Anouk's Asian initiation

It’s been over two years since I last saw my friend from The Netherlands.  We met whilst backpacking in New Zealand and although keeping in touch ever since we’ve only managed to meet up once, due to high workloads and my habit of country-hopping.  The past week, however, has definitely made up for that. 

This was Dutchie’s first visit to China, and I think Shangers is an excellent starting point for an Asian adventure.  Our time was spent exploring the little lanes and quaint shops of Tianzifang, wandering around the Yuyuan gardens, shopping at the markets and taking in the sights of the city after dark, admiring the neon nightscape from both sides of the water: Pudong & The Bund.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Lujiazui

With some extra time at our disposal, a trip to Suzhou was on the cards.  Dubbed ‘the Venice of the Orient’ due to its networks of canals its one of the must see water towns in the area.  Having invited some friends and colleagues along too, eight of us got comfortable on the bullet train for the hour long journey.  Upon our arrival we were surrounded by Chinese tour guides offering all kinds of deals and offers.  After shaking them off long enough to make a group decision, we agreed on hiring a driver and minibus to take us around the city for the day.

Bullet trains

First stop was a local restaurant which provided me with the perfect opportunity to introduce Dutchie to real, cheap, Chinese grub.  Having stuck mainly to western foods since her arrival I was keen to convert her and prove that meals costing less than a euro were the best around.  A plate of egg fried rice and dumplings later I was sufficiently refuelled and raring to go, and Dutchie seemed to have enjoyed her meal too, banishing any thoughts of getting a dodgy tummy long enough to clean her plate.  Next up, the Calm Garden: much as it sounds, a reasonably sized area of green space, lakes, canals and interesting Chinese temples and pagodas, where we spent a couple of hours roaming around and taking lot of photos.

The rest of the day was spent taking in the views from 243ft, at the top of the Beisi pagoda overlooking the city, touring a silk factory where we were shown the process from start to finish, and wandering around the canals and streets watching the locals go about their business.  It was nice to venture out of the city somewhere new with good company and glorious weather.

Add to the mix numerous fun-filled nights out socialising and salsa dancing, and it’s safe to say a very good time was had by all during the week - wonderful to catch up, reminisce about our backpacker days and make some new memories.  I’m sitting eating Dutch stroopwafels as I write this!

A xx