September 17, 2025

Dumpling making class in a Shanghai home! Meet Bonnie & her Mom.

(L to R) Spanish visitor Monica, teacher / host Bonnie, Bosco, Me, Gary and Christy. Photo at end of class when we are about to eat the bounty of our 3 hours of lessons in dumpling making. This is inside Bonnie's 2 room apartment in typical high-rise city building, units are a mix of residential and small business. Aisle kitchen, good size bathroom with tub and washing machine. This is her living room/ work / demo everything room and other side of glass partition is her bedroom - which is 1/2 full of stuff she is storing of her sisters - who lives on lower floor and owns this unit too. Wanted to take class for cultural insight and seeing how people live behind the walls we see from street. Dumplings are delicious so it was a win win - especially since I asked before booking if her place was air conditioned! Great activity to escape heat of day. Have you caught onto that theme lately in my post? It's really HOT here in daytime!

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We went back to Hotel stuffed and had a little rest, then met up with the group and all went to Shanghai Acrobatic Circus to see the Sunday Night ERA Show. It was fantastic!! Unbelievable skill and precision!

Singapore - Little India

By Pat Patick • August 11, 2026
Little India is a neighborhood in Singapore that I wanted to explore becase I love Indian food and their Temple's have such unique gods and Architecture, super colorful and detailed. Below is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Singapore's first temple dedicated to Veeramakaliammam or the Kali , a fierce incarnation of Shiva's wife and the "Destroyer of Evil" .

SINGAPORE - Cooking Class

By Pat Patrick • August 10, 2026
Other residents had a great experience at Singapore's Food Playground on prior visits, so we wanted to try it out! Our first day in Port, twelve of us signed up for a fun afternoon, where we got to enjoy our creations as a yummy lunch. Front row (L to R) is Ellie, Rick, their visiting friend, Sue, Christy and Angela. Back Row - Me, Bosco, Delia, John, Terri & Lori.

KOH CHANG, THAILAND

By Pat Patrick • July 26, 2026
We just relaxed on the Island of Koh Chang, Thailand. It's one of the largest Thai Islands in the Gulf of Thailand and it has a dense, steep jungle & National Park covering the interior of the Island, which extends off shore, to coral reefs. The coast line is dotted with beaches and villages. This was a tender port, so we decided to stay on the Island for 3 nights, to be able to experience the nightlife. Turns out, it is low season, so nightlife was pretty sleepy. However, we did find a new favorite night time activity! Any Guesses?!?