Nyonyas in Guangzhou

Baby Sis, Niece and I were part of the Penang contigent participating in the China (Guangzhou) International Tourism Industry Expo from 1-5 September. 

It felt like a homecoming of sorts because our grandfather came from the Pun Yue district of Kwangtung. If only my dad was still alive, I could imagine his excitement over our trip.

SEPTEMBER 1

 

 Upon arrival at Guangzhou airport

The bus was on the other side of the road. We had to walk down the whole length of the airport, take a lift up in order to cross via the overhead bridge and then take another lift down to get to our bus.

We stayed at the Kairong Du International Hotel, a 3-star hotel about 15 minutes away from the expo site. We were delighted that the room was spacious and clean and we had a double-bed each! The only complaint we had was the leaking bath-tub that flooded one side of our bathroom.

The room I shared with Ms Coffee Lee

 First excursion was to Shangxiajiu Road that literally means 

Up Down Nine Road. I believe there must be an intriguing story 

behind its strange name.

 Bright lights and lots of people all over the place

 Strange offerings like those you find in Taiwan

SEPTEMBER 2

That's me beside one of twin towers decorating 

Malaysia/Penang's booth at the CITIE 2011

The Chief Minister of Penang Lim Guan Eng 
officiated at the opening ceremony

 Nyonyas dancing to Ikan Kikik music. There were no pictures 
of our second dance with the fans.

 Nyonyas posing with dancers from Jabatan Kebudayaan

At Beijing Road

 Plaque with the name of the road on it

Waited a long time for the right colour combinations 
to appear on the roof-top of the tunnel 
leading to a shopping center

Strange-looking pair of shoes on sale

 His momma tried to sell us the commando toys 
crawling on the floor but...

we were more interested in the kiddo. 
Unfortunately he was not for sale.

 Since it is a pedestrian street there were shops 
on the road itself

Glass panels on the road gives a view of actual roads 
from the Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties

SEPTEMBER 3

Posing for pictures with the crowd

I was an international singing star!

 Nyonyas doing the joget. Apa pun boleh!

Our beading attracted many curious passerbys. 
That's when I used up all the mandarin and 
cantonese in my vocabulary 

 Went for a night Pearl River cruise on the "Lam Hoi San"

This bridge looks like our Penang Bridge

Guangzhou Tower in the distance

 Another beautiful bridge

The stadium with panels that show pictures. I think they show 
the match when one is being played on the field

SEPTEMBER 4

Showing off our beading 

Posing with the Kebudayaan dancers




A world famous photographer (in the middle),
whose name we don't know, took photos of us beading so, 
in return, we requested to take a photo with him



Very tired at the Tee Mall 'cos we wasted time 
at the cloth warehouse that was hot 
and full of cigarette smoke

SEPTEMBER 5

In the morning we did some last minute shopping at the Living Mall, the nearest shopping center to our hotel before the bus took us to the airport for the trip home.