Traditional Tianjin Province Supper

Luke and the other club members took us out for a traditional Tianjin Province supper after the Show. Delicious only begins to describe! From the green beans cooked in a nutty hot sauce, to the scampi with veggies, sweet potatoes done up in spun sugar, pork and glass noodle, chicken in a hot spicy sauce, to the fabulous bamboo and Chinese broccoli soup - it was a feast!

Photos are on my phone, so I will post them when I figure out how to access them on this device!

Sheesh!

Jinan Show - China Kennel Union

After a two-hour Bullet Train ride, Wendy, Francesco, Pedro, Tina and I arrived in Jinan. All settled in at the hotel, the Club members took us our for a Peking Duck feast. Absolutely delicious!

Wendy and I judged the first day of the show while the others went to see a few sights around Jinan, including the Lake. We get to tour about tomorrow, but first there is work to be done. 

It was a beautiful morning and the sun was out all day. A gentle breeze was a most welcome factor!

My ring -all sun

Wendy's ring...a bit of shade in the morning. 

My Best Baby lineup - Samoyed-Kerry Blue-Pekingese-Whippet

My Best Puppy lineup - Toy Poodle-French Bulldog-Akita-Whippet

My Best In Show lineup - Pomeranian-Whippet-Golden Retreiver-Border Collie

It was an honor to be asked to have a student Judge shadow for the breeds she is applying for. Viva was a lovely woman who had good hands on the dogs, and articulated her findings well. 

Wendy's Best In Show lineup - Maltese-Border Collie-Pomeranian-Golden Retreiver

First morning in Beijing

It was raining last night but the restaurant Carol and Ivy and the other club members took us to was just across the street, so a trusty umbrella was all that was required. 

The meal was amazing with so many dishes being brought, that it was hard to taste even half of the dishes before being stuffed. 

The entertainment was spectacular with musicians, dancers, acrobats and, my favourite, a male fan dancer who was truly fun to watch. Photos are on my phone, so will download later and add them. 

This morning dawned bright and beautiful.

View from my room. As soon as the early morning clouds cleared, it was a glorious day. 

After breakfast, went for a quick visit to the silk market, just to have a look and get an idea of what I would like to have made next week when we are back in Beijing. 

Saw some lovely jackets and have narrowed it down to three or four styles ... now to pick the materials...sheesh, literally thousands to choose from!!!

To Beijing

First leg of the trip done...Edmonton to Vancouver. Now for a little breakfast in the lounge, and it'll be the long flight to China (as opposed to a slow boat)!

The lounge in Vancouver. Almost have it to myself this morning

A little breakfast and a cappuccino 

Hotel Lobby in Beijing. 

Beautiful carvings and artwork grace the lobby and the halls. 

Last Korean Lunch and Home

Spent the morning sleeping a little extra,packing and drinking coffee. Then tea with Ruth, an interview for the Korean Dog Magazine, and it was time to head for the airport. Before leaving the amazing city of Seoul, I had time for a last lunch. The Kimchee and sliced, pickled vegetables and fruit are going to be missed the most. I'm going to have to hunt through the Oriental markets and see if I can find them here!

Always order light and then add on if you are still hungry. Portion size here it considerably more generous! I finished about half and regrettably had to leave way too much and waddle away.

A last sip and it was time to board...

While I was gone, David and Deidre kept my tomatoe plants well watered and picked...and it's been such a hot wonderful summer, that the harvest is not even half over. I pulled these perfectly ripe beauties from the vines as soon as I got home...delicious!

Davis was busy while I was in Korea...picking out a new toy! Quite the ride.

A day of sight-seeing in Seoul

Changing of the Guard at the Gyeongbokgung Palace

This Palace was the royal residence of the Korean Emperors, prior to its destruction during the Japanese occupation. It is going through a complete rebuild, and since 2010, it has gotten to this point, about 25% finished. 

Quite the ceremony and pageantry - begins at the outer, first gate

The second gate...

All gates and walkways are in three lines - only the Emperor and his wife and family could walk on the middle (higher) walkway and through the middle gateways

Emperors Throne Room

A Golden Dragon protects the Emperor from above...amazing decoration on the ceiling of the Trone Room 

Royal Library

Saija and me in front of the Emperors celebration spot, complete with surrounding boating waterway

The Museum, a lovely structure, surmounted with a Pagoda

Me and my Monkey - the Animal symbol for my birth year

Huge sculpture at the front of a market street where art supplies and amazing Korean paper sellers abound. This 10 metre high oriental paintbrush is a fitting mark introducing the street market.

Farewell BBQ

A wonderful weekend, shared with several new friends and two friends who I had not seen for ages. It was great seeing Hock again, and meeting Hilda, and it was a pleasure reacquainting with Hiroshi Kamisato's from Japan. A little Dynamite to start things off. 

And then June started expertly preparing the BBQ for the four at our table

Hock and Sang-Kook Kwon sharing a friendship shot

Wol-Nam Jeon and I sharing a friendship shot

L to R - Mr. Sang-Woo Park; Barbara Muller; Sang-Kook Kwon; Saija Juutilainen, Finland; and me - all in our BBQ aprons

L to R - Tan Oo Hock; a Club member who I did not get a chance to meet; Hiroshi Kamisato; Mr. Jeon; Mr. Hidemi Takahashi, Japan; and, June Kim.