Author: Astrid

  • First Day of School!

    14 August 2014- We arrived back in Beijing YESTERDAY (13 August) and TODAY (14 August) the girls are back in school (actually, they missed the first day of school). This is a year of BIG changes.   Annika is in Grade 6.  That means she's now in secondary school…and in the Han Building.  She's now…

  • small sampling of Chinese veggies

    27 October – Yesterday I went to the large veggie market, Ti Bei, with my Chinese teacher, Lia.  I've been curious to try new (to me) vegetables but the trouble is – how to  the heck to prepare them?  That's why we took our Chinese lesson to the veggie market.   By the way, I…

  • Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town

    July 14 – The boat harbor cruise is finished and there's still day light left…so…what else can we go see? There is an aquarium we can go see (it's close to closing time but we can still squeeze in a quick visit) to the:  Two Oceans Aquarium a couple of goof balls clowning around with…

  • Quick Harbor tour of Cape Town

    14 July- After our journey up the mountain we realized we had lots of time to go check out something else in Cape Town.  We decided to journey down to the harbor and walk around.   Check out this extra tall guy (and there's a ferris wheel in the background):  We're close to the harbor…

  • The Journey up Table Mountain

    14 July – Goooooooood morning! Annika and I definitely have colds so look at what we're going to try taking this morning (with a cup of hot water): I will say – the cinnamon oil makes it taste nice…and strips away your taste buds at the same time!  (as I'm typing this post in October…

  • Stellenbosch – South African wine country here we come!!!!

    13 July – Today we're heading off to Stellenbosch (very well known for its vineyards).  We finished our lovely breakfast at the rooibos farm and now it's time to say good bye to our hosts, Annette and Chris.   On the drive to Stellenbosch we had to drive through several road construction sites (and stops…

  • Heading to Cape Town and beyond….Rooibos tea farm!

    12 July – Wow.  Today is such a mix of emotions.  On the one hand, Mark is flying back home to China, so we will miss him.  On the other hand, we are very excited that the rest of us get to head out on an exciting new adventure to Cape Town.   It's early…

  • Hike on Matumi Hiking Trail

    July 11 Today we're packing up and heading back to Jo-burg…but we'll go on a four-hour hike first and get some dinner on the road before we get there.   Here's one last look at our rental house: That house served us well!   First stop this beautiful crisp morning is at the Sabie Valley…

  • Driving through Kruger National Park

    Hi!  Remember me?  I know it's been a *cough, cough* looooong time since my last post but I'm back.  For now anyway.  ;-)   I'd like to continue sharing with you photos from our incredible trip to South Africa.  I still continue to be amazed at the fact that we actually went to Africa!  …

  • Annika is off to Week Without Walls..

    15 September 2014- Waaaaaaaaaah!!! This is what you get when your child goes to secondary school here: they go on a week-long trip with their class…away from family. They call it Week Without Walls.   Waaaaah!!!! Annika is off to Beijing to a place called "Survival Island".  This trip is supposed engage the students and…