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This is a collection of sights, creations, experiences and reflections. Tune in if you're curious and keep an open-mind. If you've got any questions or feedback, please contact me by email at gaoyide.connect@outlook.com


2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 🦁


26/12/18

🎄


xmas1xmas2xmas3xmas4xmas5xmas6

We found a place to get a decent Christmas dinner (French style) in Guangzhou, China. It wasn't quite a match for a turkey sandwich with pickled onions though.


23/12/18

🐱🎉


partycat

Another gift. This cat brings the party.

This wooden cat is made by T-Lab.


22/12/18

☀️


utopawalk1utopawalk2

Beautiful day walking near Utopa Mall, Science City, Guangzhou, China.


22/12/18

🐱🐱🐱


threecats

I like these gifts. These three embrace their unique styles.

These wooden cats are made by T-Lab.


19/11/18

🐾


cruelty

Cruelty Free

The character Budding Pop is an emoji series that is popular for expressing emotions within China through social media.

For more information check out the link: http://www.womenofchina.cn/womenofchina/html1/people/Inspiring/1608/2787-1.htm


27/10/18

🎲


gamecafe1gamecafe2

The usual location of Hobby Lab was no longer an option. After some support we got something going in a Starbucks in Guangzhou, China.

My time as a board game enthusiast in China is documented on Instagram: @darryl.westley #playingboardgamesinchina


20/10/18

🤔


durian

I'm always willing to try durian flavoured anything.


05/10/18

💭


quote10

'Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.' - Charles Caleb Colton

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


02/10/18

🌻


balcony1balcony2balcony3

My balcony needed some attention.


24/09/18

🥮


autumn

Mid-Autumn Festival!


22/09/18

💪👏


climbrace1climbrace2

Climbing competition in Utopa Mall, Guangzhou, China. The speed of the climbers racing up the wall was incredible.


17/09/18

🥚


capsule1capsule2

Possibly the best capsule toy ever!


19/08/18

♻️


reuse1reuse2

recycling + creativity = keeping the inner child alive

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


05/09/18

🌱


study

Study hard!

The character Budding Pop is an emoji series that is popular for expressing emotions within China through social media.

For more information check out the link: http://www.womenofchina.cn/womenofchina/html1/people/Inspiring/1608/2787-1.htm


18/08/18

🐱


cattoy

Thank you for the gift.

This wooden cat is made by T-Lab.


09/08/18

The Great Wall of China


greatwall1greatwall2greatwall3greatwall4

Finally visiting a part of The Great Wall of China after living in China for five years. An inscribed section at the Mutianyu section: 'Once intended to ward off enemy attacks today it brings together the peoples of the world. The Great Wall, may it continue to act as a symbol of friendship for future generations.'


05/08/18

The Forbidden City


forbidden1forbidden2forbidden3forbidden4

I was in my element. A huge site to explore and appreciate.


30/07/18

🌱


sprout

I love these bookmarks. They remind me of Budding Pop.


27/07/18

Between Cornwall and Devon


bridge1bridge2bridge3bridge4

Two bridges (Tamar bridge and Brunel bridge) that seperate two counties in the South West of England, UK.


26/07/18

Devon coastline


hoe1hoe2hoe3hoe4

A stroll along Plymouth Hoe.


24/07/18

🎲


marina1marina2

I joined a friendly Board Game Group for a night of gaming at Marina Bar, Plymouth, UK.


24/07/18

🍃


town1town2town3town4

Back to my roots.


16/07/18

💭


quote9

'Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.' - Abraham Lincoln

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


14/07/18

⛰️


retreat1retreat2retreat3retreat4

A picturesque retreat.


07/07/18

K11


k111k112k113k114

An Art Mall in Guangzhou, China. There was an exhibition by the Japanese artist Keiichi Tanaami.


29/06/18

🌱


determination

Determination!

The character Budding Pop is an emoji series that is popular for expressing emotions within China through social media.

For more information check out the link: http://www.womenofchina.cn/womenofchina/html1/people/Inspiring/1608/2787-1.htm


16/06/18

⚙️🛤️


redtory1redtory2redtory3redtory4

Redtory Art District, Guangzhou, China.


10/06/18

💭


gamep1gamep2gamep3gamep4

Epic gaming session. Thanks for the invite.

My time as a board game enthusiast in China is documented on Instagram: @darryl.westley #playingboardgamesinchina


02/06/18

Can you see the butterfly? 🦋


botanical1botanical2botanical3botanical4botanical5botanical6

South China Botanical Garden, Guangzhou, China.


23/05/18

💭


quote8

'You cannot escape the responsiblity of tomorrow by evading it today.' - Abraham Lincoln

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


20/05/18

Fan Xperience


expo1expo2expo3expo4expo5expo6

An awesome convention in Guangzhou, China. There were lots of Designer Toys for sale, Ron English was there signing! There was a board game section with demo tables to get involved. Great to catch up with friends.


15/05/18

💭


quote7

'A team is not a bunch of people with job titles, but a congregation of individuals, each of whom has a role that is understood by other members.' - Meredith Belbin

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


15/04/18

🎲


hobby1hobby2hobby3hobby4

Board games at Hobby Lab. A group of good people playing games, drinking coffee and eating desserts. What more could you want? Oh and let's not forget 7 player Scythe!

My time as a board game enthusiast in China is documented on Instagram: @darryl.westley #playingboardgamesinchina


13/04/18

💭


quote6

'My favorite things in life don't cost any money. It's really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.' - Steve Jobs

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


31/03/18

🌱


popplush

(・ω・)

The character Budding Pop is an emoji series that is popular for expressing emotions within China through social media.

For more information check out the link: http://www.womenofchina.cn/womenofchina/html1/people/Inspiring/1608/2787-1.htm


31/03/18

🐶🐱


zodiac1zodiac2

The year of man's best friend but what about the cat?

To my knowledge Chinese legend has it that the 12 animals of the Chinese Lunar Calendar were selected by compeition in a great race arranged by the great Jade Emporer. The cat missed the opportunity to race whilst sleeping. It wanted help from the Rat but wasn't woken up because it had bullied it repeatedly. After missing the race, the cat is now a mortal enemy of the Rat, always trying to chase and eat it.

I recently learned that the Cat replaces the Rabbit in the Vietnamese Lunar Calendar. Why is that? Apparently it relates to the legend of Mid-Autumn Festival where Lady Moon took the Rabbit to the Moon Palace. In its absence the Cat took its place in the Lunar Calendar.

Curious as a cat!

I read about it on this website: https://lifestyle.inquirer.net


22/03/18

💓


friendshape

I read this book: Friendshape by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld.


15/02/21

🐶


dog

Happy New Year

新年快乐

Xīnnián kuàilè

All the best for 2018! 🐶


12/02/18

🏙️


peak1peak2

An incredible view of the concrete jungle of Kowloon City, Hong Kong.


10/02/18

🌅


sunset1sunset2

The sun sets after a celebration for a friend's marriage. I'm blessed to have met such a lovely couple in China.


04/02/18

🐉🌉


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Dragon Bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam. The head breathes fire every evening. It was quite a spectacle including the water jets to cool it down afterwards.


04/02/18

✍🏼


4seas

Chalk sign for the Hostel where I was staying. I tried to capture some of the highlights in Da Nang, Vietnam.


02/02/18

☁️ The Pass of Ocean Mist 💦


haivanpass1haivanpass2haivanpass3haivanpass4

I rode Honda Wave along the Hai Van Pass. Amazing route to do on a bike from Da Nang to Hue, highly recommended. On the way there I took the turning that put me on the highway in the rain. Fortunately on the way back I took the safer and more scenic road through the villages.


01/02/18

🏮


hoian1hoian2hoian3hoian4hoian5hoian6

Hoi An is apparently a place to go for a tailored suit. Who knew? It's also breathtakingly beautiful at night with hundreds of glowing lanterns. An ideal location for a romantic walk.


31/01/18

⛰️


halong1halong2halong3halong4

We joined the Golden Bay Classic Cruise for a panoramic view of the naturally shaped limestone island of Halong Bay, Vietnam. Highlights in this area are: Hang Dau Go (large cave with three chambers), Ti Top beach, learning about pearl farming, squid fishing and kawaking. It was good to meet fellow travellers along the way.


28/01/18

🌾


sapa1sapa2sapa3sapa4

I travelled north in an overnight bus to the rural town of Sapa, Vietnam with surrounding villages. I met with a group of tourists and we were guided by a local Siban lady named So. Our journey took us through muddy bamboo forests and past flooded rice terraces. The weather was damp and foggy but people were warm. We stayed with a local family who provided a comfortable bed and a delicious meal. We played board games into the evening and gathered around the fire. The next morning I enjoyed teaching origami to the local children.


26/01/18


hanoi1hanoi2hanoi3hanoi4

In Hanoi, Vietnam there are two wheeled vehnicles everywhere! Taking to the street, meandering through the traffic there is certainly a lot of interesting shops lining the streets. Communism symbolised with the hammer and sickle adorning many buildings.

Guards direct the flow of people near the brightly coloured Presidential Palace. Other notable landmarks were St Joseph's Cathedral, Flag Tower of Hanoi and the Temple of Literature.

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre was a novelty with multiple scenes and the use of slapstick humour.


25/01/18

Peace


peacejourney1peacejourney2

The beginning of a healing journey.


23/01/18

Board Game Day!


gamesday1gamesday2gamesday3gamesday4

Epic gaming session at Board Game Station, Guangzhou, China, 广州市天河区黄埔大道中309号羊城创意园3-09背面2楼. Thanks to those who stayed late so we could try Gloomhaven.

My time as a board game enthusiast in China is documented on Instagram: @darryl.westley #playingboardgamesinchina


21/01/18

🧬


evolve1evolve2

Evolution or devolution?


20/01/18

🤖❤️


robot1robot2

Thank you for the photo frame. Here it is after a little customisation.


20/01/18

💭


quote5

'Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.' - Martin Luther King Jr.

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


14/01/18

🎲


cmon1cmon2cmon3cmon4

CMON China conference at Board Game Station, Guangzhou, 达芬棋桌游概念馆(羊城创意园店) 广州市天河区黄埔大道中309号羊城创意园3-09背面2楼.

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