Me Time!
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slmkhoo\" post_id=\"1933515\" time=\"1567557100\" user_id=\"28674:
Winter season round the corner?
We're thinking of taking a weekend away in October, to eastern China, and somewhere we haven't been before. Considering Hangzhou or Xiamen. Any tips about cheap flights, decent hotels, things to see? It will be only be 3 nights, so we don't want to do too much. -
I’ve been a SAHM for the past 18 years. fortunately hubby is the type who supports me for whatever decision I make.
son had cleft lip and palate when he was born…so there was a lot of running about and taking care. even after his recent operation, I took care of him in the hospital. if it is not him, then it would be hubby’s eyes, daughter’s academic needs or my parents…bound to be something.
fortunately I never had travel bug…so even cheap commercial airline tickets don’t excite me. I just don’t like to live from the luggage. -
Estéema\" post_id=\"1933523\" time=\"1567558804\" user_id=\"66413:
Still far from winter. VERY pleasant weather and a fantastic time to visit both HGH and XMN.
Winter season round the corner?slmkhoo\" post_id=\"1933515\" time=\"1567557100\" user_id=\"28674:
We're thinking of taking a weekend away in October, to eastern China, and somewhere we haven't been before. Considering Hangzhou or Xiamen. Any tips about cheap flights, decent hotels, things to see? It will be only be 3 nights, so we don't want to do too much.
Unfortunately, ‘very fantastic’ also mean it’s the peak period, especially National Day aka Golden Week which runs from 1 October to 7 October. You WILL want to avoid that week AT ALL COSTS!
There are the usual cheap flights from the budget carriers or you can consider the Chinese carriers like MF for XMN (which I feel offer a better deal compared to the budget carriers).
Between the two cities, I much prefer HGH. “上有天堂，下有苏杭” 绝不是浪得虚名. -
floppy\" post_id=\"1933538\" time=\"1567561772\" user_id=\"97579:
Still far from winter. VERY pleasant weather and a fantastic time to visit both HGH and XMN.
Winter season round the corner?Estéema\" post_id=\"1933523\" time=\"1567558804\" user_id=\"66413:
[quote=slmkhoo post_id=1933515 time=1567557100 user_id=28674]We're thinking of taking a weekend away in October, to eastern China, and somewhere we haven't been before. Considering Hangzhou or Xiamen. Any tips about cheap flights, decent hotels, things to see? It will be only be 3 nights, so we don't want to do too much.
Unfortunately, ‘very fantastic’ also mean it’s the peak period, especially National Day aka Golden Week which runs from 1 October to 7 October. You WILL want to avoid that week AT ALL COSTS!
There are the usual cheap flights from the budget carriers or you can consider the Chinese carriers like MF for XMN (which I feel offer a better deal compared to the budget carriers).
Between the two cities, I much prefer HGH.[/quote]like many places so modern already hor..
floppy, you have any idea of driving say from Hangzhou to Beijing or GZ? It is not a good idea? -
hb\" post_id=\"1933494\" time=\"1567531595\" user_id=\"179788:
I will work till 6 to 7pm so that I no need to carry physical work back home
Yah to have the choice at all is definitely a blessing. I actually have a very flexible job now - I can be home at five and do the evening/bedtime routines with the kids and then get back to work at night (flexible is not part-time). Looked at it one way, it's perfect. Looked at it another way, I feel like I'm putting in part-time hours in two full-time jobs (work and parenthood) and just barely scraping through for each - this would work for someone more organized or more hardworking (so that me time at night is really work time), but I can't compete with the people who put in the hours in the office and at night, and I'm basically just hustling the kids through dinner/bath/bedtime each night.
Edited to add: but it is a better deal than a lot of FT working parents, I know. I'm trying to have it all, and this might be as good as it gets (at least until the contract ends!).
ftwm -in mid or snr position - we have no choice to plan work in our brains/minds even though we are at home with kids or Overseas holidays (urgent enquiry- i m ok la)
quite a few times, i sat beside my pri kids during major exam revision - but my phone keep beeping - boss msg !
our minds are also constantly \" working\" at home for planning, day time in office is run operations
a challenge is no bandwidth to plan personal growth & self recuperation - Busy minds -
MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"1933540\" time=\"1567562488\" user_id=\"43981:
like many places so modern already hor..
Still far from winter. VERY pleasant weather and a fantastic time to visit both HGH and XMN.floppy\" post_id=\"1933538\" time=\"1567561772\" user_id=\"97579:
[quote=Estéema post_id=1933523 time=1567558804 user_id=66413]
Winter season round the corner?
Unfortunately, ‘very fantastic’ also mean it’s the peak period, especially National Day aka Golden Week which runs from 1 October to 7 October. You WILL want to avoid that week AT ALL COSTS!
There are the usual cheap flights from the budget carriers or you can consider the Chinese carriers like MF for XMN (which I feel offer a better deal compared to the budget carriers).
Between the two cities, I much prefer HGH.
floppy, you have any idea of driving say from Hangzhou to Beijing or GZ? It is not a good idea?[/quote]Both cities are modern, but they have also taken steps to make sure that they are not so modern, especially in and around the sights.
E.g. 西湖, 雷峰塔 and 灵隐寺 in HGH still retains much of their charm. “水光潋滟晴方好，山色空蒙雨亦奇。欲把西湖比西子，淡妆浓抹总相宜。” is as true today as it was when 苏东坡 penned it hundreds of years ago. Meanwhile, 鼓浪屿 in XMN is pedestrian only, which goes a long way in protecting the world heritage site.
I have done some driving in CN but not that far a distance in CN, mainly within cities. TBH, I won’t want to drive with HGH to PEK - I rather take the train. High speed train (> 200km/h) will take you more than 5 hrs already! To Guangzhou is more than 6 hrs. -
floppy\" post_id=\"1933547\" time=\"1567564531\" user_id=\"97579:
Both cities are modern, but they have also taken steps to make sure that they are not so modern, especially in and around the sights.
like many places so modern already hor..MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"1933540\" time=\"1567562488\" user_id=\"43981:
[quote=floppy post_id=1933538 time=1567561772 user_id=97579]
Still far from winter. VERY pleasant weather and a fantastic time to visit both HGH and XMN.
Unfortunately, ‘very fantastic’ also mean it’s the peak period, especially National Day aka Golden Week which runs from 1 October to 7 October. You WILL want to avoid that week AT ALL COSTS!
There are the usual cheap flights from the budget carriers or you can consider the Chinese carriers like MF for XMN (which I feel offer a better deal compared to the budget carriers).
Between the two cities, I much prefer HGH.
floppy, you have any idea of driving say from Hangzhou to Beijing or GZ? It is not a good idea?
E.g. 西湖, 雷峰塔 and 灵隐寺 in HGH still retains much of their charm. “水光潋滟晴方好，山色空蒙雨亦奇。欲把西湖比西子，淡妆浓抹总相宜。” is as true today as it was when 苏东坡 penned it hundreds of years ago. Meanwhile, 鼓浪屿 in XMN is pedestrian only, which goes a long way in protecting the world heritage site.
I have done some driving in CN but not that far a distance in CN, mainly within cities. TBH, I won’t want to drive with HGH to PEK - I rather take the train. High speed train (> 200km/h) will take you more than 5 hrs already! To Guangzhou is more than 6 hrs.[/quote]thanks floppy. -
There are many interesting day trips to take from Hangzhou; high speed rail (G or D trains I think) bring you to Shanghai or Suzhou easily. Or just hire a driver to visit a (historical) watertown.
I went to Guangzhou during Golden Week last year - it wasn’t crowded at all! I suppose Guangzhou has a lot of workers from other parts of China; many returned home during Golden week. No sights in GZ though, it’s a food and wholesale/trade show city.
I would avoid visiting China (tourist sites especially) during Golden Week. -
floppy\" post_id=\"1933538\" time=\"1567561772\" user_id=\"97579:
Still far from winter. VERY pleasant weather and a fantastic time to visit both HGH and XMN.
Winter season round the corner?Estéema\" post_id=\"1933523\" time=\"1567558804\" user_id=\"66413:
[quote=slmkhoo post_id=1933515 time=1567557100 user_id=28674]We're thinking of taking a weekend away in October, to eastern China, and somewhere we haven't been before. Considering Hangzhou or Xiamen. Any tips about cheap flights, decent hotels, things to see? It will be only be 3 nights, so we don't want to do too much.
Unfortunately, ‘very fantastic’ also mean it’s the peak period, especially National Day aka Golden Week which runs from 1 October to 7 October. You WILL want to avoid that week AT ALL COSTS!
There are the usual cheap flights from the budget carriers or you can consider the Chinese carriers like MF for XMN (which I feel offer a better deal compared to the budget carriers).
Between the two cities, I much prefer HGH. “上有天堂，下有苏杭” 绝不是浪得虚名.[/quote]Oh, Hangzhou! Love the sights & good. I can sit all night at those lovely cafes near 西湖. Very modern & happening. -
Definitely not during the Golden Week! I lived in China for several years, so I know to avoid that week. OK, sounds good - we’ll look at around for tickets and hotels over the next few days. My husband is having a busy period up to end-Sep, and another busy period coming up from end-Oct, so he’s suggested we take a short break in between. Must get used to holidaying without kids.
I’ve looked at photos of Hangzhou and Suzhou and also know that saying. Xiamen also sounds nice, and I haven’t been to any of those places. We’ll probably decide based on airfares and hotels.
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