And the “Ice” theme continues today. Judy heads out to school (somebody has to earn a paycheck around here). I did my morning routine of stretching, swimming, and computer stuff. The wind was blowing too much today for table tennis, so I decided to go to Houhai Lake and check out the “ice” activities going on over there. We’d heard and read about it, but hadn’t seen it.

I took the train over and walked the remaining distance to the lake. There was definitely some “ice” activity going on. There were lots of skaters, and some kind of a “seat skate” that could be maneuvered with something similar to ski poles. There were also some “ice bikes”. They had a tire (maybe spiked) on the back, and a blade on the front. Riders were pedaling them all over the ice. The lake seemed to be divided by portable fencing into segments that were being administered by different concessions. There were also fences around the edges that helpers were maneuvering back and forth as the ice got thinner or thicker. Today is the first official day for all the Chinese schools to be out for the winter break, and there were lots of people around the area.

VIDEO LINK – ICY HOUHAI LAKE

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gnojnqjd2gwo8a3/15.1.26.Icy%20Houhai.MOV?dl=0

Houhai in a warmer time

I killed some time in a Starbucks and then walked to a nearby kite shop I had been reading about. They had many of the same kites I’d seen in the markets, but they also had some hand painted kites with some unique designs. I really want one of those “cool” kites, but I hate to spend the money and then crash it the first time out. They seem delicate. It’s not like I’m an experienced “pilot”. I should probably start with a less expensive, sturdier kite, and if all goes well, step up to the more unique styles.