Moments in Qing Dao, China

Qing Dao and Hong Kong shared some historical background, or I should say most of the coastal ports in China shared the same - once being ceded as a colony.  It was also very sad to see how China was once being ripped off in the late Qing dynasty.  

Hong Kong looked quite advanced and civilized in the eyes of many mainland Chinese but sadly got swept away in the past summer.  I chatted with a taxi driver in Qing Dao, whom was once  very fond of Hong Kong and thought about going for a visit as he often felt Hong Kong was superior and a lot of goodies.  However, what he saw on the TV definitely scared him and I even discouraged him to go, as he spoke in Mandarin that would cause him some troubles.  In this short trip in Qing Dao, I have seen quite many things about Hong Kong.  Restaurant looked like Hong Kong and the main road (where many renowned hotels are) also named after Hong Kong, from Hong Kong East, Middle and West Roads.

I feel sorry for my father.  Qing Dao reminded me of him as he used to share a Qing Dao beer with me when I was a kid, and the mineral water from Qing Dao too.  If he knew how Hong Kong has become...  I wish that he could only remember the time he had the beer and my cooking for him.  So let me write this to fade it away.  

外婆家 (Grandma's home), Qing Dao, China

Visited the branch in Hang Zhou quite many years ago.  The chicken baked in clay pot has still been in my mind.  This time I was glad to run into this one in Qing Dao.  So this time we ordered some steamed rice to go with the chicken, plus the stir fried veggie, pan fried small yellow fish and siu lon bao.

金玡居 (Jin Ya Ju) noodle shop, Qing Dao, China

It seems mashed garlic is quite commonly used in a lot of cold dishes or dumpling dip sauce.  Had a chilled cucumber, tomatoes marinated in dried plum sauce, noodle in chicken broth (Hong Kong style), five spice pork chop and beef noodle soup (Taiwanese style).  The chicken broth was boiled in long hour, with a big stewed dried mushroom, and a dish of grilled pork on the side.  The beef noodle soup was quite impressive.  We "cleaned" all the dishes below.

船歌魚水餃 (Chungge fish dumpling), Qing Dao, China

Dumplings seem to be quite popular in Shan Dong province.  Perhaps Qing Dao is just by the seaside.  I have seen quite many different seafood dumplings.  This one caught my attention.  It was rather more impressive for me to taste a very authentic tofu veggie soup and a prawn stewed with cabbage.  The strong home style cooking of these 2 reminded me of my childhood.

Deluxe room, Westin Qing Dao, China

Got a corner room with a view to the east and south side of the city.  The room is very spacious with a large sitting area and a big bathroom.  Very clean and tidy too.  The sound proof was a bit disappointing though not very bothering.

Ran into some old friends, in Qing Dao, China

I recall in the very old days I saw the ads for these 2 products. 

Catholic Church, Qing Dao, China

青島灣，山東，中國 (Qing Dao Bay, Shang Dong, China)

煙茫黃海, 青島 (haze at Yellow Sea, Qing Dao, China)