bosch - totally agreed with you. my 99 came in 2007 for 10 months and she just didn't like it.
my 66 drove her for dim sum everyday. go to shopping or so whenever she wants but she still complaining. as we got only 1 car, and my 66 have to drop off and pick me up to/from work. then my 99 said there is always time constraint for her shopping and "tea-ing" as she need to rush for the time - and saying just like living in jail.
we have chinese channel for the TV, listen to the chinese radio. my area got quite a bit of chinese. but she still saying no good...
we arrange the mahjong player for her every week, but still complaint saying need to drive a long way for just few hours entertainment...
of course she is comparing that she could go to welcome/park'n shop to buy things she want whenever she feel like to...
she can go for dim sum, chinese food just within the estate (less than 10 mins walk) ... and the 7-11 or circle K open 24 hrs. while here no shopping after 8pm...
Mrs. kangaroo - we joined the 10 days tour to huang shan, shanghai, (夢幻黃山,華東名城10天遊) nice places, but food is not o.k. as most of the dishes are veggie, and if you are a meat eatter, you will feel hungry and need to prepare your own snack to crave your hunger.
hotel acoommodation is excellent - all the way 5 stars hotels....
my friend from Australia also join that tour plus the 9 days jours to Beijing (.承德,天津,北京魅力9天遊) .. and she said that's great too.. i am so jealeous and australian got total 4 weeks holiday...
this year, if they still have those $99 tour, i will like to go to 九寨溝,成都,都江堰8天遊