Looking Back on China

Wow so many things I could say about our trip to China. Probably the best thing in the entire trip is our new daughter Emma Yunwen. She is an amazing young lady who is very strong. I will post more about her and pics of the trip later, for now I am going to post mainly about China the sights people etc.

Ok China itself, more specifically Guangzhou. We spent our entire two weeks in that city and it is a great city. It has about 12 million people and is a cultural and financial hub in China. The World Trade Center organization is there and loads and loads of international businesses. People wise it is a very international city with people from all over the world visiting and living there. Because of this it is very much a melting pot type city. You see faces from all over the world and cuisines of all types are available. Cost wise it is a little more than smaller cities in China but still cheaper than the states. It was overall a very clean city and safe. I heard some complaints about traffic and crossing the street, but crossing the road in china has nothing on Vietnamese cities. Taxi rides,, our ride from JFK to LaGuardia when we got home was much much more insane. Overall getting taxis to and from in China is easy and fairly inexpensive. If you get ripped off ,, so what you spent maybe an extra 2$. Almost everyone we met was friendly and accommodating. In some cases I struck out alone and ended up where zero English was spoken. So what,,, we all worked though it and had a good laugh. That is part of the fun of traveling internationally.

Food wise,, here is a list of my favorites. Some I cannot remember the names so I will give location as best as possible.

Banana Leaf THai Restaurant. World Trade Center Tower across the street from garden Hotel. It is fusion Chinese Thai food. And all of it is excellent. Our family of 3 ate with starters veggie, rice and an entree with dessert for about 20$ Everything I had was great, menus in English and Chinese and most wait staff speaks both.

Chinese Restaurant upstairs from banana Leaf. It is an atmosphere place only. A little pricey and food soso. Went to take out places far better.

Take out behind Garden Hotel. Cannot remember the name but directly in back of Garden Hotel across from Japanese Consulate. It is authentic Chinese take out. No English but does have menu translated sort of. Just go and dive in. Emma speaks Cantonese so we had an advantage. Had dumplings, fried rice dishes, congee, spicy noodles and more. Everything here is amazing and all 3 ate for less than 6$

Lemon Tree. Down street from Garden Hotel. Serves mostly Vietnamese food but also Chinese dishes. Nothing in this place is bad Took some families with us and they found things they like. Menu in English and Chinese, very little English spoken. So what point at something and go for it. The soups are great their lemongrass dishes are amazing as are the springrools. It is all good.

Malaysian Restaurant in mall across form Garden Hotel. Good but not as good as Lemon Tree. Very good satay and rice dishes. noodle dishes not as flavorful but still not bad at all.

We ate at 2 places on Shamain Island(more on the island in a minute) Both Chinese places. Did not go to the much mentioned Lucy's. Looked at the menu and well frankly did not need pseudo American food as to many better choices around. Tried some take out Lucy's and frankly hated it. probably single worst thing I ate in China. It is comfort food for Westerns. Two Chinese places across from White swan. The one with the gold statues out front is great, one next door just ok. The better of the two we let Emma order. Had Tarot root and sea cucumber soup in coconut milk, chicken satay, pork, and seasonal veggies. All of it was amazing. This was probably the single best place we ate at the entire time.

Pizza Hut China. Nothing like in the USA. I would highly recommend it. The seafood pizza with crab shrimp and octopus was great as were the panko shrimp starters. If it was like this at home I would go more often. But alas stateside it is greasy nasty pizza.

Ate alot of stuff at little stalls There was a little meat shack that sold kabobs sausages etc I went to some and it was quite tasty. Nver knew what it was did not care as it was damn good!

Ok areas in Guangzhou. I was mainly around the Garden Hotel. Loads of shopping food etc and it is an safe easy are to get around. Metro station right there and you can take the subway anywhere. It is easy to use flow the maps and just buy a ticket. instructions in English as well.

Shamain Island. All I can say is I am glad we did not stay there. It was all torn up and loads closed down. Personally if it ws not like that still would not want to be there,, seems like a little haven for westerners in the middle of the city. I would much rather have a more fun and real experience than cater to my eastern tastes. I know others love it and more power to them,,, us we will stay away as we plan to come back for visits and even then have no intentions of going there. Went twice for medical and TB test,, opted out of a third day s well it sucks I think.


You just have to go and experience China. It is a force of nature and a civilization that has been around that long has done a few things right. we are very proud and honored to have China as a part of our lives and our family and feel as much a part of China now as Emma is American. I just feel proud of our family and my wife and girls. I feel we have a true melting pot, American Vietnamese and Chinese. Well more later and pics. As always comments and opinions are my own and if it offends sorry just my thoughts.