*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
Monday, July 28, 2008
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.
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