It was a weekend trip. I didn’t know that there is no civil airport in Suzhou. The journey there was time consuming. I flown into Shanghai then took inter-city bus to Suzhou. The bus journey usually takes about 1 hour but mine was much longer because of road work!

It was afternoon by the time I arrive in Suzhou. Met up with Yang and went to a temple. He is writing an article about this extinctive turtle.

We walked to Shangtang Jie (上唐街) after the temple. This is a place with old-styled buildings but filled with shops telling touristic goods.

We popped by this 大阿二生煎铺 for a light lunch or more appropriately - tea break.

Among the narrow lanes, there were shop lots, school, market and café.

Day 2 started with Suzhou noodles then hunting for bicycle renting shop. We cycled along 平江历史街.

  

From there, it lead us to the famous Suzhou museum and 拙政园… and both of us ran out of battery – no more photos after that….

  

The week in Beijing began with a big misunderstanding between a friend and me. This was not resolved until the night I was supposed to leave Beijing. Lesson learnt – communication and trust are vital in friendship!

Nov 22, Saturday

I landed in Beijing about 2-3pm. I was thinking of going out for dinner with Chang’an colleagues but found out that all of them were busy working. Hugh! Instead, I went out with a friend of my colleague. We went to 簋街 for 烤鱼. The food was alright. We order too much. I headed straight home after dinner. It was only 9pm. It’s too early for me to call it for the day so I have “2^nd round”…

Hulya and I went clubbing. I have not been dancing for sometime. The feeling was good! However, the night was slightly disturbed by an unpleasant man I met in the club. Sometimes, some foreigners thought that all Chinese lady long for foreign man and they acted so arrogantly. Hey, I won’t give a damn!

On the same day, a friend promised to pop by at night but, at the very last minute, decided not to. The reason gave was lousy and intolerable. I was well annoyed and can be bothered to tell him.

Nov 23, Sunday

I asked Jeffery out for a meal but he was at work – for the whole day. Lately, Jeffery and Leo have been examining the work mission and approach. Chang’an has changed so much since I left – not that I have left for long. It’s less than 1 month! Apparently my departure has given them a big shock.

I spoke to Jeffery in the evening – on msn then on the phone. Ha, we are neighbours, on the same block, just one floor away, and none is bothered to walk. Jeffery mindset has changed a lot too. It’s good! I wish for his success.

Nov 24, Monday

The day started with meeting with an interested investor. The meeting lasted till 3pm. We went to Banana Leaf for lunch – finally I get a chance to eat there. Chang’an invested in BL and we have been talking so much about this place yet I have not try it before. The food is alright but was extremely expensive. The bill came to up RMB300 plus just for two of us!

Nov 25, Tuesday

It was 11am by the time I woke up. I went to Chang’an to have lunch with ex-colleagues. Met May, Bob, Kai, Du Ping, Vivian for lunch. Later also met Frank and Leo.

I have a long chat with Frank. Ha, I don’t recall talking so much with him when we were working together.

Dinner was with Frank and a reporter – at a Xinjiang restaurant. This place is always crowded and we had to queue. This was a “business meal” and it was 11-ish at night by the time I got home! Oh I went to Jeff’s house to drop him an entrance pass on behalf of Frank.

Nov 26, Wednesday

The whole day was packed with meetings – from 8am to 6pm!

I was supposed to fly back to Xi’an at night. The plan was changed at the very last minute – I was stuck quarrelling with Yang. I was very disappointed at him for what he did (or did not do) during the whole time I was in Beijing. This was the first time he saw how difficult I can be! Anyway, the issue was resolved. I am not sure if the same will happen again – just hope not…

Nov 27, Thursday

Arrived Xi’an early in the morning and met up with Sandro, her mum and her mum’s friend. We headed straight to Taibaishan (太白山) from the airport.

It was quite late for trip to Taibaishan. By the time we finished lunch at the foot of the mountain, it was after 1pm. We were told that we could not drive up to the cable car station because the mountain road was covered by snow. We drove to as far as we could and just walked around there.

It was a pity not being able to get to the top however the 2 hours easy walk with Sandro was very enjoying. As usual we talked “rubbish” most of the time – this is what make talking relaxing and worth a laugh.

It was only 6pm by the time Sandro and I came back to the car but it was dark. Her mum was worried. :p

The place we found for the night was stunning. It’s called 关中风情园. It’s a good place for corporate events and outings.

Nov 28, Friday

Sandro and I chatting till 4am. We only had about 4 hours sleep. I had headache towards the end of the day.

We went to 法门寺 in the morning and drove back to Xi’an at about 12pm. I had a meeting to attend at 3pm.

I met this PE guy. He is ex-Goldman Sachs and someone well-known in today’s PE arena. I was comparing him and Leo – trying to see what made them different. Well, I can’t express it but he does make a different when he talks!

Nov 29, Saturday

Surprise! Surprise! I woke up before 7am. Outside was still dark but it’s already 6-ish in the morning. I try to go back to sleep but kept thinking of other things – mostly work related. So decided to get up.

Ironically, I hardly done anything productive since this morning! lol...