Monday, April 4, 2011

Guilin and Yangshuo

Guilin and Yangshuo are among the top 10 sites to see in China.
We spent our four-day Tomb Sweeping holiday time down there.

The Reed Flute Cave was our first stop and it was spectacular!
It is spacious, well lit, and has eerie stalagtite and stalagmite formations.

The pools of water are as smooth as glass.

Afterward, we climbed the Solitary Beauty Peak to view Guilin.
This was our first glimpse of the many limestone peak formations that make this area unique.

One formation is called "Elephant Trunk Hill" because it looks like an elephant drinking from the river.

From our angle, it looked more like an armadillo or porcupine.


There are also several banyon trees throughout this region.  This one is over 1,400 years old!

Don't you just love pig benches?

The "Elephant Trunk Hill" can even be found on manhole covers.

Next, we sailed down the Li River in a motorized bamboo raft.
It stopped raining just before we set sail
and the mist gave us stunning views of the peaks.


Many famous Chinese artists have come here
to capture the beauty of these ghost-like peaks.
I painted small cards as we sailed down river.

The limestone mountains are also on the back of the 20 yuan bill.


It's not every day that chickens run up to have their photo taken.

At night, we sailed up river to see some peculiar
methods of fishing.

Fisherman use Great Cormorants to catch fish.
(They temporarily bind their throats so they
can't swallow the fish).

The travel books say, "You haven't seen China
until you visit Guilin and Yangshuo."

I agree!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Shanghai Science & Technology Museum

The metro stop for this museum also has a large market for souvenirs, tailored clothing, and kite flying.
Our interest, however, was inside this glass and metal structure.
Haibao, the Expo mascot, still welcomes guests near the entrance. 

Once inside, the displays have a Jumanji effect, with several animals from different regions on display.

How does one obtain a walrus?

There is a simulated, three story rainforest with colorful butterfly and insect displays.

The museum is very spacious and if I ever make an espionage movie where the good guys and bad guys eventually meet to exchange the disc for money, this would be the place.

The technology section contains water recycling information, deforestation and climate change displays, and a glimpse of a brighter future.  These guys look happy!

The robotics section attracted a lot of people and is very entertaining.  This robot is doing tai chi.

We ran out of time and missed the space section, IMAX movies, and some of the human body exhibits.  We will return.  Until then, I'll leave you with this photo:
It'll be the city hall in my adventure movie.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Bagels & Tianzifang

Exploring Shanghai is always an adventure.  I had a hankerin' for a bagel and found Egghead Bagels in Puxi.  Yum-my!

Nearby, there is a shopping center that has a ginormous Louis Vuitton suitcase in front.

As we strolled along, we also noticed these interesting murals on apartment buildings.



After breakfast, we went down to Tianzifang, a refurbished art district with several craft shops, photo studios, galleries, and restaurants.  It was fun zipping around the small streets and twisting passageways.









If you are squeamish, don't look at the video clip at the bottom (nothing dies in the clip).


There is also a "Wet Market" where you can get fresh chicken, locally grown produce, and of course, fresh fish.  Bon Apetit!




Saturday, February 26, 2011

China Pavilion

The World Expo in Shanghai may be over,
but the China Pavilion is open for visitors!




For 20 RMB we bought tickets on Saturday for the next day.
The Expo volunteer told us to arrive at 9AM, 
when it opened, to avoid the huge line.


After taking line 7 to Yaohua Road, 
we had no trouble finding the exit
thanks to this small decal on the floor.


We didn't heed the Expo volunteer's advice
about arriving at 9AM.  We arrived at 2:30PM.
Needless to say, we had to wait...and wait...and wait.
Luckily we packed some snacks.


The pavilion is beautifully constructed
and painted with 7 types of red.
It is also known as a "The Oriental Crown"
and has a traditional Dougong style roof.
It is 69.9 meters high or 229.33071 feet tall.


Each overhanging crossbeam has a 
Diezhuan character (used on official seals)
related to the compass direction it is facing.
Can you tell which direction this is?




Once inside, we went straight to the top and saw
the digitally animated version of the
"Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" painting. 
It is a 130 meters-long by 6.3 meters high (20' x 426')
animated scroll that fades from night to day
every 4 minutes.  It is 30 times bigger
than the original painting.
It was definitely a highlight of our visit.



Here is a replica of a section of the original "Riverside" painting.
Maybe you've seen it before?


There are many other displays inside related
to the environment, China's history,
the Expo theme (Better City, Better Life),
innovative green technology, and children's art.

You can also buy Expo merchandise at
stores located on the bottom level.
I got a small, stuffed Haibao mascot.


At night, the pavilion is well lit and looks spectacular!
When you come to Shanghai, you must visit
the China Pavilion...
 ...but go early!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Chinese New Year Break, Jan. 21 to Feb. 12

Three weeks is a long time to be on vacation,
but we did our best to make the time pass.

Hong Kong

Cruising in Victoria Harbor.

Seeing the Big Buddha atop Ngong Ping.

Climbing over 200 steps to the top.

Eating at the Jumbo Floating Restaurant.

Macau

Sketching St. Peter's Ruins.

Visiting the supersized casinos.

Exploring the Portugese/Chinese city.

Thailand

Bangkok

Touring the Traimit Witthayaram Temple.

Viewing the largest solid gold Buddha
image in the world inside the temple.

Feeling small beneath the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.



Touring Jim Thompson's House.

Chiangmai



Entering Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Rajvoravihara
through the snake guardian, Nara, at the
base of the stairs.

Resting at the mountain peak temple.

Floating down a river in a bamboo raft.


Riding an elephant through the mountains.

Relaxing at Maewang waterfall.

Seeing rice paddies up close.

Chang Rai

Boiling eggs at the Hot Springs.

Gazing upon the White Temple.

Sailing in the Golden Triangle (Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Thailand).

Feeling awestruck at the Long Neck Karen Village. 

Being stuffed and entertained at the Thai cultural dinner show.

Phuket

Relaxing on the beach at dusk.

Phi Phi Island

Snorkeling and touring the various limestone islands.

Krabi

Needing a haircut.


Not feeding the wild monkeys on Ao Nang beach.

Wondering how the islands were formed.

Walking between two islands on
a sand bridge at low tide.

Taking artsy photos of longboats.

Enjoying a final beachside meal at 
Banlay Thai Kitchen in Ao Nang.

Arriving back in Shanghai.