Bright and early doug shows up, we dress. And basically sneak him into our holiday great breakfast.
After eating like it was our last meal we go back to the room, pack for the last time and
Go downstairs to settle our bill.
The english speaking front desk man is trying to charge me for a choxolate that was never eaten from the mini bar.
Convinced him that never happened which it didn't, and then we realized carly had taken 2 water bottles
As the normally 2 freebies were no where in sight.
After some negotiations we got them for free.
Left our suitcases in the holding area and we 3 grabbed a cab to a area where only chinese people shop.
I will try and describe this place, but even with this picture I can't capture it .
Filthy streets, people screaming and bargaining , foreign smells ranging from bodyily functions to cooking smells.
And then we enter one of 4 bldgs all 5 floors each.
The stalls are all packed with people caryls age buying, no trying on, purely guesstimates
Wall to wall stalls each one the size of a small powder room. People latching onto us as we are the only 3 white faces for miles.
Doug disappears to go to the bathroom and possibly inspect a near by electrical box. He came back with a total look of disgust.
Worse than normal I ask, no comment.
I forget to mention no ac in these bldgs. Deoderant optional.
Unfortunately,I then had to go too. Let's just say in china you get up close and personal with human waste the likes of north americans
Have no clue about. Hygiene doesn't exist in much of china.
We did some shopping, haggling bargaining etc.
We then walked back to nanjing room western side as we did spy a shoe store prices not bad.
Said goodbye to doug and we entered shoe heaven, hundreds of asian style shoes.
Carly bought , relished the atmosphere and we left. Suddenly poring with every vendor trying to sell us an umbrella.
Back into the taxi heading for the hotel, hot sweaty but gotta organize the new suitcase
Ready and prepared for cab, liam @2. Flying out at 5
Wrong, try 9;45 that night.
A more than normal chatty female from washington latched onto us as we were in the cab together.
Didn't stop for air once. A psyc proff, learned more about her in 5 mins than I possibly know
About my own family. Yikes!
We lay on the airport benches fell asleep, I imagined when she didn't have us as a captive audience she moved on
I was right.
Boarded the plane @9:45 to sit for over 12 hours. Shitty middle seat again, carly aisle and some been in canada 4 years chinese guy.
Long long flight.
So there you have it, thanks for coming along for the most incredible 3 weeks away in my life.
Get to scratch that one off my bucket list.
End of blog.
Monday, June 21, 2010
back in shanghai
We now drive 3 hours to get to shanghai.
We are taken to our restaurant and met by liam. Handsome, young tour guide who we had met one other time.
He is already in our bad books for the dinner debacle. Eddie is giving him the cold shoulder and I am too tired to care, knowing he will sort it out in mandarin.
Lunch good, shanghai heat like a sauna.
We are dropped off at the bund area, like wall street, big financial area.
Hoardes of people .
Walked over to nanjing road, west side omega, bloor street however interspersed are some cheaper places.
East side chinese side, haggle, bargain walk away , they chase you lowering the price as you walk away.
We then got stuck in a typical traffic jam lasting hours and onto dinner.
Good dinner nothing strange, but too much heat, not hydrated only wanted sleep.
Phoned doug to organize time to see him and by now we needed another suitcase.
Showered, bed. Doug said he would be there at the hotel 7am
We are taken to our restaurant and met by liam. Handsome, young tour guide who we had met one other time.
He is already in our bad books for the dinner debacle. Eddie is giving him the cold shoulder and I am too tired to care, knowing he will sort it out in mandarin.
Lunch good, shanghai heat like a sauna.
We are dropped off at the bund area, like wall street, big financial area.
Hoardes of people .
Walked over to nanjing road, west side omega, bloor street however interspersed are some cheaper places.
East side chinese side, haggle, bargain walk away , they chase you lowering the price as you walk away.
We then got stuck in a typical traffic jam lasting hours and onto dinner.
Good dinner nothing strange, but too much heat, not hydrated only wanted sleep.
Phoned doug to organize time to see him and by now we needed another suitcase.
Showered, bed. Doug said he would be there at the hotel 7am
hangzhou tea capital
We motored on to a larger city, know for a longevity tea dragons well.
Took us til luchtime to get to our restaurant and meet mandy#2 NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH1.
The restaurant could have been good, but the staff were slow and stupid. We were cranky and probably tired too.
Once again getting closer to shanghai and away from schewan food makes it on the sweeter side.
We found this city to be pretty, according to marco polo beautiful and magnificant in the world.
Ah yes, we drive to a huge local park and walk to west lake, with boats, hoping against hope we aren't boarding one!
Well we do, a 20 minute cruise along the lake, people will get on and off as well, one end of the park to the other.
It was in the 40s, no breeze and we board this thing. Carly of course became an instant celebrity having her pic taken by many people.
Beautiful smiling white girl.
Next activity is the yellow dragon cave and the dragon well tea ceremony.
It wasn't very interesting as we really scored with our other tea ceremony in chongquing, however what really capped it was when asked if we wanted to buy this overpriced tea, eddie the chinese
Looking grandpa tells her he drinks a better cheaper tea from indonesia found in oklahoma.
She promptly left the room.
Dinner was early, good but the whole fresh water fish, tasted fishy and with head intact we declined.
Hotel good, showered and since only cnn was on other channels all in chinese, hit the hay @ 10.
Took us til luchtime to get to our restaurant and meet mandy#2 NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH1.
The restaurant could have been good, but the staff were slow and stupid. We were cranky and probably tired too.
Once again getting closer to shanghai and away from schewan food makes it on the sweeter side.
We found this city to be pretty, according to marco polo beautiful and magnificant in the world.
Ah yes, we drive to a huge local park and walk to west lake, with boats, hoping against hope we aren't boarding one!
Well we do, a 20 minute cruise along the lake, people will get on and off as well, one end of the park to the other.
It was in the 40s, no breeze and we board this thing. Carly of course became an instant celebrity having her pic taken by many people.
Beautiful smiling white girl.
Next activity is the yellow dragon cave and the dragon well tea ceremony.
It wasn't very interesting as we really scored with our other tea ceremony in chongquing, however what really capped it was when asked if we wanted to buy this overpriced tea, eddie the chinese
Looking grandpa tells her he drinks a better cheaper tea from indonesia found in oklahoma.
She promptly left the room.
Dinner was early, good but the whole fresh water fish, tasted fishy and with head intact we declined.
Hotel good, showered and since only cnn was on other channels all in chinese, hit the hay @ 10.
onto the pearl store in wuxi
I am actually home now, but my trip wasn't over at the last blog, so if you are still interested here it is.
We are taken to a very large fresh water pearl store.
Little explanation , pearl tea to sip,tasteless and ushered into the store with many pretty
Things to buy.
This larger over bearing sales girl latches herself onto me and with her annoying broken engrish contiues
To badger me with " I give you discount , lady"!
I thought I would go out of my mind. Even when I siddled over to see what damage my daughter had done, she followd me.
Didn't do as. Much spending as she would have liked, but got out unscathed!
Back into our van, dumped that guide and onto hangzhou.
As we were leaving met some canadian delegates from 1000 islands. Funny how you unabashedly
Go up to a perfect stranger wearing a canadian flag, and say hi, where you from.
Stayed in a nice hotel that night and dinner was good with little spice
We are taken to a very large fresh water pearl store.
Little explanation , pearl tea to sip,tasteless and ushered into the store with many pretty
Things to buy.
This larger over bearing sales girl latches herself onto me and with her annoying broken engrish contiues
To badger me with " I give you discount , lady"!
I thought I would go out of my mind. Even when I siddled over to see what damage my daughter had done, she followd me.
Didn't do as. Much spending as she would have liked, but got out unscathed!
Back into our van, dumped that guide and onto hangzhou.
As we were leaving met some canadian delegates from 1000 islands. Funny how you unabashedly
Go up to a perfect stranger wearing a canadian flag, and say hi, where you from.
Stayed in a nice hotel that night and dinner was good with little spice
Friday, June 18, 2010
drivers in china
I feel compelled to tell you about the driving here as we are now in our ac panel truck \motor car
Driving to shanghai. We have no guide right now, just our driver mr.wong.
Before you conjure up some old wrinkled wise chinese man looking possibly like confusciuos,
Think again.
He is the chinese version of evil kniveil!
Youngish, married 3 kids, one set of twins, so its alloed.
Laughs out loud belly gut laugh.
Communiates with the older ones in mandarin.
Uses his horn like its an extension of his steering wheel. Yet, we kinda feel safe in a peculiar way.
Traffic jams are quite a sight to see, people darting offf the curbs
Taking their lives in their hands just to get to the other side, to possibly wait, push and be jostled again.
Toronto traffic jams seem so civilized, at least no one drives close to the sidewalk
On the shoulder to get one car ahead.
a #
Driving to shanghai. We have no guide right now, just our driver mr.wong.
Before you conjure up some old wrinkled wise chinese man looking possibly like confusciuos,
Think again.
He is the chinese version of evil kniveil!
Youngish, married 3 kids, one set of twins, so its alloed.
Laughs out loud belly gut laugh.
Communiates with the older ones in mandarin.
Uses his horn like its an extension of his steering wheel. Yet, we kinda feel safe in a peculiar way.
Traffic jams are quite a sight to see, people darting offf the curbs
Taking their lives in their hands just to get to the other side, to possibly wait, push and be jostled again.
Toronto traffic jams seem so civilized, at least no one drives close to the sidewalk
On the shoulder to get one car ahead.
a #
wuxi or wuchi
Good morning,
Gotta tell you this is one pretty city. Smaller than shanghai but similar in many ways.
We are met by mandy chinese name unknown, but it means money.
She like the other girl fuides is cute, friendly and her english was ok.
We visited turtle head penninsulae park.over looking lake tai.
3rd largest lake in china. Fresh water pearl farm there.
Wuxi was hot but there was a breeze.
Carly had her picture taken several times byy young chinese guys. They secretly take pics trying not to be obvious, she
However sees them, smiles and she then takes pics of them.
She is young, white skinned and people just look in amazement.
We then drove to a restaurant for lunch mostly sweeter dishes, good change for us.
This city feels like a up and coming one, there is a good univercity here , but honestly every city has one
As the country is so populated.
We drove around the city sightseeing more.
Hotel as part of the radisson chain.
Rooms ok. Lobby lavish as many hotels have.
Converter not working. Hairdryer not working.
In the morning ac in large breakfast room not working.
Slept ok and on to pearls shopping in wuxi before we leave for new place
Gotta tell you this is one pretty city. Smaller than shanghai but similar in many ways.
We are met by mandy chinese name unknown, but it means money.
She like the other girl fuides is cute, friendly and her english was ok.
We visited turtle head penninsulae park.over looking lake tai.
3rd largest lake in china. Fresh water pearl farm there.
Wuxi was hot but there was a breeze.
Carly had her picture taken several times byy young chinese guys. They secretly take pics trying not to be obvious, she
However sees them, smiles and she then takes pics of them.
She is young, white skinned and people just look in amazement.
We then drove to a restaurant for lunch mostly sweeter dishes, good change for us.
This city feels like a up and coming one, there is a good univercity here , but honestly every city has one
As the country is so populated.
We drove around the city sightseeing more.
Hotel as part of the radisson chain.
Rooms ok. Lobby lavish as many hotels have.
Converter not working. Hairdryer not working.
In the morning ac in large breakfast room not working.
Slept ok and on to pearls shopping in wuxi before we leave for new place
Thursday, June 17, 2010
day trip north west of shanghai
Afternoon ppl,
We are in a town of 6.9 million called suzchou
Means fish and water, of which they have an abundance of. A man made canal that stretches for miles.
A venice of the orient as they like to call it.
First thing we did was pick up another guide. Judy. English speaking even knowing idioms.
She took us the master of the nets temple right in the heart of the city.
Interesting gardens for the sacred daughters to play in many years ago.
Humid today like I have never experienced.
We then drove to tigers hill. Temples, buddist statues and a tower leaning like the tower of pisa.
We walked the famous 108 steps downhill thank goodness. Legend has it, after walking those
Steps all your problems will be gone. I'm waiting for this to kick in!
Onto to lunch , yummy food even a yummy tofu soup with egg, bean, onion and some foreign meat,
Which I didn't bother with.
After that on to the famous silkmaking shop which suzhou is proud of and exports overseas.
Bought some silk bedding, prices were insanely cheap even with conversion.
Said goodbye to judy , it is now 4pm back in the motorcar to drive to wuxi, pronounced wuchi.
Meeting yet another guide. Believe me, all this nonsense of guides wasn't in the damn brochure.
We are in a town of 6.9 million called suzchou
Means fish and water, of which they have an abundance of. A man made canal that stretches for miles.
A venice of the orient as they like to call it.
First thing we did was pick up another guide. Judy. English speaking even knowing idioms.
She took us the master of the nets temple right in the heart of the city.
Interesting gardens for the sacred daughters to play in many years ago.
Humid today like I have never experienced.
We then drove to tigers hill. Temples, buddist statues and a tower leaning like the tower of pisa.
We walked the famous 108 steps downhill thank goodness. Legend has it, after walking those
Steps all your problems will be gone. I'm waiting for this to kick in!
Onto to lunch , yummy food even a yummy tofu soup with egg, bean, onion and some foreign meat,
Which I didn't bother with.
After that on to the famous silkmaking shop which suzhou is proud of and exports overseas.
Bought some silk bedding, prices were insanely cheap even with conversion.
Said goodbye to judy , it is now 4pm back in the motorcar to drive to wuxi, pronounced wuchi.
Meeting yet another guide. Believe me, all this nonsense of guides wasn't in the damn brochure.
day trip north west of shanghai
Afternoon ppl,
We are in a town of 6.9 million called suzchou
Means fish and water, of which they have an abundance of. A man made canal that stretches for miles.
A venice of the orient as they like to call it.
First thing we did was pick up another guide. Judy. English speaking even knowing idioms.
She took us the master of the nets temple right in the heart of the city.
Interesting gardens for the sacred daughters to play in many years ago.
Humid today like I have never experienced.
We then drove to tigers hill. Temples, buddist statues and a tower leaning like the tower of pisa.
We walked the famous 108 steps downhill thank goodness. Legend has it, after walking those
Steps all your problems will be gone. I'm waiting for this to kick in!
Onto to lunch , yummy food even a yummy tofu soup with egg, bean, onion and some foreign meat,
Which I didn't bother with.
After that on to the famous silkmaking shop which suzhou is proud of and exports overseas.
Bought some silk bedding, prices were insanely cheap even with conversion.
Said goodbye to judy , it is now 4pm back in the motorcar to drive to wuxi, pronounced wuchi.
Meeting yet another guide. Believe me, all this nonsense of guides wasn't in the damn brochure.
We are in a town of 6.9 million called suzchou
Means fish and water, of which they have an abundance of. A man made canal that stretches for miles.
A venice of the orient as they like to call it.
First thing we did was pick up another guide. Judy. English speaking even knowing idioms.
She took us the master of the nets temple right in the heart of the city.
Interesting gardens for the sacred daughters to play in many years ago.
Humid today like I have never experienced.
We then drove to tigers hill. Temples, buddist statues and a tower leaning like the tower of pisa.
We walked the famous 108 steps downhill thank goodness. Legend has it, after walking those
Steps all your problems will be gone. I'm waiting for this to kick in!
Onto to lunch , yummy food even a yummy tofu soup with egg, bean, onion and some foreign meat,
Which I didn't bother with.
After that on to the famous silkmaking shop which suzhou is proud of and exports overseas.
Bought some silk bedding, prices were insanely cheap even with conversion.
Said goodbye to judy , it is now 4pm back in the motorcar to drive to wuxi, pronounced wuchi.
Meeting yet another guide. Believe me, all this nonsense of guides wasn't in the damn brochure.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
retiring the sea legs
Good morning from shanghai,
Before I get to that I will back track a bit.
If I repeat blame it on the boat, carly an I are.
The day after the long hot 4 hour 3 gorges boat cruise where if I had
Had a gun I might have used it on either myself to end my sheer boredom; or failing that
On some of either to annoying europeans or loud amerikans!
Either way it was all over and we boarded our boat again and continued our sailing
On the yangtze.
And then we had yet another lunch on board too spicy no options.
Thank goodness for our power bars albeit running low stash.
The rest of the afternoon we opted for peace and quiet on our floor balcony.
One tends to get ingienous when forced too.
Grabbed a few of our room chairs lifted them over the barriers and made a quasi
Type chaise lounge. Sat there for hours.
Most people were up on the happy hour deck.
Dinner once again, spicy but a little calmer.evening entertainment was
You guessed it, talent night.
Lucky for us the talent were the chinese staff doing beautiful dances about emperors
And princesses. One of their young staff did a michael jackson
Breakdance. Good
Next day docked and boarded a bus for the 3 gorges dam project.
By this time it was hot, humid and no matter what you wore it clung to you.
I am now sick from the very uncontrollabe ac. Coughing up a storm. Annoying ppl around me as
I gasp for air. My extremely sympathetic travelling companion moving away
From me as she is deathly afraid of catching this cough!
Sweat dripping down all our faces as this very good english
Speaking guide iis droning on and on. In the background is this loud
Bleachblond, large woman whining in her dallas drawl to her unfortunate husband
About the heat!
The absolute highlite of that trip was I got and haggled well for
An authentic mahjong set like the chinese play. Hopefully it isn't
Made out of tusks from some elephant.
Dragged ourselves back onto the buses ready for showers.
Packed the bags, on deck and happy to disembark @ noon.
4 sleeps 3 days on the boat, too much. 9 days would possibly
Have killed me!
We 5 are then met by a 21 year old english speaking guide shirley.
We go into a cab and off to some restaurant.
Food wasn't spicy as we put in our request. Actually the fish was sweet and sour tasty.
We then toured around a bit and she brought us to the 3gorges airport.
Later to board a 2 hour plane ride to shanghai.
By the way the food on chinese airlines is good. Noodles or rice always
Hot and the cutest little colored box of salad, sweet bread
Hot cloths. Tea usually green and or coffee, already has sugar and some kind
Of cream.
Arrived in shanghai city of expo 2010. Met by a very young inexperienced
Tour guide, who while looked cool and together, had no clue what was going on.
Took us to a hotel to find we weren't actually registered there. On to the holiday -nn
In puxi shanghai and voila we got rooms.
Now, the problem of dinner. It is now 8pm, some of us are down right bitchy, in need
Of a shower and personal space. The guide screwed up with the
Restarant and we ended up as having no plans, although the tour
Company still owed us a dinner.
We stood in the lobby trying to work this out.
Granpa and the tour guide arguing in mandarin, grandma telling him it
Isn't the guides fault.
Carly grandson and me falling into soft chairs in the lobby waiting .
Finally, the 2 kids went out as shanghai @ night is spectactular.
We 3 old ppl went upstairs and ate delicious pizza.
Veggie pizza in china is full of veggies, yum.
We will present a united front when we hand our dinner bill to the young tour kid who
Willrejoin us in 2 days time.
The hotel is perfect and today will be a good day. We are headed with
A new guide for shuzou, later friends
Before I get to that I will back track a bit.
If I repeat blame it on the boat, carly an I are.
The day after the long hot 4 hour 3 gorges boat cruise where if I had
Had a gun I might have used it on either myself to end my sheer boredom; or failing that
On some of either to annoying europeans or loud amerikans!
Either way it was all over and we boarded our boat again and continued our sailing
On the yangtze.
And then we had yet another lunch on board too spicy no options.
Thank goodness for our power bars albeit running low stash.
The rest of the afternoon we opted for peace and quiet on our floor balcony.
One tends to get ingienous when forced too.
Grabbed a few of our room chairs lifted them over the barriers and made a quasi
Type chaise lounge. Sat there for hours.
Most people were up on the happy hour deck.
Dinner once again, spicy but a little calmer.evening entertainment was
You guessed it, talent night.
Lucky for us the talent were the chinese staff doing beautiful dances about emperors
And princesses. One of their young staff did a michael jackson
Breakdance. Good
Next day docked and boarded a bus for the 3 gorges dam project.
By this time it was hot, humid and no matter what you wore it clung to you.
I am now sick from the very uncontrollabe ac. Coughing up a storm. Annoying ppl around me as
I gasp for air. My extremely sympathetic travelling companion moving away
From me as she is deathly afraid of catching this cough!
Sweat dripping down all our faces as this very good english
Speaking guide iis droning on and on. In the background is this loud
Bleachblond, large woman whining in her dallas drawl to her unfortunate husband
About the heat!
The absolute highlite of that trip was I got and haggled well for
An authentic mahjong set like the chinese play. Hopefully it isn't
Made out of tusks from some elephant.
Dragged ourselves back onto the buses ready for showers.
Packed the bags, on deck and happy to disembark @ noon.
4 sleeps 3 days on the boat, too much. 9 days would possibly
Have killed me!
We 5 are then met by a 21 year old english speaking guide shirley.
We go into a cab and off to some restaurant.
Food wasn't spicy as we put in our request. Actually the fish was sweet and sour tasty.
We then toured around a bit and she brought us to the 3gorges airport.
Later to board a 2 hour plane ride to shanghai.
By the way the food on chinese airlines is good. Noodles or rice always
Hot and the cutest little colored box of salad, sweet bread
Hot cloths. Tea usually green and or coffee, already has sugar and some kind
Of cream.
Arrived in shanghai city of expo 2010. Met by a very young inexperienced
Tour guide, who while looked cool and together, had no clue what was going on.
Took us to a hotel to find we weren't actually registered there. On to the holiday -nn
In puxi shanghai and voila we got rooms.
Now, the problem of dinner. It is now 8pm, some of us are down right bitchy, in need
Of a shower and personal space. The guide screwed up with the
Restarant and we ended up as having no plans, although the tour
Company still owed us a dinner.
We stood in the lobby trying to work this out.
Granpa and the tour guide arguing in mandarin, grandma telling him it
Isn't the guides fault.
Carly grandson and me falling into soft chairs in the lobby waiting .
Finally, the 2 kids went out as shanghai @ night is spectactular.
We 3 old ppl went upstairs and ate delicious pizza.
Veggie pizza in china is full of veggies, yum.
We will present a united front when we hand our dinner bill to the young tour kid who
Willrejoin us in 2 days time.
The hotel is perfect and today will be a good day. We are headed with
A new guide for shuzou, later friends
Monday, June 14, 2010
day 2 on the boat
Slept well until the boat started to rock and therre was a huge loud bang. We both
Practically jumped out of our skin. It was so hard to get back to sleep.
Wake up was 6:45, to view something on one of the decks. Lucky for us we could hear the english
Guide and we stayed on our balcony.
Breakfast and then we got onto a small cruising slow boat. A kind of touring boat.
Seats and each floor level different language.
2 hrs one way 2 hours back. Not rough water just hot and warmish air leaving many of us lethargic.
Lunch soon and then free time all afternoon.
Too much freetime and clearly boredom is setting in. I have heard of re charging my battery but this is excessive.
To be cont.
Practically jumped out of our skin. It was so hard to get back to sleep.
Wake up was 6:45, to view something on one of the decks. Lucky for us we could hear the english
Guide and we stayed on our balcony.
Breakfast and then we got onto a small cruising slow boat. A kind of touring boat.
Seats and each floor level different language.
2 hrs one way 2 hours back. Not rough water just hot and warmish air leaving many of us lethargic.
Lunch soon and then free time all afternoon.
Too much freetime and clearly boredom is setting in. I have heard of re charging my battery but this is excessive.
To be cont.
4 day boat cruise downstream yangtze river
A boat capacity of around 170 pple. A 5 story boat. Tiny tiny cabins with a very almost non existant balcony.
Trust me those are the good aspects of this boat.
We are on the 2nd floor, literally on top of the engine. Our first night we were almost thrown out of our beds.
The ship horn is so loud, when we finally do get some sleep it blares.
The ac is so strong and not controllable , off or on, now have a dry throat.
We boarded the boat @ 1O having had so little sleep.
It was a nightmare.
Next day awakened to fog, humidity and a lousy sleep.
We were ushered into the dining room, don't think titanic splendor, not even close.
Breakfast buffet american and chiese food. Bad coffee.
The excursion was good. Unfortunately, we have now lost our peace and quiet of our group and have been
Hooked up to an american group with drawls of sme sort. All so much louder than necessary.
Web visited the ghost city of fengdu. Taoist and buddist temples, many differnt buddist
Idols with rich history.
We walked up a really steep hill and saw an amazing sight of fengdu. Cable car it down which was very pretty.
Taoists don't believe in recarnation so there aren't too many of them left.
57 religions in china.
I rubbed one of the idols who is holing a coin, good luck for maj playing.
By noon we were done, back on the boat.
Gotta tell you the scenery of the 3 gorges is very pretty. The yangtze is yello and very dirty. Doesn't smell.
We sat at the deck watching the scenery passing us by. Hot but not humid.
Luchtime , dinnertime and breakfast american and chinese food. Still spicy.
Sitting with 5 ppl from australia. Nice ppl to chat with.
Too many europeans with loud languages.
Enjoying their happy hour with chinese beer.
Very few activities to do. Did learn about pearls which was interesting. Nothing to do from luchtime on.
Not an eating boat breakfast an hour, lunch an hour and dinner an hour. No snacking.
Thanks to my thinking and granola bars.
Last night they held a fashion show. Obviously clothes they sell on the ship, but with a
Chinese flair. Clothes from tang dynasty, ming dynasty and so on.
Today was just a long long day. Hopefully we get some sleep.
Carly has chinese anti anxiety pills from the dr on the ship and ear plugs from home.
Trust me those are the good aspects of this boat.
We are on the 2nd floor, literally on top of the engine. Our first night we were almost thrown out of our beds.
The ship horn is so loud, when we finally do get some sleep it blares.
The ac is so strong and not controllable , off or on, now have a dry throat.
We boarded the boat @ 1O having had so little sleep.
It was a nightmare.
Next day awakened to fog, humidity and a lousy sleep.
We were ushered into the dining room, don't think titanic splendor, not even close.
Breakfast buffet american and chiese food. Bad coffee.
The excursion was good. Unfortunately, we have now lost our peace and quiet of our group and have been
Hooked up to an american group with drawls of sme sort. All so much louder than necessary.
Web visited the ghost city of fengdu. Taoist and buddist temples, many differnt buddist
Idols with rich history.
We walked up a really steep hill and saw an amazing sight of fengdu. Cable car it down which was very pretty.
Taoists don't believe in recarnation so there aren't too many of them left.
57 religions in china.
I rubbed one of the idols who is holing a coin, good luck for maj playing.
By noon we were done, back on the boat.
Gotta tell you the scenery of the 3 gorges is very pretty. The yangtze is yello and very dirty. Doesn't smell.
We sat at the deck watching the scenery passing us by. Hot but not humid.
Luchtime , dinnertime and breakfast american and chinese food. Still spicy.
Sitting with 5 ppl from australia. Nice ppl to chat with.
Too many europeans with loud languages.
Enjoying their happy hour with chinese beer.
Very few activities to do. Did learn about pearls which was interesting. Nothing to do from luchtime on.
Not an eating boat breakfast an hour, lunch an hour and dinner an hour. No snacking.
Thanks to my thinking and granola bars.
Last night they held a fashion show. Obviously clothes they sell on the ship, but with a
Chinese flair. Clothes from tang dynasty, ming dynasty and so on.
Today was just a long long day. Hopefully we get some sleep.
Carly has chinese anti anxiety pills from the dr on the ship and ear plugs from home.
chongqiung
Arrived after an easy flight.
We were offered a chinese hamburger on the flight spicy meat , pepper and thick white bread.
Mouth on fire. A typical scheswhan dish. Chongquing known for spice.
Went to the wild goose pagoda and panda zoo.
There were a few pandas eating bamboo, snoozing and just being generally entertaining.
Both lunch and dinner were too spicy fot our canadian palate.our chinese travel buddies were fine.
We also drove for a panoramic view of the harbour and city.
It is mountainous, clear air, no factories. Totally reminded me of vancouver.
People playing mahjong drinking tea over looking the city. So picturesque.
We were very tired by this time. Also took in a tea ceremony. Interesting .
3 types of tea, given to us in tiny little cups. Shown how to hold the cup according to what sex you are.
Most things involving ladies right hand or foot. Walking into varios temples, right foot
Over any threshhold. Tea cup held right.
Tea is not rushed like in north america. The coffee isn't too tasty here, either horribly bitter or luke warmm
Moving on
We were offered a chinese hamburger on the flight spicy meat , pepper and thick white bread.
Mouth on fire. A typical scheswhan dish. Chongquing known for spice.
Went to the wild goose pagoda and panda zoo.
There were a few pandas eating bamboo, snoozing and just being generally entertaining.
Both lunch and dinner were too spicy fot our canadian palate.our chinese travel buddies were fine.
We also drove for a panoramic view of the harbour and city.
It is mountainous, clear air, no factories. Totally reminded me of vancouver.
People playing mahjong drinking tea over looking the city. So picturesque.
We were very tired by this time. Also took in a tea ceremony. Interesting .
3 types of tea, given to us in tiny little cups. Shown how to hold the cup according to what sex you are.
Most things involving ladies right hand or foot. Walking into varios temples, right foot
Over any threshhold. Tea cup held right.
Tea is not rushed like in north america. The coffee isn't too tasty here, either horribly bitter or luke warmm
Moving on
Saturday, June 12, 2010
on to chongquing by plane 1 hour
Yesterday we saw the terra cotta warriors in xian,
Truly one of the 8th wonders of the world.
8,Ooo soldiers, 7 generals, cavalry men, soldiers , most famous archer.
Standing upright complete with horses. They were found by 4 farmers +ne still alive as the latest ones were found in
In the late 70,s.
Google terra cotta warriors, quite something.
We spent hours there, walking thru the bldgs. 4 pits and lots
Of walking. Into the city proper to go shopping.
Yes, we bought shoes. Come on, 48 dollars our money for leather shoes!
Even a non shopper would be drawn in by the prices.
Forgot, lunch times was long long noodles . Typical meal for xian too
Eat noodles longevity.
Pasta was invented by the chinese.
Dinner hot pot dinner.
Round table, raw vegetable, raw meat, raw noodle, mushrooms, tofu
Raw egg. Choice of sauces. Soy, sesame, garlic, bbq sauce,
Each pot has a basic broth base and you put whatever you want in it
, Cook it or eat it as you go.
The other ppl in our group 3 of them oriental made beautiful soup edible and yummy.
You can't imagine what carlys and mine lookedlike.
We lol and realized there is an art to that.
If you never really inside another persons culture , walk around in their shoes,
No clue how resourceful the chinese are.
Light years ahead of us in many ways.
We have an articulate bright female guide for xian. Very knowledgeable
But street wise too. Learned a lot about why chinese ppl older
Generation think like they do and why the younger
Ones are still respectful of their elders but making lives for themselves.
Later my fellow china followers.
Truly one of the 8th wonders of the world.
8,Ooo soldiers, 7 generals, cavalry men, soldiers , most famous archer.
Standing upright complete with horses. They were found by 4 farmers +ne still alive as the latest ones were found in
In the late 70,s.
Google terra cotta warriors, quite something.
We spent hours there, walking thru the bldgs. 4 pits and lots
Of walking. Into the city proper to go shopping.
Yes, we bought shoes. Come on, 48 dollars our money for leather shoes!
Even a non shopper would be drawn in by the prices.
Forgot, lunch times was long long noodles . Typical meal for xian too
Eat noodles longevity.
Pasta was invented by the chinese.
Dinner hot pot dinner.
Round table, raw vegetable, raw meat, raw noodle, mushrooms, tofu
Raw egg. Choice of sauces. Soy, sesame, garlic, bbq sauce,
Each pot has a basic broth base and you put whatever you want in it
, Cook it or eat it as you go.
The other ppl in our group 3 of them oriental made beautiful soup edible and yummy.
You can't imagine what carlys and mine lookedlike.
We lol and realized there is an art to that.
If you never really inside another persons culture , walk around in their shoes,
No clue how resourceful the chinese are.
Light years ahead of us in many ways.
We have an articulate bright female guide for xian. Very knowledgeable
But street wise too. Learned a lot about why chinese ppl older
Generation think like they do and why the younger
Ones are still respectful of their elders but making lives for themselves.
Later my fellow china followers.
Friday, June 11, 2010
xian pronounced shian
Hello readers.
I am emailing from my even more luxurious than before hotel room,
Complete with den sitting area.
Wake up call @ 6 this morning, flight for 7:55 to xian.
No breakfast, they kinda forgot about us.
A frightening kfc thing bought for us by a tour guide. Mine got tossed.
The flight was wonderful. An hour and 30 mins.
Arrived in xian to be met by tour guide #2. Nicole tall thin young chinese girl aged 28.
English impeccable, university took eng and history .
She has a sense of humor which translates into her personality.
Interesting to hear her use the english idioms.
We drove to a natural history museum. Explaing how the chinese ppl came to be.
Luch was a north american chinese food buffet in a very nice upscale hotel.
We took an hour walk along the xian wall in the city.
Rather hot for it.
Back to the hotel to cool off.
Swanky diggs here.
Nightime good dancing chinese tang dynasty show. Dumpling dinner.
At least 18 different types to try.
Xian is known for their dumplings.
Back to the hotel, tired,
Tomorrow terra cotta warriors museum.
Until tomorrow
I am emailing from my even more luxurious than before hotel room,
Complete with den sitting area.
Wake up call @ 6 this morning, flight for 7:55 to xian.
No breakfast, they kinda forgot about us.
A frightening kfc thing bought for us by a tour guide. Mine got tossed.
The flight was wonderful. An hour and 30 mins.
Arrived in xian to be met by tour guide #2. Nicole tall thin young chinese girl aged 28.
English impeccable, university took eng and history .
She has a sense of humor which translates into her personality.
Interesting to hear her use the english idioms.
We drove to a natural history museum. Explaing how the chinese ppl came to be.
Luch was a north american chinese food buffet in a very nice upscale hotel.
We took an hour walk along the xian wall in the city.
Rather hot for it.
Back to the hotel to cool off.
Swanky diggs here.
Nightime good dancing chinese tang dynasty show. Dumpling dinner.
At least 18 different types to try.
Xian is known for their dumplings.
Back to the hotel, tired,
Tomorrow terra cotta warriors museum.
Until tomorrow
Thursday, June 10, 2010
the great wall
We began our trip by first going to a huge jade factory.
Saw the reock being cut, polished and sculpted.
Then they let us lose in the store. I bought some pretty jade and learned about jade as well.
We then drove to the wall.
What a sight to see. Straight incline up as far as the eye can see, until you come to a tier where one rests.
Took pics and it is so beautiful to look behind you and see the chiene archtecture.
Climing was tough, many of the steps were worn away which made walking a challenge.
The temp was 85F. Hot and humid.
We ordered an iced coffee to cool down.
Lunch was in the cloisinne factory.
Pottery made in china, colorful and from ming era.
I bought a pretty plate and something for my studio we will all benefit from.
On to the ming tombs. We stayed in a motor car and toured sacred path.
I bought my I climbed the great wall tshirt.
Dinner was absolutely delicious. Snacks that filled us nicely.
Then back to the hotel to crash.
Today to the most expensive shopping area in beijing, window shop only.
Stores like hermes, omega and nike.
We then went to the oldest chinese medicine pharmacy dating back thousnds of years.
There were no tourists , mostly local ppl. We were taken into a room where a dr and his assistant
Took our pulses. We were then told what each one of our bodies is lacking using chinese
Remedies and tinctures.
This part of the tour I found fascinating.
We then ate lunch near the forbidden city. Funny eating chinese food for this many days,
Craving cheese, chinese yogurt tasty but more like milk consistency.
After lunch we were taken to an outdoor mall with over 400 stalls.
Bargains galore and boy did we bargain.
Carly and I walked to the local walmart 10 mins from our hotel.
Dinner back @ the hotel, pb and melba toast.
Up tomorrow @ 6 taking 2 hour plane ride to xian .
Xian famous for the terra cotta warriors.
Until xian
Zain jian. Goodbye
Saw the reock being cut, polished and sculpted.
Then they let us lose in the store. I bought some pretty jade and learned about jade as well.
We then drove to the wall.
What a sight to see. Straight incline up as far as the eye can see, until you come to a tier where one rests.
Took pics and it is so beautiful to look behind you and see the chiene archtecture.
Climing was tough, many of the steps were worn away which made walking a challenge.
The temp was 85F. Hot and humid.
We ordered an iced coffee to cool down.
Lunch was in the cloisinne factory.
Pottery made in china, colorful and from ming era.
I bought a pretty plate and something for my studio we will all benefit from.
On to the ming tombs. We stayed in a motor car and toured sacred path.
I bought my I climbed the great wall tshirt.
Dinner was absolutely delicious. Snacks that filled us nicely.
Then back to the hotel to crash.
Today to the most expensive shopping area in beijing, window shop only.
Stores like hermes, omega and nike.
We then went to the oldest chinese medicine pharmacy dating back thousnds of years.
There were no tourists , mostly local ppl. We were taken into a room where a dr and his assistant
Took our pulses. We were then told what each one of our bodies is lacking using chinese
Remedies and tinctures.
This part of the tour I found fascinating.
We then ate lunch near the forbidden city. Funny eating chinese food for this many days,
Craving cheese, chinese yogurt tasty but more like milk consistency.
After lunch we were taken to an outdoor mall with over 400 stalls.
Bargains galore and boy did we bargain.
Carly and I walked to the local walmart 10 mins from our hotel.
Dinner back @ the hotel, pb and melba toast.
Up tomorrow @ 6 taking 2 hour plane ride to xian .
Xian famous for the terra cotta warriors.
Until xian
Zain jian. Goodbye
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
beijing and opulence
Ok, so arrive in beijing an hour and 1\2 late.
It is a massive airport. A sign being held by a skinny, frazzled chinese man says our names.
We are ushered over to a corner to wait for others, assuming there will be many other
Ppl on the tour. We wait in 87degree heat. Finally an elderly chinese man and their young grandson arrive.
Turns out they are americans from oklahoma. We board an a\c bus and head for the hotel.
OMG!
You have to see this hotel! Huge lobby with lots of glass, flowers and pottery.
Olympic size pool, bowling alley, big disco, sauna, gym, gift shop, several restaurants,and beauty parlor and spa!
Part of the tour, I didn't pick it. 5star is anyones guess in beijing.
Ate dinner @ 7:30 in the hotel dining room. Food wasn't the best, we did enjoy taling to the oklahoma family.
Particularly the grandfather, attended shanghai med school and was around for chairman mao time.
Great story teller. China as you might know hqas a marvelous fascinating history.
After dinner we fell into a good sleep til 6. This is a 5 star hotel and the twin beds are rock hard. The
Chinese don't go for soft fluffy beds. No bounce or give at all.
Strangely enough, we both slept well.
Up for breakfast, what an interesting one it was. Western and eastern mixed into one.
Dim sum and cereal, fruit,bok choy, chinese cabbage, coffee, toast with jam, HB eggs
Noodles and other stuff I can't remember.
Our first stop was the summer palace. Beijing is not as densely populated, there aren't any skyscrapers and
It seems more subdued and the drivers aren't daredevils.
Near our hotel are many universities.
Longevity mountain and summer palace. Temp arond 80f today.
Left that area to see forbidden city, hell of a place to see.
Spent 4 hours walking the area, beautiful temples.
Walked to tienemans square, saw mao's tomb, picture of mao, and govt bldgs.
Then went for famous peking duck. Big restaurant, lazy susan and delicious food.
Plate of frsh fruit for dessert and out.
To another part of beijing for a rickshaw ride. Everytime the man ground his gears
Carly and I thought we would break the bike.
We then were introduced to a beijing family who invited us into their home to tour their home and ask any questions.
Income for them and helpful for the tour company.
Back into the bus to see kids perform in an acrobatic show tumbling, juggling and balancing things on their chins.
Costumes were colorful and bright,
After that we had a lovely chinese dinner near our hotel.
Tomorrow we see and walk the great wall! Can't wait!
To be cont.
It is a massive airport. A sign being held by a skinny, frazzled chinese man says our names.
We are ushered over to a corner to wait for others, assuming there will be many other
Ppl on the tour. We wait in 87degree heat. Finally an elderly chinese man and their young grandson arrive.
Turns out they are americans from oklahoma. We board an a\c bus and head for the hotel.
OMG!
You have to see this hotel! Huge lobby with lots of glass, flowers and pottery.
Olympic size pool, bowling alley, big disco, sauna, gym, gift shop, several restaurants,and beauty parlor and spa!
Part of the tour, I didn't pick it. 5star is anyones guess in beijing.
Ate dinner @ 7:30 in the hotel dining room. Food wasn't the best, we did enjoy taling to the oklahoma family.
Particularly the grandfather, attended shanghai med school and was around for chairman mao time.
Great story teller. China as you might know hqas a marvelous fascinating history.
After dinner we fell into a good sleep til 6. This is a 5 star hotel and the twin beds are rock hard. The
Chinese don't go for soft fluffy beds. No bounce or give at all.
Strangely enough, we both slept well.
Up for breakfast, what an interesting one it was. Western and eastern mixed into one.
Dim sum and cereal, fruit,bok choy, chinese cabbage, coffee, toast with jam, HB eggs
Noodles and other stuff I can't remember.
Our first stop was the summer palace. Beijing is not as densely populated, there aren't any skyscrapers and
It seems more subdued and the drivers aren't daredevils.
Near our hotel are many universities.
Longevity mountain and summer palace. Temp arond 80f today.
Left that area to see forbidden city, hell of a place to see.
Spent 4 hours walking the area, beautiful temples.
Walked to tienemans square, saw mao's tomb, picture of mao, and govt bldgs.
Then went for famous peking duck. Big restaurant, lazy susan and delicious food.
Plate of frsh fruit for dessert and out.
To another part of beijing for a rickshaw ride. Everytime the man ground his gears
Carly and I thought we would break the bike.
We then were introduced to a beijing family who invited us into their home to tour their home and ask any questions.
Income for them and helpful for the tour company.
Back into the bus to see kids perform in an acrobatic show tumbling, juggling and balancing things on their chins.
Costumes were colorful and bright,
After that we had a lovely chinese dinner near our hotel.
Tomorrow we see and walk the great wall! Can't wait!
To be cont.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
havent stopped til now to breathe
Knee how or hello in mandarin!
Wow! To summarize our plane ride. 13 hrs is not easy! At first very exciting, all the genre of movies to see, nosh from bulk barn, ipod to listen to and family to visit with. After 5 hours I wanted to get off ther plane, stretch my legs and possibly swim the rest of the way. Sleep on a plane, not this girl. Carly and her father managed to get some 7zz's.
Arrived in shanghai, immediately to the hotel, fell on the bed til 7am folllowing morning.
Missed some wonderful dinner invite. Wanted only sleep no food.
Ready to go the following morning bright and early.
Douglas having been here last year knew his way around. We hooked up with other profs from GB as well.
Brunch was chinese fare. Deep fried bread with a chaser of bean paste for the kid. Perhaps tims will sreve this in the near future. I had sticky rice wrapped in a leaf with a hard boiled egg in it.
I was working on the protein thing.
By the way, just cause there is a restaurant doesn't mean it has to have a toliet.
Anyhow, walked to a park in the heart of the city. Fuxing park .
Picture it, bird cages where people bring their birds to communicate with other birds. People especially men playing cards.
Children fishing for what looked like large goldfish.
People randomly dancing jitterbug, tango, tai chi, dancing couple dancing with marracas and people playing badmitten.
You want to know why chinese people don't age, they don't stop moving!
The best was a group of people in their 60's singing army militant songs, how do I know this? The man who was with us speaks fluent mandarin, he even knew the songs!
My take on shanghai now that I have had more time to process it is, big skyscraper bldgs. Some 50 floors high.
Smog free, clear sunny skies, loud noisy traffic activity. Very nicely dressed people with that certain asian flare of dress.
Cars don't pay too much attention to pedestrians. Just cause the light is green doesn't mean you walk,people are in a hurry here.
Jay walking was possibly invented here.
On the very civilized side there is kfc, macdonalds and numerous starbucks. Prices no cheaper than home.
Coffee isn't chinese fare, so to get a fix we have done mcd's for coffee.
Met up with more GB teachers for dinner. May never eat chinese in canada again.
Picure 8 @ a big table, cold chiese beer, 8 dishes ranging from eggplant with beef, shrimp with peapods,
A mixed vegetable dish with chocolate to tofu and little fried bread with pork and coriander.
All the ended up as costing 6$ each.
We then went to a chinese opera. Honestly, carly and I nodded off for most of the first 4 acts. Too much sun, good dinner, hours of walking,
A|c working and opera singing in mandarin, high pitched singing and we were toast.
Woke up for the second part as there were acrobatics and every time the bad guy got hit the audience cheered and woke us up.
At the front sat the GB people, we watched them nodding off too.
So much more to tell, but will continue tomorrow.
Today we were at expo all day.
Good night faithful readers.
Hey, no u tube or facebook allowed in china!
Wow! To summarize our plane ride. 13 hrs is not easy! At first very exciting, all the genre of movies to see, nosh from bulk barn, ipod to listen to and family to visit with. After 5 hours I wanted to get off ther plane, stretch my legs and possibly swim the rest of the way. Sleep on a plane, not this girl. Carly and her father managed to get some 7zz's.
Arrived in shanghai, immediately to the hotel, fell on the bed til 7am folllowing morning.
Missed some wonderful dinner invite. Wanted only sleep no food.
Ready to go the following morning bright and early.
Douglas having been here last year knew his way around. We hooked up with other profs from GB as well.
Brunch was chinese fare. Deep fried bread with a chaser of bean paste for the kid. Perhaps tims will sreve this in the near future. I had sticky rice wrapped in a leaf with a hard boiled egg in it.
I was working on the protein thing.
By the way, just cause there is a restaurant doesn't mean it has to have a toliet.
Anyhow, walked to a park in the heart of the city. Fuxing park .
Picture it, bird cages where people bring their birds to communicate with other birds. People especially men playing cards.
Children fishing for what looked like large goldfish.
People randomly dancing jitterbug, tango, tai chi, dancing couple dancing with marracas and people playing badmitten.
You want to know why chinese people don't age, they don't stop moving!
The best was a group of people in their 60's singing army militant songs, how do I know this? The man who was with us speaks fluent mandarin, he even knew the songs!
My take on shanghai now that I have had more time to process it is, big skyscraper bldgs. Some 50 floors high.
Smog free, clear sunny skies, loud noisy traffic activity. Very nicely dressed people with that certain asian flare of dress.
Cars don't pay too much attention to pedestrians. Just cause the light is green doesn't mean you walk,people are in a hurry here.
Jay walking was possibly invented here.
On the very civilized side there is kfc, macdonalds and numerous starbucks. Prices no cheaper than home.
Coffee isn't chinese fare, so to get a fix we have done mcd's for coffee.
Met up with more GB teachers for dinner. May never eat chinese in canada again.
Picure 8 @ a big table, cold chiese beer, 8 dishes ranging from eggplant with beef, shrimp with peapods,
A mixed vegetable dish with chocolate to tofu and little fried bread with pork and coriander.
All the ended up as costing 6$ each.
We then went to a chinese opera. Honestly, carly and I nodded off for most of the first 4 acts. Too much sun, good dinner, hours of walking,
A|c working and opera singing in mandarin, high pitched singing and we were toast.
Woke up for the second part as there were acrobatics and every time the bad guy got hit the audience cheered and woke us up.
At the front sat the GB people, we watched them nodding off too.
So much more to tell, but will continue tomorrow.
Today we were at expo all day.
Good night faithful readers.
Hey, no u tube or facebook allowed in china!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
is it thursday yet?
Here's funny. some one told Carly that she is so lucky to be travelling to china with her parents. All she has to do is showup at the airport , doesn't even have to read a brochure , itinerary or anything!
I thought I was done with this parenting thing.. clearly not!!!!!!!
I thought I was done with this parenting thing.. clearly not!!!!!!!
Monday, May 31, 2010
a few more days to get organized ..
Hey people.
Taking a trip to China is no small feet clearly.
We will get it done and the trip will be amazing.
Still working out how to do the blog thing.
Taking a trip to China is no small feet clearly.
We will get it done and the trip will be amazing.
Still working out how to do the blog thing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)