Happy New Year ... 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè)

恭喜发财 (Kung Hei Fat Choi) I wish you earn more money This year

Some files uploaded to YouTube

T-4-2

Sharing some Taiwan High Mountain Oolong with Jing Wang

101 at night .. Friday

After dinner Friday night we stroll around 101:

Yes it is that dark .. walking up / down Elephant Mountain (near 101)

In the family Tea Shop

More from the Yang family tea shop:
In the back, family life goes on .... 

November - Taiwan & China .. Food for Thought

 Some friends around the table:

Somewhere in the middle of Sichuan

Near Chengdu, Qiong lai, Once you see one "Replica Ancient Town" you've seen about all they have to offer. Mostly a place for locals to meet and sell to visitors.  This is in a remote area so locals can also stock up on basic supplies and household goods

 A hotel, about RMB130 a night

 Mid-Week, in the off season, so not very busy

A Gift from Yunnan

My friend Gavin stopped by to deliver sample parts and a most welcome gift .

Pu-Er Tea, vintage December 2008:

The visual appearance is first rate:  Later we will; 泡茶 make tea

BBQ down town Dongguan

Monday, late afternoon the torrential rains let up. So after work we went out with A-Fen’s family for “All-you can-eat BBQ” .. 60 RMB each.

Relaxing with a friend

Sunday morning required a quick emergency trip to Hong Kong .. that over and being in ShenZhen, we visited one of Jing’s friends home .. our session finished-off with some very expensive “Aged TGY”

A nice gift

A 2006 Shu Pu Erh, 357 gm cake, from: Heng Kang Tea Factory, Meng Hai Xi Shuang Ban Na Yun Nan. As you can see, it’s well on its way to being consumed. I’m quite impressed by this cake. Strong dark colour, smooth taste with no significant mouth drying or change of note in the after-taste . Easy to drink and affords copious infusions per pot.  A friend visiting from; HuBei, gave this welcome gift.

Dinner with A-Fen’s family

R-L Matt, A-Jing, A-Fen, Dad, younger sister and Mom, what a great spread,  A-Fen bought her Dad a new tea tray set-up:…..

After dinner we have some tea

Sunday at the Tea Shops ..

The family showed up .. Babies, Aunties, Moms and Grandma We visit a “New Business Endeavor by a friend .. Take over the entire 5th. floor of a 5 story building and dedicate it to approx. 50 open-plan tea rooms and half dozen private rooms.  .. more later .. Our crew move form the owner's office for a guided tour .. and we settle in the Pu-Erh section:….. By this stage, 6:30 in the evening, we have been drinking tea for about 4 hours !!! This is just a 10 min walk form our apartment .. so “We’ll be back”