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.


Sun-Ling and her Grandmother

Tickets bought to Asia

The end of November 2018 finds us furiously planning a trip to Asia. On Dec 26 we fly to Shanghai for a family reunion. All of Sun-Ling's immediate family will be there. Should be loads of fun.

Before returning to the USA on May 8, we plan to visit Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. Will post a tentative itinerary - comments please - soon.

-john and sun-ling