While working on my homepage I found some interesting historical information about Guilin’s Liberation Bridge.
How can a bridge be interesting you may ask, but this special Bridge has quite some background:
People in Guilin always had the need to cross the river to get from one side (city center, palace) to the other (Seven Star park, etc) and vice versa.
Pretty early they started building a pontoon bridge, a construct made of boats, jointed by ropes and bamboo mats laid over them (Photo on the right). This bridge had the disadvantage that it had to be disassembled every time a number of boats wanted to pass the bridge.
In 1939 the people of Guilin build a more modern, steel framed bridge named after the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-sheck. This bridge, while much more stable than the old one survived only until 1944 when it was bombed by the Japanese.
After that, the Guilinese returned to their old pontoon bridge, but kept the same name as before.
In 1951, with the Generalissimo falling out of favour in China, a new concrete bridge was constructed and named “Liberation Bridge” the bridge lasted until 2001 when it was removed to make way for a new bridge that could handle the increasing amount of traffic.
We went to the Panda House in Guilin, the new Panda Meixin and Fengyi would be able to show up today! That was the top news last week. And they were two of the Panda Stars in the Olympic Games in Beijing last year! Can wait to see!
Candy and May came to Guilin for training exchange this winter, they work in our office in Guangzhou and they gonna stay here for three weeks. Lots of plans for good weekends, boyfriends would be standing by for a simple telephone call to join in them, having good vacations in countryside of Yangshuo. They have looking forwarding to having this chance for a long time.
Though they were told before that winter of Guilin is much more colder than Guangzhou, but Candy got cold immediately when she stepped out of the train. The air was freezing! “I wish I could get the first flight back to my warm Guangzhou!” She murmured to herself all the time till she arrived the hotel room. It was a simple bed-n-breakfast style family-runned motel, nothing could be campired to my sweet flat in Guangzhou! She could not sleep at the first night in Guilin, and she could help bursting into tears after two-hour telephone call to her boyfriend…
The first thing Candy did on the next morning was: ask her boyfriend to mail three big packages of little warm-up bags, the sort of thing he used when he used to watch football games outdoor, he would put it on his knees. Candy was told never put it directly on her skin…it would burn my fat? hope so…
Now the girls felt a littble bit warming up…but still need their boys to show up at weekend…for Christmas! For New Year!
The 6-hour driving from Zhongdian to Deqin was the only way to Mount Kawakarpo. Early in the morning, the foggy Napahai lake was a good stop for photograph, Stewart got a good shot when the light reflecting on wetland. In Benzilan, an ancient port and market town, we had the best Sichuan food for lunch, walked to the Great U Turn of the Jinsha River, cheering with the background of the Baimang Snow Mountain, we were so sad that there was not so much snow this year…
We arrived at the Feilai Temple on 18h30, the location of our hotel - Shenshan hotel was perfect to see the Meili Snow Mountain, the Mount Kawakarpo is just outside the window! The weather was so good today, no cloud, blue sky…if there would be a cloud capping on the summit tomorrow morning, it would be better…
The time for sunrise is 8am, people blocked the best shooting place from 7am, chatting in the cold wind, if I could find a cup of hot chocolate drink anywhere…
Billy is a memeber of the choir serving for his church in Guilin. The Christmas is around the corner, it is also the first time for Billy to sing in his Church on Christmas Eve, he practise in home, way to work, lunch time, tea break…While he is singing, you can see his smiling all the time!
People are everywhere in and around the church, some are cleaning the windows, floor, chairs, etc, some are practising their songs and dances which will be performed on the Christmas day and Christmas eve.
No matter during the day or at night, people are gathering around the Church, some comes after a full day of work, they are so pround that you could a part of the team to celebrate Lord’s birthday, in the coldest season in Guilin…
The ceremony in the church will be the top event on Christmas eve, and many people will celebrate at their homes, the most happy time of the year is coming…
We trek from Qiaotou-28 bends-halfway-Tina’s-Walnut Grove, stayed in Halfway Gueset House for 1 night, and stayed in Chateau de Woody for 1 night.
The 1st day trekking in Tiger Leaping Gorge
2 hours driving in the moring Lijiang/Qiaotou, our trekking started from 10h50, a Chinese followed us with his horse, and we tried to explain that we did not need any help. Without saying anything, he smiled all the time. OK, we might need a horse in case of emergency…he might be of help.
Had our lunch at a local Naxi Family, the name is NAXIYAGE, a place with simple facility of food and bunk beds. We were told that we only finished one sixth of the whole distance, the 28 trends was waiting for us…It is 14h00 when we started our walk after lunch, we put all of our luggage on the horse, the cost is RMB 300 from NAXIYAGE to Halfway Guest House…
The 28 bends was not so difficult! (with the help of the horse carring our luggages)…On the mountain top, we saw the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the Tiger Leaping Gorge! There are 6 more hours to go!
The Halfway Guest House is a bed-and-breakfast place, no internet access, no TV, no telephone, the bathroom smells bad. I read articles on the Internet before, and knew that people used to share public bathroom 1 year ago, unsure if they are halfway through renovations or not, the place needs a bloody good clean. Anyway, it is the only choice tonight, I should not complain, at least we had private bathroom tonight, and hot food.
The 2nd day trekking in Tiger Leaping Gorge
The trek from Qiaotou-28 bends-halfway was definitely a pain in the ass, we stayed in the Halfway Guest House for the first night. My first stop was to check out the views from the toilet window, the view of the Tiger Leaping Gorge was just as stunning. Much better than the guesthouse we stayed in.
After a OK breakfast we continued on our way. This day’s journey was much easier than the day before. Breathing became slightly easier as you made your way downwards. We stopped at Tina’s for lunch. We had met people coming from the opposite direction that had complained that the staff at Tina’s where not a happy bunch at all. We had also read this somewhere online, thus our decision was made: we would prefer to stay at Chateau de woody tonight.
Chateau de woody
Chateau de woody (Shanbailian in Chinese) is about 20 minutes walking from Tina’s if you choose the lower path. Usually people will go down the gorge to the Jinsha river, and climb up the cliff again. We chose another path, followed the Zhang Family Path down the moutain, walked along the bank of Jinsha river for 2 and half hours, heading to Chateau de woody. You could see signs of Shanbailian at almost every crossroad of trails, the owner tried to lead you at every turn.
Chateau de Woody’s is the first hotel one encounters when approaching Tiger Leaping Gorge from the east, either you take bus Lijiang-Daju or Zhongdian-Baishuitai-Haba-Walnut Grove.
The family who runs Woody’s was just so nice. The shop owner is Mr. Mu, a Han who married a Naxi wife, he has a 22-seat coach, also a good driver who takes passers to Lijiang, zhongdian, deqin, Mount Kawakarpo…XiaoMu, their 21 year old son is a good chef, The food was fantastic and he made the best Naxi Sandwich we had the entire time we were in Yunnan. XiaoMu was just beautiful and cooked us a huge meal of everything fresh and green.
There are three level rooms in the single story building on the Gorge side of the road. They are dark with simple furniture and simple bedding. After being shown the standard rooms, we stayed in the deluxe rooms, which are in the newest building – the two story challet on the Gorge side of the road. The bathrooms are in typical Chinese fashion, the shower is in the middle of the bath area and gets the entire room wet. And since the floor was a bit uneven, there was shallow puddle-ing in spots.
In nice weather dinners are served in a courtyard below the deluxe rooms that has a splendid view of the mountains surrounding Tiger Leaping Gorge.
There was no Internet at Woody’s guest house and none in the surrounding area.
Difficult to find a cyber cafe in Lijiang! Shops and restaurants everywhere, bars are crowded with shows and entertainment, sometimes Chinese people are better to make chaoes than us…it is only 9 pm and I was told by a bar owner that he wants to close earlier today…remember a nice, small, quite place near the bridge in the next corner…it is there, the Prague cafe.
Glad to find the Prague Cafe is the same as 5 years ago! Light music, quite atmosphere, books here and there…free internet acess, great book collection, board games, watching people outside on the riverside flagging through french windows.
Prague is a warm place in Lijiang. You can have a slice of tasty cheese cake and a cup of fresh Yunnan coffee, watching people outside on the riverside flagging through french windows. or bury yourself in the sofa upstairs, reading a book…They also have great pizza and brownies! The food is good and fairly reasonably priced.
Address: 80, Mishi Xiang, Xinyi Jie, Lijiang, China
Contact: +86 (0888) 512 3757
Thank God, there is still a place like the Prague Cafe in fast processing Lijiang…
We celebrated Zoe’s birthday in Lijiang! Party started from the midnight, so lucky to find a fresh cake, and a BBQ roadside food stand was the best place we could image to host our party. After trekking in Mount Kawakarpo and Tiger Leaping Gorges for days, people were quite exostic, we definitely need a party tonight!
2009 is the year of ox, we were all tissing Zoe’s love affair in the coming year….Lijiang is a place of many romantic stories happening daily…
The ideal partner for the ox person is truthful and gentle but knows how to cajole and tease her. Of course there may be times when the ox person misinterprets light-hearted remarks or fails to see the humour in a situation, but at the same time close people will find that he/she is able to throw off her worries and begin to enjoy herself. The ideal partner for the ox person must also have the enthusiasm to introduce her to new interests but at the same time will not take risks that threaten the ox’s security. The ox person can take as a matter of course her partner’s weaknesses, and when there are emotional upheavals the ox will consider whether the blame lies with her; on the other hand such people do find it hard to forgive if they have been deceived.
Many games have been played and lots of fun! Till the BBQ stand owner was so tired and we had to leave….count many many stars in the sky that could not been seen in the concret jungle…We loved Lijiang.
The pace of life in Lijiang is slow. The rountine alarm clock did not set up as my working day, I still wake up quite earlier as usual. After staying so many days in Lijiang, gave up the hope to find a good coffee shop in town, my instant coffee was nothing but to warm me up. The open Naxi style courtyard in my hotel was a nice place for good reading in the morning.
Buying from the food chart from local farmer, I only spent 3 yuan for my breakfast! He gave me two dumplings and a cup of bean milk from his bike, told me that his business was not good in winter time. Well, highly recommend everyone to buy foods from locals, rather than buying from those bloody shop owners around the square streets, many of them are not Naxis, selling things from foods to tourist souvenirs which are so semilar that you can buy from any Chinese cities.
Dongba Paper Workshop
I walked around the Eastern Street again and again, but could not find a place named as KeGongFang. It has been mentioned in many travel books, a workyard where traditional way of paper making can be found…Asked some shop owners, but they have never heard of it…from their accent I knew they were all from other parts of China, rent a place and had their own business here, no idea of this type of old workyard. An old lady selling fried fish on the roadside told me that KeGongFang was not existed any more, the old house has been renovated into shops and restaurants…I was so disappointed.
The story is like this: there are ten Dongba Paper Shops in old town of Lijiang, selling good quality rice papers, and the papers all come from a major workyard in Yongcun village nearby, but there is a workshop on Xinyi Street, a presentation of the traditional procedure of Dongba Paper making is available. Better than nothing! I followed the instructin, turned east into a narrow lane, tried to find the local faces for road direction in more detail, and eventually I was there.
As a tradition, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel Guilin illuminates the Christmas season. The hotel management brought this tradition from 1980’s, and the ceremony has been a big event since then.
We were invited to Sheraton Hotel Guilin on 4 Dec, enjoyed a party with dozens of children and parants.
This year’s tree lighting ceremony was a little different. Sheraton Hotel Guilin hosted a dinner party to raise money for the Guilin Primary School for Handicaped Children. The party was held in the top-class Atrium Coffee Shop with its superb reputation for great French food and stunning decor and ambience.
Throughout the evening we were invited to help raise money for charity by buying all kinds of useful books as Christmas present for those handicaped children, many of them joined in the party tonight, and we talked with some, the first time we know something of sign language, and with help of their teachers and school master.
It was the first time for 8-year old Bruno dress and behavior like a gentlemen on dinner table, he used the shinning silver knife and folk to eat his favourite cakes and dissert, his hands and mouth were unbeliveable clean, and he did not try to mix every soft drink together in one glass…
The big Christmas tree is lighting! The GM of Sheraton Hotel Guilin described the Christmas is the time for family union and sharing love and caring…
Wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. May you be happy and joy all the time.
My wife and I were terribly busy on packing everything last week. We have lived in this flat for 10 years, our son was born and raised here, he is a grown-up 140cm 8-year old young boy now! We shared three bed-room flat with my parents, lots of happiness and different opinions on kid’s education plan, family union dinner in every weekend, so many memories worth to be cherished in our life…
Today we are moving, big boxes scatted everywhere, a big truck comes to pickup everything for three times, all staffs are packed in our new house, waiting to be placed in order again. And I am the last person to do the closing in old house. floors are clean, windows and doors are closed, the rooms seem to be so empty, the first time in this ten years.
I will always cherish the happy times spending in this house…
December 3rd,2009
Billy | tags:
house,
moving |
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Morning of the day before yesterday, when I opened the door and found a flower in the handle of the door, I looked around, but found nobody and no flower in other people’s door handle. Although it was jsut a flower, I felt surprised and very happy at that time, I haven’t received flowers for a long time. I was not sure it was a good thing or bad thing, but just took the flower into my room to enjoy, haha…
I took a picture of the flower when it was in the door handle, please enjoy together. Is it beautiful?
November 20th,2009
Lisa | tags:
a surprise,
Lisa |
1 Comment
The waterfall climbing in Gudong is the highlight today. The sign up station is near the entrace, you need to buy a pair of rice-leaf-weaving shoes there, it is good to walk on the smooth cliff. A helmet is also required to wear all the time, you can rent it at the registration, return it at the end of the journey. The extra cost for this adventure trip is RMB 20-25.
When we start our walking on the waterfall, we find out that it is not so dangerous. There are iron rails and strains on the cliff, not easy to see from distance, and man-made holes as steps to climb up. The surface is slippery because of the waterfall, but it is ok.
If you do not like to get wet, there are side path to go all the way to the mountain top. After enjoying the view of serveal waterfall, you have to cross a beautiful hanging bridge. It is the highest bridge in this area. The view of the green valley is extrem beautiful when you look down from the bridge.
A one-rope-bridge between the trees is also interesting to try. You migh see squirrels!
At the exit of the park, lots of farm tools are displayed in a playground. For us who are 100% city animals, know little of farming, had lots of fun here.
Our 50-60 year old uncle and aunt told us the stories of their “ShangShanXiaXiang” in 1970’s. In the Cultural revolution, Mao Tsetung issued an order: Young people should go the the country side, to be reducated by poor peasants, is very necessary. This movement was then called “ShangShanXiaXiang”, literary means: go up the mountain, and down to the country side. Chinese high schools students were sent to the country side, resulting in up to 16 millions people were moved from urban areas into country side of remote provinces.
Situations changes now. One-child policy has made many kids spoiled, parents wish their children spend more time in the countryside, know more knowledge of farm life.
Last Sunday, we had a party in our neighbourhood. Most of the children joined in the activities, their parents and grand parents accompanied. All vehicles have been asked to leave the parkinglot since last night, dozens of activities and games held here.
Bruno, the 8-year old son of Billy, liked to play TieBiZhi so much and he played it again and again! His poor Dady had to stand in each line of each game for him, because more and more kids came to the crowd, and Bruno wanted to try each game!
Yezhi, mom of Bruno had to take care of the garage shopping for Bruno. We brought his old toys, books and collections to the flee market. Bruno even bought a basketball from one of his friend!
Parents started their first conversation while their kids were playing together. Many adults were so surprised to find out they have been living for years as neighbouts without knowing each other.
It is not easy to make friends when you live in flats, cause you have do most of the things around the clock.
November 2nd,2009
Billy | tags:
Party,
Sunday |
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In early October,2009.I went to the Longji Rice Terraces with my bestfriends by our minicar which located in Longsheng County about 2 hours from Guilin city. It was really a nice and bright day. On the way to the Longji Rice Terraces, I could fell all nature smiled in the beautiful sunlight, I loved the freshness of newly baked bread.
There are about 66 square kilometers terraced fields in southeast of Longsheng, and in history, the Yao and Zhuang People have created various colorful raiment cluture with their own hard work and wisdom, they turning the hillside into a series of ascending terraces for farming, their simplicity arouses my respect. These terraces were first built in the Yuan dynasty and completed in the Qing dynasty by the Zhuang people, they were built into the hillsides. All of them look like great chains or ribbons as they wind from the foot to the top of the hill. This ingenious construction makes best use of the scare arable land and water resources in the mountainous area.
After about two hours later, we arrived our destination——Longji Rice Terraces, because of that day is the National Day of China, so there are many tourists from afar, for as much as the distance between Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is very near, so, most of them come from Guangdong Province, they drive 600km with their families. We can find people from all over the world, they all look like very happy and there face were wreathed in smile. At that short time, I also miss my friends who living in Adelaide, Australia. I often keep in touch with them by telephone or internet.
We take a plently of very beautiful photos with different kinds of vies on our way to the top of the terraces. when the dark night comes, there are a bouillabaisse of shows were put on, each of them were the most.
How spectacular view it is, I have never seen such splendid scenes. How wonderful shows it is, I need to say: what I saw in Longji Terraces kills my eyes. I must admit, it is really a good place to choose, in Guilin, China. All of this made me freed from busy lives in the noisy and congested city, throwing myself into the embrace of Mother Nature, there will have different beautiful views to be seen all the year around, so, if there will have a chance to travel here again, I will give my unhesitating approval to it.
When I was just a little girl, because of I am intrigued with fary-tales,so,I always hung about my mother, hoping to hear a fairy tale. Every night,when the dark falls, my parents always tell me all different kinds of stories at bedtime, like “Little Red-Cap” “Three Little Pigs” “Snow White and Seven Dwarfs” and so on, my father and mother often say like this: If you go to bed right now, I will have read a new bedtime story for you, and then, I dress in nightclothes, snuggled down quickly with bear doll, listened the bedtime story and was quickly asleep. After a long time,I heard some people call it: “bedtime story”, and this kind of stories can help child sank into a deep sleep and have a sweet dreams, but I have already become used to call it like“Alf layla wa layla”.
I think, every chirld must be heard the bedtime stories when they were young,how the feelings it was if oneday you remember it when you relx yourself and made the memeries back to a long long ago. May be the feeling of it is so sweety and coulde made you smile suddenly.
I must say I like “Alf layla wa layla” very much, but I couldn’t count how many bedtime stories I have been heard frome my parents, maybe the number of it looks like the stars that hung in the dark sky. In my family, I have a bookcase standing against the wall near the window, there are a lot of books which about fairy tales and picture-story book. I always belive fairy tales is not true, but there must be a hint in it.
Received a package from Jane, on Friday morning, the sun was shining, birds were singing on trees, like my thrilled heart! Inside the package were a colorful bracelet, a card and Mapple leaves, smelt fregrant. Jane said she bought two bracelets(bought in Canada), one for me, another for herself, I know what it means, we were not separated by 10,000 miles!
Amaizing by the card, big buldings with red sharp roofs, blue river, small boats…so simular with my once a dreams(I’ve told her in Lhasa), Jane told me it called Esplanade(the town’s center), On Halloween, she will be sitting at there for fours, just sell tickets, maybe some day we can do the thing together, looking forward…
I put her gift on my bed, beside the pillow, so I can see them everymornig when wake up. Missing deeply, her words, her sunny smilling, warm hugs…tears! Though we are in diffrent culture, be seperated so far away, we still can feel each other, the thoughts, the heartbeasts, seems we had lived together long before, were we sisters in the past? Maybe!
Happy time, cherish!
Recently, temperature fells very quickly in Guilin. All of us felt that the winter was coming, but not autumn coming. Some colleagues remind that it is the time to go to Haiyang village for enjoying the beautiful scenery of the ginkgo tree in golden, as well as the delicious food–duck boiled with gingko nuts. We were all happy, plan has been made.
Haiyang Village is located in Lingchuan County of Guilin. It is also called Village of Ginkgo Tree, some trees are more than one hundred years old. You can see all the ginkgo tree in golden from middle of November to beginning of December every year, you may enjou the splendid scenery deeply. 600,000 Ginkgo trees covers in the village with 4 sq.km.. Haiyang becomes the No. 1 ginkgo tree village in China.
Ginkgo may have undesirable effects, especially for individuals with blood circulation disorders and those taking anticoagulants such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or warfarin, although recent studies have found that ginkgo has little or no effect on the anticoagulant properties or pharmacodynamics of warfarin. So, of course, the famous and delicious food there is duck boiled with gingko nuts.
Every year, many people go to the village for photograph, travelling and eating. We all went to the village in December last year, and we are going to there this year. Look forward to the delicious food and the beautiful golden scenery!
Today is Julian’s birthday, as usual a party will be organized in the office, not something serious as a candle night, just making fun for our tea break.
Someone told Julian the cake is not only a food, but also a weapon for fighting. He smiled: Then we need two cakes! One for eating, one for fighting. When the cake boy showed up, we asked Julian to answered the door.
He was astonished to find two cakes!
No one tells him the tradition has changed: One cake will not be enough for the whole office, we have to book two…
Wanna know how his face looks like after the party? It was awesome! He deserved that.
October 20th,2009
Julian | tags:
brithday |
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The Old Man Mountain, located in the side of Xiqing Lake near to the downtown of Guilin, is named because it looks like an old man. I think the name is very funning so i visited it with three of my friends on last Sunday.
That day was sunny and we began our trip on the 17:00 pm when the sun was sunset. We were so happy and full of energy at the begining of climbing it. There are only few cement steps and others are mountain pass even only some stones. When we arrivaled at the half way of the mountain, all of us felt very tried. We looked up the top of the mountain and then looked each other because it is too steep to climb to the top. There is no rode to climb and we can only climb it from some steep stones. After a short rest, one of my friend asked, ” do we need to go the the top of the mountain?” Some one shaked his head. It was very quiet at that moment.
However, we still decised to climb to the top. I thought there would be some different views. Yes, it was really very hard to climb and we nearly climb like a flog. What’s worse, Boby is afraid of heights. He could not dare to stand up during the whole way. Of course, we were right. The views on the top is very different and beautiful. We can look down the whole views of Guilin City. What’s more, we enjoyed the beautiful sunset.
I rememberred Boby told me that he just felt live again when we arrivaled at the foot of the mountain. I could understand him, but i also thought this was the valuable experience for him.
August 15th according to the lunar calendar is the traditional Mid Autumn Festival in China. This year, it falls on October 3rd, 2009. I went home to celebrate this important festival with my family. I haven’t been home to celebrate with my family for a long long time, so I felt very happied that I could went home this year.
Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important festival to the Spring Festival to Chinese people. Every year, when the festival comes people go home from every corner of the world to meet their family and have dinner with them. The traditional food of this festival is the mooncake, of which there are many different varieties. We don’t buy the mooncakes from markets, we make them by ourselves. It sounds interesting, right? Actually, it is very easy to make. This year, I made the mooncakes together with my mother and my elder sister, but I forgot to take a picture of them, I will do it next time. We also went to the fruit market to buy some delicious fruits, a little busy to prepare, but all of us felt very happy.
I worked in Guilin, but my hometown is Nanning, because of the working time, I only go home when the big festival coming, so every gethering makes me happy, I also treasure every get-together. I love my falimy very much.
Many of my overseas friends often ask me how I manage to cope with the different culture in China, the social requirements here and the challenges of everyday life in a totally alien language in general. I then tell them that it is not so difficult as long as there is place to go back to when the batteries are empty.
For me this place is my home library.
This is the place where I and my wife spend most of our time in the evening. When I feel unhappy or angry, or I think of taking the next flight back to Germany, I go here and find peace. At the moment we have only 600 books of our combined collection here in Guilin: Half Chinese from my wife and half in European languages from me. We still have a few hundred copies in Europe and in my wifes hometown and hope to reunite them with their brothers and sisters soon.
September 29th,2009
Julian | tags:
Julian |
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Tonight, I feel close to you is a together work of Yangzi Sun from China and Mai kuraki from Japan. I like the song’s rhythm and also the lyric which gives a better explaination to the relationships of friends and also love. So I am very pleasure to share this beautiful song with you. Hope you can also enjoy it.
Close my eyes and feel your mind
Time has passed
I walk like a shadow
Never knew what I am going through
Whisper on the wind so sofely
Let the bright stars fill out dreams with love
Reach for your hand (you’re holding my key) and you show me the way
Tonight, I feel close to you
You open my door and light the sky above
When I need a friend, you are there right by my side
I wish we could stay as one
I wish we could stay forever as one
All the tears that haunt my past
You promised
It’ll be better tomorrow
Play that song
You and I listened to
And let it gently ease our pain
Tender rain drops from the blue sky
Flowers blooming, life is so divine like sunlight on a stream(You’re holding my key)
You show the world to me
Tonight, I feel close to you
You open my door and light the sky above
When I need a friend, you are there right by my side
I wish we could stay as one……….
After two weeks talk with my husband, we decided buy a Bichon (the name for a type of related non-sporting category dog breeds) to our home.
OK, the problem is we buy it in whch way? Pet market? Pet shop? Internet? Firstly we go to pet market, but no any Bichon there. Then, we go to pet shop, oh…if you need a Bichon you need make reservation, after about one or two weeks you can get it. The last way is internet, but one of my firend bought a dog from internet, after one week the dog was died. We do not care about dog’s lineage, but we need a health one.
We are so lucky that we fond a post from BBS in www.guilinlife.com, a family have 3 Bichon puppies and they are in Guilin! This family think too many dogs in home, they need sale some.
We know this family love dog so much, when we enter their home, many dogs appear. Oh, Bichon puppy looks like a cotton candy! We choosed a lovely one. In fact all of them is so cute, it difficult to choose the most lovely one. The whole process mistress do not say anything, she’s eyes is red and want to cry. I told them we will love our puppy and will send some picture back……
However, we have a new member in our family. By the way, my puppy is a 3 months old boy.
September 26th,2009
Foring | tags:
Foring Bichon |
1 Comment
Feng Huang ancient town is situated on the western boundary of Hunan Province in an area of outstanding natural beauty where mountains, water and blue skies prevail. I had a chance to visit it during 2008 International Labor Holidays, it seems a faraway memory, but it is the first time that I travelled with my boyfriend, so for me, it was a important and happy memory.
We started from Zhuzhou city by morning train. Zhuzhou is a time-honored city, and in a way, the largest traffic hinge in southern China situated in the east part of Hunan Province. A local farmer seated opposite, we talked with him and learnt a lot about Fenghuang, as well as the mountain, villages on the way. When we arrived at Fenghuang, time was 11:00a.m.
Upon entering the town of Fenghuang, visitors will be impressed by its air of mystery, elegance and primitive simplicity. The mountain slopes are covered with green foliage, the fields are green and even the Tuo Jiang River reflects the greenery. The bridges over the water and unique houses built on stilts display a harmony that is so often portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings. Stretching diagonally from the northwest to southeast of the town, Tuo Jiang River is a life force of the local people.
A large array of hand made items of silver ornaments for sale can be found in the local shops. Home made tie-dyes, printed and batik cloths are other local specialities that make wonderful souvenirs. The Miao are friendly and hospitable and like nothing more than to interact with visitors with a variety of traditional entertainments and activities.
The town was too big to walk around, so we just chose the main road to walk, and we needed to catch the bus back to Huaihua city in the late afternoon. Actually, our trip was short, but We enjoyed the beautiful view deeply. Hope to visit you again, Fenghuang!
September 25th,2009
Lisa | tags:
Feng Huang Tour,
Lisa |
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I watched an good movie last night. Like to write something very much.
A Dangerous Step for love is a film that told us when to the right time to take a chance on love. Peyton is a writer who always talks about the relationship between love and passion. When Eve told her that all her said is full of baloney. And from then on, Peyton begins to think about the right time to take a chance on love. In the meantime, she is very interested in Eve’s experience. After a hard search and efforts, Peyton found that there was a moving love story behind Eve’s past life.
The story was back to the II World War. Eve, Ben, Billy and Ritchie were close friends. Eve got engaged with Billy, but they had no passion of love. Eve and Ben loved each other because of a lot of similar in characters. At this moment, Ben flights to Vietnam for the Vietnam War because Ben is a solider, while Billy’s father had pulled strings and got him a posting stateside. Eve found that she was pregnant at that time. She was so helpless and agreed to marry Billy for the reputation of the family. And this decision made Eve regret for the rest of her life. So when Eve read the article written by Peyton, she has the different thought with Peyton and would like to discuss with her.
Actually, Peyton also is sort of at the same crossroads in her personal life with Eve. Her husband died when she was pregnant. And then she gave her daughter to others. She met her daughter just for a short time. Kind was just proposed to her at that time. But she felt that she own her daughter her full attention and she confuse maternal obligation with penance for having given her up in the first place. So she could not cross the dangerous step for love.
These two women have so much in common, but why they found themselves at odds when it comes to the question of when to trust their hearts as opposed to their hearts.
In a world in which we must juggle the complex problems of work and family, with all its contemporary definitions, when is the right time taking a chance on love? When do we confront the ghosts that seem so determined to destroy our future?
We always want to keep aware when we meet love and do not want to hurt the person we love. But no one could say we can protect us from ourselves while we are at it.
September 22nd,2009
Cathy | tags:
Love,
Passion |
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Today, Muslims all over the world finished their month-long fast for Ramadan. It was a long time for many Muslims traditionally refrained from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn until the luna comes after sunset. Now, the “torture” finished today (on the mercy of Allah). For my old and lovely grandma, it is a time for enioy food and drink. She sufferred from hunger everyday during the fast month. She is old and sufferred two times fever from the Ramadan. Everyone in our family prayed her for quit the fasting, but my grandma said its our own religion and fasting is associated with atonement of sins. Fasting is really a strict concept for her. We love her so much.
I’m so regret that not many young people here have such steady belief of Muslim’s. Even myself, some daily activities has been changed.
I know in some countries, for example, in Malysia, observance of Ramadan is very strict for limited to the hours between sunset and sunrise; even all visitors during Ramadan are expected to observe this wherever they go, including public beaches and shopping malls. Travellers can only drink alcohol in their own rooms during their holiday there. Entertainment programmes are suspended during Ramadan, even in the evenings, and music can not be played anywhere during the day.
But anyway, it’s in China, a large country with a large numbers of minorities live together. Something always transferred. But the belief in heart.
By the way, this morning, in mosque, I focus on our delicious and various of Muslim’s foods when all the males read Mass in hall. Ermm…I think I should have a personal fasting in coming months…
It is time for the annual medical test, sponsored by the company…People have talked about this topic for days in the office…Ladies asked lots of questions daily, how many tests should we take? Having or not having breakfast before the test, what should I dress up on test day? Are they going to a fashion show? Or the Graduate party?
The blood test must be the highlight. Billy has been a blood donor for years, but he is still afraid to see his blood going out from his body, closes his eyes like a child…Grace feels dizzy, too…
Someone might be more unhappy for the test result, others try their best to persuade her not to be so sensitive, not a big problem, age problems, or you might need to take more outdoor activities…
Life keeps going on…
September 17th,2009
Billy | tags:
medical test |
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Every Thursday, Bruno goes to his “Game of Go” class in the evening. The Go School is in the downtown area of Guilin, lots of good local restaurants available. Before the class, It is also the opportunity for Bruno to eat outside, the only chance to try something new rather than the home-made Mum’s Menu.
Bruno has to finish his homework at school before 18h30, and I have to get there before the rush hour…As usal, I have to write my comment on every page of his homework, to prove to his teachers that I am the responsible father, offering my supervision and help to my son per day…What a strange education system.
What is Bruno’s favorite for dinner tonight? Let him to make his own choice this time. “Try something sweet!” He ordered Bannana ship, milkshake, strawberry juice, cakes…It is not something sweet, EVERYTHING is sweet…It is hard to keep the promise of a good father, democracy is not a good idea.
The Go class is from 19h30 to 21h00. Bruno plays the game on a traditional, carved wooden board, with black and white stones made from slate and clamshell. Why do we ask Bruno to take the Go class? Go can teach concentration, balance, and discipline. Each person’s style of play reflects their personality, and can serve as a medium for self-reflection.
One day father told me that before Spring Festival maybe we would go to Qian Huang village Mom’s hometown, which is in Jiangsu province. Gray walls punctuated with black tiles line narrow cobbled trails, vast of bamboo surround farm houses, ducks and farmers share the crystal green water in the early morning, this is the typical Jiangnan.
I had lived there for 4 years, in my childhood, with grandparents. Every morning, about 4 o’clock, when I was still sleeping, grandma had already got up and began to make breakfast, tangyuan, gruel, brined vegetable called Xue li hong, sometimes she may make a dish of steamed salty bamboo shoot. Fregrant air was flowig from the kichen to bedroom, I smelled it then woke up. After beakfast, I went ouside to the fields with my cousin Xiao hu(means small tiger). We were running in the trails, enjoying sunshine, birds’s singing, and light mist around us, our trousers got wet by sews. Sometimes, we help grandmother plant vegetable, fishing with grandpa. I also learned making pig food, but my main interesting is playing with pig baby, we clean the baby, then put it in our arms, its mother looked at us and scratched the wall seemed a little bit worring, then we returned baby to her.
At night, the most happy thing is helping grandma to make lunch. Just sitting besides grandma in the front of the stove(made by soil), watching the orange flame jumping in the stove, dry grasses released fregrant smell when burning. Time was enough, grandma love telling old stories during cooking, I can still remember some of them even today, such as Seven Female Celestial Fables, Chang E(a ancient lady) fly to moon,and so on.
Memory in Qian Huang, unchangable beautiful dream in my life.
September 17th,2009
Eileen | tags:
Qian Huang |
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Two months ago, I went to the Nam-mtsho Lake, travelling alone. On the road, I saw herds of yaks and sheep roaming freely on mountains and grasslands, families were working in fields where yellow canolo flowers were blooming.
About 5hours later, a vast of crytal blue water appeared on the horizen, relecting jagged mountains, clouds were flowing lowly almost eventually touch the water, “It is Nam-mtsho Lake, our mother!” a tibetan told us. Rising 5,100m above the sea level, the lake is so near to sky, and with the same deep blue colour. Time was lost here, no tiresome, no loneless, only peaceful feeling…
With a partner or lover travelling together is a sweet thing, actually, I really want a friend to come with me, but he is in another country, so just enjoyed the charming scenic spots, mailed pictures to him, imaging the flowing clouds and soft wind will sent my blessings to far, far away…… Love means sharing and cherish every beautiful things in our lives, this is real happyness for me. Nam-mtsho, you are also my mother.
September 16th,2009
Eileen | tags:
Nam-mtsho Lake |
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Last Thursday, I met with an old friend come from Dutch. Mr. GertJan. Well, for accurately, he is the officer of a travel agent named Aigo Travel in Dutch which focus on China tour organizing. We had very pleasant cooperations from last year. Also, he is a good friend of mine. A handsome man with decent humour.
All of the colleagues were very happy to met him. A funny problem was I felt very difficult to pronounce his name in Dutch since the tongue should be curled a lot. Haha….But ok, finally, I call him “Lao Jiang” on the basis of Chinese pronunciation. It’s funny. A very nice name I think.
We talked for a whole day about many suggestions and comment for past groups as well as some good solutions for our future cooperation. A so bright man. For some certain in business establishment, he is a genius I think. I learn a lot during the cheerful communication.
Lisa, Eileen and I enjoyed the lunch time with him. GerJan left a messege in a small memo book in cafe. He written in Dutch, we didn’t know what did he leave behind the memo there. I promised him if anyone reply his memo, I will let him know.
Well, now, I went back from a busy working day for the night, and have a free time to write something here. Everyone have a nice dream tonight….
Our team had a wonderful trip trip to Xingpin on this week’s Tuesday. We were hiking about one and a half hours from Hebao Mountain in the early morning. The road is difficult to walk, just like cross the jungle. That day was so hot, but all of us succeed to Xingpin. When a beautiful and amazing River–Li River appeared in front of us, we were so exciting to enjoy the scenery.
Li River takes a big turn at Xingpin and endowed with beautiful and poetic scenery. It has been reproduced in many Chinese Landscape paintings. Even the newly issued 20 RMB not has the scenery on its back.
We took raft in Xingpin to experience the beautiful landscape. So exciting and wonderfu trip to Xingpin.
Our department went to Grape town this Monday at 9:00. We were very exercited when we are begun our trip. However, everyone became sleepy due to the tough long way which gave us a ” free massage”. I really admire that the skillful driver could drive on such a narrow way! Billy said we will arrive at Mr. Zhao house until we see a very big tree. But, we saw a lot of big and old trees along the way.We stopped again and again to ask the farmers where is the right way to Mr. Zhao’ s house. Finally, we meet Mr. Zhao at 12:00. Mr Zhao built a very nice Inn near his house. We could see a very beautiful scenery from our hotel. In the evening, we played Chinese majiang . I just won the first round and never won again. It totally disappointed me! We went to bed earlier for getting up earlier the next morning.
Group picture on the summit of Mount XiangGong
I struggled to get up at 5:00 . We climbed the mountain with a flashlight in hand. We couldn’t see anything except the way under the light of the flashlight. I was totally exhausted when I climbed to the top of the mountain. However, the beautiful scenery as wort the time and energy spend. The weather was too foggy so that I couldn’t see the sunrise till I got down from the mountain.
I always believe that dog is the best friend of human being. But I was wrong. We were mislead by the Mt. Zhao’s dog. We followed the dog because we thought that the dog must know the way to his owner house.
We are disappointing when I came to the end of the road. We spend 1 more hour to come back to Mr. Zhao Inn. I was so happy when I saw my bed which likes million lotteries on my bed. We began hiking after we packed our luggage. We went through from a small mountain. I just like a monkey went though a wild jungle. I won’t forgot this tour because it was’s so tiring.
We have been to Yangshuo many times, but different experience, different happiness every time. To take more exercise, we decided to do cycling around villages of Yangshuo. Stewart Shen, Captain of our team, is an experienced tour guide, we were lucky to have him to go with us. We believed we would take a wonderful cycling.
We started in the afternoon, and stayed one night in Yangshuo. Dinner was the familiar dish–Yangshuo beer fish, very delicious! We didn’t do too activities to miss tomorrow’s importance program–cycling.
Get up in the early morning, after breakfast, we started our cycling from West street. Most of us rode bicycle, some took the motorcycle. Our route was Yangshuo–Jima–Chaoyang village-Yangshuo, one classical cycling route. We enjoyed the nice view on the way while we laughed and talked, and time past very quickly. We finished our Yangshuo cycling in the afternoon, and drive back to Guilin. All of us enjoyed the cycling very much.
Bike ride in Yangshuo
The cycling happened in March, but the memory was new, just like happened in yesterday. I thought because it was too happy to forget. I expected the next time for going outside together……
More cycling route in Yangshuo, please read on: http://www.sinowaytravel.com/Guilin-Attractions/Bike-ride-in-Yangshuo.2589.aspx
On August 16th, 2009, I went to Xing’an county for the Grape Festival. Xing’An is located in the North of Guilin, about 1.5 hours driving.
Boat ride on Ling Canal
But unfortunatly, the festival finished on August 12th. It was a pity. The only compensation was visiting famous attractions in Xing’an. I heard of the Ling Canal before, but no time to visit, I could visit it this time.
Ling Canal is 34 km long. It is the oldest canal in the world and is one of the three ancient Chinese Grand Irrigation Works. It is the embodiment of the Chinese people. The canal was once an important means of transports serving the region before railways and roads were constructed. This canal still serves a purposes by irrigating about 2700 hectare of agricultural land.
The water is clean and clear, I walked across the embankment to fell the good water. Though Ling Canal is famous, but it has not been a tourism site, so less people go there for visiting, it is quiet there. Luckly, I saw two Germany people visiting there, I felt a little surprise, I asked them how to know the Ling Canal, they showed me a book called “Lonely Planet”. Ha, a perfect guid book. I admire their independency and own exploring ability. I should study from them.
After my happy visiting, time was at 3:00p.m, I needed to say goodbye to Xing’an, I still wanted to visit Cat Mountain and Merryland, but not enough time. I would be back.
A few years ago, a old camerist fond a good place to see the sunrise of Li River. It’s place call “Hebao Hill” in Guban Village in Putao (PS. Guban Village is famous for cumquat). Now just few people know this place.
wait for sunrise
Our destination is Hebao Hill. I have been here in Aug 2005, in that time we cost about 5 hours to arrive Hebao Hill on foot. Now we just cost about 1 hous by van, the way this not good, our speed is about 15 km/hours.
All the tourist will stay in Laozhao’s Family Inn, the only Family Inn here. Laozhao is the family Inn’s owner, a very kindly and simpleminded man, he as a village head for 7 years in this village. During this 7 years, he and other people to build the way in here.
We get up at 5 am, just cost about 20 mins we arrive in the top of mountain.
Till 6:10 we did not see the sunrise, hehe….. we are not luckly in this time. But we are happy that can see the different view of Li River.
Maybe next time we can see the sunrise.
Here some more photos of our hike tour along the Li River:
First, a photo from our hotel on the sourrounding area. The hotel was sourrounded by mountains, so everyone going to the hotel (which we luckily did by car) or to the river had to pass the mountains first. There seems to be a “village joke”, that everytime an outsider asks “How far is it to the river” the reply will be “Not far, right around the corner”. They also played this joke on us, and after 40 minutes walking we still could see no water.
What we found on the way, though, was an old man taking care of his bees. He told us that he kept the bees there to produce wild-bee honey. We asked him if he would sell us bee-wax to make some candles, but his price was way too expensive (foreigner price).
After finally reaching the river we had some time to refresh ourselves in the cool Li River water and take a raft a bit downstream. We were not the only ones enjoying the cool wet:
August 26th,2009
Julian | tags:
Hiking,
Julian |
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This monday morning, we came from different parts of the city, by van, by bus, met at the crossroad of Putao, continued our trip 1 hour on the bumping countryside road, stopped several times for asking instructions of which way to go, we arrived at LaoZhao’s Family Inn at 12h40. After a delicious lunch of chicken soup (the first time for Bruno to see a life chicken was killed), our trekking starts on a village trail.
Our trek starts here
At the end of June, 2009, I got a chance to visit Chengyang, located in Sanjing County, which is a village with the typical Dong culture. It was a short trip, but gave me a special experience of culture.
Chengyang is around 147 kilometers to the west of north of Guilin. We took about a half and four hours to go there by van. When we arrived at the gate of Ma’an Village in Sanjiang, it was totally dark and 8:30 pm. The gate of Ma’an Village is famous and was known as The Wind & Rain Bridge which is a typical of Dong Culture.
The local people also call the bridge as Chengyang Bridge and Yongji Bridge. We were very tired after such a long journey. But, we were very exciting when an elegant Wind & Rain Bridge appeared in front of us. In the evening, the Bridge is shrouded by the golden lights. It was so beautiful at night. We can only see the golden bridge but darkness. All things are silent at night, while the Bridge is working for the whole village. It seems sacred and inviolable.
After a overlooking of the Chengyang Bridge, we went back to Bobby’s home to have dinner. Bobby is our friend and an excellent local tour guide. He told us when there are girl guests coming to the Dong people’s home, the village’s young men will go to the house to have dinner. This is the Dong custom for young people to have dates. Unfortunately, we arrived there too later so that no one knew we were there. Haha…
We got up very early to visit Wind & Rain Bridge and Chengyang Eight Village. We had a better view of Wind & Rain Bridge in the daytime. The bridge looks like 5 connected pavilions on the Linxi River. It is so beautiful and special that it is totally different form the modern art we are familiar with. It was built in 1916, and it has been standing there sheltered the passerby from wind and rain for nearly a century. It is a wooden structure bridge which is 64.4 meters long, 3.4 meters wide and 10.6 meters high. The most amazing thing is that no nail was used in the bridge. The local Dong people will give you a convincing answer if you go to visit the village.
At the bank of Linxi River, there are a lot of water wheels which are also made by wooden and are used to irrigate the farmland. I thought water car is a special view for all visitors, especially our foreign friends.
Dragon Boat Race in Sanjiang
After across the Bridge, we arrived at Ma’an Village, which is the biggest village in the 8 Dong villages in Chengyang area. We just explored five of them in this morning. Drum Tower is the symbolic architecture of Dong Culture. Every Dong village has a unique drum tower where the local people celebrate the holidays, have funs, or see the operas.
We were so hungry and had not too much time to visit all the special things in the villages. And then we went back to have breakfast. That day was very hot. And we had to get back to Guilin in the afternoon. So we did not explore other villages which I thought it was a pity. If I have another chance to Chengyang, I believe I will explore other special things of Dong Culture.
The itinerary is:
24 Aug - 10 am get on board at the entrance of Henxiang Garden, 1 hour drive to Guban Village in Putao, 20 minute walking to the Li River, about 40 km south of Guilin. Free time in the afternoon at the riverside. Stay overnight at Laozhao’s Family Inn.
25 Aug - 5 am get up to climb up the Hebao mountain (30 minutes climbing) to the mountain top, bird eye view of the Li River and sunrise (if weather permits). Go down the mountain for breakfast at Laozhao’s home. Continure to trek for 2 hours to Xingping Town. Take bus to Yangshuo (40 minute). Free time in Yangshuo. We have a bike club in Yangshuo….Take bus back to Guilin in the late afternoon.
sunrise on Mount Hebao, photo by Foring, Aug 2005
Cost: sponsored by Sinoway Travel
Aready signed up:
BILLY, LISA, CATHY, EILEEN, JULIAN, CINDY, FORING, ZOE
If you want to sign up, do it now! The van can only take 12 persons…
Things to prepare:
extra T shirt, nice shoes, cap, sun cream, swimming suit, mosquito spray (Otherwise I look like Cindy last time…like an onion-pie)
Today is Aug.20, the Shoton Festival in Lhasa. My friend Jia told she had gone to Drepung Monastery, attened the Unfirling of Massive Buddha Tapastry. When talking, japped mountain surrounted by ever-changing clouds flowing in deep blue sky appeared to my eyes. Missing, the days in Lhasa, the sunny faces and a popular saying:” that if a Tibetan can talk, he can sing, if he can walk, he can dance.” This aptly described their lively and vibrant culture.
In Lhasa, when off duty, I love sitting in somewhere, enjoy soft wind, fregrant air, people’s smilling, my heart is like a bird flying up over the mountains to far, far away…
I wrote a poem when I was in Lhasa:
On the other side of the mountains
Shoton Festival
What can I see
On the other side of the mountains
White clouds,flowing in deep sky
like moving snows
Angle’s tears blowing down in lakes…
I’m looking forward
for the other side of the mountains
How I wish
to have a pair of wings
Flying in the clouds, over mountains,lakes…
How I wish!
But I heard their calling
from the sky
climbing,just climbing,my child
then you will see the way should be
I’m coming
climbing,just climbing…
towards the other side of the mountains
the road to my dream
birthday party for Foring
20 Aug is my birthday, we shared two birthday cakes in our office, dozens of people joined in the party at our tea break in the afternoon.
We opened a big Jackfruit, 80 pounds in weight and up to 36 inches long and 20 inches in diameter. It consisted of large edible bulbs of yellow, banana-flavored flesh that encloses a smooth, oval, light-brown seed. There might be 100 seeds.
The Jackfruit was fully ripe, it has small, fibrous, soft, mushy, but very sweet carpels with a texture somewhat akin to a raw oysters.
It was so hard to open this Jackfruit!
It was a tradition for Sinoway Travel to order a cake on staff’s birthday.
jackfruit
Presently we celebrate each and every employees birthday in office with a cake cut.
Suggestion One
Every month, from one of the staff member to cut a cake on the First brithday only, by all the birthday associates of the month and give a gift to individuals on their birthday. This saves time and money.
Suggestion Two
Why Can’t it be something different. Every one would like to (normally) spend his or her birthday with their family. Could it be possible to give a special leave with a gift voucher or allow him to spent certain amount on company’s account, to cover his expenses to dine with his family.
On 19 July, we took bus from Guilin to Lintian, hired a small van to MoJia Village, started our hiking along the trails through rice paddies, passed an abandoned dam on a stream, arrived the entrance of the valley.
Trekking the river valley near Lingtian
We walked all the time in the green valley, ended our trip in a farm house for lunch break. 1 more hour trekking in the forest till we arrived at Fulu Bay (LongKouCunWei). No bus service or taxi available here, we telephoned our driver who dropped us in the morning. He showed up in our warmly welome of “oh, Yeh” in 30 minutes, took us to Lintian. Kindly remind you the last bus from Lintian to Guilin is 17h30.
Water splashing ceremony after the trekking
8 persons signed up for this trip. The cost for a van from Lintian to MoJia Village is 15RMB, and LongKouCunWei to Lintian is RMB20. The driver who helped us is Mr. Chen, mobile phone 13877311659, a very good driver.
I am so happy to come back to Guilin! After 2 months exchange program in our Guangzhou Office, I do not like this city of concrete jungle at all. The routine of flat-office-flat schedule made me sick, it was so hot, humid and boring in Guangzhou….I really need a break. Before my departure, the trip to Lingding Island gave some fresh air evetually.
Zoe, our web designer
Lingding Island is an island town under the jurisdiction of the east district of Zhuhai. It is 27.5 sea miles away from Macao and the urban areas of Zhuhai to the west. We arrived at the official ferry to Ling Ding island from Zhuhai.
Bruno (son of Billy) invited 10 classmates to his home for a big party today. It must be the first time they meet for this summer vacation, have not seen each other for 40 days.
Han Zhangyi (the boy in the middle) came back from Guangzhou. He was so happy to be his friends after 3 months seperation.
This party was also some kind of re-union celebration for boys. Boys are happy with toy weapens, peace only can be kept 5 minutes between them.
Family Party day
Girls are telling their stories on dancing classes, while boys are sharing experience on bastket ball and swimming classes. 4 adults joined in the party, helping for foods, drinks and emergency calls for boys’ fighting for toys.
Kids need to be entertained in summer vacation. Usually, both mom and dad need to work full time, leave the kid alone with grand parents, one-child policy makes kids spoiled, and not so many safe places for kids to play outside in the neighborhood. Instead of being locked up in the room, kids prefer to attend all kinds of activity classes…Make parents to be more tired of picking up to match different schedules…
So inviting friends to home also seems like a big event…
August 18th,2009
Billy | tags:
Family Party |
No Comments
Last Sunday I went with a group of local Guilinese out to the countryside. Our first destination was the village of Liang Jiang from where we hiked towards the ancient fortification system in Zhu Cun. The village was a colorful mix of buildins from many different dynasties and sadly many houses were not inhabited anymore.
In the middle of the village was a small mountain containing a cave (called “Lion Cave”) which was used in ancient times as innermost defence against enemies. 
A local farmer was kind enough to show (and clear) the way to the cave entrance and lead us through the cave itself. On some parts it was a bit dangerous as the ground was slippery and there were pretty deep holes in the floor, but the group took good care of each other, so we passed through safely.
After this small adventure we took the bus to the water reservoir to have a good swim and escape the blazing heat. 
Before beeing able to jump in the water we had to climb the wall of the reservoir which was, by my standard at least, pretty steep (as can be seen on the photo on the right). We spend about 2 hours paddling in the water, eating water melon and enjoying the day before taking the bus back home to Guilin. It was, by all means, a very successful day.
August 18th,2009
Julian | tags:
Hiking,
Julian |
No Comments
Beihai is the nearest coast city to Guilin, and the beach in Beihai is the dream of summer vacation for every child. Last Saturday, I drove 600km, 7 hours on road, with my son, my mom to the beach, had a good time there.
Bruno, the 8-year-old boy in following pictures, was too happy to going back to the beach hotel. He prefered to stayed on the beach all day and night! We have both really enjoyed our stay here even though the weather hasnt been that great, sometimes it has been really cloudy, but we have been determined to get a tan so have still been to the beach every day and both made a mistake in thinking you didnt need sunlotion if it was cloudy.
After hanging out for 12 hours on the beach…in the morning when the sunburn was not so painful, in the afternoon digging in the sand for small crabs and oysters, in the evening lying in the sallow water, waiting for the big waves…it was awesome! We were so tired that we slept like babies every night.
Oysters and snails are the snack of choice at night. The trend snaked its way to the bustling beach restaurants of Yintan, mostly by word of mouth. We found appeal in the oyster´s knarled, rugged appearance. People liked to toss down a few dozen with their buddies after bar hopping. It seemed everyone we met was eating this unattractive seafood.
August 17th,2009
Billy | tags:
beach,
Beihai,
yintan |
No Comments
On July 23, 2009, I followed Mr.Sheng to Yangshuo to meet an American tour group. Mr.Sheng is an experienced tour guide. He told me a lot of things about his job experience and local culture along the drive from Guilin to Yangshuo. I really admire his excellent English and wide knowledge.
We went to Longsheng on Friday afternoon. I always heard American girls screaming along the drive from Guilin to Longsheng. Why? Those girls will scream when they believe that our car will hit chicken or dogs on the rough mountain road. However, I am used to this traffic situation. Finally, we arrived at Longshang terrace. It’s my first time to come to Longsheng.
I was totally attracted by the special ethic clothes, splendid terraces and natural scenery. I don’t exercise very much in my free time so I had trouble catching breath when I climbed the mountain.
We lived in a hotel which is located halfway up the mountain. In the evening we chatted with the guest before going to bed. Unluckily I forgot to bring a mosquito repellent. I got 30 bites in my arms and legs in one night. This is a really unforgettable experience.
