Academy of Martial Arts

Sushi was the one meal we didn't have in Japan, so why not have it today? Thanks to my senior ranking student and friend, Sempai Tim for making the experience that more enjoyable. Happy Friday everyone.

One last adventure before heading home. We took a high-speed train reaching 342 km/h, caught a Didi through Beijing, and now we're at the airport. It's hard to believe our China journey is coming to an end. We've made incredible memories, and while we're looking forward to being home, we're grateful for every moment of this trip. See you soon, Canada!

Senior health and fitness are clearly a priority in Jinan. Everywhere we looked in Hero Park, seniors were active and engaged. Set against the backdrop of a beautiful mountain, the park serves as a gathering place for exercise, debate, socializing, and community connection.

I'm pictured here with my mother-in-law, and yes, I am a senior, so I blend in.

Many homes are small and can become quite hot, so people naturally gravitate to the park in the mornings and evenings. It becomes an extension of their living rooms—a place where friendships are maintained, conversations flourish, and healthy, active lifestyles are embraced.

We headed out with family for my first authentic Chinese BBQ experience, and it did not disappoint. It was so hot that many of the locals were sitting shirtless on tiny stools, enjoying endless BBQ skewers, baijiu, and beer late into the night so I made like a local.

The atmosphere was electric. The place was packed, the food was fantastic, and the people-watching was second to none. Everywhere you looked, families and friends were gathered around tables sharing food, drinks, laughter, and stories.

This restaurant is open from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. every day, and judging by the crowds, business is booming. It's easy to see why—great food, a lively atmosphere, and a dining experience that's as much about community as it is about the meal itself.
Sometimes the best travel experiences aren't the famous landmarks, but simply pulling up a tiny stool, sharing a meal with family, and soaking in the local culture one skewer and one beer at a time. 🍢🍺🇨🇳😊

Happy Birthday to our Senpai Frank. It's been a long ride.

Health and fitness are a big part of daily life here in Jinan, especially among seniors. It's common to see people practicing Tai Chi, Wushu, dancing, and taking part in a variety of physical activities throughout the city.
It's a wonderful way to stay active, maintain good health, and enjoy social connections with friends and neighbours. Most of these activities take place outdoors, making the city's parks and public spaces vibrant gathering spots.

With the summer heat already making its presence felt here (the real heat arrives in July and August), people tend to exercise between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. before heading home for lunch and sheltering from the afternoon sun as temperatures climb toward 35°C.

It's inspiring to see so many people embracing an active lifestyle and making fitness a natural part of their everyday routine.

More photos from our travels back to Old Town, Hangzhou, two nights ago. Enjoy these moments — words simply can’t describe the awe we were in while taking in the beauty, history, and atmosphere around us.

At Hangzhou High Station, Yan scanned and found me too. See if you can find me, I kind of blend in.

We are at the Hangzhou High-Speed Rail Station, heading to see Yan’s family in Jinan, Shandong Province. It’ll be a comfortable three-hour ride. Becky booked our tickets and even arranged for food of our choosing to be delivered right to our seats.

After teasing my palate with incredible foods from Korea, Japan, and China, I decided to go with something I haven’t had in decades — Kentucky Fried Chicken. I’ve heard it’s really good here, so I figured why not?

I’ll post photos later from our wonderful and scenic day at West Lake.

It’s raining, hot, humid, yet beautiful here in Suzhou. Today we visited a Buddhist Temple dating back to 620 AD, surrounded by so much history and culture. Its famous for its beautiful gardens that dates back just as far..it gorgeous, and its energy pure.

We spent about three hours riding on our tour bus with a few stops along the way to take in the sights before arriving at our hotel.

My feel-good deed for the day was saving a turtle from becoming a cat’s lunch at the Buddhist Temple. It was either going to end up as the cat’s meal or get stepped on by someone walking through. I picked it up and placed it back into the pond, where it happily swam away with its koi friends. (Pictured).

We’ll be getting a good night’s rest because tomorrow we’ll be exploring the old town of Suzhou. There’s certainly no shortage of history here.

It’s going to be even hotter tomorrow, with a forecast of 35°C, feeling more like 45°C with the humidity. At this rate, I may end up touring the old town in my Speedos.