"In Flander's Fields the poppies blow..."

On Sunday I attended a remembrance service in the South of the City on Shamian Island. It was held by the British and Canadian Consulates in a lovely little church. The service was lovely and students from our school read a lovely poem and we were able to lay wreaths to commemorate all those fighting for our country. Afterwards we went the 'White Swan' a nice hotel on the Island for afternoon tea. For a few hours, it felt like we could have been anywhere and it did feel very homely.


​And then you step outside and you have couples dolled up in their full wedding attire taking picturesque photos (before they are married, seriously, weeks before...that is how it goes here) in the middle of the streets and you realise you are very much in China!!

Shamian Island has a French/British feel with avenues of European style buildings lined with trees, after the French and British used it as a port during the 19th Century. It was used as an important port for these countries, with access across the river to the 'mainland' only by 2 bridges which were closed at 10pm each night for security reasons!! A lovely and more peaceful place to visit and explore.

---