Shanghai Formula One (F1)

The Formula 1 circuit goes through Shanghai on it's world tour.  A few years back Shanghai built a $1 billion track and stadium to attract the race.  Since it was in town, I bought 3 tickets for me and the boys.  We mostly did it to say we had done it and we will probably not do it again.  It was 2100 RMB ($350) per ticket for 3 days of races - 2 qualifying and the final race.  It was cheap getting here so I could justify the expensive tickets since it was still cheaper than flying to Texas (only USA location).  

We wanted to see the race so we got the grandstand seats to allow viewing of the pits and more of the track.  The cheaper seats are in other stands or even on the grass.  It was a great view and there was a roof to cover us from the rain.

The cars were very loud but not as loud as the previous years since the changed the engine.  It wasn't a very interesting race since Hamilton from Mercedes was on the pole position and led the whole race.  There were also no crashes and very few passings.  But hey, "I've done it" and the cars are very fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The drivers circled the track in a double-decker bus.

At the start of the F1 race.

This bringing the tires out to the starting positions.

The pit stops took less than 3 seconds to change tires.
The rules say you have to use 1 tank of gas for a race.

Mark and his friend Markus.

There was big pavilion for shopping, etc.

Friday was practice, Saturday was qualifying and Sunday was
the race.  Saturday it was raining.

This was after qualifying.

He wanted Ferrari, I took Mercedes - Dad won!

To fill the time there was a Porche race.  

Looking out over the parking lot.

The track is less than 10 years old, maybe less than 5.

The stands were full for the Sunday, F1 race.  

The winner's circle - Hamilton from Mercedes.

Daisy's Daddy Daughter Dance

The Girl Scouts here in China are strong, at least in Shanghai.  They even have a group for the young girls below Brownie which is called Daisy's.  Dagny is in her second year and has really enjoyed it.  She has a wonderful vest that has a bunch of patches on it, including a "Daddy Daughter Dance" patch.  

This was our first 'Daddy-Daughter' dance.  It was a formal event at a local hotel.  

Note: Captions from Dagny

This is me (Dagny) going to the Daddy-
Daughter dance.

It was very cool that I (Dagny) got to ride with
my friend in the car who is also going to the
dance.

One of my cats came in the picture too.  He
is called Russ.

I was very excited for the Daddy-Daughter dance.

This is my friend and my other cat Ben.

I went to the hair salon and they did something
very fancy to my hair.

I like my hair a lot so I took a photo of it.

We were going to look for my dress and my Mom
choose a white sweater and blue dress with
very fancy fabric.

And this is me with my friends at the Daddy-Daughter dance.
I was very playful!

I was having very much fun at the Daddy-Daughter dance.

We even got candy!  

I was not just me, the other Daisies did it too.

I had a bag so I could put my candy inside.

The Y - M - C - A song was very fun.

Another dad taking pictures of the girls.  He won the prize for
the tackiest tux.

A selfie with Dad.  I had very fun!

Ying's in Phuket, Thailand

The last stop on our tour of Thailand was the relaxing part of the trip.  We had 3 nights and 4 full days at the JW Marriott in Phuket.  The JW is a beautiful resort that is a bit separated from the main city of Phuket but it had enough on the resort that we never got bored.  

They had a kid slide that they spent most of the first day at.

Much fun.

Dagny made a friend within hours of arrival.  She has a great
way of making friends wherever we go.

Franjipani, just like in Florida (home).

Will had a fishing activity and caught the most (3 in an hour).

These were palm tree seeds but be careful, they sting if their juice
gets on your skin.

They had a flying trapeez activity that we didn't do.

This was the back exit from our suite.

Nice pool that had torches lit at night.

Upper reflecting pool.

Dinner the first night, a bit tired for everyone.

Yawning everywhere.

This was a funny waterfall that was created from a broken
water pipe.  

We went on nice bike rides.  Dagny without training wheels!

A tightrope activity.  It kept them busy for an hour.

Not easy!

Jumping in - daddy and daughter.

A backflip.

All at once

Little crabs on the beach.

A nice beach that was empty for miles and miles.  Not so great
swimming since it got deep very quickly.

A nice walk one afternoon.

In our room there was a great window area
that a futon mattress fit perfectly.  Each kid
had a night in this bed.

Not sure what to say on this one....

Torches lit.