 |
| Birds of Paradise |
 |
| Hong Kong - the 4 hour tour at night |
 |
| Hong Kong was very hilly - like San Fransisco. |
Thailand
 |
| Lots of water taxis and other transportation |
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Brisbane, Hong Kong, and Bangkok
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Xian and the Terracotta Warriors
 |
| The Terracotta warriors - built in the 3rd century BC and not discovered until 1974 (!!) there are over 8,000 life-size warriors, among other things - as part of emperor Qin Shi Huangdi's tomb. |
 |
| These are (we think) Pomegranates, covered with little bags on the trees. We have not yet figured out why they do this! |
 |
| Xian is a walled city - this is on top of the wall |
 |
| The wall is pretty high! |
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Fall
 |
| Getting lots of attention from the cousins back in September. My phone takes awful pictures - but daddy had the camera in China, so we had to make do. |
 |
| Jax and Pip playing in jams. |
 |
| Penelope loves her grocery cart. |
 |
| Picking up daddy after 2 1/2 weeks! |
 |
| Jen & Craig let P play in the leaves. Which was nice since we don't have leaves at home! |
 |
| Swinging with Babaw |
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Lost In Translation
 |
| This one's easy - "Don't |
 |
| Make sure your car is well rested! |
 |
| "No driving around with giraffe's in your backseat!" |
 |
| Let me know if you understand this. |
 |
| Don't drive with a headache. |
 |
| Just another sign of the many things you CAN'T do. |
 |
| Luckily there was an English speaking traveler before that was kind enough to explain where to go! |
Monday, October 21, 2013
A short insight on Wayne's Trip to China
There has only been two exciting things to report this last month. First, and least exciting, is that we all have had some sort of kill-you-dead pneumonia, also known as the common cold. It has been especially bad this time, and all three of us had it. There has been little sleep but a lot of coughing and unearthly amounts of mucus.
Much more exciting is that Wayne got back from his trip to Asia and Australia. He spent about a week in China, a few days in Thailand, a few days in Australia, and a few days on various airplanes and trains traveling.
I consider myself a little more knowledgeable and well-informed than the average person, but maybe that doesn't mean so much. I admit that all I really knew about China consisted of its' involvement in World War Two.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that China has a rich history dating back a long, long time before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. And with a land mass larger than the United States, that history spans people living in different climates and ecosystems with different religions and values.
My reading has barely scratched the surface, but I have found quite a few fascinating tidbits. For instance, history classes tell us that more people died in the American Civil War than any other American war, about 620,000 deaths. It was a horrendous war, one that we study at least 8 times in our 13 years of school. However, not once have I ever heard of the Taiping Rebellion (1851-64) which claimed over 20 million lives! Why did we never study the Silk Road, a route of overland travel that roamed over 6000 miles? How did we miss out on learning how, exactly, the Great Wall was built by hand?
We all know that China is densely populated. Wayne spent several days in Bejing, a large city of 18 million that we have all heard of. Then he went to Xian, a smaller city that I had never heard of. Xian is the 12th largest populated city in China, yet it is home to 6 million people, or roughly one and a half times the population of Los Angeles, the second most populated city in the US. Yet you and I have likely never heard of it.
In China, Wayne found most signs and literature had English translations; however, some were clearly 'lost in translation.' Like the sign on the Great Wall that read, "The Photography place of 'If you are the one 2."
Wayne typically saw only 5-10 other caucasion people each day. The hoards of Chinese tourists had different sight-seeing habits. Generally they would push their way to the front of each attraction, then touching anything and everything they could with both hands. Information stands, as well as live trees and historic relics were felt, as though part of the experience was through touch. (This of course doesn't fair well for delicate or painted objects!)
With such a large population, the Chinese use nearly every square cultivatable inch for agriculture. Fields of crops were everywhere. Corn was being harvested, and Wayne saw it piled right on the road - whether it was some method of drying it or perhaps it was the only space they had to put it.
Before Wayne went to China, we had heard that 'real' Chinese food was bland and not at all like what we would eat here in the US at a Chinese restaurant. Wayne found the opposite to be true, although it would take weeks for one to try all the authentic food. One meal he had was identical to what you would get at a US Chinese restaurant. He noticed noodles were eaten much more frequently, like for breakfast with beans and eggs.
Wayne went to a food market and did find some interesting food choices. Scorpions, seahorses, snakes, salamanders, starfish and lots of raw octopus. Some were still alive, and many would soon be deep fat fried. These foods didn't seem to really be delicacies there, but more of a novelty.
Since the Chinese like noodles and tea, it is common for public places to have not only a water fountain, but a hot water dispenser - for making tea or a quick snack or lunch of noodles. I guess we aren't the only ones who like Ramen!
With China's one-child-policy, it is easy to imagine that children there are adored. One thing that Wayne noticed was the young toddlers that were learning to use the potty. The children would wear little pants that had a open seam in the rear. The pants would just hang loosely when the child was standing, but when the child squatted, he was instantly ready to 'try'. Whether in an Eastern-style restroom or in the great outdoors, this system seems like a hassle-free way to potty train!
Wayne's time in Autralia went fast, but he did have time for some coffee. When he ordered a coffee with cream, the barista was befuddled.
"You mean a caffe latte?"
"No," Wayne said, "Just a regular coffee with cream in it."
"You want a Long Black? Or maybe a Flat White?" the barista asked.
Wayne had no idea how to order, but eventually got a delicious brew. Apparently the Australians have a deep appreciation for coffee, and take it pretty seriously. Coffee houses and bars are common, where you could go and try several coffees and discuss the notes of color in the taste.
Wayne did find the Australians extremely friendly. It was also spring there, so the newly blossoming trees and flowers were a great way to end the trip - other than the fifteen hours of flying back home, that is.
Much more exciting is that Wayne got back from his trip to Asia and Australia. He spent about a week in China, a few days in Thailand, a few days in Australia, and a few days on various airplanes and trains traveling.
I consider myself a little more knowledgeable and well-informed than the average person, but maybe that doesn't mean so much. I admit that all I really knew about China consisted of its' involvement in World War Two.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that China has a rich history dating back a long, long time before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. And with a land mass larger than the United States, that history spans people living in different climates and ecosystems with different religions and values.
My reading has barely scratched the surface, but I have found quite a few fascinating tidbits. For instance, history classes tell us that more people died in the American Civil War than any other American war, about 620,000 deaths. It was a horrendous war, one that we study at least 8 times in our 13 years of school. However, not once have I ever heard of the Taiping Rebellion (1851-64) which claimed over 20 million lives! Why did we never study the Silk Road, a route of overland travel that roamed over 6000 miles? How did we miss out on learning how, exactly, the Great Wall was built by hand?
We all know that China is densely populated. Wayne spent several days in Bejing, a large city of 18 million that we have all heard of. Then he went to Xian, a smaller city that I had never heard of. Xian is the 12th largest populated city in China, yet it is home to 6 million people, or roughly one and a half times the population of Los Angeles, the second most populated city in the US. Yet you and I have likely never heard of it.
In China, Wayne found most signs and literature had English translations; however, some were clearly 'lost in translation.' Like the sign on the Great Wall that read, "The Photography place of 'If you are the one 2."
Wayne typically saw only 5-10 other caucasion people each day. The hoards of Chinese tourists had different sight-seeing habits. Generally they would push their way to the front of each attraction, then touching anything and everything they could with both hands. Information stands, as well as live trees and historic relics were felt, as though part of the experience was through touch. (This of course doesn't fair well for delicate or painted objects!)
With such a large population, the Chinese use nearly every square cultivatable inch for agriculture. Fields of crops were everywhere. Corn was being harvested, and Wayne saw it piled right on the road - whether it was some method of drying it or perhaps it was the only space they had to put it.
Before Wayne went to China, we had heard that 'real' Chinese food was bland and not at all like what we would eat here in the US at a Chinese restaurant. Wayne found the opposite to be true, although it would take weeks for one to try all the authentic food. One meal he had was identical to what you would get at a US Chinese restaurant. He noticed noodles were eaten much more frequently, like for breakfast with beans and eggs.
Wayne went to a food market and did find some interesting food choices. Scorpions, seahorses, snakes, salamanders, starfish and lots of raw octopus. Some were still alive, and many would soon be deep fat fried. These foods didn't seem to really be delicacies there, but more of a novelty.
Since the Chinese like noodles and tea, it is common for public places to have not only a water fountain, but a hot water dispenser - for making tea or a quick snack or lunch of noodles. I guess we aren't the only ones who like Ramen!
With China's one-child-policy, it is easy to imagine that children there are adored. One thing that Wayne noticed was the young toddlers that were learning to use the potty. The children would wear little pants that had a open seam in the rear. The pants would just hang loosely when the child was standing, but when the child squatted, he was instantly ready to 'try'. Whether in an Eastern-style restroom or in the great outdoors, this system seems like a hassle-free way to potty train!
Wayne's time in Autralia went fast, but he did have time for some coffee. When he ordered a coffee with cream, the barista was befuddled.
"You mean a caffe latte?"
"No," Wayne said, "Just a regular coffee with cream in it."
"You want a Long Black? Or maybe a Flat White?" the barista asked.
Wayne had no idea how to order, but eventually got a delicious brew. Apparently the Australians have a deep appreciation for coffee, and take it pretty seriously. Coffee houses and bars are common, where you could go and try several coffees and discuss the notes of color in the taste.
Wayne did find the Australians extremely friendly. It was also spring there, so the newly blossoming trees and flowers were a great way to end the trip - other than the fifteen hours of flying back home, that is.
Beijing
Sights around Beijing...
 |
| Nap-time for a roadbuilder |
 |
| Center for Performing Arts |
 |
| Olympic Park |
 |
| Playing a game on the walk |
 |
| View out the train - nearly every square inch was used for cultivation of some kind. Here corn is laid out along the road. |
 |
| Children on the train |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)