Since the opening and reforms of the late 1970s, China’s economy has boomed, leading to a rise in wealth and a burgeoning middle class. With new money comes status symbols, and modern China has plenty. Here are 10 of the most ostentatious and intriguing.

1. A Mistress

To anyone familiar with China’s seamier side, the concept of high-powered men taking mistresses will come as no surprise. When a guy’s material needs have been satisfied, an extramarital affair serves to fulfil his carnal requirements as well. Rather than simply meeting up for trysts with his ernai, a man must provide his mistress with an apartment, car and designer wardrobe. Like it or not, sleaze is here to stay, and even high-ranking officials are in on the act. Disgraced railway minister Liu Zhijun was discovered to have 18 mistresses, and ex-vice mayor of Hangzhou, “Plenty” Xu, had a similar harem when he was executed for embezzlement in July.

2. A Luxury Car

Every wealthy Chinese person worth his or her salt counts fancy wheels among the trappings of their material success. German cars are among the most popular when it comes to sedans, with Audi and BMW occupying the top spots in the market. Before a middle class guy can even consider wooing a lady, he must first ensure that he has a decent vehicle. And if he wants to take a mistress? Well, that’s another car he needs to budget for.

 

3. A Pilot License

A car is one thing, but the highest rollers like to go even higher. There are now 1,600 official pilot license holders in China (and doubtlessly plenty more that are unofficial…), and low altitude air spaces have been opened in Hainan, Guangdong and Heilongjiang for them to take their jets for a spin. Getting a license doesn’t come cheap, with courses costing as much as 80,000 RMB. Ownership of private jets is still limited in China, with just 100 registered, but the trend is growing. Celebs like Fan Bing Bing and Chen Daoming have gotten in on the action, each buying a jet of their own.

 

4. A Tibetan Mastiff

Among pedigree dogs, the Tibetan Mastiff is neither the friendliest nor the most attractive, but it is currently the most prized canine in China. Dogs of this breed fetch ridiculous sums; in 2009 a Xi’an couple shelled out over 300,000 RMB for theirs, and show dogs at the annual China Tibetan Mastiff Expo boast names like God, Prince and Warren Buffet (seriously). Pets were banned under Mao for promoting bourgeois attitudes, but ownership of small animals like crickets and birds never really went away. Having the money and space to keep a big dog like a Tibetan Mastiff is a clear sign that you’re doing well for yourself financially.

 

5. Apple Products

To gauge China’s love of iPhones, iPads and Macbooks, you only have to look at the queues outside Apple stores whenever a new device is launched. Desperate consumers were crushed in the fever to get their hands on the iPad two in Beijing in May this year, and a boy even sold his kidney to afford one. Apple products appeal to the wealthy urban youth thanks to their sleek design, cult following, and reassuringly high prices. The fact that they are made on production lines in Guangdong does little to tarnish their appeal.

6. Pale Skin

Contrary to Western women’s fondness for suntanned skin (presumably to imply that they are wealthy enough to take expensive holidays to warmer climes), Chinese ladies prefer the pale and interesting look (presumably to prove that they don’t work outside in a manual job). Beauty products tend to contain “whitening” ingredients, and Western brands operating in China almost always add a special line to their product range, like L’Oreal’s White Perfect. Women hide from the summer sun under decorative parasols, and the pastiest of complexions are prized as the most attractive.

 

7. Fine Wine

China’s domestic wine industry might not be up to much yet, but it is expected to flourish. Until then, wealthy Chinese feed their grape habit with expensive imported wines. These days it’s common to see wine bars with a clientele of mainly locals, as the Chinese palate develops a taste for Cab Sav and Chardonnay. Wine’s growing popularity is partly due to its associations with the sophistication of France and Italy, and partly due to the fact that imported stuff is so darn expensive.

8. Luxury Furniture

Recently, luxury furniture company Da Vinci was found to be peddling goods that were Made in China instead of Made in Italy. However, the scandal has done little to douse China’s wealthy from lusting after plush sofas from the likes of Versace Home, Fendi Casa and Kenzo Maison. Having the ready cash to kit out your home like Donatella’s boudoir is a sign of great fortune and profligacy.

9. Golf

China is catching up with the West when it comes to golf, the sport of the idle rich, or middle class dudes trying to up their guanxi with colleagues and clients. There are now around 600 golf courses in China, up from just a hundred or so at the turn of the millennium. A round on the fairway is seen as proof of your mettle.

10. A Designer “Murse”

Finally, the one thing no rich Chinese guy should be without: a man purse (a.k.a. “murse”) from a recognized brand. Gucci, Burberry and Louis Vuitton all fit the bill, with slightly less kudos for mid-range names like Coach. A guy needs somewhere to stash his cash and his iPhone, and the murse is the ideal accessory. Aspirational and functional.

Strong sales of luxury goods in the bag this year

The Chinese mainland will remain the fastest-growing market for luxury goods in 2011 as sales rise 25 percent to 11.5 billion euros, Bain predicted. The country is on course to become the world's third-largest luxury market in five years, it said. The US is the largest market, accounting for 48.1 billion euros in 2010, according to Bain.

Only-child teenagers from wealthy families and a new generation of working women in China are increasing their spending habits.

China's rich travel off the beaten path, Hurun says

A list of the unique features of Chinese luxury travelers is outlined in a report released on Tuesday that helps international luxury travel providers understand the country's luxury consumers.

Youth, self-reliance and brand loyalty are the defining characteristics of luxury outbound travelers in China.

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Use the KAIXIN SEARCH ENGINE to research how the rich spend their money, both within China and abroad. Eg: Enter rich, spending, china rich, travel, overseas, international ...

Wealthy Chinese falling in love with luxury

China poised to overtake Japan as top high-end market in 2015

BEIJING - When you live a carefree life, with credit cards paid by your husband and a single child taken care of by your parents, what are you going to do with your extra money?

The answer from Cui Tiantian, a young Chinese born in the 1980s, is to indulge herself through in expensive tastes.

The 28-year-old, living in Qingdao in East China's Shandong province, once read a must-have list of 100 luxury goods for women in a lifestyle magazine, and immediately decided to make a list of her own.

In China, Women Begin Splurging

BEIJING—Italian jeweler Bulgari SpA and sports-car maker Maserati SpA have succeeded in China largely by portraying themselves as the ultimate male status symbols.

But the two recently joined a growing number of luxury brands in China that have revamped their marketing tactics to also appeal to self-made female entrepreneurs, a rapidly emerging market segment that also wants high-end baubles and toys.

Maserati has been hosting private cocktail parties with Giorgio Armani's cosmetics line and the Italian lingerie company La Perla to court newly rich female drivers in China. Thirty percent of the 400 cars Maserati sold in China last year ...

Italy's RDM Group opens first outlet in China

TIANJIN - The Italian luxury real estate developer and fashion retailer RDM Group opened its first outlet store in China on Thursday, in partnership with the US Waitex Group, amid the country's enthusiasm for buying luxury goods.

The store, Florentia Village, located in Wuqing, which lies between Beijing and Tianjin, is the first Chinese development in RDM's international portfolio of retail assets. The investment totaled more than 1 billion yuan ($154.4 million).

"We chose to launch our first China outlet under the brand name Florentia Village in Wuqing because of its potential to attract a new generation of stylish Chinese consumers with fast-growing disposable income in the luxury sector," said Ivano Poma, chairman and chief executive officer of Florentia Village and managing director of RDM Asia.

Strong sales of luxury goods in the bag this year

The Chinese mainland will remain the fastest-growing market for luxury goods in 2011 as sales rise 25 percent to 11.5 billion euros, Bain predicted. The country is on course to become the world's third-largest luxury market in five years, it said. The US is the largest market, accounting for 48.1 billion euros in 2010, according to Bain.

Only-child teenagers from wealthy families and a new generation of working women in China are increasing their spending habits.

China to be Top Luxury Buyer by 2020

Move over America and Japan, China’s taking over the luxury limelight.

China is poised to become the world’s largest market for luxury goods by 2020, according to a new report from investment research group CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets. With fatter paychecks and stronger desires to display new wealth.

How Chanel Sells Itself in China + Video Slideshow

In China, the House of Chanel is trying to insert a personality into its little black dress: its founder.

Asia's largest yacht show opens in Shanghai

A yacht was exhibited outdoors at the 16th China International Boat Show 2011 (CIBS) in Shanghai on April 14, 2011. CIBS, Asia's largest yacht show, began April 14, 2011, and around 300 yachts gathered at the marine and on-land exhibit areas.

Govt offers rights to 176 islands for development work

BEIJING - China's ocean watchdog is speeding up its work to protect and develop islands in response to the priority placed on the oceanic economy by the country's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015).

On Tuesday, the State Oceanic Administration released a list of the first 176 desert islands the public will be allowed to develop and said more islands will be added to the list later.

Fast growth of economy fuels rise in wealthiest

SHANGHAI - China is closing in on having 1 million millionaires.

According to an annual wealth report released on Tuesday, the mainland has 960,000 millionaires with personal wealth of 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) or more.

A violinist plays at the Haitian Shengyan (Sea and Sky Grand Banquet) Luxury Exhibition for yachts, private planes and other luxurious goods at Sanya, South China's Hainan province, on April 1.

Mainland tourists big spenders overseas

BEIJING - More mainland tourists are expected to spend money on overseas travel this year, according to a report released to the national tourism authority on Tuesday.

China set to snap up $17b in luxury goods, pass Japan

China will replace Japan as the world's second-largest luxury goods market this year, behind the United States, according to a global management consulting firm on Wednesday.

After a Long March, Chinese Surrender to Capitalist Shrines

In 2010, 550,000 Chinese visited France and spent about $890 million, 60 percent more than in 2009, and Paris stores work hard to attract their business.

China's New Rich Turning to High Life at Sea

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Can a Novelty for the Rich Become a True Passion?

The Cannes boat show was filled with talk of marketing opportunities in China, but some boat makers doubt whether a mature market will emerge there.

'jiang gu shi'

 讲故事

  Storyteller 

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Set in Zanzibar in 1910, it is the story of two people from different worlds falling in love. Susan immerses herself in Zanzibar. Asim falls in love with this woman from the nation that killed his wife. Susan is a spy. Asim is the chief advisor to the Sultan of Zanzibar. Germany and France are holding secret negotiations to form a Pan European alliance, which would isolate Britain and destroy her power. Susan and Asim are caught up in all this and their love is finally dashed on the cold, hard reality of international high politics.

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 Chapter One

Zanzibar

'A maharaja’s ruby cast on a Persian carpet by the blackest of hands'

Their souls danced, honouring his promise.

The ancient dhow stirred in the soft morning breeze. Like a sleepy lion, it began to move through the water, snuffling about the other boats on the harbour; some scurrying, some at anchor, some darting before a brief gust of wind. The lateen sails a bustling panorama of blood-red and sun-bleached white.

Aft, the woman's eyes searched the skyline, drinking in the architecture of Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar; its jagged, cluttered silhouette so familiar, so much a part of her soul.

Abruptly, her eyes ceased their restless searching, jagged by an invisible hook, transfixed by the grand buildings on the northern shore, Beit-al-Ajaib, the House of Wonders, Palace to the great Sultan of Zanzibar. The distinctive architecture captured in the tropical light: coconut white outlined by contrasting shadow plays of pepper black.

A smile, ever so slight, started to play on the edge of her mouth then disappeared. A memory that should have been fond instantly turned to sharp unbearable pain. Her eyes hardened and moved on.

Without warning the captain threw the rudder over. Stumbling, the woman barked her shin on a wooden box, a rough-hewn coffin. She recoiled, knocking over an untidy stack of cane baskets. Imprisoned in the baskets, rusty cockerels, their scruffy heads straining through the latticework, snapped at her, cried out to her; their raucous din overwhelming her, drowning her.

Dimly, through the fog of noise, the strident swearing of the sailors in Kiswahili seeped into her conscious. Understanding, she smiled mirthlessly.

The coffin had been carelessly stowed, a chore, rather than a labour of respect or love.

London 1910

“Hello, who are you? I am Oliver, is Edward at home?”

The words were spoken by a tall, impeccably dressed young man as he rushed into Edward’s flat shaking off surplus water and calling for whisky while shoving his umbrella into a stand. It was a blustery, grey, bitterly cold February afternoon in the heart of London. He brushed a curl of soft auburn hair from his forehead and smiled charmingly.

Susan laughed, her hazel eyes dancing with the exhilaration of the new. “Yes, he is having a bath. I think he is trying to get warm. I’m Susan, Susan Carey, his sister.”

“Ahhh yes, from Australia. How do you do?” said Sir Oliver, smiling broadly and offering his hand. He noticed the laughter in her eyes, and the depth, particularly the depth, intensified by jade flecks that made them striking and alluring. “So, you have arrived, good trip I trust.”

“I am very well thank you, and yes, it was a good trip,” replied Susan.

He laughed and glanced at the sitting room, “whisky?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, please come in…….. that was silly of me, after all, it is your flat.”

Oliver smiled and gestured for Susan to lead the way. He followed her into the room, and after helping himself to a generous portion of whisky, walked over to the fire.

Shortly after, Edward, wrapped in a huge ruby-coloured dressing gown and wiping soap from his ear strode into the room. He was of similar age to Oliver, late twenties, well built, if slightly podgy, with dark auburn hair and a full moustache. Susan looked up and smiled to herself, she could see now where he had picked up some of his new mannerisms.

“Thought I could hear voices. I see you two have met, no need for introductions then.”

As he was speaking, Edward walked to the side table and grabbed a whisky decanter by the neck. He glanced at Oliver who nodded. A long finger snaked into one of the tumblers followed by the distinctive clink of crystal. He swept the decanter off the table and carried it to where Oliver was sitting. After pouring the whisky, he sank into a lounge chair and sipped from his glass, enjoying the warm glow as it spread through his body.

Suddenly he sat up exclaiming, “Sorry sis, would you like something to drink?”

“Kind of you to remember, but no thank you, and yes, Oliver has already inquired.”

Edward nodded and sank back into his lounge chair.

They chatted, tentatively at first, getting to know one another. Edward had not seen Susan for two years and was unsure how his sister would take his new relationship. Oliver was intrigued by Susan. An attractive, self-assured young lady of high intelligence with a degree was a rare find. And, as fate would have it, she was also a trained and experienced teacher. He suggested a picnic at Oxford, which was met with ready acquiescence. Arrangements were made for the following Sunday.

“I’ll see if the Rolls is available,” mused Oliver. “Must ring father, haven’t spoken to him in ages.”

Oliver, Sir Oliver Marchmaine, was an unaffected young man of intense intelligence who saw life as a great adventure to be lived to the full. He was also unyieldingly loyal to his country, England, which is why he had joined Military Intelligence on leaving Oxford.

It was 1910 and Europe was stirring. It was a time full of interest, intrigue and danger. The European chessboard was becoming increasingly complex, the moves more subtle. A time when an unexpected move or feint could have profound consequences.

Regaining her balance, the woman’s eyes were drawn, hesitantly at first, resisting back to Beit-al-Ajaib. She wondered if it was still the same. Still the same centre of power and intrigue that had been so much a part of her life all those years before; that had defined her life.

She remembered those first few moments, remembered standing in the foyer of the palace, .………… remembered the breathtakingly beautiful Persian tapestry ........

The sea breeze stirred her clothes. She smiled a little sadly, and in her mind the tapestry gently swayed. Two small apparitions ran giggling up the stairs: two small exquisitely rich burkas disappearing along the first floor landing. Childish squeals of mischief and joy left in the air.......

“Move to seaward, you accused of Allah! Move!”

Her thoughts were clawed back to the dhow, the captain crashing the tiller over to avoid another boat on the crowded harbour. The woman instinctively ducked her head to avoid the heavy boom as it swung over her, the rusty cockerels squawked their raucous indignation, their heads straining through the latticework, relentless.

The collision avoided, the dhow continued on its way. The cacophony dying down to the occasional command by the captain or the cry of a seagull.

The woman's thoughts returned to Beit-al-Ajaib

  …………. laughing and giggling, girls of seven or eight. A door on the first floor slammed and all sounds of them disappeared. Silence. The woman smiled. She could see herself, a young woman, dressed plainly, unselfconsciously, her sexuality tantalisingly just out of reach, hidden beneath the thin veil of her clothing. She remembered standing alone in the foyer, looking around, perplexed. Asim came through a door to the left of the tapestry.

“Salaam.”

The woman started and looked around. Then, realising, was cold again. Alone again. Alone, rocking to and fro to the rythm of the sea. Alone, beside a rough-hewn coffin.

Now Available on Amazon's Kindle $4.99 - Over 400 Pages

Chinese tea, one of China’s business cards,  well known in the world. China was the  first  to discover and produce tea in the world with more than one thousand years of history. Chinese tea culture is passionate, you will be invited to drink tea when you visit a Chinese family or a company.

When you walk in the street or visit a temple you may see some elderly gentlemen seated in twos and threes, who are leisurely gathered around a simple but attractive teapot about the size of a fist, each holding a small cup, chatting and drinking tea.

Tea culture is an indispensable part in Chinese life. A Chinese saying identifies the seven basic daily necessities as fuel, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.

The custom of drinking tea is deeply ingrained in almost every Chinese person and has been for over a thousand years. During the mid-Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) a man named Lu Yu entered the Buddhist monkhood early in life, but returned when older to secular life. He is best known for summarizing the knowledge and experience of his predecessors and contemporaries into the first compendium in the world of the Tea Classic (ch’a Ching). This work helped to popularize the art of tea drinking all across China, making avid tea drinkers of everyone from emperor and ministers to street hawkers and soldiers. Even the neighboring countries of Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia came to adopt the tea drinking custom.

Tea is one of the daily necessities in China. In summer or in the warmer climates, tea seems to dispel the heat and bring on instant cooling together with a feeling of relaxation. For this reason tea-houses abound in towns and market villages in South China and provide elderly retirees a chance to meet and chat over a cup of tea. Tea is also rich in various vitamins.

Chinese tea may be classified into five categories according to the different methods by which it is processed.

1. Black tea: Black tea is known as “red tea” (hong cha) in China. It is the category which is fermented before baking; it is a later variety developed on the basis of the green tea. The best brands of black tea are Qihong of Anhui, Dianhong of Yunnan, Suhong of Jiangsu, Chuanhong of Sichuan and Huhong of Hunan.

2. Green tea: Green tea is the variety which keeps the original colour of the tea leaves without fermentation during processing. This category consists mainly of Longjing tea of Zhejiang Province, Maofeng of Huangshan Mountain in Anhui Province and Biluochun produced in Jiangsu.

3.  Wulong tea: This represents a variety half way between the green and the black teas, being made after partial fermentation. It is a specialty from the provinces on China’s southeast coast: Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan.

4. Scented tea: This kind of tea is made by mixing fragrant flowers in the tea leaves in the course of processing. The flowers commonly used for this purpose are jasmine and magnolia among others. Jasmine tea is a well-known favourite with the northerners of China and with a growing number of foreigners.

5. Compressed tea: This is the kind of tea which is compressed and hardened into a certain shape. It is good for transport and storage and is mainly supplied to the ethnic minorities living in the border areas of the country. As compressed tea is black in colour in its commercial form, it is also known in China as “black tea”. Most of the compressed tea is in the form of bricks; it is, therefore, generally called “brick tea”, though it is sometimes also in the form of cakes and bowls. It is mainly produced in Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.

To make a good  tea drink , special attention must be paled to the quality of the water, water temperature, the amount of tea leaves used, and the type of teapot. Soft water (water with a low mineral content) that is clear and fresh is required to steep tea; hard water should by all means be avoided. The correct water temperature varies from tea to tea; for most fully fermented and moderately fermented kinds it should be near boiling (100 or 212); however, it may be low as 90 (194) or less for lightly fermented or green teas.

Chinese Tea Name Chinese Tea Name Pronunciation Translated  English Tea Name Place of Origin (Province of Origin) 西湖龍井 Long Jing Dragon Well Xi Hu (Zhe Jiang) 洞庭碧螺春 Bi Luo Chun Spring Snail Tai Hu (Hu Nan) 安溪鐵觀音 Tie Guan Yin Iron Goddess An Xi (Fu Jian) 黃山毛峰 Mao Feng Fur Peak Huang Shan (An Hui) 君山銀針 Yin Jan Silver Needle Jun Shan (Hu Nan) 祁門紅茶 Qi Men Hung Qi Men Red Qi Men (An Hui) 武夷大紅袍 Da Hung Pao Big Red Rope Wu Yi Shan (Fu Jian) 六安瓜片 Gua Pien Mellon Seed Liu An (An Hui) 白毫银针 Bai Hao Yin Jan White Fur Silver Needle Fu Ding (Fu Jian) 云南普洱 Pu'er Pu'er Si Mao (Yun Nan) 凍頂烏龍 Wu Lung Oolong Nan Tou (Taiwan) 盧山雲霧 Yun Wu Cloud & Fog Lu Shan (Jiang Xi) 信陽毛尖 Mao Jian Fur Tip Sin Yang (Hu Nan) 蒙顶甘露 Gan Lu Sweet Dew Ming Ding (Si Chuan) 都匀毛尖 Mao Jian Fur Tip Du Yun (Gui Zhou) 蘇州茉莉花茶 Muo Li Hua Jasmine Su Zhou (Jiang Su) 恩施玉露 Yu Lu Jade Dew En Si (Hu Bei) 平水珠茶 Zhu Cha Pearl Tea Ping Shui (Zhe Jiang) 太平猴魁 Hou Hui Monkey King Tai Ping (An Hui)           Tea Types ['cha' = 'tea' 茶] bai cha [white tea] 白茶 hei cha [true black tea such as liu an or liu bao; see also §3 below] 黑茶 hong cha [red tea, i.e. what the English call 'black' tea] 紅茶 huang cha [yellow tea] 黄茶 lu cha [green tea] 绿茶 pu'er cha [pu'er tea; see also §3 below] 普耳茶 wulong cha [oolong tea] 烏龍茶 or 乌龙茶 -- some wulongs are referred to as 'qing1 cha' [blue-green tea] 青茶, but these are not identical categories       Some Famous China & Taiwan Teas Green, Yellow, & White Teas bai hao yin zhen cha ['white hair silver needles,' a bai cha, huang cha, or lu cha] 白毫银针茶 bai mu dan cha ['white peony' tea] 白牡丹茶 bi luo chun cha ['green snail spring' lu cha from Dong Ting Shan in Jiangsu province] 碧螺春茶 gu lao cha ['old work tea,' lu cha from Guangdong province] 古劳茶 hua cha [(flower-)scented tea: may be green, red, or oolong] 花茶 huang shan mao feng ['yellow mountain downy tip,' lu cha from Anhui province] 黄山毛峰 jun shan yin zhen cha ['sovereign mountain silver needle,' a huang cha from Jun Shan Island in Hunan province] 君山银针茶 liu an gua pian ['Liu An melon slice,' lu cha from Liu An county in Anhui province] 六安瓜片 long jing cha ['dragon well' lu cha] 龙井茶 --- ming qian ['pre-qingming,' i.e. first plucking] 明前 --- yu qian ['pre-rain,' i.e. second plucking] 雨前 lu shan yun wu cha ['hut mountain clouds-and-mist,' a pure-bud lu cha from Jiu Jiang in Jiangxi province] 庐山云雾茶 mei jia wu long jing cha ['dragon well' lu cha made from the mei jia wu cultivar] 梅家乌龙井茶 meng ding huang ya cha ['misty peak yellow sprout' tea, a pure-bud huang cha usually from Meng Ding Shan in Sichuan province] 蒙顶 黄芽茶 mo li hua cha [jasmine-scented tea; cf. hua cha] 茉莉花茶 qi jing bian zhen cha ['Seven-Views (Mountain) flat needle' lu cha] 七境扁针茶 shi feng long jing cha ['Lion Peak (Mountain)' long jing cha, i.e. lu cha made from tea grown on Shi Feng Shan] 狮峰龙井茶 shou mei cha ['longevity eyebrow,' a bai cha] 寿眉茶 tai ping hou kui cha ['monkey king' lu cha from Tai Ping in Anhui province] 太平猴魁茶 xin yang mao jian cha ['downy tip' lu cha from Xin Yang in Henan province] 信阳毛尖茶 xi hu long jing cha ['dragon well' lu cha from Xi Hu or 'West Lake,' reputedly the best source for long jing cha] 西湖龙井茶 zhen mei cha ['precious eyebrow,' a lu cha produced in Jiangxi province] 珍眉茶 zheng he yin zhen cha ['Zheng He silver needles,' a bai cha] 政和银针茶     Wu Long/Oolong Teas Mainland Oolongs: bai ji guan yan cha ['white cockscomb' oolong, a Wu Yi yan cha from Fujian province] 白鸡冠岩茶 bai ye dan cong cha ['white leaf' single bush] 白叶單樅茶 = ling tou dan cong cha bei dou yi hao wu long cha ['big dipper first-of-the-month' oolong, from Fujian province] 北斗一号乌龙茶 da hong pao yan cha ['big red robe' oolong, a Wu Yi yan cha from Fujian province] 大红袍岩茶 dong fang mei ren wu long cha ['beautiful eastern woman' oolong, grown in Fujian province] 東方美人乌龙茶 feng huang dan cong cha ['single bush' oolong from Feng Huang Shan, i.e. 'Phoenix Mountain,' in Chaozhou, Guangdong province] 凤凰單樅茶 fo shou wu long cha ['Buddha hand' oolong] 佛手烏龙茶 [made from xiang yuan (香橼), a large-leaf cultivar] huang jin gui wu long cha ['golden cinnamon' oolong, from Fujian province] 黄金桂乌龙茶 huang zhi xiang dan cong cha ['yellow twig fragrance' single bush] 黄枝香單樅茶 ling tou dan cong cha ['Ridge Top' single bush] 岭头單樅茶 = bai ye dan cong cha mao xie wu long cha ['hairy crab' oolong, from Anxi county in Fujian province] 毛蟹乌龙茶 rou gui yan cha ['cinnamon' oolong, a Wu Yi yancha from Fujian province] 肉桂岩茶 shui xian wu long cha ['water spirit' oolong, grown esp. in Fujian province] 水仙乌龙茶 tie guan yin cha ['iron goddess of mercy' oolong, originally from Anxi county in Fujian province, now produced in numerous regions] 鐵觀音茶 shui jin gui yan cha ['golden turtle' oolong, a Wu Yi yan cha from Fujian province] 水金亀岩茶 tie luo han yan cha ['iron warrior monk' oolong, a Wu Yi yan cha from Fujian province] 铁罗漢岩茶 wu yi yan cha ['rock' or 'cliff' oolong from Wu Yi Shan in Fujian province] 武夷岩茶 xing ren xiang dan cong cha ['almond fragrance' single bush] 杏仁香單樅茶 Taiwan Oolongs: a li shan wu long cha ['Ali Mountain oolong tea,' grown in Chiayi (Jiayi) county] 阿里山烏龍茶 bai hao wu long cha [lit. 'white down,' also known as 'oriental beauty' oolong, grown esp. in Hsinchu (Xinzhu) county; cf. 'dong fang mei ren'] 白毫烏龍茶 bao zhong cha [Wade-Giles 'pouchong' = pinyin 'baozhong,' lit. '(paper-)wrapped type' oolong, grown esp. on Wen Shan in Taipei (Taibei) county] 包種茶 cui yu wu long cha ['emerald jade oolong tea'] 翠玉烏龍茶 da yu ling wu long cha ['Great Yu Mountain' oolong] 大禹嶺烏龍茶 dong fang mei ren wu long cha ['beautiful eastern woman' oolong, from Hsinchu (Xinzhu) county; cf. 'bai hao'] 東方美人烏龍茶 dong ding wu long cha ['Frozen Summit Mountain oolong tea,' grown on Dong Ding Shan in Nantou county] 凍頂烏龍茶 fo shou wu long cha ['Buddha hand' oolong, made from xiang yuan (香橼), a long-leaf cultivar] 佛手烏龍茶 gao shan wu long cha ['high mountain' oolong] 高山烏龍茶 jin xuan wu long cha ['golden day lily' oolong] 金萱烏龍茶 li shan wu long cha ['Pear Mountain oolong tea,' grown on Li Shan in Taichung (Taizhong) county] 梨山烏龍茶 shan lin xi wu long cha ['Pine Forest Creek oolong tea,' grown in Nantou county] 杉林溪烏龍茶 si ji chun wu long cha ['four seasons springtime oolong tea'] 四季春烏龍茶 tie guan yin wu long cha ['iron goddess of mercy' oolong tea, grown in Nantou county] 鐵觀音烏龍茶 wen shan bao zhong cha [Wade-Giles 'pouchong' = pinyin 'baozhong,' lit. '(paper-)wrapped type' oolong, grown on Wen Shan in Taipei (Taibei) county] 文山包種茶 Red Teas bi luo chun hong cha [a Yunnan hong cha made tightly rolled, like bi luo chun green tea] 碧螺春红茶 dian hong cha ['Yunnan hong cha'; 'dian1' is an old name for part of Yunnan province] 滇红茶 --- jin si ['golden thread,' the highest grade of dian hong: pure golden tips] 金丝‬ --- jin zhen ['golden needle,' a variant of 'jin si'] 金针‬ huang zhen cha ['golden needle' hong cha from Fujian province] 黄针茶 jin hou hong cha ['golden monkey red tea,' high-grade hong cha from Fujian province] 金猴‬红茶 [lapsang souchong: see 'zheng shan xiao zhong'] long jing huang pao hong cha ['dragon well yellow robe (i.e. imperial)' hong cha -- long jing cha processed as hong cha; said to have been favored by the emperor Qianlong] 龙井黄袍 红茶 qi men hong cha [Keemun hong cha] 祁门‭ ‬红茶 --- hao ya [lit. 'fine/small sprout,' the highest quality of Keemun -- hao ya 'A' (甲) being even better than hao ya 'B' (乙)] 毫芽 --- hao ya 'A' [top-grade Keemun] 毫芽甲 --- hao ya 'B' [next-to-top-grade Keemun] 毫芽乙 --- mao feng [lit 'downy tip,' a grade of Keemun hong cha composed of small buds] 毛峰 yang xian hong cha [a hong cha produced in Jiangsu province; the favorite tea of the potters of Yixing, for which 'Yang Xian' is an old name] 阳羨‭红茶 ying de hong cha [a hong cha produced in Yingde county, Guangdong province] 英德‭ ‬红茶 zheng he hong cha [a hong cha made from a cultivar usually used for bai cha, 'white' tea] 政和红茶 zheng shan xiao zhong cha [= Lapsang Souchong, a heavily-flavored smoky red tea from Wu Yi Shan in Fujian province] 正山小种茶 Basic Pu'er and Heicha Pu'er Genres: pu'er cha [the generic term] 普耳茶 sheng pu'er cha [raw/green pu'er tea] 生普耳茶 shu pu'er cha [ripe/cooked/black pu'er tea] 熟普耳茶 jin ya cha [compressed tea] 紧压茶 san cha ['loose tea,' i.e. uncompressed pu'er or hei cha] 散茶 tai di cha ['table land tea,' i.e. flat-land or plantation tea as opposed to mountain-grown or tall-tree tea] 台地茶 Various Pu'er Shapes: bing cha [flat cake-shaped compressed pu'er] 饼茶 fang cha [square brick-shaped compressed pu'er] 方茶 gu cha ['old tea,' as e.g. of aged pu'er, or tea from an ancient tree] 古茶 jin cha ['tight tea,' mushroom-shaped compressed pu'er (or lu cha)] 紧茶 jin gua cha ['golden melon' pu'er] 金瓜茶 lao cha tou ['old tea head(s),' i.e. the nuggets left over at the bottom of a wo dui pile of pu'er] 老茶头 tuan cha ['round tea,' i.e. ball-shaped compressed pu'er] 团茶 tuo cha [bowl-shaped compressed pu'er; note: there are several characters pronounced 'tuo2'; the original meaning of 'tuo cha' is disputed] 沱茶 xiao tuo cha [mini tuo cha] 小沱茶 zhuan cha [oblong brick-shaped compressed pu'er] 砖茶 Some Hei Cha Types: guang xi liu bao cha [basket-compressed hei cha produced in Liu Bao, Guangxi province] 廣西六堡茶 liu an cha [hei cha produced in Liu An county, Anhui province] 六安茶 qian lang cha ['thousand tael tea,' a hei cha produced in Hunan province, compressed into a 40-kg cylindrical shape] 千两茶 xiang liu an cha ['fragrant Liu An' tea] 香六安茶 zhu qiao cha [= zhu ke cha, 'bamboo shell/crust tea,' a hei cha produced in Guangdong province] 竹壳茶 Other Useful Terms: chen nian pu'er cha [lit. 'old year pu'er tea,' i.e. aged pu'er tea] 陈年普耳茶 da ye ['big leaf,' a type of pu'er processed from large-leaf tea plants] 大叶 or 大葉 gan cang ['dry storage'] 干倉 ji zhi qing ['machine dried,' lit. 'machine-made blue/green,' said of mao cha that is mechanically dried rather than sun-dried] 机制青 mao cha ['rough/unprocessed tea,' the loose dried leaf ready to be compressed into pu'er] 毛茶 mian zhi ['cotton paper,' the paper wrapper for pu'er cakes] 棉纸 nei fei [lit 'inside quick,' the identifying label embedded in a pu'er cake] 内飞 nei piao [an 'inner ticket,' wrapped with but not embedded in the cake] 内票 qi zi ['seven sons,' i.e. a stack of seven bing cha] 七子 sha qing ['kill green,' the heating process whereby oxidation is halted] 杀青 shai qing ['sun dried,' lit. 'sun blue/green,' said e.g. of mao cha that has first undergone sha qing, and is then spread out to dry in the sun] 晒青 shi cang ['wet storage'] 濕倉 tong ['tube,' a qi zi stack of seven bing cha] 筒 wo dui ['wet pile,' a storage process for making shu pu'er] 渥堆 Tea-Ware [cha ju, 茶具] Teapot Terminology: ce bei ['side cup' or 'auxiliary cup'; essentially a gai wan with handle and spout] 側杯 cha cheng [teapot platform, e.g. of clay, for gongfu cha] 茶承 cha chuan [lit 'tea boat' -- hot-water dish for keeping teapot warm] 茶船 cha hai [lit 'tea sea' -- either the pitcher (cf gong dao bei) or a tray (cf cha pan and cha chen)] 茶海 cha hu [teapot, although this can cover a number of different shapes of vessels, like the ce bei or gong dao bei] 茶壺 duan ni2 [lit 'layered clay'; a pale clay that can be colored; used for some Yixing teaware] 段泥 gong dao bei [lit 'justice vessel,' i.e. sharing pitcher for gong fu cha] 公道杯 hei ni ['black clay' used for some Yixing teaware] 黑泥 hong ni [ordinary 'red clay' sometimes passed off as true zhu ni, which is now extinct] 紅 泥 huang ni ['yellow clay' used for some Yixing teaware] 黄泥 lu ni ['green clay' used for some Yixing teaware] 绿泥 tiao sha ['mixed/blended sand,' the composite of clay and sand that gives some Yixing pots their grainy 'pearskin' texture] 调 砂 yang hu ['pet pot' -- a favorite or cherished teapot that is carefully collected, tended, and 'raised' for its appearance] 養壺 Yi Xing [county-level city in Jiangsu province where real 'Yixing' clay is dug] 宜兴 zhu ni [the 'vermilion clay' so prized for Yixing pots -- genuine zhu ni pots being rare and costly nowadays] 朱泥 zi ni ['purple clay' used for some Yixing teaware] 紫泥 zi sha ['purple sand,' the dark substance commonly used for Yixing teaware] 紫砂 Bowls and Cups: [Cantcha bei [lit 'tea cup,' which can also include modern mugs] 茶 杯 cha wan [tea bowl, esp. the larger size used in the Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties] 茶碗 cha zhong [cf 'zhong'] 茶盅 cha zi [tea mug, typically with lid; probably shorthand for cha(bei)zi; note: this is cha2 zi5, not cha1 zi5 叉子, which is 'fork'] 茶(杯)子 gai bei [ ~ gai wan or zhong] 盖杯 gai wan [lit 'covered bowl,' i.e. the lidded cup used for brewing tea: see also 'gai bei' and esp. 'zhong'] 盖碗 pin ming bei [tasting cup, lit 'produced/made tea cup'] 品茗杯 tuo pan [lit 'support/hold tray,' i.e. individual tray for the pin ming bei and wen xiang bei in gongfu cha] 托盘 wen xiang bei [aroma cup, lit 'sniff fragrance cup'] 闻香杯 Tea Implements: [cha dao, 茶道] cha chi [tea scraper, lit 'tea spoon,' for nudging tea into the teapot] 茶匙 cha jia [tea tongs] 茶夾 cha diao [tea pick] 茶雕 [also cha tong 'tea open(er)' 茶通] cha lou [tea funnel] 茶漏 [note that this is different from cha lou2, 'tea house'] cha shao [tea scoop] 茶勺 [also cha ze 'tea chooser' 茶則] cha zha chi [tea dregs scraper, for cleaning out a teapot] 茶渣匙 Other Tea-Ware Vocabulary: cha gang [tea-leaf jar] 茶缸 cha he [lit 'tea lotus,' a small dish for measuring and displaying dry tea leaf before brewing] 茶荷 cha ji [small tea-table] 茶几 cha jin [tea cloth, for spills] 茶巾 cha pan [tea tray, e.g. of bamboo, for gongfu cha] 茶 盤 cha qi [tea set] 茶器 [note that this is different from 茶气 , also cha qi4, 'vital energy of tea,' and from 茶沏, cha qi1, 'brew tea'] cha yu ['tea basin,' i.e. a waste-water bowl for gongfu cha; cf 'shui fang'] 茶盂 Jing De Zhen [city in Jiangxi province, famous for its porcelain kilns] 景德镇 or, now, 景德镇市 ['Jing De town city,' marking its prefecture-level size] shui fang ['water vessel,' typically a pot for storing fresh water for brewing tea; cf 'cha yu'] 水方 Locales cha chang [tea factory] 茶厂 cha cun [tea farm, lit 'tea village'] 茶村 cha dian [tea shop -- a place to buy tea leaves for brewing at home] 茶店 cha fang [tea house] 茶坊 cha guan [tea house] 茶馆 cha ju dian [tea-ware shop] 茶具店 cha lou [tea house] 茶楼 [note that this is different from cha lou, 'tea funnel'] cha ye dian [tea leaf shop = cha dian] 茶叶店 cha yi guan [tea arts house, i.e. a cha guan where the elaborate preparation and serving of tea is a form of entertainment] 茶艺馆 cha yuan [tea-garden, -plantation, -estate; note: yuan2] 茶园 cha yuan [tea-garden, -park, -house; note: typically yuan4] 茶苑 cha yuan [tea-academy, -institute; note: yuan4] 茶院 Destinations for the Tea Traveller Hong Kong: cha ju wen wu guan [Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, lit 'tea ware culture museum'; 10 Cotton Tree Drive, Hong Kong Park] 茶具文物馆 cha yi le yuan [Best Tea House, lit 'tea art happy garden'; Flat B, 8/F, Ka To Ind Building, 2 Cheung Yue Street, Lai Chi Kok, Hong Kong -- one of the best places in HK to buy tea to brew at home] 茶藝樂園 lian xiang lou ['Lin Heung Tea House,' Cantonese cuisine and dim sum; 160-164 Wellington St, central Hong Kong] 蓮香樓 luk yu cha shi ['Luk Yu Tea Room,' famous old-style Hong Kong dim sum house; 26 Stanley Street, central Hong Kong] 陸羽茶室 Mainland China: hu pao (meng) quan ['Tiger Run (dream) Spring,' the famous spring in Zhejiang province near where long jing cha is grown, and from which it is said the best water for long jing cha is drawn] 虎 跑 (梦) 泉 lu tai cha guan [the 'Terrace Tea House,' traditional tea house in Beijing, just east of the Forbidden City; address: 东华门大街 69号] 露台茶馆 Ma Lian Dao [Xuanwu district, Beijing] -- a street over 1.5 km long with over 600 shops selling tea and tea wares! Be sure to check out the 4-storey Maliandao Tea City, which houses about 200 famous tea companies from all over China. 马连道 wan ling cha wan ['Wan Ling Tea House'; shop A22 at 1829 Beijing West Road, Shanghai] 婉玲茶宛 zhong guo cha du ['China Tea Capital,' a large center in Anxi, Fujian province, showcasing wu long teas] 中国茶都 zhong guo cha ye bo wu guan ['China National Tea Museum,' Longjing Road, Shuangfeng Village, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province -- 中国茶叶博物馆 Taiwan: bie cha yuan ['Tea Academy Annex,' known in English as 'Off-Chaism'; No. 6, Lane 12, Yong Kang Street, Taipei; 別茶院 chan yuan ['Zen Garden,' known in English as 'Shann Garden'; No. 34 Youya Road, Bei-Tou District, Taipei 112 禅園 hui liu ['Return & Remain' -- No. 9, Lane 31, Yong Kang St., Taipei; -- vegetarian food, wild tea, ceramics] 回留 ping lin cha ye bo wu guan [Pinglin Tea Trade Museum, No. 19-1, Sung Chi Keng, Shui Te Tsun, Pinglin;坪林茶業博物館 yeh tang [No. 20-2, Lane 31, Yong Kang Street, Taipei; tel 冶堂 zi teng lu [Wistaria Tea House, lit 'Purple Cane Hut,' 1 Xin Sheng South Road, Section 3, Alley 16, Taipei] -- a historic landmark, meeting-place for political activists, literati, and artists; part of the movie 'Eat Drink Man Woman' was filmed here] 紫藤廬 Purchasing Phrases Delicious! [lit 'good eat'] 好 吃 hao chi! Do you accept credit cards? 信用卡可以吗 ？xin yong ka ke yi ma? Do you speak English? 会说英语吗 ？hui shuo ying yu ma? Do you understand? 懂吗 ？dong ma? Excuse me ... [a polite way to get attention] 劳驾 lao jia ... Good afternoon! 下午好 xia wu hao! Good evening! 晚上好 wan shang hao! Good morning! 早上好 zao shang hao! Good night! [lit 'evening peaceful'] 晚 安 wan an! Goodbye! [lit 'again meet'] 再见 zai jian! Hello! [lit. 'Are you doing well?'] 你好吗 ni hao ma? [answered with 'I (am) very well,' 我很好 wo hen hao] How much does it cost? [lit 'How much money?'] 多少钱 ? duo shao qian? How old is it? 有多少年份？you duo shao nian fen? I don't understand Chinese. 我不懂中文 wo bu dong zhong wen. I need an interpreter. 我需要翻译 wo xu yao fan yi. I want to buy ... 想买。。。xiang mai ... I'll take both of them. [lit 'both item both request'] 两个都要 liang ge dou yao. I'll take this one. [lit 'please, allow me this item'] 请给我这个 qing gei wo zhe ge. I'm just looking. 随便看看 sui bian kan kan. Is that so? ['Indeed?'] 是吗？shi ma? It goes down smoothly. [lit 'smooth/favorable mouth'; said of delicious tea] 順口 May I ask you ...? [lit 'please inquire'; a polite way of getting conversational attention] 请‭ ‬问 。。。 qing wen ... May I have your (sur)name? [lit 'you valuable (sur)name?'] 您贵姓？nin gui xing? -- answered with 'my (sur)name (is) ...'] 我姓 。。。 wo xing ... May I taste this tea? 我可不可以品试这个茶 ？wo ke bu ke yi pin shi zhe ge cha? May I use a credit card? 信用卡，可以吗？ xin yong ka, ke yi ma? No. 沒有 mei2 you3 No problem! [i.e. 'Not to worry!' or 'Never mind!'] 没关系 mei guan xi! No problem! [i.e. 'Sure!' lit 'not inquire thing'] 没问题 mei wen ti! Okay, I'll buy it. 好，我买了 hao, wo mai le. Please show it to me [lit 'allow me look at it'] 给我看一下 gei wo kan yi xia. Please show me ... [lit 'please allow me take a look at ...] 请让我看看 。。。 qing rang wo kan kan ... Please write it in hanzi [Chinese characters]. 请用汉字写。qing yong han zi xie. Please write it in pinyin [roman letters]. 请用拼音写。qing yong pin yin xie. Pleased to meet you! [lit 'meet you, I very high interest'] 见到你，我很高兴 jian dao ni, wo hen gao xing! Thank you! 谢 谢 xie xie! [answered with 'you're welcome!' 不客气 bu ke qi! (lit 'not guest energy'), or 不用 谢 bu yong xie! (lit 'not use thanks')] Thank you very much! [lit 'not ordinary feel thanks'] 非常感谢 fei chang gan xie! This is my e-mail (address). 这是我 的 e-mail。zhe shi wo de e-mail. This is the best (one). 这最好。zhe zui hao. Very good! 很好 ! hen hao! What is the price? 是 什么价格？ shi shen me jia ge? Where can I find ...? 我 能在哪里找到 。。。？ wo neng zai na li zhao dao ...? Yes. 对的 dui de Yes. 是的 shi de Miscellaneous bei di xiang ['cup bottom fragrance,' the aroma left in the cup after the tea has been drunk] 杯底香 cha qi [to brew/infuse (tea); cf. pao] 茶沏 ; note that this word is qi. cha qi 茶气 [traditional form 氣], a different term, would signify the vital energy (qi or ch'i) in tea. gong fu cha [skilled preparation and serving of tea, esp. oolongs] 工夫茶 or 功夫茶 hou zi cai ['monkey-picked,' said of rare or difficult-to-harvest teas] 猴子采 hui gan ['recurring sweetness,' the sweet aftertaste experienced by breathing in after swallowing certain teas, esp. oolongs] 回甘 jia ji ['Grade A'] 甲级 ji pin ['top grade,' best quality] 级品 ke [gramme of weight] 剋 [克] kou gan ['mouth feel,' the perceived texture and density of the tea liquor in the mouth] 口感 ming qian ['pre-qing-ming'] harvested before the qing ming festival 明前 nai xiang ['milk fragrance,' a characteristic taste/aftertaste of prized Taiwan oolongs typically produced from the jin xuan cultivar] 乃香 nong xiang [lit 'dense fragrance,' due to heavier oxidation; cf. qing xiang] 浓香 pao [infuse, steep] 泡 qing ming [the 'clear-bright' festival in April; for the most part, ming qian tea, i.e. the tea harvested pre-qing-ming, is reputedly the best] 清明 qing xiang [lit 'clear fragrance,' a result of little or no oxidation; cf. nong xiang] 清香 shan ['mountain,' whether a single peak or an entire range] 山 you ji ['organic'] 有机 yun ['aftertaste,' lit 'rhyme'] 韵       Journeys in time 2010-06-24 China´s intangible cultural heritage (8)- Tieguanyin tea (30 Minute Documentary)       Tea culture Part 1 - VIDEO Tea culture Part 2                           Best-loved... Tea has been a deeply-rooted part of Chinese life since it first rose to popularity more than... The way to sip tea People of Gannan drink tea three times a day. In the morning, they drink morning tea containing... If You're... As a foreigner in China, if you want to “do in Roman as the Romans do” and make friends with... Difference... Though born from Chinese rituals which have their roots in Zen Buddhism, the Japanese and Chinese... Chinese Tea Party The Chinese take their tea seriously. Everyone, from taxi drivers to company presidents, drinks... Advantages of... Tea has been one of the daily necessities in China since time immemorial. Countless numbers of... China's... Tea is produced in vast areas of China from Hainan lsland down in the extreme south to Shandong... Tea houses where... THE art of tea is an intrinsic part of culture in China, the kingdom of tea. In fact, tea is a... The story of the Pu'er Tea 普洱茶 the famous red tea of China. Chinese green tea -Tie Guan Yin’s story 铁观音 Magic Tibetan Tea - Po Cha 'Tibetan Butter Tea'   'jiang gu shi'  Storyteller  HOME                 Graeme has been using ChinesePod since 2007 "I highly recommend ChinesePod, I haven't found any Online teaching programmes that come close."         Set in Zanzibar in 1910, it is the story of two people from different worlds falling in love. Susan immerses herself in Zanzibar. Asim falls in love with this woman from the nation that killed his wife. Susan is a spy. Asim is the chief advisor to the Sultan of Zanzibar. Germany and France are holding secret negotiations to form a Pan European alliance, which would isolate Britain and destroy her power. Susan and Asim are caught up in all this and their love is finally dashed on the cold, hard reality of international high politics.     Available on Amazon's Kindle $4.99 - Over 400 Pages          Chapter One Zanzibar 'A maharaja’s ruby cast on a Persian carpet by the blackest of hands'     Their souls danced, honouring his promise. The ancient dhow stirred in the soft morning breeze. Like a sleepy lion, it began to move through the water, snuffling about the other boats on the harbour; some scurrying, some at anchor, some darting before a brief gust of wind. The lateen sails a bustling panorama of blood-red and sun-bleached white. Aft, the woman's eyes searched the skyline, drinking in the architecture of Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar; its jagged, cluttered silhouette so familiar, so much a part of her soul. Abruptly, her eyes ceased their restless searching, jagged by an invisible hook, transfixed by the grand buildings on the northern shore, Beit-al-Ajaib, the House of Wonders, Palace to the great Sultan of Zanzibar. The distinctive architecture captured in the tropical light: coconut white outlined by contrasting shadow plays of pepper black. A smile, ever so slight, started to play on the edge of her mouth then disappeared. A memory that should have been fond instantly turned to sharp unbearable pain. Her eyes hardened and moved on. Without warning the captain threw the rudder over. Stumbling, the woman barked her shin on a wooden box, a rough-hewn coffin. She recoiled, knocking over an untidy stack of cane baskets. Imprisoned in the baskets, rusty cockerels, their scruffy heads straining through the latticework, snapped at her, cried out to her; their raucous din overwhelming her, drowning her. Dimly, through the fog of noise, the strident swearing of the sailors in Kiswahili seeped into her conscious. Understanding, she smiled mirthlessly. The coffin had been carelessly stowed, a chore, rather than a labour of respect or love.         London 1910   “Hello, who are you? I am Oliver, is Edward at home?” The words were spoken by a tall, impeccably dressed young man as he rushed into Edward’s flat shaking off surplus water and calling for whisky while shoving his umbrella into a stand. It was a blustery, grey, bitterly cold February afternoon in the heart of London. He brushed a curl of soft auburn hair from his forehead and smiled charmingly. Susan laughed, her hazel eyes dancing with the exhilaration of the new. “Yes, he is having a bath. I think he is trying to get warm. I’m Susan, Susan Carey, his sister.” “Ahhh yes, from Australia. How do you do?” said Sir Oliver, smiling broadly and offering his hand. He noticed the laughter in her eyes, and the depth, particularly the depth, intensified by jade flecks that made them striking and alluring. “So, you have arrived, good trip I trust.” “I am very well thank you, and yes, it was a good trip,” replied Susan. He laughed and glanced at the sitting room, “whisky?” “Oh, I’m sorry, please come in…….. that was silly of me, after all, it is your flat.” Oliver smiled and gestured for Susan to lead the way. He followed her into the room, and after helping himself to a generous portion of whisky, walked over to the fire. Shortly after, Edward, wrapped in a huge ruby-coloured dressing gown and wiping soap from his ear strode into the room. He was of similar age to Oliver, late twenties, well built, if slightly podgy, with dark auburn hair and a full moustache. Susan looked up and smiled to herself, she could see now where he had picked up some of his new mannerisms. “Thought I could hear voices. I see you two have met, no need for introductions then.” As he was speaking, Edward walked to the side table and grabbed a whisky decanter by the neck. He glanced at Oliver who nodded. A long finger snaked into one of the tumblers followed by the distinctive clink of crystal. He swept the decanter off the table and carried it to where Oliver was sitting. After pouring the whisky, he sank into a lounge chair and sipped from his glass, enjoying the warm glow as it spread through his body. Suddenly he sat up exclaiming, “Sorry sis, would you like something to drink?” “Kind of you to remember, but no thank you, and yes, Oliver has already inquired.” Edward nodded and sank back into his lounge chair. They chatted, tentatively at first, getting to know one another. Edward had not seen Susan for two years and was unsure how his sister would take his new relationship. Oliver was intrigued by Susan. An attractive, self-assured young lady of high intelligence with a degree was a rare find. And, as fate would have it, she was also a trained and experienced teacher. He suggested a picnic at Oxford, which was met with ready acquiescence. Arrangements were made for the following Sunday. “I’ll see if the Rolls is available,” mused Oliver. “Must ring father, haven’t spoken to him in ages.” Oliver, Sir Oliver Marchmaine, was an unaffected young man of intense intelligence who saw life as a great adventure to be lived to the full. He was also unyieldingly loyal to his country, England, which is why he had joined Military Intelligence on leaving Oxford. It was 1910 and Europe was stirring. It was a time full of interest, intrigue and danger. The European chessboard was becoming increasingly complex, the moves more subtle. A time when an unexpected move or feint could have profound consequences.     Regaining her balance, the woman’s eyes were drawn, hesitantly at first, resisting back to Beit-al-Ajaib. She wondered if it was still the same. Still the same centre of power and intrigue that had been so much a part of her life all those years before; that had defined her life. She remembered those first few moments, remembered standing in the foyer of the palace, .………… remembered the breathtakingly beautiful Persian tapestry ........ The sea breeze stirred her clothes. She smiled a little sadly, and in her mind the tapestry gently swayed. Two small apparitions ran giggling up the stairs: two small exquisitely rich burkas disappearing along the first floor landing. Childish squeals of mischief and joy left in the air....... “Move to seaward, you accused of Allah! Move!” Her thoughts were clawed back to the dhow, the captain crashing the tiller over to avoid another boat on the crowded harbour. The woman instinctively ducked her head to avoid the heavy boom as it swung over her, the rusty cockerels squawked their raucous indignation, their heads straining through the latticework, relentless. The collision avoided, the dhow continued on its way. The cacophony dying down to the occasional command by the captain or the cry of a seagull. The woman's thoughts returned to Beit-al-Ajaib   …………. laughing and giggling, girls of seven or eight. A door on the first floor slammed and all sounds of them disappeared. Silence. The woman smiled. She could see herself, a young woman, dressed plainly, unselfconsciously, her sexuality tantalisingly just out of reach, hidden beneath the thin veil of her clothing. She remembered standing alone in the foyer, looking around, perplexed. Asim came through a door to the left of the tapestry. “Salaam.” The woman started and looked around. Then, realising, was cold again. Alone again. Alone, rocking to and fro to the rythm of the sea. Alone, beside a rough-hewn coffin.           Now Available on Amazon's Kindle $4.99 - Over 400 Pages

戴绿帽子

dài  lǜ mào' zi

dye loo mao zer

Wear a Green Hat

The Story

Hundreds of years ago in a small China village a businessman and his wife lived. The businessman had to walk from village to village to find work, so he was often away.

His wife started an affair with the local tailor.

She gave her husband a green hat to wear so she would know when he was returning home.

Everyone in the village knew about the affair, except the businessman.

He wore his hat proudly and strode home through the village to his loving wife.

From that time if you wanted to imply that a wife was having an affair, you would say that she has given her husband a green hat.

It is therefore one of the least appropriate gifts you can give a man in China.

Women can wear green hats in China. For years, however, you would be hard pressed to find a green hat of any variety in China.

Other Gifts best avoided

1. Clocks
Clocks of any type should be avoided because 送鐘 (sòng zhōng, send clock) sounds like 送終 (sòng zhōng, the funeral ritual). Clocks also symbolize time is running out; therefore, the end of relationships and life are the messages that are sent when a clock is given as a gift.

2. Handkerchief
To give handkerchiefs (送巾, sòng jīn) sounds like 斷根 (duàngēn), a farewell greeting. This gift is especially inappropriate for a boyfriend or girlfriend unless you want to break up.

3. Towels
Towels are usually given out at funerals, so avoid this gift because it brings sad memories of funerals and death.

4. Umbrella
Offering your friend an umbrella may seem an innocent gesture. However, it means you want to end your friendship with him or her. If it is raining and you are worried he or she will get wet, it’s better for both of you to huddle under your umbrella until you reach your friend’s destination. Then, take the umbrella back home with you.

5. Sharp Objects Like Knives and Scissors
Giving sharp objects that are used to cut things symbolize that you want to sever a friendship or relationship.

6. Cut Flowers Particularly Yellow Chrysanthemums/White Flowers
White flowers are used at funerals, so giving white flowers is synonymous with death.

7. Gifts in Sets of Four
Gifts in sets of four are not good because 四 (sì, four) sounds like 死 (sǐ, death).

8. Shoes, Particularly Straw Sandals
Giving shoes 送鞋子 (sòng xiézi, give shoes) sounds similar to break up. Also giving two shoes sends the message that you want the person to go his or her separate way; thus, ending your friendship.

9. Green Hat
A green hat refers to the phrase in Chinese 帶綠帽 (dài lǜ mào, with green hat) which implies that a man’s wife is unfaithful. Why green? A turtle is green and turtles hide their heads in their shells, so calling someone a ‘turtle’ will get you in trouble because it like calling the person a coward.

10. Anything in White or Black
These colors are often used during funerals so presents, wrapping paper and envelopes in these colors should be avoided.

'jiang gu shi'

 讲故事

  Storyteller 

HOME

Graeme has been using ChinesePod since 2007

"I highly recommend ChinesePod, I haven't found any Online teaching programmes that come close."

Set in Zanzibar in 1910, it is the story of two people from different worlds falling in love. Susan immerses herself in Zanzibar. Asim falls in love with this woman from the nation that killed his wife. Susan is a spy. Asim is the chief advisor to the Sultan of Zanzibar. Germany and France are holding secret negotiations to form a Pan European alliance, which would isolate Britain and destroy her power. Susan and Asim are caught up in all this and their love is finally dashed on the cold, hard reality of international high politics.

Available on Amazon's Kindle $4.99 - Over 400 Pages

 Chapter One

Zanzibar

'A maharaja’s ruby cast on a Persian carpet by the blackest of hands'

Their souls danced, honouring his promise.

The ancient dhow stirred in the soft morning breeze. Like a sleepy lion, it began to move through the water, snuffling about the other boats on the harbour; some scurrying, some at anchor, some darting before a brief gust of wind. The lateen sails a bustling panorama of blood-red and sun-bleached white.

Aft, the woman's eyes searched the skyline, drinking in the architecture of Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar; its jagged, cluttered silhouette so familiar, so much a part of her soul.

Abruptly, her eyes ceased their restless searching, jagged by an invisible hook, transfixed by the grand buildings on the northern shore, Beit-al-Ajaib, the House of Wonders, Palace to the great Sultan of Zanzibar. The distinctive architecture captured in the tropical light: coconut white outlined by contrasting shadow plays of pepper black.

A smile, ever so slight, started to play on the edge of her mouth then disappeared. A memory that should have been fond instantly turned to sharp unbearable pain. Her eyes hardened and moved on.

Without warning the captain threw the rudder over. Stumbling, the woman barked her shin on a wooden box, a rough-hewn coffin. She recoiled, knocking over an untidy stack of cane baskets. Imprisoned in the baskets, rusty cockerels, their scruffy heads straining through the latticework, snapped at her, cried out to her; their raucous din overwhelming her, drowning her.

Dimly, through the fog of noise, the strident swearing of the sailors in Kiswahili seeped into her conscious. Understanding, she smiled mirthlessly.

The coffin had been carelessly stowed, a chore, rather than a labour of respect or love.

London 1910

“Hello, who are you? I am Oliver, is Edward at home?”

The words were spoken by a tall, impeccably dressed young man as he rushed into Edward’s flat shaking off surplus water and calling for whisky while shoving his umbrella into a stand. It was a blustery, grey, bitterly cold February afternoon in the heart of London. He brushed a curl of soft auburn hair from his forehead and smiled charmingly.

Susan laughed, her hazel eyes dancing with the exhilaration of the new. “Yes, he is having a bath. I think he is trying to get warm. I’m Susan, Susan Carey, his sister.”

“Ahhh yes, from Australia. How do you do?” said Sir Oliver, smiling broadly and offering his hand. He noticed the laughter in her eyes, and the depth, particularly the depth, intensified by jade flecks that made them striking and alluring. “So, you have arrived, good trip I trust.”

“I am very well thank you, and yes, it was a good trip,” replied Susan.

He laughed and glanced at the sitting room, “whisky?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, please come in…….. that was silly of me, after all, it is your flat.”

Oliver smiled and gestured for Susan to lead the way. He followed her into the room, and after helping himself to a generous portion of whisky, walked over to the fire.

Shortly after, Edward, wrapped in a huge ruby-coloured dressing gown and wiping soap from his ear strode into the room. He was of similar age to Oliver, late twenties, well built, if slightly podgy, with dark auburn hair and a full moustache. Susan looked up and smiled to herself, she could see now where he had picked up some of his new mannerisms.

“Thought I could hear voices. I see you two have met, no need for introductions then.”

As he was speaking, Edward walked to the side table and grabbed a whisky decanter by the neck. He glanced at Oliver who nodded. A long finger snaked into one of the tumblers followed by the distinctive clink of crystal. He swept the decanter off the table and carried it to where Oliver was sitting. After pouring the whisky, he sank into a lounge chair and sipped from his glass, enjoying the warm glow as it spread through his body.

Suddenly he sat up exclaiming, “Sorry sis, would you like something to drink?”

“Kind of you to remember, but no thank you, and yes, Oliver has already inquired.”

Edward nodded and sank back into his lounge chair.

They chatted, tentatively at first, getting to know one another. Edward had not seen Susan for two years and was unsure how his sister would take his new relationship. Oliver was intrigued by Susan. An attractive, self-assured young lady of high intelligence with a degree was a rare find. And, as fate would have it, she was also a trained and experienced teacher. He suggested a picnic at Oxford, which was met with ready acquiescence. Arrangements were made for the following Sunday.

“I’ll see if the Rolls is available,” mused Oliver. “Must ring father, haven’t spoken to him in ages.”

Oliver, Sir Oliver Marchmaine, was an unaffected young man of intense intelligence who saw life as a great adventure to be lived to the full. He was also unyieldingly loyal to his country, England, which is why he had joined Military Intelligence on leaving Oxford.

It was 1910 and Europe was stirring. It was a time full of interest, intrigue and danger. The European chessboard was becoming increasingly complex, the moves more subtle. A time when an unexpected move or feint could have profound consequences.

Regaining her balance, the woman’s eyes were drawn, hesitantly at first, resisting back to Beit-al-Ajaib. She wondered if it was still the same. Still the same centre of power and intrigue that had been so much a part of her life all those years before; that had defined her life.

She remembered those first few moments, remembered standing in the foyer of the palace, .………… remembered the breathtakingly beautiful Persian tapestry ........

The sea breeze stirred her clothes. She smiled a little sadly, and in her mind the tapestry gently swayed. Two small apparitions ran giggling up the stairs: two small exquisitely rich burkas disappearing along the first floor landing. Childish squeals of mischief and joy left in the air.......

“Move to seaward, you accused of Allah! Move!”

Her thoughts were clawed back to the dhow, the captain crashing the tiller over to avoid another boat on the crowded harbour. The woman instinctively ducked her head to avoid the heavy boom as it swung over her, the rusty cockerels squawked their raucous indignation, their heads straining through the latticework, relentless.

The collision avoided, the dhow continued on its way. The cacophony dying down to the occasional command by the captain or the cry of a seagull.

The woman's thoughts returned to Beit-al-Ajaib

  …………. laughing and giggling, girls of seven or eight. A door on the first floor slammed and all sounds of them disappeared. Silence. The woman smiled. She could see herself, a young woman, dressed plainly, unselfconsciously, her sexuality tantalisingly just out of reach, hidden beneath the thin veil of her clothing. She remembered standing alone in the foyer, looking around, perplexed. Asim came through a door to the left of the tapestry.

“Salaam.”

The woman started and looked around. Then, realising, was cold again. Alone again. Alone, rocking to and fro to the rythm of the sea. Alone, beside a rough-hewn coffin.

Now Available on Amazon's Kindle $4.99 - Over 400 Pages

Naxi Marriage Ceremony

Brides and grooms kiss each other during their wedding in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 6, 2011. At the Qixi Festival, or the Chinese Valentine's Day, three couples got married in Lijiang city and held their wedding in the traditional way of the Naxi ethnic group.

Friends and relatives of grooms and brides dance and sing around the campfire in a court in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 6, 2011. At the Qixi Festival, or the Chinese Valentine's Day, three couples got married in Lijiang city and held their wedding in the traditional way of the Naxi ethnic group.

A groom gives a ring to his wife during their wedding in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 6, 2011. At the Qixi Festival, or the Chinese Valentine's Day, three couples got married in Lijiang city and held their wedding in the traditional way of the Naxi ethnic group.

Brides, riding on the horses, parade with the company of their grooms, on a street in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 6, 2011. At the Qixi Festival, or the Chinese Valentine's Day, three couples got married in Lijiang city and held their wedding in the traditional way of the Naxi ethnic group

Grooms carry brides on their back, receiving blessing from the crowds, during their wedding in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 6, 2011. At the Qixi Festival, or the Chinese Valentine's Day, three couples got married in Lijiang city and held their wedding in the traditional way of the Naxi ethnic group.

Old women of the Naxi ethnic group comb brides' hair in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 6, 2011. At the Qixi Festival, or the Chinese Valentine's Day, three couples got married in Lijiang city and held their wedding in the traditional way of the Naxi ethnic group.

New couples float lanterns on a river during their wedding in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 6, 2011. At the Qixi Festival, or the Chinese Valentine's Day, three couples got married in Lijiang city and held their wedding in the traditional way of the Naxi ethnic group.

New couples show their "marriage certificates" written in characters of the Dongba language of the Naxi ethnic group during their wedding in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 6, 2011. At the Qixi Festival, or the Chinese Valentine's Day, three couples got married in Lijiang city and held their wedding in the traditional way of the Naxi ethnic group.

The Nakhi 纳西族, pinyin: Nàxī zú, are an ethnic group inhabiting the foothills of the Himalayas in the northwestern part of Yunnan Province, as well as the southwestern part of Sichuan Province in China.

The Nakhi are thought to have come originally from Tibet and, until recently, maintained overland trading links with Lhasa and India. They were brought to the attention of the world by two men: the American botanist Joseph Rock and the Russian Taoist doctor Peter Goullart, both of whom lived in Lijiang and travelled throughout the area during the early 20th century. Peter Goullart's book Forgotten Kingdom describes the life and beliefs of the Nakhi and neighbouring peoples, while Joseph Rock's legacy includes diaries, maps, and photographs of the region.

The Nakhi form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. The official Chinese government classification classes the Mosuo as part of the Nakhi people. However, despite similar origins and very striking resemblances from a linguistic point of view, the two groups are now culturally distinct, the Nakhi more influenced by Han Chinese culture, the Mosuo more influenced by Tibetan culture.

'jiang gu shi'

  讲故事

  Storyteller  

  HOME

Graeme has been using ChinesePod since 2007

"I highly recommend ChinesePod, I haven't found any Online teaching programmes that come close."

Set in Zanzibar in 1910, it is the story of two people from different worlds falling in love. Susan immerses herself in Zanzibar. Asim falls in love with this woman from the nation that killed his wife. Susan is a spy. Asim is the chief advisor to the Sultan of Zanzibar. Germany and France are holding secret negotiations to form a Pan European alliance, which would isolate Britain and destroy her power. Susan and Asim are caught up in all this and their love is finally dashed on the cold, hard reality of international high politics.

Available on Amazon's Kindle $4.99 - Over 400 Pages

 Chapter One

Zanzibar

'A maharaja’s ruby cast on a Persian carpet by the blackest of hands'

Their souls danced, honouring his promise.

The ancient dhow stirred in the soft morning breeze. Like a sleepy lion, it began to move through the water, snuffling about the other boats on the harbour; some scurrying, some at anchor, some darting before a brief gust of wind. The lateen sails a bustling panorama of blood-red and sun-bleached white.

Aft, the woman's eyes searched the skyline, drinking in the architecture of Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar; its jagged, cluttered silhouette so familiar, so much a part of her soul.

Abruptly, her eyes ceased their restless searching, jagged by an invisible hook, transfixed by the grand buildings on the northern shore, Beit-al-Ajaib, the House of Wonders, Palace to the great Sultan of Zanzibar. The distinctive architecture captured in the tropical light: coconut white outlined by contrasting shadow plays of pepper black.

A smile, ever so slight, started to play on the edge of her mouth then disappeared. A memory that should have been fond instantly turned to sharp unbearable pain. Her eyes hardened and moved on.

Without warning the captain threw the rudder over. Stumbling, the woman barked her shin on a wooden box, a rough-hewn coffin. She recoiled, knocking over an untidy stack of cane baskets. Imprisoned in the baskets, rusty cockerels, their scruffy heads straining through the latticework, snapped at her, cried out to her; their raucous din overwhelming her, drowning her.

Dimly, through the fog of noise, the strident swearing of the sailors in Kiswahili seeped into her conscious. Understanding, she smiled mirthlessly.

The coffin had been carelessly stowed, a chore, rather than a labour of respect or love.

London 1910

“Hello, who are you? I am Oliver, is Edward at home?”

The words were spoken by a tall, impeccably dressed young man as he rushed into Edward’s flat shaking off surplus water and calling for whisky while shoving his umbrella into a stand. It was a blustery, grey, bitterly cold February afternoon in the heart of London. He brushed a curl of soft auburn hair from his forehead and smiled charmingly.

Susan laughed, her hazel eyes dancing with the exhilaration of the new. “Yes, he is having a bath. I think he is trying to get warm. I’m Susan, Susan Carey, his sister.”

“Ahhh yes, from Australia. How do you do?” said Sir Oliver, smiling broadly and offering his hand. He noticed the laughter in her eyes, and the depth, particularly the depth, intensified by jade flecks that made them striking and alluring. “So, you have arrived, good trip I trust.”

“I am very well thank you, and yes, it was a good trip,” replied Susan.

He laughed and glanced at the sitting room, “whisky?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, please come in…….. that was silly of me, after all, it is your flat.”

Oliver smiled and gestured for Susan to lead the way. He followed her into the room, and after helping himself to a generous portion of whisky, walked over to the fire.

Shortly after, Edward, wrapped in a huge ruby-coloured dressing gown and wiping soap from his ear strode into the room. He was of similar age to Oliver, late twenties, well built, if slightly podgy, with dark auburn hair and a full moustache. Susan looked up and smiled to herself, she could see now where he had picked up some of his new mannerisms.

“Thought I could hear voices. I see you two have met, no need for introductions then.”

As he was speaking, Edward walked to the side table and grabbed a whisky decanter by the neck. He glanced at Oliver who nodded. A long finger snaked into one of the tumblers followed by the distinctive clink of crystal. He swept the decanter off the table and carried it to where Oliver was sitting. After pouring the whisky, he sank into a lounge chair and sipped from his glass, enjoying the warm glow as it spread through his body.

Suddenly he sat up exclaiming, “Sorry sis, would you like something to drink?”

“Kind of you to remember, but no thank you, and yes, Oliver has already inquired.”

Edward nodded and sank back into his lounge chair.

They chatted, tentatively at first, getting to know one another. Edward had not seen Susan for two years and was unsure how his sister would take his new relationship. Oliver was intrigued by Susan. An attractive, self-assured young lady of high intelligence with a degree was a rare find. And, as fate would have it, she was also a trained and experienced teacher. He suggested a picnic at Oxford, which was met with ready acquiescence. Arrangements were made for the following Sunday.

“I’ll see if the Rolls is available,” mused Oliver. “Must ring father, haven’t spoken to him in ages.”

Oliver, Sir Oliver Marchmaine, was an unaffected young man of intense intelligence who saw life as a great adventure to be lived to the full. He was also unyieldingly loyal to his country, England, which is why he had joined Military Intelligence on leaving Oxford.

It was 1910 and Europe was stirring. It was a time full of interest, intrigue and danger. The European chessboard was becoming increasingly complex, the moves more subtle. A time when an unexpected move or feint could have profound consequences.

Regaining her balance, the woman’s eyes were drawn, hesitantly at first, resisting back to Beit-al-Ajaib. She wondered if it was still the same. Still the same centre of power and intrigue that had been so much a part of her life all those years before; that had defined her life.

She remembered those first few moments, remembered standing in the foyer of the palace, .………… remembered the breathtakingly beautiful Persian tapestry ........

The sea breeze stirred her clothes. She smiled a little sadly, and in her mind the tapestry gently swayed. Two small apparitions ran giggling up the stairs: two small exquisitely rich burkas disappearing along the first floor landing. Childish squeals of mischief and joy left in the air.......

“Move to seaward, you accused of Allah! Move!”

Her thoughts were clawed back to the dhow, the captain crashing the tiller over to avoid another boat on the crowded harbour. The woman instinctively ducked her head to avoid the heavy boom as it swung over her, the rusty cockerels squawked their raucous indignation, their heads straining through the latticework, relentless.

The collision avoided, the dhow continued on its way. The cacophony dying down to the occasional command by the captain or the cry of a seagull.

The woman's thoughts returned to Beit-al-Ajaib

  …………. laughing and giggling, girls of seven or eight. A door on the first floor slammed and all sounds of them disappeared. Silence. The woman smiled. She could see herself, a young woman, dressed plainly, unselfconsciously, her sexuality tantalisingly just out of reach, hidden beneath the thin veil of her clothing. She remembered standing alone in the foyer, looking around, perplexed. Asim came through a door to the left of the tapestry.

“Salaam.”

The woman started and looked around. Then, realising, was cold again. Alone again. Alone, rocking to and fro to the rythm of the sea. Alone, beside a rough-hewn coffin.

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