http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/11/barack-obama.html
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled –- Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of red states and blue states: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
I just received a very gracious call from Sen. McCain. [UPDATE: Complete text of Sen. John McCain's concession speech available here.] He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Gov. Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke....
...for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to -– it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington –- it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -– two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America –- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you –- we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.
I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years –- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek -– it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers -– in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House –- a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity.
Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn -– I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world –- our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down –- we will defeat you.
To those who seek peace and security -– we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright –- tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America -– that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing –- Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons –- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America –- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes, we can.
At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes, we can.
When there was despair in the Dust Bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes, we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes, we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes, we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes, we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves –- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time –- to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth –- that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes, we can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
China Itinerary (share with future travelers)
Hi milesdenman of http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1686605&tstart=15 (Italized by travelinglife)
From usausak@hotmail.com (drop me a note on updates, or guide to your site)
I’m writing most of the info based on summer memory.
Been to most of the places you want to go, but may not know one or two places.
Winter is low season, and I recommend 1st class tickets for overnight (soft bed, and generally 4 to a room; but with double decker, you could ask for upper deck and it’s 2 to a room), special waiting room with no crowds.
Train tickets - Hostels are a treasure trove of information. They know where the closest have a contact too. Cheap domestic tickets are sold at discount, generally 30-50% off the ticket booth to get train tickets without going to the train station (which is usually crowded), and you pay a minimum handling fee.
Airline tickets – hostel probably regular price, but I got my Beijing to Xian at 80% - almost unheard of.
Hostel – easy to find. In Xian, go to the Xiangzimen Hostel http://www.yhaxian.com/xiangzi/english/sheshi.asp
Jiaozi on Friday night- learn to make dumplings and eat them! Xiangzimen - Love it, very authentic, owner spent in access of U$1M to remodel a 400 year old estate. (skip Bell Tower hostel – dark and dingy, but centrally located, and great to pick up the Terra Cotta tour, cheaper as more people join)
Arrive 26th November in the morning to Beijing. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 = Beijing & Great Wall
NOTICE: Self-tours in Beijing is very easy for you. But you had better join tour group if you want to hike Mutianyu or Simatai or Jingshanling Great Wall. You can take by the fast train to Badaling Great Wall in one day.
K: Great wall – take a tour from hostel. Badaling or Simatai locations.
Most sights are within city and self guided. Olympics sights – water cube, and bird nest. Must see Forbidden Palace & TianAnMen , Heaven ?, Summer Palace, Beihai lake;
Shopping Waffujing, Sanlitun (got Polo shirts, etc – 2 blocks from worker’s stadium)
Food Beijing duck. Skip Beijing Acrobats but go to Shanghai’s – better skilled and variety.
Stay at Backpackers – interesting street, close to most to hutong (must go to old town within Beijing http://www.hostels.com/availability.php/HostelNumber.7893
Leave on the 1st December in the morning for Datong by train. 1, 2 Dec = Datong. There are many trains from Beijing to Datong (374km) daily. But the train Number K615 (14:57—20:50) lasting about close to 6 hours is the best one. Depart Datong evening of the 2nd to travel to Ping Yao by sleeper train.NOTICE: there is NO train starting from Datong to Pingyao (463km). The train Number 2462/2463 (22:56—07:19) last about 8 hours 23 minutes from Datong to Pingyao starting from Baotou City. But buying this train ticket (sleeper is impossible) is very difficult. So suggest you take by the train Number N265 (14:25--1944) from Datong to Taiyuan (355km) lasting about 5 hours 19 minutes and then take by the bus from Taiyuan to Pingyao (108km) lasting about 1.5 hours.Or suggest you take by bus from Datong to Taiyuan and then to Pingyao.
K: Not sure about this location. If there is no reason for this stop but to catch a train, I’d pay the money and fly to Taiyuan and rail to PingYao – flight should cost than U$100 but saves you a couple of days for the back end (like Shenzhen). Then take the bus, many companies to choose from and runs regularly. 3, 4 Ping Yao
Depart 4th in the evening to Xian by sleeper train.
NOTICE：There is NO train starting from Pingyao to Xian. The train to Xian pass by Pingyao starting from Taiyuan. So buying the train ticket will be difficult. so suggest you had better transfer by bus from Pingyao to Taiyuan and then take by the train Number L 27 (21:30—07:24) from Taiyuan to Xian (651km) lasting about close to 10 hours.No suggestion here. I flew from Xian to Beijing, skipping PingYao (ran out of time)
5, 6, 7, 8 = Xian 2 days is plenty, 3 max
K:. Stay at Xiangzimen – no regrets (see above). Terra Cotta Warriors (skip Banpo Museum), Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and night water show (walk around seeing kids and locals), moslem area near bell tower, Xian City Wall and bike along the wall (there is a tour, I was told) (fit river cruise and Panda in here – worth it, especially the Pandas)
Not familiar with this section of the itinerary from Nanjing to Hangzhou.
Depart on the 8th and fly from Xian to Nanjing if possible.
There are many flights daily from Xian to Nanjing. You can buy the flights RMB 430+200 NOW after discount. The price RMB 430 for soft-sleeper on the train from Xian to Nanjing (1208km) lasting about 12 hours to 18 hours. Just reference to you. 8, 9, 10 = Nanjing
(Ancient capital but I’ve not been there.) Depart 10th to Tunxi
There are many trains from Nanjing to Huangshan (371km) lasing about 5—8 hours.
10, 11, 12, 13, 14 = Tunxi (as a base for Huang Shan, also for day trips to Yixian Xidi and Hongcun, Shexian. There is NOT enough time for day trips to Yianxian Xidi and Hongcun. Depart 14th from Tunxi to Hangzhou. There is NO train from Huangshan to Hangzhou (230km) but taking by shuttle bus lasting about 2 hours is very easy.
14, 15, 16 = Hangzhou, Anchang, WuzhenDepart 17th for Shanghai. There are many trains from Hangzhou to Shanghai (167km) daily lasting about 1-2 hours. You can also take by shuttle bus from Hangzhou to Shanghai.
Other than Shanghai, not familiar with the other places. I do recommend Suzhou overnight for bridges and big ancient administrator’s home
17, 18, 19 = Shanghai (Putuoshan if time) Two days trip to Putuoshan will be better.Putuoshan Island is located in Zhoushan City of Zhejiang Province: Buddhist realm between sea and skybuy the ticket to Wusong Dock (吴淞码头) and Luchaogang Dock (芦潮港码头). In Nanpu Bridge at 08:00 you can take shuttle bus to Luchaogang Dock and the fast ferry will start at 09:30. In Shanghai City taking yacht to Zhoushan Island (136 sea-mile) is from RMB 255/person lasting about 3 hours.
Depart 20th for Guilin 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Guilin and Yangshuo
*There are five trains daily from Shanghai to Guilin (1631km) lasting abour 21—24 hours. *Depart from Guilin 24th by express bus to Shenzhen to arrive morning of the 25th.Taking by the train number T40 (21:48--10:23) from Guiliin to Shenzhen (1040km) lasting about 12 hours 35 minutes would be BETTER.
Shenzhen – stay a day or two.
Stay at least a day to visit Folk Culture Village (ethnic cultural village – raving reviews)
Splendid China in miniature http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splendid_China (miniature China)
Dep from Shenzhen 25th on first available train for Hong Kong. There are many trains from Shenzhen to Hong Kong daily. so DO NOT worry about it.
25th 1 night in Hong Kong26, 27 = Macau 28, 29, 30, 31, 01 = Hong Kong
2-3 days would be good. Very large city, very efficient and competent compared to most of China.
Easy for stopover any other time enroute to Bali, or Thailand, etc while the rest of China requires more planning and time.Depart Hong Kong on the 2nd.
______________
With patience, you can shift a lot of details in my housekeeping blog http://placesisee.blogspot.com/
Great site for reference : http://www.funforlesstours.com/china051609.html
If possible add Shenzhen, Dazu,
Chongqing or Chengdu for Pandas – must see – they are so playful and fun to watch!
Happy planning, and good luck. Bring lots of patience and humor and enjoy. Love to be added to your mailing list / blog.
Thanks, K
From usausak@hotmail.com (drop me a note on updates, or guide to your site)
I’m writing most of the info based on summer memory.
Been to most of the places you want to go, but may not know one or two places.
Winter is low season, and I recommend 1st class tickets for overnight (soft bed, and generally 4 to a room; but with double decker, you could ask for upper deck and it’s 2 to a room), special waiting room with no crowds.
Train tickets - Hostels are a treasure trove of information. They know where the closest have a contact too. Cheap domestic tickets are sold at discount, generally 30-50% off the ticket booth to get train tickets without going to the train station (which is usually crowded), and you pay a minimum handling fee.
Airline tickets – hostel probably regular price, but I got my Beijing to Xian at 80% - almost unheard of.
Hostel – easy to find. In Xian, go to the Xiangzimen Hostel http://www.yhaxian.com/xiangzi/english/sheshi.asp
Jiaozi on Friday night- learn to make dumplings and eat them! Xiangzimen - Love it, very authentic, owner spent in access of U$1M to remodel a 400 year old estate. (skip Bell Tower hostel – dark and dingy, but centrally located, and great to pick up the Terra Cotta tour, cheaper as more people join)
Arrive 26th November in the morning to Beijing. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 = Beijing & Great Wall
NOTICE: Self-tours in Beijing is very easy for you. But you had better join tour group if you want to hike Mutianyu or Simatai or Jingshanling Great Wall. You can take by the fast train to Badaling Great Wall in one day.
K: Great wall – take a tour from hostel. Badaling or Simatai locations.
Most sights are within city and self guided. Olympics sights – water cube, and bird nest. Must see Forbidden Palace & TianAnMen , Heaven ?, Summer Palace, Beihai lake;
Shopping Waffujing, Sanlitun (got Polo shirts, etc – 2 blocks from worker’s stadium)
Food Beijing duck. Skip Beijing Acrobats but go to Shanghai’s – better skilled and variety.
Stay at Backpackers – interesting street, close to most to hutong (must go to old town within Beijing http://www.hostels.com/availability.php/HostelNumber.7893
Leave on the 1st December in the morning for Datong by train. 1, 2 Dec = Datong. There are many trains from Beijing to Datong (374km) daily. But the train Number K615 (14:57—20:50) lasting about close to 6 hours is the best one. Depart Datong evening of the 2nd to travel to Ping Yao by sleeper train.NOTICE: there is NO train starting from Datong to Pingyao (463km). The train Number 2462/2463 (22:56—07:19) last about 8 hours 23 minutes from Datong to Pingyao starting from Baotou City. But buying this train ticket (sleeper is impossible) is very difficult. So suggest you take by the train Number N265 (14:25--1944) from Datong to Taiyuan (355km) lasting about 5 hours 19 minutes and then take by the bus from Taiyuan to Pingyao (108km) lasting about 1.5 hours.Or suggest you take by bus from Datong to Taiyuan and then to Pingyao.
K: Not sure about this location. If there is no reason for this stop but to catch a train, I’d pay the money and fly to Taiyuan and rail to PingYao – flight should cost than U$100 but saves you a couple of days for the back end (like Shenzhen). Then take the bus, many companies to choose from and runs regularly. 3, 4 Ping Yao
Depart 4th in the evening to Xian by sleeper train.
NOTICE：There is NO train starting from Pingyao to Xian. The train to Xian pass by Pingyao starting from Taiyuan. So buying the train ticket will be difficult. so suggest you had better transfer by bus from Pingyao to Taiyuan and then take by the train Number L 27 (21:30—07:24) from Taiyuan to Xian (651km) lasting about close to 10 hours.No suggestion here. I flew from Xian to Beijing, skipping PingYao (ran out of time)
5, 6, 7, 8 = Xian 2 days is plenty, 3 max
K:. Stay at Xiangzimen – no regrets (see above). Terra Cotta Warriors (skip Banpo Museum), Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and night water show (walk around seeing kids and locals), moslem area near bell tower, Xian City Wall and bike along the wall (there is a tour, I was told) (fit river cruise and Panda in here – worth it, especially the Pandas)
Not familiar with this section of the itinerary from Nanjing to Hangzhou.
Depart on the 8th and fly from Xian to Nanjing if possible.
There are many flights daily from Xian to Nanjing. You can buy the flights RMB 430+200 NOW after discount. The price RMB 430 for soft-sleeper on the train from Xian to Nanjing (1208km) lasting about 12 hours to 18 hours. Just reference to you. 8, 9, 10 = Nanjing
(Ancient capital but I’ve not been there.) Depart 10th to Tunxi
There are many trains from Nanjing to Huangshan (371km) lasing about 5—8 hours.
10, 11, 12, 13, 14 = Tunxi (as a base for Huang Shan, also for day trips to Yixian Xidi and Hongcun, Shexian. There is NOT enough time for day trips to Yianxian Xidi and Hongcun. Depart 14th from Tunxi to Hangzhou. There is NO train from Huangshan to Hangzhou (230km) but taking by shuttle bus lasting about 2 hours is very easy.
14, 15, 16 = Hangzhou, Anchang, WuzhenDepart 17th for Shanghai. There are many trains from Hangzhou to Shanghai (167km) daily lasting about 1-2 hours. You can also take by shuttle bus from Hangzhou to Shanghai.
Other than Shanghai, not familiar with the other places. I do recommend Suzhou overnight for bridges and big ancient administrator’s home
17, 18, 19 = Shanghai (Putuoshan if time) Two days trip to Putuoshan will be better.Putuoshan Island is located in Zhoushan City of Zhejiang Province: Buddhist realm between sea and skybuy the ticket to Wusong Dock (吴淞码头) and Luchaogang Dock (芦潮港码头). In Nanpu Bridge at 08:00 you can take shuttle bus to Luchaogang Dock and the fast ferry will start at 09:30. In Shanghai City taking yacht to Zhoushan Island (136 sea-mile) is from RMB 255/person lasting about 3 hours.
Depart 20th for Guilin 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Guilin and Yangshuo
*There are five trains daily from Shanghai to Guilin (1631km) lasting abour 21—24 hours. *Depart from Guilin 24th by express bus to Shenzhen to arrive morning of the 25th.Taking by the train number T40 (21:48--10:23) from Guiliin to Shenzhen (1040km) lasting about 12 hours 35 minutes would be BETTER.
Shenzhen – stay a day or two.
Stay at least a day to visit Folk Culture Village (ethnic cultural village – raving reviews)
Splendid China in miniature http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splendid_China (miniature China)
Dep from Shenzhen 25th on first available train for Hong Kong. There are many trains from Shenzhen to Hong Kong daily. so DO NOT worry about it.
25th 1 night in Hong Kong26, 27 = Macau 28, 29, 30, 31, 01 = Hong Kong
2-3 days would be good. Very large city, very efficient and competent compared to most of China.
Easy for stopover any other time enroute to Bali, or Thailand, etc while the rest of China requires more planning and time.Depart Hong Kong on the 2nd.
______________
With patience, you can shift a lot of details in my housekeeping blog http://placesisee.blogspot.com/
Great site for reference : http://www.funforlesstours.com/china051609.html
If possible add Shenzhen, Dazu,
Chongqing or Chengdu for Pandas – must see – they are so playful and fun to watch!
Happy planning, and good luck. Bring lots of patience and humor and enjoy. Love to be added to your mailing list / blog.
Thanks, K
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A touch of Beijing in Chicago - Sep 9 Oprah
Chicago is pushing for 2016 hosting of the Olympics . That would be a blast, after London 2012!
"About 150 Olympians, including Michael Phelps, Nastia Liukin and Kobe Bryant, are expected to attend a taping of the show in Millennium Park on Wednesday."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-080830-oprah-olympics,0,4404698.story?track=rss
Youtube Olympians at Millennium Park show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tumBRWlSkl0&feature=related
Michael Phelps @ Oprah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM2XyOjKzTQ&feature=related
I'm planning on London 2012, anyone else??? Email me.
"About 150 Olympians, including Michael Phelps, Nastia Liukin and Kobe Bryant, are expected to attend a taping of the show in Millennium Park on Wednesday."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-080830-oprah-olympics,0,4404698.story?track=rss
Youtube Olympians at Millennium Park show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tumBRWlSkl0&feature=related
Michael Phelps @ Oprah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM2XyOjKzTQ&feature=related
I'm planning on London 2012, anyone else??? Email me.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Jeremy BYU Engerbretsen contact
081029 To Jeremy Peteron - Hi,
It's been a long time, and I apologize not getting to you sooner.
We hit the ground running as soon as we returned, and Kasey was in class within 12 hours. It was incredibly difficult for her, but lucky for her, she rebounded and got into the rhythm of things very quickly as youth is on her side.
First the Olympics, then the presidential race, followed by Ike hurricane, and financial disaster and voting. A lot to happen, and a lot of people are hurt by the crisis. I was immuned for the longest time, until now.
I got involved this election. Surveys, and volunteer at election.
One way or the other, we are making election history with either an African President or woman VP. A nightmare for Obama's security detail!
Info you might find useful to get contact in China for new opportunity in Shanghai with your talents. I spoke to BYU Bro Engerbretsen in May before I left for Singapore, but did not make it to the Dinner. Call BYU info is 801-422 4636 for his number.
Well, be in touch, and would love to be in your emailing list to her about the church in China or any China news.
Kate
It's been a long time, and I apologize not getting to you sooner.
We hit the ground running as soon as we returned, and Kasey was in class within 12 hours. It was incredibly difficult for her, but lucky for her, she rebounded and got into the rhythm of things very quickly as youth is on her side.
First the Olympics, then the presidential race, followed by Ike hurricane, and financial disaster and voting. A lot to happen, and a lot of people are hurt by the crisis. I was immuned for the longest time, until now.
I got involved this election. Surveys, and volunteer at election.
One way or the other, we are making election history with either an African President or woman VP. A nightmare for Obama's security detail!
Info you might find useful to get contact in China for new opportunity in Shanghai with your talents. I spoke to BYU Bro Engerbretsen in May before I left for Singapore, but did not make it to the Dinner. Call BYU info is 801-422 4636 for his number.
Well, be in touch, and would love to be in your emailing list to her about the church in China or any China news.
Kate
Sirens so early in morning,are we back in USA?
Heard the sirens of fire engine and ambulance this morning at 6? Are we back in the US of A?
On at least two occasions back home, I shot out of bed in panic because we were late* for a flight back trekking before heading E for home. It would be disastrous had we missed a flight over the Pacific for the next 2 available seats would not be until the middle of September! Missing too much high school therefore jeopardizing U scholarship is a price too high to pay for accidentally muting the alarm or even for a coveted scenario of Olympics fun and U$ salaried position - neither should compromise scholarship $$$ in 3 years.
As for the Olympics, there is another in 4 years - London 2010, but who with Mandarin, Guangdong, Fujian and Chaozhou language skills have any advantage in good O' England.
Sigh...
We got home no worse for (some) wear, but rearing to go.
Had the TV Olympics on continuously, even in my sleep as I "osmosis it in" and suffering Oly withdrawal Saturday before the Sunday closing. And thanks Rayonna and her dozen guests dining and partying our last Olympics cheers.
Next morning, America was catapulted into the Obama Democratic convention without catching a breadth and for others an Oly hangover.
And the explosion of Governor Sarah Palin into the American voting stage (Republican John McCain's surprised choice of VP running mate).
Simultaneously followed by the threat of Hurricane Gustav to bear down on New Orleans, resulting in record 2 million residents evacuating the south Louisiana coast while offshore oil platforms and refineries (supplying a quarter of US oil demand) shut down.
Beijing Olympics wound down... but unlike past Olympics fever and eventual withdrawal, this Oly got left in the dust trailing the Democrat and Republican conventions and Hurricane Gustav. Not surprising enthusiastic viewers watched the closing on Youtube and cable while others waited for the 12 delayed hours for prime time television viewing on NBC - somewhat of an anti-climax.
---------
* HKG - shot out of bed, missing my planned morning self tour and took off to the airport on Coach 21A like a bat outta H. That scenario kept playing in my head and in my sleep.
On at least two occasions back home, I shot out of bed in panic because we were late* for a flight back trekking before heading E for home. It would be disastrous had we missed a flight over the Pacific for the next 2 available seats would not be until the middle of September! Missing too much high school therefore jeopardizing U scholarship is a price too high to pay for accidentally muting the alarm or even for a coveted scenario of Olympics fun and U$ salaried position - neither should compromise scholarship $$$ in 3 years.
As for the Olympics, there is another in 4 years - London 2010, but who with Mandarin, Guangdong, Fujian and Chaozhou language skills have any advantage in good O' England.
Sigh...
We got home no worse for (some) wear, but rearing to go.
Had the TV Olympics on continuously, even in my sleep as I "osmosis it in" and suffering Oly withdrawal Saturday before the Sunday closing. And thanks Rayonna and her dozen guests dining and partying our last Olympics cheers.
Next morning, America was catapulted into the Obama Democratic convention without catching a breadth and for others an Oly hangover.
And the explosion of Governor Sarah Palin into the American voting stage (Republican John McCain's surprised choice of VP running mate).
Simultaneously followed by the threat of Hurricane Gustav to bear down on New Orleans, resulting in record 2 million residents evacuating the south Louisiana coast while offshore oil platforms and refineries (supplying a quarter of US oil demand) shut down.
Beijing Olympics wound down... but unlike past Olympics fever and eventual withdrawal, this Oly got left in the dust trailing the Democrat and Republican conventions and Hurricane Gustav. Not surprising enthusiastic viewers watched the closing on Youtube and cable while others waited for the 12 delayed hours for prime time television viewing on NBC - somewhat of an anti-climax.
---------
* HKG - shot out of bed, missing my planned morning self tour and took off to the airport on Coach 21A like a bat outta H. That scenario kept playing in my head and in my sleep.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Goos in Singapore/ LDS China, Olympics, Chengdu & Yangtze River Cruise
Hi,
The Goos are some people I liked in Hawaii and who may actually remember me, so needless to say, I'd be disappointed not to see them in Singapore in late August while I'm in USA. Please let me know how I can visit with them via email while I’m still in China.
Updates on LDS China - Got to church in Shanghai and Beijing, but through determined efforts. And the stringent China government rules* compel the church to abide by them or lose it’s current status in China. Too complicated for a visitor to fully grasp the concept.
Met some cool people there, and liked Shanghai and Beijing. All expatriates of (China) Shanghai meet at 9:30am while Beijing meets at 8:30am ("country" LDS - Beijing outside 5th Ring) and 10:30am ("city" LDS). So glad to be at church, a familiar environment where I could revert to English exclusively.
One of my China goals was to seek out the best learning Mandarin environment for KC and hoping it would be Beijing, Tainjin or Chengde (but I was told "Qingdao German" coast is a great learning environment that is both pretty and pollution free, and somewhat like California) - the best place to learn standard Mandarin without the interference of the local while learning Mandarin. I beg to differ regarding “er” in Beijing Mandarin. which is not close to standard Mandarin. I’ve been impressed with the Mandarin that some Americans studying in Beijing universities have acquired. The nagging issue of this city pollution is in the forefront, and though major strive have been made during the Olympics, (and they are seeing some success of late, and Saturday there was clear sky- 6 days before the Olympics), it may only be a short term goal.
I'm in China in Chengdu with the pandas, soon floating down stream on the Yangtze River cruise [from Chongqing to Yichang], followed by Xian (Terra Cotta warriors) and Olympics in Beijing. Greatly desired, but surely unable to fulfilled, a trip to PingYao where ancient China is preserved while the rest of China cities are in full throttle to resemble the world's major cities. WHY? (sigh)
Best regards to all, K
Updates: placesisee.blogspot.com
From Singapore's Philip Loh, a BYU Alumni
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 22:02:33 -0700 From: martphil@yahoo.com
Dear BYU Alumuni:
You are cordially invited to attend a Fireside on 29 August @ 7:30 pm with Pres. & Sis Goo, formerly Dean of International Student Affairs @ BYU Hawaii. Pres. Goo is currently serving with his wife as Hong Kong China Temple President after retiring @ BYU Hawaii. They will be here on Church assignment over the weekend and but for the love they have for the international students; now alumni, they would like to meet the Alumni on a personal basis. We plan to have Pot-luck dinner for the evening, so please confirm what you are bringing by 25 August.
We would like to thank Bro. & Sis. Josiah Chan for their hospitality to open their home for this event. (Details followed)
Attire: Smart Casual
Regards, Mahalo! Philip
* Insert China LDS (are they affecting other churches) rules:
??????????????????
The Goos are some people I liked in Hawaii and who may actually remember me, so needless to say, I'd be disappointed not to see them in Singapore in late August while I'm in USA. Please let me know how I can visit with them via email while I’m still in China.
Updates on LDS China - Got to church in Shanghai and Beijing, but through determined efforts. And the stringent China government rules* compel the church to abide by them or lose it’s current status in China. Too complicated for a visitor to fully grasp the concept.
Met some cool people there, and liked Shanghai and Beijing. All expatriates of (China) Shanghai meet at 9:30am while Beijing meets at 8:30am ("country" LDS - Beijing outside 5th Ring) and 10:30am ("city" LDS). So glad to be at church, a familiar environment where I could revert to English exclusively.
One of my China goals was to seek out the best learning Mandarin environment for KC and hoping it would be Beijing, Tainjin or Chengde (but I was told "Qingdao German" coast is a great learning environment that is both pretty and pollution free, and somewhat like California) - the best place to learn standard Mandarin without the interference of the local while learning Mandarin. I beg to differ regarding “er” in Beijing Mandarin. which is not close to standard Mandarin. I’ve been impressed with the Mandarin that some Americans studying in Beijing universities have acquired. The nagging issue of this city pollution is in the forefront, and though major strive have been made during the Olympics, (and they are seeing some success of late, and Saturday there was clear sky- 6 days before the Olympics), it may only be a short term goal.
I'm in China in Chengdu with the pandas, soon floating down stream on the Yangtze River cruise [from Chongqing to Yichang], followed by Xian (Terra Cotta warriors) and Olympics in Beijing. Greatly desired, but surely unable to fulfilled, a trip to PingYao where ancient China is preserved while the rest of China cities are in full throttle to resemble the world's major cities. WHY? (sigh)
Best regards to all, K
Updates: placesisee.blogspot.com
From Singapore's Philip Loh, a BYU Alumni
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 22:02:33 -0700 From: martphil@yahoo.com
Dear BYU Alumuni:
You are cordially invited to attend a Fireside on 29 August @ 7:30 pm with Pres. & Sis Goo, formerly Dean of International Student Affairs @ BYU Hawaii. Pres. Goo is currently serving with his wife as Hong Kong China Temple President after retiring @ BYU Hawaii. They will be here on Church assignment over the weekend and but for the love they have for the international students; now alumni, they would like to meet the Alumni on a personal basis. We plan to have Pot-luck dinner for the evening, so please confirm what you are bringing by 25 August.
We would like to thank Bro. & Sis. Josiah Chan for their hospitality to open their home for this event. (Details followed)
Attire: Smart Casual
Regards, Mahalo! Philip
* Insert China LDS (are they affecting other churches) rules:
??????????????????
Friday, August 1, 2008
Rendezvous: Kim&Bob @Beijing
Hi,
Sorry to hear about Bob's mother-in-law's passing.
We were looking fwd to visiting with you in Beijing. I bought you an umbrella and 2 fans to ease the heat and humidity, so now we'll give them away to someone else.
As for us, it turned out, we got here early from Shanghai and the tour company was able to accommodate us- which we were glad for.
Hotels are hard to come by (outside the tour, especially beginning August1), but we made some contacts, and we have a place to stay in August.
At the moment, depending on the outcome in the next day or so,we may do option: 1)we may fly to Chengdu (and using it as a base, and there to Llasha, Tibet and Xian) to see more of southwest China. We have an August 17 flight to USA.
Or Option 2) By a miracle, I got connected with a British company and get hired as a host for their ajor Olympics sponsor (Omega Watch), and work during the Olympics. If that were to happen, I would have to revamp our original plas, travels, and schedule and move heaven and earth to reschedule and make many calls to Singapore and US so we/ I could stay. Regardless of the outcome, this experience initiated great interests for me to be involved in the Olympics curcuit. 2010 in Vancouver, Canada (love that place) and 2012 London - absolutely love the city - both there cities I have visited several times through the years, and it would be such a blast to be recruited for the events!
Either way, we experience Olympics in some form or another.
Sorry we missed you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kim28@vzw.blackberry.net
Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:38:00 +0000
(from Kim) Hi Kate
Sorry for the late reply. Bob and I had to return to USA because his mother in law died on Wednesday. It was so nice to meet you. Enjoy Beijing and keep in touch. Kim
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
My tour guide, his cell phone and the hotel I'll be at:
候小磊: 13911778789 in Be ijing
北京:准5* 萨尔利兹酒店 - 5*(Sariz International in Haidin Shi- 4th ring, west side, subway line 10, 3 to last stop)
(from Kate) I'll be arriving Jul 23 Wed and spending most of the time at the Forbidden Palace - asking the guide to leave us there for the entire day- and we'll find our way to the hotel ourselves.
Tour guiding is almost unnecessary in Beijing with the exception of Great wall and a couple of other attractions as most are within the city.
Are you at Courtyard Marriot?
3-18 Chong Wen Men Wai Street, Chongwen District
Beijing, 100062 China
Phone: 86 10 67081188 Fax: 86 10 67081808
Sales fax: 86 10 67088019 Toll-free: 400 888 5551
What's Bob's or Kim's last name? Time share under whose name? Let's get together and do a few things. We could use some real English and you might need some Mandarin to get the most out of China through my interpretation.
Sorry to hear about Bob's mother-in-law's passing.
We were looking fwd to visiting with you in Beijing. I bought you an umbrella and 2 fans to ease the heat and humidity, so now we'll give them away to someone else.
As for us, it turned out, we got here early from Shanghai and the tour company was able to accommodate us- which we were glad for.
Hotels are hard to come by (outside the tour, especially beginning August1), but we made some contacts, and we have a place to stay in August.
At the moment, depending on the outcome in the next day or so,we may do option: 1)we may fly to Chengdu (and using it as a base, and there to Llasha, Tibet and Xian) to see more of southwest China. We have an August 17 flight to USA.
Or Option 2) By a miracle, I got connected with a British company and get hired as a host for their ajor Olympics sponsor (Omega Watch), and work during the Olympics. If that were to happen, I would have to revamp our original plas, travels, and schedule and move heaven and earth to reschedule and make many calls to Singapore and US so we/ I could stay. Regardless of the outcome, this experience initiated great interests for me to be involved in the Olympics curcuit. 2010 in Vancouver, Canada (love that place) and 2012 London - absolutely love the city - both there cities I have visited several times through the years, and it would be such a blast to be recruited for the events!
Either way, we experience Olympics in some form or another.
Sorry we missed you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kim28@vzw.blackberry.net
Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:38:00 +0000
(from Kim) Hi Kate
Sorry for the late reply. Bob and I had to return to USA because his mother in law died on Wednesday. It was so nice to meet you. Enjoy Beijing and keep in touch. Kim
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
My tour guide, his cell phone and the hotel I'll be at:
候小磊: 13911778789 in Be ijing
北京:准5* 萨尔利兹酒店 - 5*(Sariz International in Haidin Shi- 4th ring, west side, subway line 10, 3 to last stop)
(from Kate) I'll be arriving Jul 23 Wed and spending most of the time at the Forbidden Palace - asking the guide to leave us there for the entire day- and we'll find our way to the hotel ourselves.
Tour guiding is almost unnecessary in Beijing with the exception of Great wall and a couple of other attractions as most are within the city.
Are you at Courtyard Marriot?
3-18 Chong Wen Men Wai Street, Chongwen District
Beijing, 100062 China
Phone: 86 10 67081188 Fax: 86 10 67081808
Sales fax: 86 10 67088019 Toll-free: 400 888 5551
What's Bob's or Kim's last name? Time share under whose name? Let's get together and do a few things. We could use some real English and you might need some Mandarin to get the most out of China through my interpretation.
Monday, July 28, 2008
July 28 Chengde 5 hrs NE
*After 6 days in Beijing, headed generally N, E for Chengde
*Y20 agent train fare- hot and miserable 5 hour trip, time for contemplation, reflection,- reading, etc but all for naught- miserable heat! If not for train rules, we would be among chickens and ducks, cows and goats. (Stark contrast from to 1 hour sleek Tainjin train for 2 days ago for Y44 OW.
*Made some acquaintances, and green top middle age woman got off at Chengde waited for us, ensured we got met by Chengde guide. (I appreciate extension of hospitality for fellow human being- something that's amiss in 20M Beijingers (where pushing, shoving and unpleasantness seem to be the order of the day, one day in the life of Beijing.)
*Lament loss of mutual civility and kindness with no expectation of material rewards.
*Met by English speaking Mary 131 80112268. Amiable personality, extrovert and knowledgeable.
* Hotel (4*star- Hmmm, nah - upgraded Motel 6 with bathtub mould)
* Tight schedule, show tonight and tightly packed tomorrow and catch 1:30pm to PEK (A/C for Y44- thank heavens for considerate thinking. Sure, one can upgrade at the on board "train office but I had my share of that XMN-SHA (a near death crunching experience; many passengers were sold "standing room only" tickets SHA bound- 24 hours! (details to be filled)
*Night activity between Y150 Monglian/ Tibet show or Y120 massage (but show got canceled)
*made choice of staying another night"
*
*
*
*
+125,000 pop- "country living
*Y20 agent train fare- hot and miserable 5 hour trip, time for contemplation, reflection,- reading, etc but all for naught- miserable heat! If not for train rules, we would be among chickens and ducks, cows and goats. (Stark contrast from to 1 hour sleek Tainjin train for 2 days ago for Y44 OW.
*Made some acquaintances, and green top middle age woman got off at Chengde waited for us, ensured we got met by Chengde guide. (I appreciate extension of hospitality for fellow human being- something that's amiss in 20M Beijingers (where pushing, shoving and unpleasantness seem to be the order of the day, one day in the life of Beijing.)
*Lament loss of mutual civility and kindness with no expectation of material rewards.
*Met by English speaking Mary 131 80112268. Amiable personality, extrovert and knowledgeable.
* Hotel (4*star- Hmmm, nah - upgraded Motel 6 with bathtub mould)
* Tight schedule, show tonight and tightly packed tomorrow and catch 1:30pm to PEK (A/C for Y44- thank heavens for considerate thinking. Sure, one can upgrade at the on board "train office but I had my share of that XMN-SHA (a near death crunching experience; many passengers were sold "standing room only" tickets SHA bound- 24 hours! (details to be filled)
*Night activity between Y150 Monglian/ Tibet show or Y120 massage (but show got canceled)
*made choice of staying another night"
*
*
*
*
+125,000 pop- "country living
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Buggin' in Wangfujing Street in Beijing
Not a chance the world's most populated country in world is going to starve - all that crawls can be boiled, broiled, fried, steam or raw served for your gourment delight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxg9PdOULWc&feature=PlayList&p=F9B77C471D168D56&index=6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxg9PdOULWc&feature=PlayList&p=F9B77C471D168D56&index=6
Sunday, July 20, 2008
JH Luau sadly missed, Shanghai train to Beijing (sights)
Got invited in April to a Hawaiian luau in July by JH- she had180 people in attendance. Sounds like a blast, and I had all the Hawaiian shirts, lava lavas and leis to hula the night away! I sure hope someone took great pictures for me to appreciate what I have missed, and it'll teach me not to be prancing around halfway across the world. Can't win them all, J and thanks again for the invitation and update. Sounds like you had a great success.
While the luau was a-hulaing, we were probably in China, and a-sweating by the buckets. Though we were in (beginning from South heading North, along the eastern sea board) Xiamen, Shanghai and now Beijing, a luau in warm but dry weather sounds wonderful.
Arrived Beijing Wednesday Aug 23 morning, riding the 13-hour night train, sleeping through the night - worked out really well, and getting great sleep. China rail can't touch Eurail trains, but Eurail can't touch China price of Y499. Had a night's sleep and arriving in the morning to start a brand new day in a new city ain't a bad way to travel. (Flight - I was told it would be an hour flight, about Y500ish - but with increased surcharged Olympic prices, plus an hour ride to airport, another 2 hour airport arrival, and another destination transfer, all costs and time add up quick - all making the night train looking pretty good. In addition, at least for now, I am not dealing with all the flying restrictions of practically undressing at security, and liquid limitation and weight limit on low cost airlines of 15Kg checkin and 7 Kg carryon - 2.2 lbs, per Kg)
KC loves train rides (got hooked on Eurail at age ten), and enjoys them in China too. Considering the number of China's 1.3 billion (1,325,115,000= 20% world's population vs USA 304,678,000= 5% world's population), public transportation, including trains can get crowded. (Need to relate the Xiamen- Shanghai 10pm ride that was sold out due to U start of school break- and experiencing first hand the onslaught and crushing of Chinese aggression) Privacy /personal space is a premium virtually unknown in this land of pushing and shoveling to jostle for a spot anywhere and demanding one's turn NOW. I suppose one could relate to a child among 10 siblings vying for parents' one on one time. If I ever consider job offers in China (perhaps in a few years,) I may consider taking up black belt to pro actively react to some aggressive person stomping all over me - something to think about- LOL
Convinced the tour guide to let us drop the rest of the tour to let us to wander the day at TianAnMen Square (the June 4 student protect), and Forbidden Palace after his canned tour. Essentially, he got the rest of the afternoon off. We walked the paths of the last 24 emperors of Qing and Ming dynasties who lived at the Forbidden Palace from some 600 years ago (Beijing was the 3rd China capital after Xi'an and Nanjing) before the imperial reign ended with the beginning of Communism in 1949. We took time to enjoy the sights and sounds of this royal site while savoring our authentic Peking Duck (crispy deletable duck) wrapped in Chinese thin "tortilla" with springs of sliced green onions and cucumber and duck sauce. You'd love it. The Palace staff found humor in our picnic as they hurried us out of the grounds of the Palace at five o'clock closing. KC wanted to see the royal collection of time-pieces gifted to the emperors from local and foreign dignitaries, but the staff waved her off near closing. I'd paid the Y10 to catch a 5-minute glimpse of the collection - but that didn't happen. Perhaps they might consider letting her do the clock museum with paying the high cost entrance for the Palace on a different day. I tend to believe that cute chicks can get away with anything if they requests courteously. Time to test that hypothesis another day next week when we have extended visit after the land tour we signed up for ends.
Strolled the Square for more sights: Mao ZeDong's Memorial and Heros Memorial, and made friends of Marialaura of Brussels, Belguim (Italian from Naples, Italy) who came for a few day convention in Beijing. Great company, delightful visit, and promises of accompanied / entertained visits if we go to Italy. We shopped some, and she spent almost all her last RMB (Y) on a silk fan she bargained down to Y20 from Y25. She's leaving for Brussels that evening, and sad to part company while we headed NW of Beijing to return to our hotel (http://sarizhotel.com.cn/Html/285/) - via subway that we have yet to try. All subways are similar - if you are geared with a subway map, can visually read/ recognize the stations, or count the number of stops, have a decent street map of the city, you can reach your destination (assuming you have the hotel business card with all the relevant information in the target language) without being a rocket scientist. If all else fails, take a taxi costing about Y50 in Beijing (one of the cheapest taxis in the world) . I don't reccommend this strategy in Mexico and similar countries, but China is relatively safe - especially since the world is watching as the Olympics roll around on August 8, 2008, two weeks from Friday.
Got to go to bed, up in 6 hours and seeing more of Beijing.
While the luau was a-hulaing, we were probably in China, and a-sweating by the buckets. Though we were in (beginning from South heading North, along the eastern sea board) Xiamen, Shanghai and now Beijing, a luau in warm but dry weather sounds wonderful.
Arrived Beijing Wednesday Aug 23 morning, riding the 13-hour night train, sleeping through the night - worked out really well, and getting great sleep. China rail can't touch Eurail trains, but Eurail can't touch China price of Y499. Had a night's sleep and arriving in the morning to start a brand new day in a new city ain't a bad way to travel. (Flight - I was told it would be an hour flight, about Y500ish - but with increased surcharged Olympic prices, plus an hour ride to airport, another 2 hour airport arrival, and another destination transfer, all costs and time add up quick - all making the night train looking pretty good. In addition, at least for now, I am not dealing with all the flying restrictions of practically undressing at security, and liquid limitation and weight limit on low cost airlines of 15Kg checkin and 7 Kg carryon - 2.2 lbs, per Kg)
KC loves train rides (got hooked on Eurail at age ten), and enjoys them in China too. Considering the number of China's 1.3 billion (1,325,115,000= 20% world's population vs USA 304,678,000= 5% world's population), public transportation, including trains can get crowded. (Need to relate the Xiamen- Shanghai 10pm ride that was sold out due to U start of school break- and experiencing first hand the onslaught and crushing of Chinese aggression) Privacy /personal space is a premium virtually unknown in this land of pushing and shoveling to jostle for a spot anywhere and demanding one's turn NOW. I suppose one could relate to a child among 10 siblings vying for parents' one on one time. If I ever consider job offers in China (perhaps in a few years,) I may consider taking up black belt to pro actively react to some aggressive person stomping all over me - something to think about- LOL
Convinced the tour guide to let us drop the rest of the tour to let us to wander the day at TianAnMen Square (the June 4 student protect), and Forbidden Palace after his canned tour. Essentially, he got the rest of the afternoon off. We walked the paths of the last 24 emperors of Qing and Ming dynasties who lived at the Forbidden Palace from some 600 years ago (Beijing was the 3rd China capital after Xi'an and Nanjing) before the imperial reign ended with the beginning of Communism in 1949. We took time to enjoy the sights and sounds of this royal site while savoring our authentic Peking Duck (crispy deletable duck) wrapped in Chinese thin "tortilla" with springs of sliced green onions and cucumber and duck sauce. You'd love it. The Palace staff found humor in our picnic as they hurried us out of the grounds of the Palace at five o'clock closing. KC wanted to see the royal collection of time-pieces gifted to the emperors from local and foreign dignitaries, but the staff waved her off near closing. I'd paid the Y10 to catch a 5-minute glimpse of the collection - but that didn't happen. Perhaps they might consider letting her do the clock museum with paying the high cost entrance for the Palace on a different day. I tend to believe that cute chicks can get away with anything if they requests courteously. Time to test that hypothesis another day next week when we have extended visit after the land tour we signed up for ends.
Strolled the Square for more sights: Mao ZeDong's Memorial and Heros Memorial, and made friends of Marialaura of Brussels, Belguim (Italian from Naples, Italy) who came for a few day convention in Beijing. Great company, delightful visit, and promises of accompanied / entertained visits if we go to Italy. We shopped some, and she spent almost all her last RMB (Y) on a silk fan she bargained down to Y20 from Y25. She's leaving for Brussels that evening, and sad to part company while we headed NW of Beijing to return to our hotel (http://sarizhotel.com.cn/Html/285/) - via subway that we have yet to try. All subways are similar - if you are geared with a subway map, can visually read/ recognize the stations, or count the number of stops, have a decent street map of the city, you can reach your destination (assuming you have the hotel business card with all the relevant information in the target language) without being a rocket scientist. If all else fails, take a taxi costing about Y50 in Beijing (one of the cheapest taxis in the world) . I don't reccommend this strategy in Mexico and similar countries, but China is relatively safe - especially since the world is watching as the Olympics roll around on August 8, 2008, two weeks from Friday.
Got to go to bed, up in 6 hours and seeing more of Beijing.
Singapore June 17, 08
HeidiB,
We’ve been having a great time, sweating buckets, but also having major electronic problems. We brought two digital cameras and they are both having problems (what are the chances of that happening? – we’ve sent from UT our 3rd camera), and now we have a laptop with problems. It won’t turn on, and unfortunately, we have lost the genealogical files that we had, including yours. Bad Karma, and that’s not the extent of it.
Thankfully, a local friend has allowed us to borrow an old HP laptop for the interim, which is slower, and klunkier but we are grateful to have something versus nada. Not sure if it’s worth fixing the KC’s used Dell is worth the hundreds - we’ll check it out the end of this week.
Adversary is hard at work. I’m having a lot of resistance in genealogy because they don’t care about the dead*, and it’s those living and my “filial responsibility” they were more interested in.
We are trying to reconstruct as much as we had in the Dell. And one of those is genealogy.
Is there any chance that you could send us another copy of both the website URL and the PAF file? We would really appreciate it.
Thanks K
*It sinks to be the youngest in this family, and being told what my obligations are and my “running away” was a big mistake, blah, blah, blah.
No support for my educational goals to go to BYU, and likely I would fail. I earned enough to pay for my international ticket, a year of tuition, and the rest was faith. I graduated BSc with no debt and graduate school with $2,000 debt. It was my personal triumph. Some of my siblings never bothered to find out about my educational accomplishments but insist on telling me what my duties are, not sure if its out of jealousy or denial or ignorance- but it’s not that important to me- I know and I have my education, pride and success. Well,…
HC Hui Nee 130 pm at Bugis MRT; Malaysia map; Print pics for mom
We’ve been having a great time, sweating buckets, but also having major electronic problems. We brought two digital cameras and they are both having problems (what are the chances of that happening? – we’ve sent from UT our 3rd camera), and now we have a laptop with problems. It won’t turn on, and unfortunately, we have lost the genealogical files that we had, including yours. Bad Karma, and that’s not the extent of it.
Thankfully, a local friend has allowed us to borrow an old HP laptop for the interim, which is slower, and klunkier but we are grateful to have something versus nada. Not sure if it’s worth fixing the KC’s used Dell is worth the hundreds - we’ll check it out the end of this week.
Adversary is hard at work. I’m having a lot of resistance in genealogy because they don’t care about the dead*, and it’s those living and my “filial responsibility” they were more interested in.
We are trying to reconstruct as much as we had in the Dell. And one of those is genealogy.
Is there any chance that you could send us another copy of both the website URL and the PAF file? We would really appreciate it.
Thanks K
*It sinks to be the youngest in this family, and being told what my obligations are and my “running away” was a big mistake, blah, blah, blah.
No support for my educational goals to go to BYU, and likely I would fail. I earned enough to pay for my international ticket, a year of tuition, and the rest was faith. I graduated BSc with no debt and graduate school with $2,000 debt. It was my personal triumph. Some of my siblings never bothered to find out about my educational accomplishments but insist on telling me what my duties are, not sure if its out of jealousy or denial or ignorance- but it’s not that important to me- I know and I have my education, pride and success. Well,…
HC Hui Nee 130 pm at Bugis MRT; Malaysia map; Print pics for mom
Shanghai, China July 21 (Rsvp D. Dean)
(TO D. Dean)Hey,
It's a great sense of relief to know that it's as hot somewhere else in the world. However, I'm sure I got you beat with over 85% humidity and 37 degrees C (=99 degrees F) in Suzhou and Hangzhou! No amount of mental pyche, "Think Alaska in the deep Freeze" could save us from intense heat and devilish humidity. Soaking wetness by merely walking, with an umbrella, with non-stop manual fanning, with a Chinese wide rimmed hat could save KC nor I from dripping wetness and clothes stuck to our skin. As much as I dislike guided tours, I must admit that I appreciate a waiting A/C vehicle within minutes of our finished tours (we got a tour package for each city we visit- bought out of Singapore- there is a lot of hidden agenda not revealed to us and we are surprised by them, no doubt). You see, I am a grassroot traveler [similar to Rick Steves', the Europe through the Back Door guru] and love the local and native feel of each country I come to see, and coming away with a sense of having truly “tasted” a slice of the country. It seems pointless to travel otherwise. I could replace travel with any amount of media, including youtube.
Kasey is not keeping up with our free lance travels and asked to do land tours. I swore never to take another tour after seeing the Forbidden Palace in two brief hours in the one and only tour I had to take when China initially opened her doors to tourism. I’m just not a “guided by the nose” and see “country in can” kind of traveler.
Oh, well, “make lemonade” moments is the order of the day while seeing China via tours. It has it's perks. "Tuk Tuk" (Bangkok term) shopping is a necessary part of these tours*, though it is infuriating to tourists who have traveled long distances to see the sights and not herded from one high priced shopping to another.
http://placesisee.blogspot.com/ (here) for more quirky details/ housekeeping notes of our Singapore/ China/ Asia experience.
We'll be home in time for school. Hope our home is still standing, and the lawn and yard is well and alive, and the Blacks are there and no natural disasters befall the area or our home.
From Shanghai (July 16-22),
Beijing July 23 (arrival in overnight train- bed in compartment - but I suspect nothing like 1st class Eurail berths in Western Europe - we absolutely loved that!)
(Comment by J Peterson of Shanghai:
Especially if you (Kate) can offer a quality service that avoids a lot of the annoyances of the typical tours. My wife's aunt went on a tour in Beijing and came back to the US thinking she got a steal of a deal on an 65$ necklace. She was pretty ticked when she found out we paid about that much in RMB for the same item right next to our [Shanghai] house. I even heard tale of some Chinese tourists physically locked in a mall until they bought something. I think for most westerners it becomes pretty infuriating when they realize that the reason the tour was so cheap was because the guide is getting a [kickback] proportion of their purchases and is only taking them to outrageously priced places and they end up spending lots of their time in stores they don't have any interest in visiting. It's more of a problem with the whole industry and western expectations, but there is definitely some money to be made by whoever finds a way to fix that divide between expectations and experience.
I'm not nearly as aware of what Asians think about the tour experience in China because I don't know what their expectations are or if they're just coming into it with no idea and don't find anything wrong with it. [Any Asian reading this, feel free to comment. usausak@hotmail.com]
(Kate's comment on tours out of USA and Singapore:
* However, because of how disappointing the guided tours were done here (via Singapore travel agent; and there are a lot of herding to high end shops to pressure tourists to purchase merchandise) I have decided that I may be interested in putting tours together and bypassing the middle men (the travel agency monopoly run by China). I have enough contacts (tour guides and van drivers/owners) and traveled in all kinds of public transportation (XMN, SHA, PEK traveled by intercity trains, public transportation - buses and subways, taxis, etc.) and have enough knowledge of shops and hotels that I could actually do a better job putting together tours, and enjoy this and be successful at it. J. Peterson (American living in Shanghai and familar with the language and culture ) could be my contact man in Shanghai.
I am also interested in a Beijing guide, and hoping to add Xian, Chongqing (and Wuhan got Yangtze cruise) and a few other contacts to the list.
I hope to sell this idea to R.Steves in Washington and one other contact in Utah.
If I could find a J or Kate in Singapore as contact, this whole scenario could be successful in Singapore too, and a USA registered company. In Singapore/ Malaysia, initially, for folks that are related.
-------
(From D Dean [Orem,UT]) Hi Kate,
Debbie and I just got back form Salem, Oregon and are heading off to Arizona Wednesday. I've been wondering how you're doing and if you've been able to travel to all of the places you planned on? Hope the heat there isn't as hot as what we've had here. Probably more humid than here isn't it? How is Kacy doing anyway. Will she be traveling over to see you? Do you know when you might be coming home. Let me know how you're doing. Hope all is well with your family over there.
Take care, D Dean
It's a great sense of relief to know that it's as hot somewhere else in the world. However, I'm sure I got you beat with over 85% humidity and 37 degrees C (=99 degrees F) in Suzhou and Hangzhou! No amount of mental pyche, "Think Alaska in the deep Freeze" could save us from intense heat and devilish humidity. Soaking wetness by merely walking, with an umbrella, with non-stop manual fanning, with a Chinese wide rimmed hat could save KC nor I from dripping wetness and clothes stuck to our skin. As much as I dislike guided tours, I must admit that I appreciate a waiting A/C vehicle within minutes of our finished tours (we got a tour package for each city we visit- bought out of Singapore- there is a lot of hidden agenda not revealed to us and we are surprised by them, no doubt). You see, I am a grassroot traveler [similar to Rick Steves', the Europe through the Back Door guru] and love the local and native feel of each country I come to see, and coming away with a sense of having truly “tasted” a slice of the country. It seems pointless to travel otherwise. I could replace travel with any amount of media, including youtube.
Kasey is not keeping up with our free lance travels and asked to do land tours. I swore never to take another tour after seeing the Forbidden Palace in two brief hours in the one and only tour I had to take when China initially opened her doors to tourism. I’m just not a “guided by the nose” and see “country in can” kind of traveler.
Oh, well, “make lemonade” moments is the order of the day while seeing China via tours. It has it's perks. "Tuk Tuk" (Bangkok term) shopping is a necessary part of these tours*, though it is infuriating to tourists who have traveled long distances to see the sights and not herded from one high priced shopping to another.
http://placesisee.blogspot.com/ (here) for more quirky details/ housekeeping notes of our Singapore/ China/ Asia experience.
We'll be home in time for school. Hope our home is still standing, and the lawn and yard is well and alive, and the Blacks are there and no natural disasters befall the area or our home.
From Shanghai (July 16-22),
Beijing July 23 (arrival in overnight train- bed in compartment - but I suspect nothing like 1st class Eurail berths in Western Europe - we absolutely loved that!)
(Comment by J Peterson of Shanghai:
Especially if you (Kate) can offer a quality service that avoids a lot of the annoyances of the typical tours. My wife's aunt went on a tour in Beijing and came back to the US thinking she got a steal of a deal on an 65$ necklace. She was pretty ticked when she found out we paid about that much in RMB for the same item right next to our [Shanghai] house. I even heard tale of some Chinese tourists physically locked in a mall until they bought something. I think for most westerners it becomes pretty infuriating when they realize that the reason the tour was so cheap was because the guide is getting a [kickback] proportion of their purchases and is only taking them to outrageously priced places and they end up spending lots of their time in stores they don't have any interest in visiting. It's more of a problem with the whole industry and western expectations, but there is definitely some money to be made by whoever finds a way to fix that divide between expectations and experience.
I'm not nearly as aware of what Asians think about the tour experience in China because I don't know what their expectations are or if they're just coming into it with no idea and don't find anything wrong with it. [Any Asian reading this, feel free to comment. usausak@hotmail.com]
(Kate's comment on tours out of USA and Singapore:
* However, because of how disappointing the guided tours were done here (via Singapore travel agent; and there are a lot of herding to high end shops to pressure tourists to purchase merchandise) I have decided that I may be interested in putting tours together and bypassing the middle men (the travel agency monopoly run by China). I have enough contacts (tour guides and van drivers/owners) and traveled in all kinds of public transportation (XMN, SHA, PEK traveled by intercity trains, public transportation - buses and subways, taxis, etc.) and have enough knowledge of shops and hotels that I could actually do a better job putting together tours, and enjoy this and be successful at it. J. Peterson (American living in Shanghai and familar with the language and culture ) could be my contact man in Shanghai.
I am also interested in a Beijing guide, and hoping to add Xian, Chongqing (and Wuhan got Yangtze cruise) and a few other contacts to the list.
I hope to sell this idea to R.Steves in Washington and one other contact in Utah.
If I could find a J or Kate in Singapore as contact, this whole scenario could be successful in Singapore too, and a USA registered company. In Singapore/ Malaysia, initially, for folks that are related.
-------
(From D Dean [Orem,UT]) Hi Kate,
Debbie and I just got back form Salem, Oregon and are heading off to Arizona Wednesday. I've been wondering how you're doing and if you've been able to travel to all of the places you planned on? Hope the heat there isn't as hot as what we've had here. Probably more humid than here isn't it? How is Kacy doing anyway. Will she be traveling over to see you? Do you know when you might be coming home. Let me know how you're doing. Hope all is well with your family over there.
Take care, D Dean
July 19 Flood hits Fujian after Taiwan (we're safe)
Cyclone swept Taiwan on July 18, and the following day, hit Fujian.
KC & I left Fujian July 15 (thank Heavens!) so we are dry (but wet from humidity and intense heat - is this what H-LL feels like)!
We are further north of Fujian, and separate by a series of mountains. And we are heading further north and little east to Beijing and Tianjin and Chengde.
Beijing is cooler, I understand. If it's anything like what we've experienced in the cities of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou (generally due east of Shanghai), athletes would be dropping like flies at their first feat!
Tropical Storm Lands in Fujian
Updated Jul 19 2008 10:52:50 Beijing Time
http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_37/node_82/2008/07/19/121643597044207.shtml
Taiwan Cyclone
http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/jul/19/aap-typhoon-hits-taiwan-kills-13/
From Shanghai July 16-22, Beijing July 23 (arrival in overnight train- bed in compartment - but I suspect nothing like 1st class Eurail berths in Western Europe - we absolutely loved that !
KC & I left Fujian July 15 (thank Heavens!) so we are dry (but wet from humidity and intense heat - is this what H-LL feels like)!
We are further north of Fujian, and separate by a series of mountains. And we are heading further north and little east to Beijing and Tianjin and Chengde.
Beijing is cooler, I understand. If it's anything like what we've experienced in the cities of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou (generally due east of Shanghai), athletes would be dropping like flies at their first feat!
Tropical Storm Lands in Fujian
Updated Jul 19 2008 10:52:50 Beijing Time
http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_37/node_82/2008/07/19/121643597044207.shtml
Taiwan Cyclone
http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/jul/19/aap-typhoon-hits-taiwan-kills-13/
From Shanghai July 16-22, Beijing July 23 (arrival in overnight train- bed in compartment - but I suspect nothing like 1st class Eurail berths in Western Europe - we absolutely loved that !
Friday, July 18, 2008
July 19 Wuxi then Hangzhou
Wuxi for 3 Kingdom film set - picturesque
A great ancient Chinese classic that most Chinese appreciate.
From Wuxi, head south, pass Suzhou before reaching Hangzhou (of Shanghai, and south of Tai Hu - a huge lake witfh other lakes making this a lake district of exquisite beauty. It was a 3 hour drive from Wu xi- and this is when I appreciate a tour schedule. Other than that, a guided tour is outside my comfort zone - a travelogue packed with highly pressured shopping trips, fast superficial visits of tourist attractions and consumption of 3 meals daily (more than anyone can handle- and lots of wasted food). If I could exclusively hydrate (with water and juices) with no food consumption to sustain my health, I would, especially because I'm sweating by the buckets here. At 37C (90sF) and high humidity, you would be soaked in perspiration. We geared ourselves with an umbrella and a huge fan each, and still could not keep cool.
Night at Hangzhou after a 70" West Lake Performance - a variety show of songs, gymnastics, classics, classical Chinese instruments and fast paced entertainment - an upgraded 3 ring circus meets Las Vegas astage, all in pretty Chinese outfits. I recommend this to Westerners and foreigners who enjoy a good cultural entertainment but not gagged with tourist showcase. For Y108 (about U$16), it's worth the show though the AC could kick up a notch or two for physical comfort.
The West Lake Performance of Hangzhou, the performance we enjoyed is condensed (and the extended versions in the related videos in youtube) for your pleasure :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw7MiDCVaw8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDyMJX9Y9M4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw7MiDCVaw8&feature=related
More on nightmare in Hangzhou Hotel (www.mt-hotel.com) - manager Wang ___e of Hangzhou Ming Tai Business Hotel
Rm 532, then543, then 545 (across hallway) then floor up to 626 (when 3 people persons present for the "last" move-bellhop, computer tech; and mgr Wang- who assured me the A/C works when he was in 626 at 10ish
2 hours of room switching: 1st - racket from a dunkard party and faulty online; 2nd and 3rd no online access; 4th no air conditioning (Kate worked till midnightish, bath and slept- woke up soaked in sweat, called receptionist and told the main A/C was not on. 2a.m.ish called desk, Ms Chen of front desk assured me that she would looked into it. Security guard on the 6th floor hallway was called into the room and asked to talk to front desk regarding lack of AC. The main AC was NOT turned on __. I asked MS Chen to leave Mr Siong, the tour driver of room 417 to leave a message regarding the circumstances and that I was having a hellish night of sleep.
Too exhausted from lack of sleep a- fell asleep after being told it would be on and everything is fine.
Tossed and turned in bed, awoke in sweat and called desk, and new shift started and Ms. Shang __ that I needed to dial the AC to 5degrees C to got the it going. She must be smoking something! I asked if Mr. Siong got his note regarding my predicament (Yes, it was sent). I asked that a maintenance repairman to be sent over, and to speak to the manager.
The AC guy showed, and determined the intake was faulty. He cleaned out the 100% clogged AC screen. The manager whole fiasco from room 523 at eightish. Ultimately, without raising my voice, I told I needed my sleep, relay the whole situation to Mr. Siong, my hotel needed to be refunded, and the rest was up to him.
Soon as I was falling asleep in the morning, the bellhop came in with a comp fruit tray.
Prior to Mgr Wang & Asst. showed, Hangzhou guide (with some Englis h) showed and asked if we were ready to leave. I briefly told him the , and told ,him to get up to speed with Mr. Siong and the hotel manager. Needless to say, h3e was disappointed, and insisted when we were ready to begin the tour. It was another tut tut (inside joke), and told him my 6 hour sleep was survival for me and having had 2 would do me in as I was already having a touch of flu from inconsistent and faulty ACs, and the 37degree C temp with high humidity!
Meanwhile, Kasey having had a shower, slept from an exhausting day of sightseeing. Her tossing aside of the beddings should clued me in on the AC not working, particularly because she can sleep through an alarm, and possibly an earthquake (Heavens forbid that ever taking place)- I was working feverishly online on banking and other businesses because we are away for an extended period.
A great ancient Chinese classic that most Chinese appreciate.
From Wuxi, head south, pass Suzhou before reaching Hangzhou (of Shanghai, and south of Tai Hu - a huge lake witfh other lakes making this a lake district of exquisite beauty. It was a 3 hour drive from Wu xi- and this is when I appreciate a tour schedule. Other than that, a guided tour is outside my comfort zone - a travelogue packed with highly pressured shopping trips, fast superficial visits of tourist attractions and consumption of 3 meals daily (more than anyone can handle- and lots of wasted food). If I could exclusively hydrate (with water and juices) with no food consumption to sustain my health, I would, especially because I'm sweating by the buckets here. At 37C (90sF) and high humidity, you would be soaked in perspiration. We geared ourselves with an umbrella and a huge fan each, and still could not keep cool.
Night at Hangzhou after a 70" West Lake Performance - a variety show of songs, gymnastics, classics, classical Chinese instruments and fast paced entertainment - an upgraded 3 ring circus meets Las Vegas astage, all in pretty Chinese outfits. I recommend this to Westerners and foreigners who enjoy a good cultural entertainment but not gagged with tourist showcase. For Y108 (about U$16), it's worth the show though the AC could kick up a notch or two for physical comfort.
The West Lake Performance of Hangzhou, the performance we enjoyed is condensed (and the extended versions in the related videos in youtube) for your pleasure :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw7MiDCVaw8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDyMJX9Y9M4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw7MiDCVaw8&feature=related
More on nightmare in Hangzhou Hotel (www.mt-hotel.com) - manager Wang ___e of Hangzhou Ming Tai Business Hotel
Rm 532, then543, then 545 (across hallway) then floor up to 626 (when 3 people persons present for the "last" move-bellhop, computer tech; and mgr Wang- who assured me the A/C works when he was in 626 at 10ish
2 hours of room switching: 1st - racket from a dunkard party and faulty online; 2nd and 3rd no online access; 4th no air conditioning (Kate worked till midnightish, bath and slept- woke up soaked in sweat, called receptionist and told the main A/C was not on. 2a.m.ish called desk, Ms Chen of front desk assured me that she would looked into it. Security guard on the 6th floor hallway was called into the room and asked to talk to front desk regarding lack of AC. The main AC was NOT turned on __. I asked MS Chen to leave Mr Siong, the tour driver of room 417 to leave a message regarding the circumstances and that I was having a hellish night of sleep.
Too exhausted from lack of sleep a- fell asleep after being told it would be on and everything is fine.
Tossed and turned in bed, awoke in sweat and called desk, and new shift started and Ms. Shang __ that I needed to dial the AC to 5degrees C to got the it going. She must be smoking something! I asked if Mr. Siong got his note regarding my predicament (Yes, it was sent). I asked that a maintenance repairman to be sent over, and to speak to the manager.
The AC guy showed, and determined the intake was faulty. He cleaned out the 100% clogged AC screen. The manager whole fiasco from room 523 at eightish. Ultimately, without raising my voice, I told I needed my sleep, relay the whole situation to Mr. Siong, my hotel needed to be refunded, and the rest was up to him.
Soon as I was falling asleep in the morning, the bellhop came in with a comp fruit tray.
Prior to Mgr Wang & Asst. showed, Hangzhou guide (with some Englis h) showed and asked if we were ready to leave. I briefly told him the , and told ,him to get up to speed with Mr. Siong and the hotel manager. Needless to say, h3e was disappointed, and insisted when we were ready to begin the tour. It was another tut tut (inside joke), and told him my 6 hour sleep was survival for me and having had 2 would do me in as I was already having a touch of flu from inconsistent and faulty ACs, and the 37degree C temp with high humidity!
Meanwhile, Kasey having had a shower, slept from an exhausting day of sightseeing. Her tossing aside of the beddings should clued me in on the AC not working, particularly because she can sleep through an alarm, and possibly an earthquake (Heavens forbid that ever taking place)- I was working feverishly online on banking and other businesses because we are away for an extended period.
July 19 Taiwan Typhoon- K&KC safe from disaster
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/18/content_8569249.htm
We are not anywhere near Taiwan the last few days, as we are in Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou- all cities east of SHANGHAI (which is quite a ways north of Taipei, Taiwan).
Xiamen, China where we were last on July 14 is across from Taiwan. That might present some concerns and could present a problem for us had we stayed in XMN a few days longer.
We've been fortunate to have online access with a loaned laptop from a Singapore friend, JC (slow, but it works- all that matters for now). KC's Dell stopped working one morning.
We are not anywhere near Taiwan the last few days, as we are in Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou- all cities east of SHANGHAI (which is quite a ways north of Taipei, Taiwan).
Xiamen, China where we were last on July 14 is across from Taiwan. That might present some concerns and could present a problem for us had we stayed in XMN a few days longer.
We've been fortunate to have online access with a loaned laptop from a Singapore friend, JC (slow, but it works- all that matters for now). KC's Dell stopped working one morning.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
July 18 Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Shanghai
6 day visit to Shanghai, China.
Mr. Siong, the driver took us about, while Mr. Wong (Shanghai), Ms.Kao (Luhiu), Mrs. Chen (Suzhou),Shiao Choo (Wuxi),Shiao Shi (Hangzhou) and Ms Au Yang (office computer staff) in Shanghai.
Comments on city tour guides later.(see personal site for details)
100% silk beddings (warm in winter, cool in summer)
1250 weight Silk quilt bought (U$1= ¥7 RMB):
Green bamboo (4 items totaling ...)
Queen quilt 210cm x 180cm
Queen Duvert ¥
pillow cases, pair Y
Custom fitted single sheet Y
----
2550 weight Silk quilt bought (U$1= Y7 RMB):
Red Quilt (3 items totaling ¥)
King quilt 240cm x 220cm ¥
King Duvert ¥
pillow cases, pair ¥
Too much weight and bulk to haul across China/ or take aboard low-cost planes- limited lug wt
Shipping to Singapore Lim Choon Kang (air, arrive in a week) ¥
Ms. Wang (King) 0086 0512 67534587 X 122
Hand written receipts 0002172 (silk products) & 0002173 for shipping receipt
Suzhou KaiDi Silk Co. Ltd
1965 Renmin Road, Suzhou City, PR China
Fax: 0086 0512 67521812
Post Code 215001
szkdsilk@sina.com
www.szkdsilk.com
ACu Jay posted
No fitted single sheet* (use high thread count fitted and flat sheets)
* For bed sizes, should have referred to http://interiordec.about.com/cs/beds/l/blbedsizes.htm
Mr. Siong, the driver took us about, while Mr. Wong (Shanghai), Ms.Kao (Luhiu), Mrs. Chen (Suzhou),Shiao Choo (Wuxi),Shiao Shi (Hangzhou) and Ms Au Yang (office computer staff) in Shanghai.
Comments on city tour guides later.(see personal site for details)
100% silk beddings (warm in winter, cool in summer)
1250 weight Silk quilt bought (U$1= ¥7 RMB):
Green bamboo (4 items totaling ...)
Queen quilt 210cm x 180cm
Queen Duvert ¥
pillow cases, pair Y
Custom fitted single sheet Y
----
2550 weight Silk quilt bought (U$1= Y7 RMB):
Red Quilt (3 items totaling ¥)
King quilt 240cm x 220cm ¥
King Duvert ¥
pillow cases, pair ¥
Too much weight and bulk to haul across China/ or take aboard low-cost planes- limited lug wt
Shipping to Singapore Lim Choon Kang (air, arrive in a week) ¥
Ms. Wang (King) 0086 0512 67534587 X 122
Hand written receipts 0002172 (silk products) & 0002173 for shipping receipt
Suzhou KaiDi Silk Co. Ltd
1965 Renmin Road, Suzhou City, PR China
Fax: 0086 0512 67521812
Post Code 215001
szkdsilk@sina.com
www.szkdsilk.com
ACu Jay posted
No fitted single sheet* (use high thread count fitted and flat sheets)
* For bed sizes, should have referred to http://interiordec.about.com/cs/beds/l/blbedsizes.htm
July 15 Dawn of Travel Star, Singapore (Shanghai & Beijing)
Addressed to Dawn/Tour Consultant: Travel Star Pte Ltd (6W 909E8870)
Tel: 64382833 Fax: 64385266
101 Upper Cross Street #03-02, People's Park Centre, Singapore 058357
Dawn,
Please provide next itinerary information that was purchased Jul 7 : Beijing July 24 -agent name, HP, hotel for first night (July 24), address and phone number.
Shanghai - called agent directly, made contact, they picked us up (but barely by the skin of my teeth).
I was trying to call your HP/ cell, and emailed you several times prior to coming to Shanghai (for July 16). For my phone usage in China, it took some doing/ difficulty to make contacts. I bought another used phone so I can retrieve info from my Singapore SIMs. Calling via my Singapore SIMS costs too much in roaming costs. The Xiamen salesman who sold me the China SIM card gave me misinformation on how to use the HP outside Xiamen, and when calling Singapore, etc. The Xiamen tour guide was not helpful. Some passengers on the XMN-SHA train ride were very helpful with their HP use sauviness.
And inevitably my battery ran out on the train and no way to charge it so I had to borrow fellow passengers' phones using my SIMS card to call. They were gracious allowing to call SHA and and receiving calls.
You may find out more information of my trip from my blog (Xiamen section) http://placesisee.blogspot.com/ l
Feel free to drop me a note or email via hotmail
Late, got to sleep,
Thanks, Kate
_______
Future reference
Tel: 64382833 Fax: 64385266
101 Upper Cross Street #03-02, People's Park Centre, Singapore 058357
Dawn,
Please provide next itinerary information that was purchased Jul 7 : Beijing July 24 -agent name, HP, hotel for first night (July 24), address and phone number.
Shanghai - called agent directly, made contact, they picked us up (but barely by the skin of my teeth).
I was trying to call your HP/ cell, and emailed you several times prior to coming to Shanghai (for July 16). For my phone usage in China, it took some doing/ difficulty to make contacts. I bought another used phone so I can retrieve info from my Singapore SIMs. Calling via my Singapore SIMS costs too much in roaming costs. The Xiamen salesman who sold me the China SIM card gave me misinformation on how to use the HP outside Xiamen, and when calling Singapore, etc. The Xiamen tour guide was not helpful. Some passengers on the XMN-SHA train ride were very helpful with their HP use sauviness.
And inevitably my battery ran out on the train and no way to charge it so I had to borrow fellow passengers' phones using my SIMS card to call. They were gracious allowing to call SHA and and receiving calls.
You may find out more information of my trip from my blog (Xiamen section) http://placesisee.blogspot.com/ l
Feel free to drop me a note or email via hotmail
Late, got to sleep,
Thanks, Kate
_______
Future reference
上海导游电话
翁晓峰13918078875 Wong Saio Fong
Xiamen, China (July 9 to July 14, 2008)
snapfish.com (for future pictures)
Addressed to Sandie Chen of Xiamen, China of Hospitalityclub.org
Thank you for sharing your time with us that one afternoon. I hope your niece's health is better and she is on the road to full recovery. Thank you for the trip to the Computer city. You outwalked us in your heels - way to go, girl! (I was ill at the beginning of this trip, mostly due to stress, and perhaps weariness- somewhere in this site, more of this may be covered.)
We enjoyed our time at the beach and the local scene (this is more my kind of being in touch with the local culture and scene, instead of the canned tourist presentation that tour guides feel obliged to deliver), and the seafood dinner by the sea. Several dishes of fried noodles, garlic shrimp, vegetables (gong cai; kang kong), and oyster omelet cost Y80 (-U$12) - good food, incredible prices. I wish we could find a place you were talking about to stay the night. We asked several people including 2 taxis and we could not find the "German recommended" hotel. On the way out, we took a taxi to go several Km beyond the seafood place (the place you talked to the lady on the cell about our location), before U- turning to go further west(where we started after getting off the bus several stops further and could not find a place to stay).
We went back by taking bus # 809 (?) and found our way to our original hotel Hejia hotel and stayed the night.
Next day, we did some shopping, hair wash and massage (1 hr for Y20= U$3) and more shopping at SM mall (wish we knew this place early in our visit ) great looking place for all kinds of food at food court but no time to sample, and fun shopping.
As for Xiamen city itself, 4 places were worth seeing, and the rest could be skipped. Nanputo Temple, Ganglanyu, 90" cruise and SM shopping mall. The original itineratry would have been interesting with out of town cities of Putian, Quanzhou, Nanin (?). I paid an additional U$70 so so we could go to Na'an, my father's hometown. I made some headways, but it would have been better had we skipped the Jimei, etc. and onlt visited the above 4 sites and Na'an and the rest of the days exploring on our won or with HC member. HC fast tracks my education on the local scene from fellow like-minded travelers who wish to experience new countries at the grassroot level. Thank you, S.
Got only train seats 24 hour ride, and made a concerted effort to to upgrade to beds. What a stampede rush - a killer rush to car #11 , and I thought I was not going to live to tell the tale. BUT survive it to blog the tale! (need more details ) Ended paying a total of Y286 (7 to U$1) for each bed- well worth the sleep. Rumor has it that a one hour airline ticket could be gotten from XMN to SHA for Y300 each, but S called and it was Y800ish. I wanted the one time train experience, and I got to see the country - however, the ENTIRE experience of XMN-SHA is not to be repeated again. (Will detail upgrade experience / FUTURE)
The train was an experience (not sure to care to repeat it), learned more about China Chinese culture, and people in general, and made some friends on the train.
I waited for some Chinese to break the ice, but I finally had to, many hours later. I imagine no one was approaching a female (whose daughter was at #4 middle bunk while I was at # 9 bottom), so I finally asked someone how I could use my cell phone (with a China- Xiamen SIM card - just call 0065-phone number for calling Singapore).
We are here in Shanghai, one day earlier than planned The XMN- SHA flight is an hour but the train was 24 hours because of the mountainous region we traversed.
Shanghai tour met us at the train station, and will be visiting Suzhow, Hangzhou, Wuxi, and of course Shanghai. Original Planned for 6 days, may stay a day or 2 longer for self exploring.
Expected in Beijing on July 24 Th.
Sandie, again, thank you for your generosity and sharing some insights. I'd have enjoyed meeting more than the tour itself.
Addressed to Sandie Chen of Xiamen, China of Hospitalityclub.org
Thank you for sharing your time with us that one afternoon. I hope your niece's health is better and she is on the road to full recovery. Thank you for the trip to the Computer city. You outwalked us in your heels - way to go, girl! (I was ill at the beginning of this trip, mostly due to stress, and perhaps weariness- somewhere in this site, more of this may be covered.)
We enjoyed our time at the beach and the local scene (this is more my kind of being in touch with the local culture and scene, instead of the canned tourist presentation that tour guides feel obliged to deliver), and the seafood dinner by the sea. Several dishes of fried noodles, garlic shrimp, vegetables (gong cai; kang kong), and oyster omelet cost Y80 (-U$12) - good food, incredible prices. I wish we could find a place you were talking about to stay the night. We asked several people including 2 taxis and we could not find the "German recommended" hotel. On the way out, we took a taxi to go several Km beyond the seafood place (the place you talked to the lady on the cell about our location), before U- turning to go further west(where we started after getting off the bus several stops further and could not find a place to stay).
We went back by taking bus # 809 (?) and found our way to our original hotel Hejia hotel and stayed the night.
Next day, we did some shopping, hair wash and massage (1 hr for Y20= U$3) and more shopping at SM mall (wish we knew this place early in our visit ) great looking place for all kinds of food at food court but no time to sample, and fun shopping.
As for Xiamen city itself, 4 places were worth seeing, and the rest could be skipped. Nanputo Temple, Ganglanyu, 90" cruise and SM shopping mall. The original itineratry would have been interesting with out of town cities of Putian, Quanzhou, Nanin (?). I paid an additional U$70 so so we could go to Na'an, my father's hometown. I made some headways, but it would have been better had we skipped the Jimei, etc. and onlt visited the above 4 sites and Na'an and the rest of the days exploring on our won or with HC member. HC fast tracks my education on the local scene from fellow like-minded travelers who wish to experience new countries at the grassroot level. Thank you, S.
Got only train seats 24 hour ride, and made a concerted effort to to upgrade to beds. What a stampede rush - a killer rush to car #11 , and I thought I was not going to live to tell the tale. BUT survive it to blog the tale! (need more details ) Ended paying a total of Y286 (7 to U$1) for each bed- well worth the sleep. Rumor has it that a one hour airline ticket could be gotten from XMN to SHA for Y300 each, but S called and it was Y800ish. I wanted the one time train experience, and I got to see the country - however, the ENTIRE experience of XMN-SHA is not to be repeated again. (Will detail upgrade experience / FUTURE)
The train was an experience (not sure to care to repeat it), learned more about China Chinese culture, and people in general, and made some friends on the train.
I waited for some Chinese to break the ice, but I finally had to, many hours later. I imagine no one was approaching a female (whose daughter was at #4 middle bunk while I was at # 9 bottom), so I finally asked someone how I could use my cell phone (with a China- Xiamen SIM card - just call 0065-phone number for calling Singapore).
We are here in Shanghai, one day earlier than planned The XMN- SHA flight is an hour but the train was 24 hours because of the mountainous region we traversed.
Shanghai tour met us at the train station, and will be visiting Suzhow, Hangzhou, Wuxi, and of course Shanghai. Original Planned for 6 days, may stay a day or 2 longer for self exploring.
Expected in Beijing on July 24 Th.
Sandie, again, thank you for your generosity and sharing some insights. I'd have enjoyed meeting more than the tour itself.
China via land packages (certainly not my style)
Tours are definitely not my style of traveling.
Love the Rick Steves and grassroot travels, and rubbing shoulders with the natives. (Hospitalityclub.org etc is more my gig.)
China with Travel Star (Dawn) +65-6438-2833
has been challenging due to Olympics. Itinerary may be subject to changes- frustrating to me.
Naturally trips include "tut tut '1 minute' shopping spree" (not enough time to explain this just now)
XMN Xiamen 5 days July 9th
SHA Shanghi 6 days July 16
Peking Beijing 7 days July 24th
If all goes well may stay in Peking through Olympics for a few days. Result in missing Singapore National Day on August 9. May also risk a remote possibility of skipping Kuala Lumpur in August to prepare to go home.
Heading home to USA Sunday, August 17th.
Thank you to C. Kun…for letting us stay at his place for the last week or two before we leave for USA. The few minutes from downtown/ city center should make life a lot easier for not having to commute a long way at the “current Singapore abode”.
Love the Rick Steves and grassroot travels, and rubbing shoulders with the natives. (Hospitalityclub.org etc is more my gig.)
China with Travel Star (Dawn) +65-6438-2833
has been challenging due to Olympics. Itinerary may be subject to changes- frustrating to me.
Naturally trips include "tut tut '1 minute' shopping spree" (not enough time to explain this just now)
XMN Xiamen 5 days July 9th
SHA Shanghi 6 days July 16
Peking Beijing 7 days July 24th
If all goes well may stay in Peking through Olympics for a few days. Result in missing Singapore National Day on August 9. May also risk a remote possibility of skipping Kuala Lumpur in August to prepare to go home.
Heading home to USA Sunday, August 17th.
Thank you to C. Kun…for letting us stay at his place for the last week or two before we leave for USA. The few minutes from downtown/ city center should make life a lot easier for not having to commute a long way at the “current Singapore abode”.
Bangkok June 30 - July 4 (after June 23 Genting & Jul 26 KUL & Cozs)
Add to do list - DL Pix for First World Hotel
(load pics and from images too http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=First+World+Hotel+and+Resorts+&gbv=2)
Exchange U$ 1= 32 Bhat = MR3.2 (Malaysian) Went to Bangkok and got back in time for Fourth of July on the 5th, Sat at Singapore's American Terror Club. Had a great time with swimming, partying, American food, face painting, concert, dance and fireworks to celebrate another 4th on a foreign soil. Independence Day ’07 was in San Diego (summer in Baja California, Mexico to reinforce KC’s Spanish in preparation for a series of Spanish achievement tests for university credits). 2006 San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and 4th at American party at American estate/ open house (cold and rainy). Independence Day ’02- Rosenheim, Germany with Ann Kapp Anderson.
2008 Singapore; 2007 San Diego (Baja California, MX); 2006 San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2005 West & Shakespeare; 2004- 2003 Across America & Lake Powell HouseBoat; 2002 Criss-crossed Europe ; 2001 – Singapore & W. Malaysia
KC wiped out and crashed while K joined a HC Shee-shah party at Arab Street near the Mosque. And a very long walk through the streets of Singapore past midnight. I've seen a great of the world (Europe twice, USA most of the 50 states, covered extended areas of Canada and Mexico multiple times), yet I’ve never really traveled to some of favorite international tourist destinations of Bangkok, Bali and India. Now with the low cost airlines more readily available in the recent few years, commute traveling is relatively cheap and convenient. So I decided to bring KC along to go to Thailand after a Malaysian visit.We headed out of Singapore for Malaysia on a 3D/ 2N "TotaLife" (multi level pyramid marketing) seminar in Genting Highlands, W. Malaysia. Some friends (Wendy and Chinese newspaper editor hubby) of Sis Jane treated us to some freebie rewards to this casino resort. KC's first business convention - the rah rah rally, and my first non-English seminar, YEAH! Spent some time with Wendy & company at dinner and Ms TotaLife. At the obligatory sessions, we supported the convention, but the rest of the time we checked out the little town. Clothes we borrowed for warmth were obsolete and unnecessary because we were comfortable with the highland temperatures of 60s and low 70s F. We were dressed in knee length pants and sandals, switching to light long pants at sundown.
Early mornings I explored the town alone while KC did her desired 10 hour sleep and others sleeping in after a night of gambling. At the downhill parameter of First World Hotel property, I was amazed in my discovery of a massive hub of buses arriving at this casino destination from KUL (every 30 minutes), Singapore, Penang, and some east coast towns in peninsula Malaysia. (In SIN, Malaysia long distance come out of Golden Mile Complex - Beach road while China tours are out of Chinatown Complex, People's Park C, etc. - Star Travel, Sino Travels, etc.)
While some employees live in Genting, others came uphill during the morning hour drove. There is an indoor and outdoor theme park which KC would have enjoyed if she had reorganized her priorities. Internet at U$3 hourly is a little steep.
There were lots of shops and reasonable food eateries but there was little I wanted though I bought a light jacket made in Thailand for an evening wear at TotalLife evening shindig.
The last day, we decided to ride downhill with the bus while Jane and her friends took off 10 hours prior to the official 6pm coach. Because we were heading to KUL to visit some cousins after Genting before flying north to Bangkok, we did not need any warm clothes with us. I appreciate Jane taking my heavy clothes (very grudgingly) back to Singapore but did not appreciate the extended reprimand and lecture. It’s not like she had to haul her limited luggage for any length of time or distance for her husband who is a cell phone call away, would meet her as she gets off the bus. Connecting is seamless. It was but a small favor for a “American” visiting sibling, I’d think it would be a pleasure to be of some insignificant help. I’d certainly not make it an issue or begrudge this small favor if the role were reversed. It is most unfortunate that sibling ‘lecture’ trend directed at the youngest sibling (c’est moi) only drive me away from her and Singapore. Should Mom pass on in the near future while I am in the US, there is little to motivate my traveling of 9,000 miles and 14 hour time zones for sibling visits. Through extended years, since I left for college on my own dime, I initiated visits and financed international flights and long distance calls, and trying to get siblings on the internet and email communication but failing miserably. I give up trying.
Unfortunate to have parted on that note, we planned to head to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) that evening.
Day 3, with about 8 hours to enjoy the day while the convention have their last hurrah, we wanted to take the shuttle from Highland Hotel to Chin Swee Caves Temple. some 6Km (4 miles) downhill from First World, but one risks road kill on treacherous switch blade curves with no shoulders or sidewalks- not worth risking life for nature appreciation. Highland Hotel has shuttles every 90" for M$5 (U$2) RT throughout the day (last around 5ish).
. http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/First_World_Hotel_Genting_Highlands.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_Hotel
Very pleasant, but with limited and safe road access along the hair pin road, we took a taxi to our destination after purchasing a sampling of rambuttans, mongosteen, chiku and local fruit.
Wanted to visit Chin Swee Temple some 6Km (4 miles) downhill from First World, but one risks road kill on treacherous switch blade curves with no shoulders or sidewalks- not worth risking life for nature appreciation. Highland Hotel has shuttles every 90 " for M$5 (U$2) RT throughout the day (last around 5ish).
From the beginning, had I known about this Zen sanctuary, I’d have stayed at this retreat with a Pagoda backdrop. Fog rolling uphill veiling the temple breathtakingly magical. Serenity and contemplative reflections were cherished moments in this poetic setting away from the maddening crowds and gambling masses some short distance away. First came the casinos, next came “Chin Swee”, the founder developer paid tribute for his personal wealth by building and later expanding the 28 acre haven.
If they had internet connection, I could blissfully dwell in this haven for a week. Rate is M$50 for most days, M$110 for weekend or holidays (which is less than one half of World First, and much less than all the others).
We had a Buddhist vegetarian family lunch in a pretty restaurant. In touring this 28 acreage, we were surprised by a monastery session, hotel, and a whole upper floor area of Chinese figures and stories. I love it so much to recommend my cousins and friends to visit or have a family reunion.
Links :
Hotel : http://www.genting.com.my/chinswee/en/hall.htm
Pix : http://www.genting.com.my/chinswee/en/photo.htm
http://www.genting.com.my/chinswee/en/attractions01.htm
http://www.photoblog.com/momotaro/2008/08/12/
Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsbULE9uhnI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byYFzCKUdKY
Took the shuttle uphill to the hotel, paying the one half fee. The convention was wrapping up with the participants dressed in black and white. They appeared to have a great uplifting send off. Considering the great number of people, they seemed organized in allowing folks to pick up their luggage at pre-assigned location.
With only half the load of passengers remainding, we left the convention. The driver and the co-ordinator were very helpful to help me connect with my cousins in KUL with their cell phones and SMS (texting). On the way downhill, we stopped at a big local food marts selling all sorts of native treats but since I’ve been away for many years, I was clueless and I no longer had the craving for most local treats. I was heading north after KUL and did not wish to haul added load traveling.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
KUL with coz
^^^^^^^^^^^
June 30 – July 4 Bangkok, ThailandLamplu House** and backpack store [recommended by German & American stationed in Okinawa, and met at Grand Palace July 2] (Need details of Coz visit, Melaka overnight, and genealogy) Monday morning, flew to Bangkok for 5 days (all for the price of about U$120 each on low cost fares, which is very economical now compared to what I would have paid less than 2 years ago. Despite my multi lingual background, I could neither read nor speak Thai. Much of my perspective of Bangkok is similar to Eric's site(http://www.walktheearthblog.com/Blog/Entries/2008/7/16_Bangkok%2C_Thailand.html - HC friend from SLC, Utah) and he has such a gift of storytelling peppered with humor. On an individual basis, KC had a tough time with the pollution. Hazel (Coz Kohn's wife) recommended Claritin for allergies and that seemed to help in KUL and BKK. (Interestingly, KC did not cough once in all the time we are in CHina since July 9, where there is pollution in Beijing and Shanghai. Perhaps the accompanied tours, taking us from attraction to attraction took the stress from self-discovery travel- basically being chauffered around and picked up with minimal efforts made by her.) Future - more about our daily, riding the tuk tuk and the hassles and "hustled shopping trips", meeing Karoline and company. Checked emails; rain drenched us and drowning wonderleather sandals) ------------ ** BKK Lamplu House Guesthouse (http://www.lamphuhouse.com/) 75-77 Soi Rambutri Chakrapong Road, Pranakron BKK 10200 Thailand + 66 (2) 629 5861 (alley lleft of the East of 711) It's located east of the river, and just north of Grand Palace. Like this place 'cos it has an international community of travelers, interesting and where locals shop. Bought 3 wheeled backparks/ carryons and love them in China travel. (Left at 711, and on main street Chakkra Phong Rd, left again and it's about 10 shops passing seamstress, etc on the sidewalk. "Youth" etc in it's company name, store selling shoes and luggage - Coz Kohn & Patricia have business card info.) Renovated in 2005 renovated, it's cheap, clean, somewhat authentic room, friendly desk folks, big semi outdoor lounge with big screen TV and great community hang out place for travel exchange, etc. Wireless (but you pay for it- cheap enough hotel not to sweat the small stuff) - CATCH- MUST prebook at least 1 day ahead, more days preferably, always full Their lobby has the best value in their tours, - cheapest tours in town, and their airport van shuttle about 350B and taxi for a little more. Fanned Room Rates Double 370 Baht; Twin 370 Baht; A/C Room RatesStandard(Double) 590 Bath
Kasey is keeping really busy in school with her challenging classes.
Thailand (Bangkok) was challenging because I could neither speak or read Thai. In many countries I have traveled, I had been fortunate to be able to communicate in one of the many languages I know. Unfortunately, Thais are kept "internationally illiterate" (Thai is majorly focused) with any or little knowledge of other languages such as English or Chinese. A brief Chinatown visit allowed me to speak an obscure dialect of Chaozhou spoken by grandparent generation. Thais have very high regards for their king and his picture is plastered everywhere along with all the symbols of Buddhism.
Malaysia - a weeks visit to visit relatives, and visited Cameron Highlands. Would have liked to have seen more islands, etc.
(load pics and from images too http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=First+World+Hotel+and+Resorts+&gbv=2)
Exchange U$ 1= 32 Bhat = MR3.2 (Malaysian) Went to Bangkok and got back in time for Fourth of July on the 5th, Sat at Singapore's American Terror Club. Had a great time with swimming, partying, American food, face painting, concert, dance and fireworks to celebrate another 4th on a foreign soil. Independence Day ’07 was in San Diego (summer in Baja California, Mexico to reinforce KC’s Spanish in preparation for a series of Spanish achievement tests for university credits). 2006 San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and 4th at American party at American estate/ open house (cold and rainy). Independence Day ’02- Rosenheim, Germany with Ann Kapp Anderson.
2008 Singapore; 2007 San Diego (Baja California, MX); 2006 San Miguel de Allende, MX, 2005 West & Shakespeare; 2004- 2003 Across America & Lake Powell HouseBoat; 2002 Criss-crossed Europe ; 2001 – Singapore & W. Malaysia
KC wiped out and crashed while K joined a HC Shee-shah party at Arab Street near the Mosque. And a very long walk through the streets of Singapore past midnight. I've seen a great of the world (Europe twice, USA most of the 50 states, covered extended areas of Canada and Mexico multiple times), yet I’ve never really traveled to some of favorite international tourist destinations of Bangkok, Bali and India. Now with the low cost airlines more readily available in the recent few years, commute traveling is relatively cheap and convenient. So I decided to bring KC along to go to Thailand after a Malaysian visit.We headed out of Singapore for Malaysia on a 3D/ 2N "TotaLife" (multi level pyramid marketing) seminar in Genting Highlands, W. Malaysia. Some friends (Wendy and Chinese newspaper editor hubby) of Sis Jane treated us to some freebie rewards to this casino resort. KC's first business convention - the rah rah rally, and my first non-English seminar, YEAH! Spent some time with Wendy & company at dinner and Ms TotaLife. At the obligatory sessions, we supported the convention, but the rest of the time we checked out the little town. Clothes we borrowed for warmth were obsolete and unnecessary because we were comfortable with the highland temperatures of 60s and low 70s F. We were dressed in knee length pants and sandals, switching to light long pants at sundown.
Early mornings I explored the town alone while KC did her desired 10 hour sleep and others sleeping in after a night of gambling. At the downhill parameter of First World Hotel property, I was amazed in my discovery of a massive hub of buses arriving at this casino destination from KUL (every 30 minutes), Singapore, Penang, and some east coast towns in peninsula Malaysia. (In SIN, Malaysia long distance come out of Golden Mile Complex - Beach road while China tours are out of Chinatown Complex, People's Park C, etc. - Star Travel, Sino Travels, etc.)
While some employees live in Genting, others came uphill during the morning hour drove. There is an indoor and outdoor theme park which KC would have enjoyed if she had reorganized her priorities. Internet at U$3 hourly is a little steep.
There were lots of shops and reasonable food eateries but there was little I wanted though I bought a light jacket made in Thailand for an evening wear at TotalLife evening shindig.
The last day, we decided to ride downhill with the bus while Jane and her friends took off 10 hours prior to the official 6pm coach. Because we were heading to KUL to visit some cousins after Genting before flying north to Bangkok, we did not need any warm clothes with us. I appreciate Jane taking my heavy clothes (very grudgingly) back to Singapore but did not appreciate the extended reprimand and lecture. It’s not like she had to haul her limited luggage for any length of time or distance for her husband who is a cell phone call away, would meet her as she gets off the bus. Connecting is seamless. It was but a small favor for a “American” visiting sibling, I’d think it would be a pleasure to be of some insignificant help. I’d certainly not make it an issue or begrudge this small favor if the role were reversed. It is most unfortunate that sibling ‘lecture’ trend directed at the youngest sibling (c’est moi) only drive me away from her and Singapore. Should Mom pass on in the near future while I am in the US, there is little to motivate my traveling of 9,000 miles and 14 hour time zones for sibling visits. Through extended years, since I left for college on my own dime, I initiated visits and financed international flights and long distance calls, and trying to get siblings on the internet and email communication but failing miserably. I give up trying.
Unfortunate to have parted on that note, we planned to head to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) that evening.
Day 3, with about 8 hours to enjoy the day while the convention have their last hurrah, we wanted to take the shuttle from Highland Hotel to Chin Swee Caves Temple. some 6Km (4 miles) downhill from First World, but one risks road kill on treacherous switch blade curves with no shoulders or sidewalks- not worth risking life for nature appreciation. Highland Hotel has shuttles every 90" for M$5 (U$2) RT throughout the day (last around 5ish).
. http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/First_World_Hotel_Genting_Highlands.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_Hotel
Very pleasant, but with limited and safe road access along the hair pin road, we took a taxi to our destination after purchasing a sampling of rambuttans, mongosteen, chiku and local fruit.
Wanted to visit Chin Swee Temple some 6Km (4 miles) downhill from First World, but one risks road kill on treacherous switch blade curves with no shoulders or sidewalks- not worth risking life for nature appreciation. Highland Hotel has shuttles every 90 " for M$5 (U$2) RT throughout the day (last around 5ish).
From the beginning, had I known about this Zen sanctuary, I’d have stayed at this retreat with a Pagoda backdrop. Fog rolling uphill veiling the temple breathtakingly magical. Serenity and contemplative reflections were cherished moments in this poetic setting away from the maddening crowds and gambling masses some short distance away. First came the casinos, next came “Chin Swee”, the founder developer paid tribute for his personal wealth by building and later expanding the 28 acre haven.
If they had internet connection, I could blissfully dwell in this haven for a week. Rate is M$50 for most days, M$110 for weekend or holidays (which is less than one half of World First, and much less than all the others).
We had a Buddhist vegetarian family lunch in a pretty restaurant. In touring this 28 acreage, we were surprised by a monastery session, hotel, and a whole upper floor area of Chinese figures and stories. I love it so much to recommend my cousins and friends to visit or have a family reunion.
Links :
Hotel : http://www.genting.com.my/chinswee/en/hall.htm
Pix : http://www.genting.com.my/chinswee/en/photo.htm
http://www.genting.com.my/chinswee/en/attractions01.htm
http://www.photoblog.com/momotaro/2008/08/12/
Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsbULE9uhnI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byYFzCKUdKY
Took the shuttle uphill to the hotel, paying the one half fee. The convention was wrapping up with the participants dressed in black and white. They appeared to have a great uplifting send off. Considering the great number of people, they seemed organized in allowing folks to pick up their luggage at pre-assigned location.
With only half the load of passengers remainding, we left the convention. The driver and the co-ordinator were very helpful to help me connect with my cousins in KUL with their cell phones and SMS (texting). On the way downhill, we stopped at a big local food marts selling all sorts of native treats but since I’ve been away for many years, I was clueless and I no longer had the craving for most local treats. I was heading north after KUL and did not wish to haul added load traveling.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
KUL with coz
^^^^^^^^^^^
June 30 – July 4 Bangkok, ThailandLamplu House** and backpack store [recommended by German & American stationed in Okinawa, and met at Grand Palace July 2] (Need details of Coz visit, Melaka overnight, and genealogy) Monday morning, flew to Bangkok for 5 days (all for the price of about U$120 each on low cost fares, which is very economical now compared to what I would have paid less than 2 years ago. Despite my multi lingual background, I could neither read nor speak Thai. Much of my perspective of Bangkok is similar to Eric's site(http://www.walktheearthblog.com/Blog/Entries/2008/7/16_Bangkok%2C_Thailand.html - HC friend from SLC, Utah) and he has such a gift of storytelling peppered with humor. On an individual basis, KC had a tough time with the pollution. Hazel (Coz Kohn's wife) recommended Claritin for allergies and that seemed to help in KUL and BKK. (Interestingly, KC did not cough once in all the time we are in CHina since July 9, where there is pollution in Beijing and Shanghai. Perhaps the accompanied tours, taking us from attraction to attraction took the stress from self-discovery travel- basically being chauffered around and picked up with minimal efforts made by her.) Future - more about our daily, riding the tuk tuk and the hassles and "hustled shopping trips", meeing Karoline and company. Checked emails; rain drenched us and drowning wonderleather sandals) ------------ ** BKK Lamplu House Guesthouse (http://www.lamphuhouse.com/) 75-77 Soi Rambutri Chakrapong Road, Pranakron BKK 10200 Thailand + 66 (2) 629 5861 (alley lleft of the East of 711) It's located east of the river, and just north of Grand Palace. Like this place 'cos it has an international community of travelers, interesting and where locals shop. Bought 3 wheeled backparks/ carryons and love them in China travel. (Left at 711, and on main street Chakkra Phong Rd, left again and it's about 10 shops passing seamstress, etc on the sidewalk. "Youth" etc in it's company name, store selling shoes and luggage - Coz Kohn & Patricia have business card info.) Renovated in 2005 renovated, it's cheap, clean, somewhat authentic room, friendly desk folks, big semi outdoor lounge with big screen TV and great community hang out place for travel exchange, etc. Wireless (but you pay for it- cheap enough hotel not to sweat the small stuff) - CATCH- MUST prebook at least 1 day ahead, more days preferably, always full Their lobby has the best value in their tours, - cheapest tours in town, and their airport van shuttle about 350B and taxi for a little more. Fanned Room Rates Double 370 Baht; Twin 370 Baht; A/C Room RatesStandard(Double) 590 Bath
Kasey is keeping really busy in school with her challenging classes.
Thailand (Bangkok) was challenging because I could neither speak or read Thai. In many countries I have traveled, I had been fortunate to be able to communicate in one of the many languages I know. Unfortunately, Thais are kept "internationally illiterate" (Thai is majorly focused) with any or little knowledge of other languages such as English or Chinese. A brief Chinatown visit allowed me to speak an obscure dialect of Chaozhou spoken by grandparent generation. Thais have very high regards for their king and his picture is plastered everywhere along with all the symbols of Buddhism.
Malaysia - a weeks visit to visit relatives, and visited Cameron Highlands. Would have liked to have seen more islands, etc.
July 9 China (En cities) and academic & career goals
Currently in China, and will remain here definitely through end of July, and strive to stay for Olympics 2008 in Beijing. Tentative plans for China, about a week in each city : 1) Xiamen and surrounding cities from July 9; 2) Shanghai (and surrounding cities of Lizhu, Suzhou, Wuxi and Hangzhou) from July 15; and 3) Beijing from July 24. Overnight train rides from #1 (24 hrs through mountainous range; hard bed and 6 to an opened cabin) to 2 (about 14 hours; soft berths and 4 to a cabin with closed door- almost as good as Eurail cabin) to 3.
Confirmed reservation to fly home to USA from Singapore August 17, 2008. Apparently, the flight over the Pacific east bound is critical as the returning university and other students resuming their education in US, and for the rest of us, summer is also over and going back to the swing of things and reality.Thanks to those who are most supportive and encouraging in the goals in this area which are not limited to genealogy, university search (best learning Mandarin in China for KC) and decision making on career opportunity in this area.
Kt and KC are generally in good health with sporadic allergies (KC) and occasionally cough for us.
Confirmed reservation to fly home to USA from Singapore August 17, 2008. Apparently, the flight over the Pacific east bound is critical as the returning university and other students resuming their education in US, and for the rest of us, summer is also over and going back to the swing of things and reality.Thanks to those who are most supportive and encouraging in the goals in this area which are not limited to genealogy, university search (best learning Mandarin in China for KC) and decision making on career opportunity in this area.
Kt and KC are generally in good health with sporadic allergies (KC) and occasionally cough for us.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Prologue: Summer in Asia Blog
The untold technical challenges (including 2 digital cameras developing technical problems and Dell lapto died without warning – thanks to JC’s borrowed laptop [though slow, it serves the purpose which we are grateful for]) hindered our progress in blogging. A hosts of negative beginnings in Asia from the get go conspire to defeat our blogging, which dropped to a low priority. But for the encouragement of a fellow traveler, EA, this blog would have gone on the wayside.
This blog is a hodgepodge of quick note taking, housekeeping, correspondence and blogging. Eventually, it will be edited, updated and upgraded... so feel free to visit often given your welcome interest in our Summer 2008 in Asia and Beijing Olympics 2008.Countries covered : Singapore, W. Malaysia, Thailand and China. Wish list : India, Bali & Indonesia. If not now, some day… Low cost airlines in the last few years (thanks to Turner for buying a defunct Malaysian Airline resulting in the rippling effect of competitive budget flights).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_low-cost_airlines #Asiafor low cost airlines for
(airlines/ hub or based out of & year founded)
China (DragonAir*, Eastern*/ Shanghai, Lucky Air, Shenzhen, Okay /Tianjin hub & 2004)
India (Tiger Airway*, Deccan, Jet Airways, JetLite, SpiceJet)
Indonesia (AirAsia Indonesia, Lion Air: Citilink, Mandala Airlines, Batavia Air)
Malaysia (AirAsia*, Firefly)
Singapore (Tiger Airways*, Jetstar Asia Airways, Valuair)
Thailand (Air Asia. Nok Air, One-Two-GO Airlines (grounded), Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways)
And more airlines to add (see To Do List on right)
Korea
Japan
Philippines
*Flights I took summer of 2008
; airlines listed after semi-colon (;) may be somewhat obscure
^ In China, Book your tickets for Chinese domestic air travel on Okay Airways after you've arrived in China, using a Chinese travel agent. (In Beijing, Sha2‘s # of ____________ was very handy.) http://www.ehow.com/how_2024511_okay-airways.html
Links : http://www.concierge.com/images/cnt/pdf/map_SP_Asian_ChartA.pdf
-------------
Only personal interest, not related to Summer 2008 : ignore this -
On New Year’s Day, 1993, the once original country called Czechoslovakia was peacefully split into two different countries : the Czech Republic and Slovakia. CR
This blog is a hodgepodge of quick note taking, housekeeping, correspondence and blogging. Eventually, it will be edited, updated and upgraded... so feel free to visit often given your welcome interest in our Summer 2008 in Asia and Beijing Olympics 2008.Countries covered : Singapore, W. Malaysia, Thailand and China. Wish list : India, Bali & Indonesia. If not now, some day… Low cost airlines in the last few years (thanks to Turner for buying a defunct Malaysian Airline resulting in the rippling effect of competitive budget flights).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_low-cost_airlines #Asiafor low cost airlines for
(airlines/ hub or based out of & year founded)
China (DragonAir*, Eastern*/ Shanghai, Lucky Air, Shenzhen, Okay /Tianjin hub & 2004)
India (Tiger Airway*, Deccan, Jet Airways, JetLite, SpiceJet)
Indonesia (AirAsia Indonesia, Lion Air: Citilink, Mandala Airlines, Batavia Air)
Malaysia (AirAsia*, Firefly)
Singapore (Tiger Airways*, Jetstar Asia Airways, Valuair)
Thailand (Air Asia. Nok Air, One-Two-GO Airlines (grounded), Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways)
And more airlines to add (see To Do List on right)
Korea
Japan
Philippines
*Flights I took summer of 2008
; airlines listed after semi-colon (;) may be somewhat obscure
^ In China, Book your tickets for Chinese domestic air travel on Okay Airways after you've arrived in China, using a Chinese travel agent. (In Beijing, Sha2‘s # of ____________ was very handy.) http://www.ehow.com/how_2024511_okay-airways.html
Links : http://www.concierge.com/images/cnt/pdf/map_SP_Asian_ChartA.pdf
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Only personal interest, not related to Summer 2008 : ignore this -
On New Year’s Day, 1993, the once original country called Czechoslovakia was peacefully split into two different countries : the Czech Republic and Slovakia. CR
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
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