Broken!

Grandma gave me a camera, which I took it to France on holiday. Papa tells me I have been on an aeroplane before, when I was little, but I don't remember it. Our flight was nearly cancelled because there was a big storm; this one was quite a long flight, and I ate lots of pretzels, drank orange juice and Coca-Cola. I heard my ears go 'pop', too.

I saw many Mercedes taxis on the way to our Paris lodging. We even rode in one.
We went to see Auntie Miranda, Christophe and Camille, and we stayed at their house in Compiègne. The next day, we went to the castle in the town. I don't understand why it didn't look like a castle; Papa explained that what makes it a castle is what it was built for. This one had big, big rooms, and was used by two kings and two emperors.

I was in the transport museum at the castle, taking pictures of cars and coaches, and I dropped my new camera. It would not stop beeping when I tried to switch it off. Now, the lens refuses to go back in.

The lens is stuck

I wanted to tell Grandma what happened, so I drew her a picture, which Papa promised to give to her when he got home.

"Broken camra"

Back in Hong Kong

School broke up for Christmas holidays, Gugu took me to see the Nutcracker Suite. I also went last year, but this year was the first time for Duncan and Maya. The next day, we boarded the train for Nanjing, where my other Grandma and Grandpa live. Like our last trip to mainland China, we went on an overnight train. We spent two weeks there. We were hoping to see some snow, but we were disappointed. I was hoping to have my front teeth in time for Christmas, just like in the song, but Santa did not grant me that wish. My grandparents often took me and Duncan to the zoo. They also took us to the Nanjing marine park.

We arrived back in Hong Kong yesterday. I showed Mummy and Papa my new teeth, which started to poke out during the train journey home. I was so thrilled to get home, because I had been so looking forward to finding what Santa put in my Christmas stocking. I got some small toys, some candy, and a robot. This year, I got two lemons, and so did Duncan.

I didn't want to get up this morning, but it was a school day. Papa let me take some of my candy to school to share with my friends.

The Great Wall at Badaling

In Beijing, we stayed in a flat belonging to Mummy's friend. It was warm, comfortable, and there were lots of toys to play with. It was cold outside, but fortunately there was central heating in the flat. Gonggong and Popo (grandpa and grandma) were also in town to see us.

We also had a day trip to the Great Wall at Badaling today. We took our time getting ready, so had quite a late start. Being a Saturday, the traffic was awful, and it took us ages to get there in our hire-car.

Once there, we climbed a long way to the top. We got back into town just in time to have dinner with some of Mummy's relatives who live in the city. Papa let me drink some shandy :-)

Our stay in Beijing

Today, we went to the Natural History Museum and the Paleontology Museum. In the evening, we ate in a famous Peking Duck restaurant. It was very popular; my Grandparents arrived at 6, but we still had to wait until 7:30 to be seated. Luckily, they had cooked up some dumplings so we had something to nibble on while we were waiting.

Duncan and me outside the Paleontology Museum

The day before yesterday, we went to the Beijing Zoo, where we particularly enjoyed the penguin house, and looking at the stone animals. I took a picture of a huge stone turtle, and a stone croc with Papa's camera.

My picture of the stone turtle

Slow train to China

This afternoon, we got off the train at Beijing West Railway station: Mummy and Papa decided to take Duncan and me to Beijing for Easter. We took the sleeper train all the way from Kowloon, via an inland route.

The trip took 24 hours, and was a new experience. Papa had brought along some snacks, but we still had our meals in the dining compartment. I slept in a bunk bed on the train. I wanted to sleep in the upper bunk, but didn't feel safe. I made Papa promise me to buy me a bunk bed with a fixed ladder for home.

Christmas in Nanjing

This week, Mom and Papa took me on a trip. Now I have some more chops in my passport :-) We spent one whole week in Nanjing, where Mommy grew up. We did some sight-seeing, and I visited a place dedicated to the worship of my direct ascendant Confucius. We stayed in a hotel, where they prepared a very comfortable Teddy-sized bed for me :-) in the same room as Mummy and Papa. Luckily I sleep so soundly, and Papa's snoring didn't bother me very much.

I met my [other] grandparents, who looked after me for quite a lot of the time during our stay. My Grandmother was so pleased to see me for the first time that she picked me up and hugged me like a bear. She also asked me why I said 'baba' so much of the time and 'mum' when I'm hungry. Of course, I forgive her for not understanding baby-talk. In fact, 'ba' is the sound I find easiest to make, and 'mum' means food.....

My grandparents wondered if my skin was yellow in colour because I liked so much to eat pumpkin, carrots and sweet potatoes. They were also surprised that I wore my Huggies, because most babies in China run around without wearing them.

On the night before we left Nanjing, they held a dinner party to celebrate our home-coming, and invited all their relatives. There must have been about thirty people if I could count so far up... All the relatives were fighting for a turn to hold me. I was a real hit, as I smiled all the time whilst being passed from hand to hand. Fortunately, the evening ended early, and I was taken back to the hotel to bed.

We're back in Hong Kong now, and it's good to be home. I've missed not having a room to myself. What's more, it's tiring being on the road, because it's difficult to keep to your routine.

Touchdown in Hong Kong

I now wish I hadn't opened my big mouth the other day: two days after my doing so, Grandpa lopped off big bits of the Mango tree. It now looks like there are no branches left :-0 Will there be any mango next time Teddy is there ??? :-( However, the pool is now warmer and sunnier, so I am making good progress swimming. I scared Papa one day when, after a particularly vigorous swimming session, I vomited some of my milk, along with all the water I swallowed in the pool, but I can't wait to go swimming again. Having to get out of the pool sucks.

Granddad took us to Pearl Harbour, but why I didn't see any pearls........... To add to the list Papa started, Grandma had to change me in the back seat of the car, and on the floor of the aeroplane too.

I now have two front teeth :-= It was a little sore for two days, but doesn't hurt much any more.

We said Aloha to Grandpa after 2 weeks, and left for Hong Kong via Japan! Papa, Grandma and I took a flight from Honolulu to Tokyo. Papa did not win the draw this time, because every one was declared a winner of the security check prize. As a result, there was so much confusion the staff did not know what to do, and we were nearly late for the flight. I had my very own seat on the flight (hehehe), and got to use the car seat Grandpa bought me. Yet, I didn't sleep very much. I was so tired after a 3 hour delay in Tokyo that I slept all the way on the connecting flight. In Hong Kong, a man put another chop in my passport :-)

Aunty Vivian has everything prepared for my arrival. She was on holiday last week, and has been busy this week buying all my essential supplies, and getting the flat ready for me. I have a proper cot here to cramp my style, as I can no longer spin around freely! Oh boo, I now have to go back to the water thang again.

Oahu, Hawaii

Grandpa's spending some time in Hawaii!

Papa and I took a United Airlines flight from San Francisco, to see Grandpa. Papa once again won a draw,but he looked very annoyed at the staff, who made him open up all our bags and take off his shoes.

When I arrived at the airport in Hawaii, Grandpa gave me a colourful garland called a "lei". He explained it was the local custom, and insisted that I had my picture taken wearing it. I just think it tastes and smells loverly ;-) Grandpa has a great swimming pool..... so I can swim every day. Click here to see my video.

Grandma is coming all the way from Hong Kong to see me :-)) I speak to Mummy every day on the telephone, and she sounds very sad. Papa says we will soon have ichat, so we can also see each other on the computer.

Arriving in San Francisco

Daddy took me to America!

Papa and I took a United Airlines flight to San Francisco. Papa got all excited because the lady at check-in told him he had won some kind of draw. Unfortunately, it turned out to be extra security check of all our bags. On the plane, my first time in a plane, I did not have a seat. I slept for a while in a bag which Papa said is the kind people often use to keep their picnic food cool, but otherwise I slept most of the way on Papa's lap. When we arrived in San Francisco, the man at US Immigration put a chop in my passport :-)

I met Uncle Peter, who lives in San Francisco. After a long and tiring flight, I fell asleep on the rocking-chair in Uncle Peter's living room. In the last 2 days, Uncle Peter has been really great, driving us around and showing us the sights. He has a lovely little sports car with no room in the back, so I sit in the passenger seat on Papa's lap. So we have been real tourists: I skip all the boring bits by falling asleep, and Papa has been busy collecting photos of me everywhere for his album.

We usually find a restaurant where I eat before Papa does, but Papa is now getting very adept at feeding and changing me in all kinds of places (now with my diet of solid food, I need to be changed at least 3 or 4 times during the daytime). Papa has found it most challenging to change me nappy where there are no facilities. He has now experience in the airplane, airport, and restaurant toilets. However, he thinks that the most special place of all was on the floor in a restaurant kitchen!

I am enjoying all the visits, and also the attention - lots of lovely ladies have been telling Papa that I was cute and well behaved :-)

Leaving London

It's been a very hectic weekend, Papa came over to take me back to Paris. Going out is more routine these days, as Grandma and Auntie have now got so well organised with my buggy and my car seat. Grandma and Papa took me swimming on Friday, and I swam 6 whole lengths of the pool! Papa said he was pleased with my progress. He said that I may not be as famous as Mark Spitz one day, but will certainly be just as good!

On Saturday, it was Auntie's turn to go swimming with me. I had fun and was not afraid to show it. I was a bit disappointed because it was crowded, and I didn't see any of my little friends to say goodbye to them.

On Sunday, after having lunch of carrots and rice porridge, Auntie and Grandma took Papa and me to the railway station. We travelled first class :-) , and a nice man helped me board the train. As the train ride took a bit longer than usual, Papa let me sit in his lap, where I promptly fell asleep, exhausted from the morning's excitement.

I am going to miss Grandma, who has never let me out of her sight in July. She has looked after me so well - look how I've grown......8.5kg in weight and 68cm in height! Now, Papa will have to make sure that I eat and sleep at set times, but nothing will replace the work-outs I have with Auntie.

Today was hotter than Chicken Vindaloo in Paris, and I am having problems getting comfortable! Daddy and a friend took me for a refreshing swim this afternoon; I slept all the way home.

First trip

Papa tool a week off work, and Mummy and Papa took me over to London on the Eurostar. Papa had to plan well ahead to get my first passport. The biggest problem he had was to find a photograph of me with eyes open, and with a white background behind me. In the end, Papa had to improvise by turning a blue background white using Photoshop. So now, I have my own passport at the ripe old age of two months ;-)

They spent the whole week taking me around London to see the sights. So I went to Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and a few other touristy places. Most of the time, I slept in my hammock, strapped to Papa's chest.

I met Papa's friends Gavin and Julie, who came down from Birmingham specially. I also met my cousin Fiona, who lives and works in London.