My Tales and spills

Stone Army

talesandspills — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:06:48 +0000

Xi’an, home to the legendary Terracotta Army.

To many, the terracotta army is overrated, and its just as well watching it on discovery channel. But me, i love it the way it is.

The man who started it all. Qin Shi Huang.

There are altogether 3 pits that were uncovered.

Pit 1

There are no 2 identical terracotta. All were individually customized with different facial expressions and body built.

Skinny Man

The army was chanced upon by a farmer in search for a new water source. He dug a well, and came out with fragments of broken pottery. Many years on, 3 pits were unveiled.

Site of the original entry

Pit 2

Pit 3

Even with modern technology, it will be another 40 more years before pit 3 is fully restored. Hopefully, the grandkids will be there with me the next time.

Kneeling Archer

Take time to marvel at the kneeling archer, an example of the fine mastery of the craftsmen handy work. Not a detail was overlooked with the crafting of the stone army.

Patterned sole

Whatever happened to the farmer who had a hand in making history?

He left the days of grueling toils on the field behind, and has now settled as a mini celebrity, whether contented or not, thrilling us with an autographed book of the terracotta army.

Mr farmer, the celebrity.

What Morning Brings

talesandspills — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:50:42 +0000

The sun it greets another day,

I feel its warmth on my face,

And I know I am alive..

Your mercy is new with the morning dew,

and my heart wants to hear more and more from You.

- The girl in the floral frock

The Xi’An Diary

talesandspills — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:39:47 +0000

Its 4am in the morning and i cant sleep. It has been 3 days, and i still cant sleep.

Between the whining and the procrastinating, the sun crept up on me.

Morning comes, and its yet another day.

Soft sleeper train to Xi’An

Surprisingly clean toilet

In China, almost everyone is your friend. You walk into the pearl market, and suddenly you find yourself with many new best friends – an observation made by the guest speaker in church today.

With our new found friend, sleeping in the same cabin

A very crazy uncle, but such a ball of fun to have around. When the clock struck 12, we all went screaming down the corridor of the train, wishing everyone Happy New Year (Xi’An was our New Year Getaway Trip).

Han Tang Hostel

100kg

talesandspills — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:49:36 +0000

Thats 2 years of clutter in a box ready to be shipped home.

The past few days have been a mad rush between booking air tickets, attending lessons, graduation dinner, packing and shifting and being emotional. *SIGHS.

There are many people i need to thank for making the shift back to singapore that much easier :)

Many many thanks to my parents, beiyi, siyi, potato, joshua, ted, fiona-jie, kelly, dua yi, fabz for the 100kg you brought back with you :)) I never would be able to make it home without all your donated luggage space!

Hakka Food

talesandspills — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:59:06 +0000

Hakka Restaurant at the mouth of Qian Hai.

*stomach groooowwwls.

Around Beijing with the Family

talesandspills — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:50:11 +0000

I thought today’s post is a good reflection of what goes on inside the head of marie.

Grey, dark and bleak.

Nan Luo Gu Xiang, Winter 2009.
Indulging in the famous yogurt of pristine roots
Hou Hai

IFW

talesandspills — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:44:57 +0000

At the basement of the Yintai building, sits the newly opened IFW. It is part of the Hyatt group, and they serve a whole spectrum of international cuisine. My favourite of all is their seafood hor fun, hawker style.

The Park

talesandspills — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:50:37 +0000

From the grand, we moved into the Park Hyatt. And i thought i would never be reunited with my love after that short romance one year ago. Thank you Lakyi for the many magical nights :)

After a day at the zoo market, we couldnt resist the urge to strut down in our favourite buys. So our hours were whilst away in front of the model-esque mirrors. Look at them smashing mirrors! It angles!

I’ve got myself one very cool aunt.

The Grand

talesandspills — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:44:36 +0000

Before Lak Yi made her way back to Singapore from Chicago last December, she made a brief stopover at Beijing to visit me :) Sweet!

And that can only mean one whole week of the Hyatt treatment!

Grand Hyatt

Kitchenette

Club Oasis

Made in China

Mu Tian Yu

talesandspills — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:02:04 +0000

Gasps! Yes yet another Great Wall (Mu Tian Yu)!
*yawns already.