China Part 2: Electric Boogaloo

We're back in China!
Not back home yet, we're waiting in Shanghai after a brief but eventful trip back to the fatherland. While in Australia, we:

• Met my new niece (her name seems to be Lillian but she doesn't talk much)
• Caught up with parents, grandparents, and uncles, aunts, and cousin on one side (at various occasions including lunching, dinnering and possibly some more)
• Caught up with parents, in-laws and nieces on the other side (cause we were kind of staying in their house, it seems rude not to talk to them)

Incidentally, a slight interruption for all of those people who don't think that I'm suitably lovable and cuddly, my second youngest niece Keiralli has taken quite the shine to Unc' Dave and likes to spend time with and talk to him at every opportunity. Anyway...

• Caught up with friends for dinner (mmmmm, nice pizza)
• Had some decent sleep in, then caught up with friends for dinner and drinks (mmmmm Bavarian, shame on you if you didn't come, it was awesome :)
• Went to work (blergh!), had a few meetings, solved some problems, went home and had a nap
• Had more dinner and drinks, then took the dinner on the road (was also awesome, so good to catch up with people)
• Even more breakfast, more catchup with family featuring new niece Lilly (the Lillian thing just isn't going to stick, sorry Melissa and James)
• Dinner with alternate family
• Up early then on the plane

So all in all, it's been quite a visit to Aus. It was fantastic to catch up with all the people, we missed out on seeing some but I guess that's what happens with such a short visit. Hopefully we'll see everyone (that means YOU!) over in our spare bedroom cause we're not back to Aus until probably mid next year at the earliest. The first China milestone of the trip back is now over, time to knuckle down, learn some more Mandarin and see some more China.

The flight here isn't nearly as bad as the flight back. Coming here we left in the morning and then arrive about midnight in Beijing, but for some reason it's better for me than leaving in the evening and arriving at the crack of dawn. I'm pretty bad at sleeping on the plane so a day flight seems to suit me better.

Of course our flight from Canberra was delayed (about 45 minutes), this time because of a baggage loader malfunction. Our flight from Sydney was delayed because the plane arrived late (also 45 minutes) then our baggage was delayed coming to the carousel and I was delayed getting through security. The x-ray machine decided to break down as my bags were inside it. So my bags go in and instantly the x-ray guy is freaking out, the other people start grabbing bags and running around. Of course three different people grabbed my three items and all started heading in different directions, each going to another x-ray machine to use. The problem is that they're all separated by big walls so they weren't going to be able to find me again as soon as they disappeared. Not helpful or comforting! We finally got them pointed in the same direction, then as soon as the bags were scanned again they all just disappeared somewhere. Oh well, I guess it adds some drama!

However all the bags and sundries were recovered, and now we're just sitting using the free Shanghai airport internet (take note Sydney!) and waiting for our next flight. Hopefully we won't be delayed like last time.

Also, thanks Nick and Angela for letting us stay in your house and use your wonderful kitchen and generally put you out for about 4 days.

See you soon peoples!