long time no see!

Ok, we've been slack. Paul has been busy with work and I've just finished my mid-term exams!

We've done a lot of stuff since we last posted, so I'll either do a big one or make heaps of little ones so that you can pause and rewind hehehe (and yes robbie, you can fast forward too I suppose!)

Hmm...I'll start with my trip to "千佛山" or Thousand Buddha Mountain. This is a famous landmark in Jinan and yes, I believe them when they say there's over a thousand buddhas! I thought it would be pretty easy to get to the other side of the city and so opted to go by myself. So, trying to read the bus timtables is very difficult. I can understand the chinese, but the actual layout is very confusing. (This fact came in helpful the next week when we had to discuss things that could be changed in regards to Jinan's transport system...I had a lot to say!!)

So after 5 and a half different buses (don't ask about the half..), 2 hours, and a new chinese friend...I made it to 'Thousand Buddha Mountain Bus stop'. I looked around and only saw buildings that looked just like the ones I had been passing....for 2 hours! Finally I walked up to an intersection to see if I can ask for some more directions (getting around in China can be classed as studying!!) I finally caught a glimpse of the mountain in between the buildings!

Anyway, here are some photos...

This is a statue of Chairman Mao in the Shandong Normal Uni's park. I walked through here to another bus stop with my new chinese friend.

This was the Buddha who gave me directions...

The 'there's something in my ear' Buddha...

休息 Buddha! (Resting Buddha)

One of the biggest Buddhas

This is why it's the Thousand Buddha Mountain...there are Buddha's carved everywhere!

This is the 'Cave with Ten Thousand Buddhas'...

Everywhere you look...

This hole in the wall contains........

....all of this!

It was a little (as the weather forecast says) 'hazy', and quite cold inside

Look at all the little Buddha's around this one, it was crazy!

Look at the sunshine, it was warmer outside!

I'm still not sure what the rusty locks stood for, but the big red character in the background means Buddha/Buddhism.

Still not sure what this means either...I know the red ribbons have wishes/dreams written on them, but I'm not sure what all the rocks are doing!

A view of our Jinan!

Look closely...

Someone was enjoying this a little too much! Or perhaps this was the 'guard cat'

Last of all, the view from the cable car on the way down. Of course I took the cable car for the view...I wasn't tired or anything. Can you see the big golden buddha in the background (well his head). I didn't get around to seeing it this time...I mean..it was closed..or something! ;)

Ok, that'll do for this one!

再见！