Hi all, Monday 21 May 2007 Mykonos, Greece
Wow, how do I catch up. Wednesday last, in Florence. Way too short, all we had was literally 5 hours to visit one of the most impressive cities in Italy. This is a 'come back' city. Saw Statue of David by Michelangelo, then walked this amazing city, the Duomo, the old bridge over the river built in 1360.. Yikes, no time to explore this amazing place.
Thursday it was on to Naples. We hopped a local train, about 1/2 hour and a thousand stops down to the city of Pompeii. A beautiful day out, a bit warm but nice for touring.
Pompeii was built over time starting several hundred years BC. By Roman times, it was a city of wealth..then in 60AD... bam!!!, Mt Vesuvius, looming close in the background, exploded and buried the city. So fast many people were trapped in their homes, quickly overcome by the ashes and explosion.
It was discovered in 17th century and had to be literally dug out revealing a snapshot in time of what life was like then. Beautiful paintings on walls, intricate frescoes and mosaics on the floors.
We got a special tour from a construction worker working on the renovation of one room. He held his finger to his mouth..shhhhh... he let us in the site he was working on, not open to the public. Beautiful place, incredible paintings on the walls over 2500 years old. He was of course after some lunch money..a small tip was well worth the private tour. Also here was one of the oldest examples of a Roman stadium. We stood where lions were slain by gladiators..wow
An express train back, and taxi to the ship..our home away from home, and off in the sunset.
On Sunday we had one of the best experiences of the trip. We toured the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey (Google it, check it out!) Just amazing mix of 3 major civilizations all in one place. And so well preserved because it had been flooded by an ancient river covering it in 40 or 50 feet of mud until the 1700's when it was discovered. Ephesus was the center of Greek society in this region, then later occupied by the Romans, then the Byzantines. There is stark evidence of all types of architecture, Greek Ionian column capitals, Roman Corinthian and then mixed ones for the later years. You can touch Greek writing on the marble dating over 2000 years. And a huge library building. Much of what you see has been restored and rebuilt by Turkish funding over the last several hundred years. Renovation/restoration is still continuing. An amazing place.
I'll post pictures in next few days. Our private guide, Onur, took us to the site, to a Turkish rug factory and home for a typical Turkish lunch in the country. We finished up at the museum where objects from the site were displayed.
Today we are in Mykonos, the upscale Greek Island that has been the playground over the years of the rich and famous. We took the city bus out to the local beach (beautiful, complete with nude sunbathers :) )
This is beautiful place, weather is outstanding an no wind!!
We will head for Athens tomorrow, and hope to visit the Acropolis and other sites in town.
We are off for now, see you in a few days.
This is my blog for my trip to Taiwan. I'll be posting my journal here from November 1 to November 17, 2017 so check back and join me on the trip ! - Bill Wilson
May 21, 2007
May 17, 2007
May 16, 2007
Florence - Statue of David
We are in the City of Florence Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Hi all, we spent the last Sunday in Rome visiting the Bourghese Museum and also caught the local flea market in town. The Borghese was an amazing place. A small villa owned by Cardinal Bourghese who collected works of art all over the world, including sculptures by Bernini. Delicate depictions of Greek myths all done in marble.
The Rome Sunday flea market was a trip! complete with Gypsys (mothers holding their babies) trying to pick tourists pockets, but the local vendors yelled them down and chased them off!!
Everything from cell phones, clothes at one euro a piece to Prada purse knockoffs being sold by native Africans. Their stands were mobile ready to run on command by cell phone when the police arrived.
We boarded the cruise ship on Monday, got settled. We've met some wonderful people on board. Our table mates are a great family from South Carolina.
... then Tuesday spent the day in Monte Carlo. The town is getting ready for the famous Monte Carlo Formula one race coming in two weeks. 6 weeks to set up, 3 weeks to take down, right in the center of this beautiful city. We cruised past the casino, and rubbed elbows with the elite. Some nice cars here! Guys in their brand new Ferraris yelling out the window to their girl friends crossing the street.
Florence is a beautiful city. We just walked here from the Accademia museum where we saw the 12 meter high statue of David by Michelangelo...wow!!
We are off now to finish our visit of Florence, and tomorrow Naples.
Catch you in a few days.
Hi all, we spent the last Sunday in Rome visiting the Bourghese Museum and also caught the local flea market in town. The Borghese was an amazing place. A small villa owned by Cardinal Bourghese who collected works of art all over the world, including sculptures by Bernini. Delicate depictions of Greek myths all done in marble.
The Rome Sunday flea market was a trip! complete with Gypsys (mothers holding their babies) trying to pick tourists pockets, but the local vendors yelled them down and chased them off!!
Everything from cell phones, clothes at one euro a piece to Prada purse knockoffs being sold by native Africans. Their stands were mobile ready to run on command by cell phone when the police arrived.
We boarded the cruise ship on Monday, got settled. We've met some wonderful people on board. Our table mates are a great family from South Carolina.
... then Tuesday spent the day in Monte Carlo. The town is getting ready for the famous Monte Carlo Formula one race coming in two weeks. 6 weeks to set up, 3 weeks to take down, right in the center of this beautiful city. We cruised past the casino, and rubbed elbows with the elite. Some nice cars here! Guys in their brand new Ferraris yelling out the window to their girl friends crossing the street.
Florence is a beautiful city. We just walked here from the Accademia museum where we saw the 12 meter high statue of David by Michelangelo...wow!!
We are off now to finish our visit of Florence, and tomorrow Naples.
Catch you in a few days.
May 12, 2007
Roman Holiday
Well I guess this is the place. I saw a poster with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn riding a scooter -"Roman Holiday" not sure I remember that movie! but we are here! Incredible sites. Went to the Coliseum after arrival off the plane..Wow, walk out the metro station and bam! here it is - The Colosseum
Today was the Vatican, and St. Peter square. Line was 3 hours long till Jim from Michigan came by, offering a private tour and get in now! So I went the VIP route. Decision was to skip a big dinner and go for the tour.
The Sistine chapel with Michelangelo paintings out of this world. And the St.Peter's Basilica, 6 acres of church, largest in the world, took 120 years to build back in 1506 from stones robbed from the Roman Forum. Rome is an incredible historic city.
Oh yea, think we have tough IRS here? Here they have the "finance police", can close your business down in a minute. Well just a short note to say we made it. See you in a day or two. This is from my little palm top via hotel phone. Hard to type. CIAO!
Today was the Vatican, and St. Peter square. Line was 3 hours long till Jim from Michigan came by, offering a private tour and get in now! So I went the VIP route. Decision was to skip a big dinner and go for the tour.
The Sistine chapel with Michelangelo paintings out of this world. And the St.Peter's Basilica, 6 acres of church, largest in the world, took 120 years to build back in 1506 from stones robbed from the Roman Forum. Rome is an incredible historic city.
Oh yea, think we have tough IRS here? Here they have the "finance police", can close your business down in a minute. Well just a short note to say we made it. See you in a day or two. This is from my little palm top via hotel phone. Hard to type. CIAO!
Bill Wilson
billwilson@pocketmail.com (While away on travel)
email2bill@cox.net (When home)
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May 9, 2007
This Year's Trip - Mediterranean & Greek Isles
Well Friends and family welcome to my blog. Its time again to get out in the world and see it. We are off to Europe, the Mediterranean and Greek Isles by way of a cruise. Three days in Rome, a 12 day cruise, then 3 days in Venice.
Join us on the trip. With one day port stops, I might not have much time to send pictures on here, don't want to spend my time in the Internet shops, but I'll try.
Travel with us...see you on the road!
Bill & Phyllis Wilson
Join us on the trip. With one day port stops, I might not have much time to send pictures on here, don't want to spend my time in the Internet shops, but I'll try.
Travel with us...see you on the road!
Bill & Phyllis Wilson
June 10, 2006
June 5, 2006
The Galapagos Islands - Nature Wonderland
Hi All,
My last adventure on this trip - The Galapagos Islands. This is an incredible
place. Set 1000 KM off the Ecuadorian Coast, its isolation created species not
seen elswhere in the world. Of the 5000 species of animals, about half appear
nowhere else on earth. The same is true of the plant life, about 1/2 are
indigenous to the islands. When Darwin visited here in the mid 1800's, his
curiousity was arroused by the isolation of the islands and the amazing things
he noted how the different species evolved in an isolated environment.
Many of the islands are stark 'moonscape' topography, made up of geologically
new volcanic lava flows. Sticking out of this lava are amazing plantlife and
wildlife.
The animals are quite different, yet some are similiar to what we, living on the
coast, are familiar with. Sea lions are similiar, but the iguana lizards are
very unique. I believe this is the only place in the world where there exists
aquatic iguanas. Yes, they walk down the beach and stroll right into the water
and swim. They feed on plantlife (algae) in the surf. Then come back up on the
beach to warm up. They are cold blooded creatures.
And the birds are amazing. I went on an all day tour of Seymour Island, saw the
Frigate birds in mating season..the males puffing up a big red sack under their
chin, showing off trying to attract the females.
And the most impressive thing to me was, you stroll past the wildlife, just feet
away. A few feet away from mother birds and their young, and they seem calm.
There are no predators here. Humans have never been a threat to any of the
animals, so they have no fear of us. Its something that takes getting used to.
They just stay there and watch you.
Hope some of these pictures show just a few highlights of what I saw
Well Wednesday, I´m off back to Guayaquil, then home.
It's been an incredible journey, I enjoyed sharing it with you.
Yours in Travel
Bill
June 3, 2006
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Hi All,
Just a short note to say hi from Guayaquil. This is my stopping point on the way
to the Galapagos. I couldn{t book straight thru, I think that is a planned thing
to get you to stay here an spend some dollars
Yes DOLLARS. The official currency is US Dollars. The coins are different but
the same denominations.
The city is MUCH different than the large Peruvian cities. Its a business and
agricultural center here. Very European feel. All the buildings are finished (
no rebar sticking up from the tops of the roofs!!) Nice highways, well marked
roads. But still very crazy driving. wow If you had to commute an hour a day
here, you'd be a wreck by the time you got to work. Weaving in and out, lots of
horns, like the old Magic Mountain ride at Disneyland.
Very high tech here. This hotel is full Wi-Fi. Lots of cell phones, here not
that evident in Cuzco. Where Bill Gates made a campaign to push the technology
worldwide or the people PULLED it to them, not sure..in any event its all over.
This year, you can get CD's made for downloading your camera memory card
everywhere. That was non-existant 2 years ago on my other trip. Technology
catches on fast all over the world. I get the feeling we (USA) are only one
player in all this, not the big high tech country we might feel we are. This is
truly a global community.
The people are very nice here and accomodating. One interesting thing is a lot
of the business women in the city wear uniforms! I think its all the city
employees, they all have the same (neat and attractive) uniforms! Will try to
get pictures. And hotels are first class. There aren't many small restaurants
or small hostels or hotels, since this is a very business city.
In 2000, they improved the river walkway, called the Malecon. It is a long, very wide all brick river walkway. With a large, garden in the center and an IMAX movie theatre and museum. A nice place to stroll.
Time is up have to go !
Will write from the Galapagos
yours in Travel
Bill
June 1, 2006
River Tambopata, Tributary on the Amazon
Hi Again May 29, 2006
Well I spent 4 days and 3 nights in the Amazon Basin of Peru. Nearly 60% of Peru
is Rain forest in the Amazon Basin! Peru has more different climate zones than
any other country in the world.
The weather was not that bad, a bit humid, but tolerable. But the
mosquitoes...wow. Well glad I brought some Deet, only thing that works. But my
guide used a "natural" product with citronella in it..seems to work. I think
the mosquitoes like gringos no matter what you use.
But this is an amazing place. I took a two hour boat ride down the Tambopata
river, a feeder tributary to the Amazon. The lodge I stayed in was very new,
and well laid out. The emphasis is eco- tourism and fitting in the forest in a
natural way. No windows, your main wall is open to the forest. Several hammocks
swing from the second floor of the huge high ceiling Palapa design
structure.And of course, a mosquitoe net for the bed.
Great place, no hot showers, but a cold shower is refreshing here. Also NO
lighting, everything lit by oil lanterns and candles. Took a bit to get used
to, but after you do, its wonderful. Electricity provided a few hours at night
by generator, but no lighting. And the doors to the rooms are pull curtains,
bamboo walls, and first class, modern bathroom fixtures and toilet. Quite a
contrast.
I took several walks thru the forest with my guide, bird watching, monkey
hunting and one evening we went out looking for Caimans, (Amazon crockadiles)
We spotted 6 of them. You put a bright spotlight out on the water at night and
catch their Red eye (white eyes are birds)..then you close in on them until
they slide off into the water. Reminds me of shark hunting back home.
Well had to leave today, after 4 great days in the Amazon, and 40 Mosquito bite
welts, I'm back here in Cuzco.
Off to Guayaquil, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. I'll report back from there
in a few days.
Yours in Travel
Bill
The Inca Trail and finally the Amazing Machu Picchu
Hi all, 1 June 2006
Sorry for the long time since my last blog. There was just not enough time in
between getting back from the 4 day Inca Trail trip and moving on to the Amazon
to get on the Net and write.
What a amazing week, I don't know where to start.
On May 25th, I started the 4 day Inca Trail Trek, ending in a sunrise approach
to the incredible Inca Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The trail was about 60km,
done in 4 days. Just a light day pack, because the porters do everything. They
are amazing, they each carry over 52 pounds, with sandles made from tires, and
hustle ahead of you. The camp is set when you get there. We had a small group
of 4 of us and a terrific guide. I did pretty well, the toughest day was
coming down 3000 feet of stone steps! and they don't use switchbacks here, its
all steep.
The "Inca Trail" that is walked today, is only a very small part of a huge
network of trails the Incas created back in 1400. There was over 40,000 Km of
trails from Columbia in the north all the way down to Bolivia in the South.
But then the morning sunrise in Machu Picchu on the last day. It was spiritual.
Amazing place. The stone structures, with edges fitting so tight, you can't
put your fingernail in the gap between huge stones..and no morter. And
accoustics that astound you. Echo accoustics that allow one to hear someone
else whisper 100 m away. And large stones carved with astronomical
significance. It was all mind boggling and a wonderful experience.
Many more stories to tell. On Monday the 29th I left for the Amazon. I'll
report that next.
Yours in Travel
Bill
May 24, 2006
Cuzco - The city of the Incas
Hi All,
Wow its been a busy few days. After the city of Puno and tours around Lake
Titicaca in southern Peru, I took a bus from Puno to Cuzco, the capital of
Peru. The bus went across the Andes Mountains and included a tour stopping at
five locations along the way, all day from 7:30AM to 6:00PM. It was a great
tour, a couple sites included museums with artifacts from the ancient peoples
in the area along the Andes Mountains.
One site was the city of Rouchi, including an amazing ancient Inca city
including large circular rock corn storage buildings, residential homes and a
large temple, all built around 1400AD.
My place in Cuzco is in San Blas, the older part of Cuzco. Up on the hill above
the city. Its age is shown by the narrow streets, barely enough room for one
car to travel down the cobblestone surface and high walls. Its fun to see the
big tour buses navigating the road. I got a taxi from the bus depot after the
tour..all he could say about my location was : "Arriba..Arriba!!" (up there
up there). My hotel, a B&B is run by a French mountain guide. Great guy, great
stories about life in Cuzco. He indicates the same problems with permits and
officials as we have in California in trying to remodel an old home into a B&B.
Everything is on "Peru time"..sounds like "Baja time" back home.
This city is remarkable. Its Plaza de Armas, or main square is very large and
bordered by two huge cathedrals. Today there was a parade for all the local
school children, all in cute costumes, parading in the main square. This was
their big day.
The Bus tour I took yesterday was in the sacred valley east of Cuzco and
included several small cities. I got to see the morning market in Pisco, and
and amazing sun temple in the city of Ollantantambo.
Tomorrow I'm off to trek the Inca trail for 4 days, so won´t be back here till
the 28th...I´ll share some pictures from the trail then if time permits.
The people here are wonderful. Restaurants are great. Local food consists of
soups with potatoe and carrots, Alpaca meat broth. Alpaca meat, chicken and
vegetables.
Will see you after the Inca Trail. Will try to upload some more pictures
Take care,
Bill
May 21, 2006
Lake Titicaca - Visit the Local Peoples
I'm in Puno, gateway to exploring Lake Titicaca. This was a birth of cultures in
the area covering Boliva, Peru. Ancient peoples were here before the Incas came
in 1400. Its an interesting city on the lake.
But left Arequipa Saturday morning, amazing flight to the city of Juliaca, an
hour or so north of Puno. I had arranged a private tour of an ancient Inca
burial ground on the way down to Puno. It was great, greeted at the airport
with a sign BILL WILSON. Young man, Giespe, with full uniform on. I was wisked
off in private car, with private guide and driver. Sylvia my guide, cute
Pervian and native of Puno, and Driver. Sylvia took me over dirt road about 15
minutes to the site called Sillustani. It is an ancient burial site for the
Incas and Kolla peoples who predated the Incas. Incredible Inca carved stone
structures, that housed mummified bodies. The leaders selected the best of
their wives and friends for a sacrificial death..then mummified and buried as a
gift to the gods. Sillustani means running your finger nail thru a crack in the
stone, thats how good the masons were. It was amazing but only the begining of
my look at Inca carved rocks. After the tour I was dropped off at my B&B style
hotel.
The second phase of the tour was all day today. Private guide again, boat trip
out to see the Uros people who live on floating reed Island. yes they float.
About 2 meters thick of reeds layed out. There are about 24 island, 1000 people
and each island has large families. They live off tourist trade, except for 5
islands that are still private.
Took a ride on floating reed boat.
Then an hour boat ride out to Taquille island. A steep long hike about 500 m up,
aand at 12,000 feet altitude its a trip!! Took me about a day to get
acclimitized..light head ache.. but locals told me to drink Mate de coca..thats
right coca leaf tea. It does the trick
I was with 3 other tourist, from Alanta Georgia. We visited a private village,
only us 4, it was wonderful. Saw how they lived, ground quinoa grain, and had
lunch with them The Taquille people wear the native dress all the time.
Then boat ride back and tour of city and stop by market. Tomorrow I take all day
bus along the Andes to Cuzco. Will be there a few days before going on 4 day
Inca Trail trek. Talk to you again from Cuzco. I'll try to attach some pictures
again
Bill
May 18, 2006
Arequipa - The White City
Hi all,
Well I'm in Arequipa, southern Peru. Flight from Lima was excellent. LANPeru a
very good airline, service, and all. Like our old USA lines were a few years
ago.
Beautiful new airport in Lima where I left, only 2 years old. I went out and
talked to a group of taxi drivers in spanglish... the airport was built by the
Germans in partnership with the Peruvians. The Peruvians dont like this but
knew they needed it. They are now trying to make these major infrastructure
improvements themselves.
Arequipa is a beautiful city. They call it the white city, because it was built
from a whiteish block called sillar which comes from the volcanoes in the area.
Its impressive block work and gives the city a grey-white look.
The city was added to the UNESCO world heritage sites in 2000. The center of the
world heritage cultural awarding was the convent of Santa Cantalina. This large
walled (in sillar block) convent was hidden away from the world for 400 years
and was just opened up to the public in 1970 (couldn't find out why..think it
was for revenues). It was beautiful inside, individual cubicles with sleeping
quarters, cooking facilities, and reverent prayer and devotional sites. Gardens
and courtyards were scattered throughout.
It was amazing to read about the 'mystic' path or process a new nun had to go
through to become a devout, experienced nun. It was a beautiful place with
amazing architecture.
The picture attached (if it works) is of the plaza de armas (the center town
square) in Arequipa. I also will try to attach a picture from inside the
Convent.
Just finished a fantastic Peruvian dinner, complete with native music (Andes
flute, guitar, and drums). The musicians walked the restaurant and played. And
of course, hit me up for a CD on the way out the door...couldn't resist, I got
it..only $7
The meals in the highland area consist of sliced meats (Alpaca), camarones
(crayfish), potatoes, corn. If you pick the right restaurant, you get a good
example of 'typical' food. Its delicious. I already like the Peruvian food.
Tomorrow a city tour, around 4 hours circling the outskirts of the city. Hope to
see more of the area.
The people are beautiful, they are very polite and accomodating. Even the
'touts' or street vendors are polite. They press you hard..then if you don't
buy they all say 'Maybe later!...
Thats all for now. I'll be flying out Saturday morning on to the city of Puno
and stay at the famous lake Titicaca. See you there soon!
Bill
Well I'm in Arequipa, southern Peru. Flight from Lima was excellent. LANPeru a
very good airline, service, and all. Like our old USA lines were a few years
ago.
Beautiful new airport in Lima where I left, only 2 years old. I went out and
talked to a group of taxi drivers in spanglish... the airport was built by the
Germans in partnership with the Peruvians. The Peruvians dont like this but
knew they needed it. They are now trying to make these major infrastructure
improvements themselves.
Arequipa is a beautiful city. They call it the white city, because it was built
from a whiteish block called sillar which comes from the volcanoes in the area.
Its impressive block work and gives the city a grey-white look.
The city was added to the UNESCO world heritage sites in 2000. The center of the
world heritage cultural awarding was the convent of Santa Cantalina. This large
walled (in sillar block) convent was hidden away from the world for 400 years
and was just opened up to the public in 1970 (couldn't find out why..think it
was for revenues). It was beautiful inside, individual cubicles with sleeping
quarters, cooking facilities, and reverent prayer and devotional sites. Gardens
and courtyards were scattered throughout.
It was amazing to read about the 'mystic' path or process a new nun had to go
through to become a devout, experienced nun. It was a beautiful place with
amazing architecture.
The picture attached (if it works) is of the plaza de armas (the center town
square) in Arequipa. I also will try to attach a picture from inside the
Convent.
Just finished a fantastic Peruvian dinner, complete with native music (Andes
flute, guitar, and drums). The musicians walked the restaurant and played. And
of course, hit me up for a CD on the way out the door...couldn't resist, I got
it..only $7
The meals in the highland area consist of sliced meats (Alpaca), camarones
(crayfish), potatoes, corn. If you pick the right restaurant, you get a good
example of 'typical' food. Its delicious. I already like the Peruvian food.
Tomorrow a city tour, around 4 hours circling the outskirts of the city. Hope to
see more of the area.
The people are beautiful, they are very polite and accomodating. Even the
'touts' or street vendors are polite. They press you hard..then if you don't
buy they all say 'Maybe later!...
Thats all for now. I'll be flying out Saturday morning on to the city of Puno
and stay at the famous lake Titicaca. See you there soon!
Bill
May 17, 2006
Hi all,
Made it at last, lucky I am not in Miami still!!
The flight went great, it took over 24 hours. Two 5 hour legs, one 3 hour leg
and 7 hour layover in NYC. At JFK took the subway and Air tram into the city
for breakfast...was fun! Reminded me of the scenes on The Apprentice.
Bad weather over Miami, planes circled for an hour. I made my connection by
about 15 minutes, otherwise I'd still be in Miami. Wow
Got into Lima about 10pm, long wait for luggage, then just enough time to go to
bed, and then off to airport in morning to arrive at Arequipa.
But now the adventure begins, arrived in the city of Arequipa mid day, beautiful
city
wow, now this is really Peru! Big volcanoe mountain behind the city, I found a
hotel right on the main plaza (Plaza de Armas) Incredible dinner tonight an
watched the sun go down over Peru. Plan to stay here for 3 days.
More details on here sometime tomorrow, just wanted to let you know I got
here ok. Everything great.
May 15, 2006
Peru and Ecuador 2006 - Finding the Incas
Hi Family and Friends!
You found my blog spot.
Well I'm off again to see some of the world while I still can. This year its
Peru and Ecuador. I hope to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, stay in the
Amazon basin and visit the Galapagos Islands. Come along with me, I'll enjoy
having you along. Trains, Planes, boats and buses will be my mode of travel
for a few weeks.
I'll try to post some pictures this year while on the trip. All the
postings will be found in the "archives" here on the blog. Last year's trip
postings are still here, wow, has it been a year already?
Talk to you on the road!! Yours in Travel,
Bill
You found my blog spot.
Well I'm off again to see some of the world while I still can. This year its
Peru and Ecuador. I hope to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, stay in the
Amazon basin and visit the Galapagos Islands. Come along with me, I'll enjoy
having you along. Trains, Planes, boats and buses will be my mode of travel
for a few weeks.
I'll try to post some pictures this year while on the trip. All the
postings will be found in the "archives" here on the blog. Last year's trip
postings are still here, wow, has it been a year already?
Talk to you on the road!! Yours in Travel,
Bill
June 7, 2005
Split - Roman Occupation
Hi all,
Well I'm off the islands now, took a ferry to Split, Croatia's second largest city. From the ferry, I can for the first time in Croatia, see downtown business high rise above about 10 stories, this is a big city.
I'm arriving a bit late, mid day, but I have time to drop my backpack in "Left Luggage" for the day and see the main site here, visible from the harbor, Deocletian's Palace. Mr. D was the Roman emperor that occupied this region several years B.C. That makes all this palace over 2000 years old. The palace is humbling, walking through meeting rooms, hallways and courtyards with the classic Roman columns and stone. One sphinx statue (robbed by the Romans) was 1500 B.C.
This is a UNESCO world heritage site for a good reason. I had a picnic lunch complete with red wine, sitting on a corner stone in the center courtyard visuallizing the activity here 2000 years ago "Et tu Deocletian"...cheers dude
I jumped on a bus for a 25min ride west to see the ancient city of Trogir, it is amazing, out on an island, surrounded by a channel full of multimillion $ yachts from all over the world. This is an ancient walled city, with upscale shops and restaurants. Interesting here in Croatia how business' are nested right inside these sacred historical sites, kinda like having a McDonalds inside the White house at home.
Trogir is also a world heritage site, thats a record, two in one day.
Well I stay in Trogir tonight, then fly off to Vienna for the return leg home.
This has been an incredible adventure in Eastern Europe, a look at life in Poland, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and lovely, amazing Croatia. I have a new respect for the people here, young and old.
Till next time on the road,
Yours in travel,
Bill Wilson
billwilson@pocketmail.com (While away on travel)
email2bill@cox.net (When home)
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June 6, 2005
Dalmation Islands
Hi All, Wed June 1- Sat June 4,2005
Found out no ferries on Wed to Korcula, so took a bus later in the day from Dubrovnik. The coastal countryside north from Dubrovnik was spectacular. The bus driver was a real businessman. He knew everyone on break stops on the way, we stopped on hwy at someones house, guy ran out with a bag of mussels, they were later traded for something. Then coolers full of fish...
Korcula was my favorite, again walled city, narrow alleyways, dating back to the 1200's, but incredibly perfect weather, views along the sea wall 30 steps from my pensione. I was greeted by Peter and Lenna, who owned a beautiful place right in the walled city. A "Mr. Wilson" sign, displayed by Peter at the bus station got us connected, people on the bus loved it..a reservation call paid off this time. A historic, incredible stay in the walled city for $15/night.
Went to show one night to see the historical dance of the swordsmen, a dance dating back centuries to the invasion by the Turks, amazing display.
Then took ferry further north to Hvar Island. On board had an increible discussion with 5, 10 and 11 year old school children on a field trip. Croatian children take many extensive field trips each year. At this age they also average about 6 years of english. We laughed over the map spread on my table, they were being my tour guides. They each signed my map, I signed my name for them.
Hvar was interesting, actually stayed in a private home in Stari Grad, 1/2 hour away by bus. Very layed back city, it grew on me. The Croatian People are wonderful.
On to Split, 2nd largest city in Croatia to see Roman emperor Deocleation Palace, then a day trip to Trogir down the coast. These two sites are both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Will be back to you one more time before this amazing trip ends.
Yours in travel,
Bill
Bill Wilson
billwilson@pocketmail.com (While away on travel)
email2bill@cox.net (When home)
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June 4, 2005
Dubrovnik - Emerald of the Adriatic
Hi All, Mon May 30, 2005
Flew from Zagreb to Dubrovnik on Monday, wow what a terrific city. Unbelievable
history, coblestone..no, large carved stone streets, narrow alley ways, I mean
really narrow as in 8 feet wide. Incredible old city with a protective wall
around and entry gates. Dubrovnik maintained its independence over many years,
then Napolean invaded..and in late 20th century it became part of Croatia.
Amazing place, tech difficulties in uploading pictures, few sites have the
capability or I would show you.
Went to a concert, 30 piece symphony orchestra, Beethoven and Mozart. Inside a
high ceilinged 100 by 100 foot room, the Rectors hall, with Renaisannce
columns, etc. Audience right next to the symphony orchestra. Wonderful
experience, the European musicians are incredibly good.
I stayed in an old home or flat right in the old city. Places are difficult to
get there, but I snagged one.
Had a great fish dinner. Down here fish swim three times, once in the ocean,
once in the olive oil, and once in the wine in your mouth. :)
Off to the Islands off southern Croatia for the rest of the week. First to
Korcula for two days then Hvar for two days.
Observations so far in Croatia:
1. Lots of wild cats all over the citys
2. People are wonderful, very family oriented. Stores close early and start late
just to accomodate family life. What a concept.
3. No breakfasts around, glad there are markets.
4. Many speak excellent English, kids 10 years old have had 6 years of english
5. Lowest crime rate in Europe.
6. Very few American Tourists here.
7. At a restaurant, you own the table. You never get they check unless you ask.
See you on the islands, in a few days
Yours in travel,
Bill
June 2, 2005
Plitvice Lakes - Croatia
Sunday May 29, 2005
Hi All,
Got up early to do a tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park. This is another world
heritage site. If you took Niagra Falls at about 6 different levels, added a
dash of Grand Canyon and put it in the forest you have Plitvice Lakes.
It took a 2 one half hour bus ride down to the center of Croatia. On the bus
ride saw evidence of the war in this area, now 10 years away. Typical Croatian
2 story houses pockmarked with bullet holes and obvious burned structure marks.
This was only in a relatively small region near the lakes, most of the Croatia I
travelled had little signs of the 1991 war left showing. The first shots were
actually fired at the national park. The first casualty was a park ranger.
Plitvice is a series of lakes at different levels pouring into one another. They
are ?bowls? of very emerald blue water, the color coming from Calcium
carbonate deposits. The lakes are in karst limestone ground, pouring over each
other thru the forest. They have set up cut log pathways along the lake,
creating a beautiful effect.
I spent about 3 or 4 hours on a self guided tour. You can only buy one way
tickets from Zagreb, then you flag down the bus on your way back. Well this
works except on a holiday weekend, which this was!! tried for 3 hours, then
gave up. I got a hotel at the park, had a wonderful stay there, turned out for
the better :) Flagged down an early bus back, no problem the day after the
holiday.
Im off to Dubrovnik tommorrow (Monday). Ill fly down from Zagreb to Dubrovnik,
its only a $60 flight.
See you in Dubrovnik
May 31, 2005
Zagreb - A surprise city
Hi All, Saturday, May 28, 2005
Saturday was up early and took train from Budapest to Zagreb.
The train ride down, normally about 5 hours, was a beautiful ride thru the
Croatian countryside. I decided to go first class, only $15 more, but worth it
to splurge. About an hour out of Zagreb, the conductor said we must transfer to
a bus for the last hour!! hmmmm...I argued a little, he kept saying
?Everybawdy goes!! Everybody goes!!? A dutch group and I had fun repeating
that on the bus...?Everybawdy goes!! After awhile, the conductor was my buddy,
?a Amerikanski? my brother is in Chicago, he kept saying.
Zagreb is the capitol city of Croatia. A shot of the cathedral in downtown is
shown here. Yep, I have run into a lot of scaffolding, oh well.
Zagreb has a nice downtown square, large market area and old city walls. I
strolled around the city and found then main district, caught some pizza and
beer. It was a surprise town, most tourist just pass through, I had the chance
to takek some time to see it.
I?m staying at the youth hostel just out of town, a 20 minute tram ride through
the outskirts of town. The hostel is a great one, located in a small village,
and family run. The village Im in has the classic socialist era housing, high
rise apartments. Small market and restaurant. Its a contrast to the new,
booming Croatia.
I will stay here two nights, visit the Plitvice lakes National park, and fly
down to Dubrovnik on Monday to begin island hopping up the southern Dalmation
coast.
I?ll be back with report on National park tour next blog
Yours in travel,
Bill
May 27, 2005
Budapest - Hungary is alive!
Hi All,
I arrived in Budapest on Wednesday. Took another night train from Krakow. The
jury is still out on night trains. You don't get the sleep you expect' so you
spend time making up for sleep on the day you plan to travel. If you are seeing
some strange letters in this posting, its the Hungarian keyboard. The Z and Y
keys are exchanged on the keyboard, wow it is tough for this old brain'
I had to also kill one day doing what I call "Maintenance" activities, no
touring. This means doing a wash, finding groceries, calling to make Itinerary
changes, buying transportation for the next leg. Should take another day here
just to catch up.
Budapest is a city alive!! Went to hero's square, near where I am stazing (
see there is that darn Z vs Y kez again!!!)
It's like our gas lamp in San Diego, the chic, in place to eat, relax and drink.
Restaurant row, outdoor cafe tables 3 deep on both sides of the sidewalk.
Techno/Salsa music blaring. Ok, fashion trend, look out California. Mid calf
pants are IN for the guys!! I'll try to get pictures. The young women wear
midcalfs too, but they have a roll up cuff, about 4 inches. Cute.
But you wouldn't detect a post-communist economy here!! Restaurants are
buzzing, upscale shops on Vaci utca street (the Rodeo drive of downtown
Budapest), its alive here!!
I toured the castle district up on the hill above the Danube river today. The
picture you see here is a shot of the "Chain Bridge" looking across the Danube
at the St. Stephens Cathedral. Have had 3 days of sun here, beautiful weather.
I'm staying in the theatre district, its a great location. Close to market,
internet cafe, MAV (transit store) place to buy train tickets, and the Metro.
The Budapest metro is another, although old, but very efficient and effective
system. I bought a 3-day transit card, unlimited travel on all mass transit for
3 days for $10.
The city is about 3 times the size of Prague, and is more of a real city. Most
streets in my area are tree lined, tall green trees on both sides, a moderate
amount of traffic, and people moving about quite late. Dinner time here looks
like about 9PM.
Well I'm off tomorrow for Zagreb, Croatia. A new country and new currency!! That
has been a fun challenge on this trip, with 5 countries. Five languages and five
different currencies. I have had a little Russian, so the Czech and Polish
language had Slavic similarities, but Hungarian is totally different.
Interesting.
Take care, will catch you in Croatia
Yours in travel,
Bill
May 26, 2005
Krakow-Hey I'm in Poland
Sunday night I took a night train to Krakow Poland. Arrived early, went straight to Hotel. Decided to get a hotel here, cost comparable and could get close to the town center.
Went exploring early. Krakow has a small old city, surrounded by a narrow park, which was a city moat that was filled in and old city wall destroyed. Up high above the city is the Wawel castle. The city has one main entrance gate. Amazing place. In the center of the city is the largest medieval town square in Europe (200m x 200m).
Krakow is alive with tourism, a huge difference from the years prior to 1989. Also the city square is the gathering place for locals to chat, teens to meet, and many school field trips. I think the kids get out here more.
I took a tour of the salt mines outside of town. A huge working salt mine 60m below the surface, over 700 years old where since the 1800's the miners have carved statues, meeting halls, and a mini lake, all below ground. The horses that were used as beasts of burden, never saw the light of day in their lives. Met a couple from Denver and kids from Canada and Ozzieland. Great tour.
On Tuesday night, I took another night train to Budapest. Ran into a professor and students from Heritage College in El Cajon, small world.
The train ride was interesting, wake up at 2:30AM for border crossing, but got about 5 hours of light traveling over the Slovakian and Hungarian countryside. Beautiful farmland, small villages with town center cathedral. Near bigger cities, huge complexes of high rise housing, old Soviet style of living.
On to Budapest, big city, will get backon that in a few days.
Yours in travel,
Bill Wilson
billwilson@pocketmail.com (While away on travel)
email2bill@cox.net (When home)
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May 24, 2005
Prague - An Amazing City
Hi all,
I arrived in Prague Friday May 20, stayed till Sunday.
What an amazing city. I guess the principle reason it is so well preserved here, buildings dating back 100's of years is there was no bombing of this city during WWII. Thank heaven, so many beautiful sites.
I went to the usual principle sites during my stay, the main square was amazing. A large square with a cathedral, and lined with buildings all ancient architecture. Narrow streets and cobblestone where ever you turn. Its a great experience just wandering thru the old town, down the streets and finding a restaurant that suits your taste. Great food too.
The city is feed by a modern metro system, so its easy to get around. What is more fun to ride are the electric trams, similiar to our trolley system in San Diego. You really see the city this way.
On Sunday, found out that the international Prague Marathon is being held. This really bogged down the tram system, and closed a lot of streets. But it was fun to watch.
While eating lunch in a sidewalk cafe, watchin the marathon runners come in the final stretch, saw a female runner in a full playboy bunny suit running the race... boy she must have lost a big bet to somebody. Was hilarious, she got a lot of cheers.
Up above the old city is the Prague castle, with a commanding view of the city and a dominant cathedral in the center of it, it makes an amazing view. I will try to upload some pictures here when I get the right connections. Most internet cafes are not yet geared for this yet.
I went on a tour of the Jewish Quarter as well. The jewish quarter became a sort of ghetto for the Jewish people during the war years. In the Jewish cemetary since they were limited to one grave yard, literally thousands of people were buried in layers, the gravestones were on top of each other and leaning all directions. In a building near, 77,000 names were listed, those who had found their deaths in concentration camps in Prague at the hands of the Nazi regime. Very profound to see and contemplate.
Well I'm in Krakow Poland now. Got here on a night train from Prague Sunday night. This is an incredible city, its Prague without all the tourists. Finding it to be wonderful, will give you a report on it next time.
Yours in travel,
Bill
I arrived in Prague Friday May 20, stayed till Sunday.
What an amazing city. I guess the principle reason it is so well preserved here, buildings dating back 100's of years is there was no bombing of this city during WWII. Thank heaven, so many beautiful sites.
I went to the usual principle sites during my stay, the main square was amazing. A large square with a cathedral, and lined with buildings all ancient architecture. Narrow streets and cobblestone where ever you turn. Its a great experience just wandering thru the old town, down the streets and finding a restaurant that suits your taste. Great food too.
The city is feed by a modern metro system, so its easy to get around. What is more fun to ride are the electric trams, similiar to our trolley system in San Diego. You really see the city this way.
On Sunday, found out that the international Prague Marathon is being held. This really bogged down the tram system, and closed a lot of streets. But it was fun to watch.
While eating lunch in a sidewalk cafe, watchin the marathon runners come in the final stretch, saw a female runner in a full playboy bunny suit running the race... boy she must have lost a big bet to somebody. Was hilarious, she got a lot of cheers.
Up above the old city is the Prague castle, with a commanding view of the city and a dominant cathedral in the center of it, it makes an amazing view. I will try to upload some pictures here when I get the right connections. Most internet cafes are not yet geared for this yet.
I went on a tour of the Jewish Quarter as well. The jewish quarter became a sort of ghetto for the Jewish people during the war years. In the Jewish cemetary since they were limited to one grave yard, literally thousands of people were buried in layers, the gravestones were on top of each other and leaning all directions. In a building near, 77,000 names were listed, those who had found their deaths in concentration camps in Prague at the hands of the Nazi regime. Very profound to see and contemplate.
Well I'm in Krakow Poland now. Got here on a night train from Prague Sunday night. This is an incredible city, its Prague without all the tourists. Finding it to be wonderful, will give you a report on it next time.
Yours in travel,
Bill
May 21, 2005
Train tickets to Krakow
Hi All,
I'm here at the moment at the train station in Prague. I just bought a ticket to krakow for tomorrow night, the night train, elated to find out you need to buy tickets the day before, they book up fast on the sleeper train. Just wanted to test posting a blog from my pocketmail pda on a pay phone in the station. Damn, technology works some times. More on Prague in a few days.
Yours in travel
Bill
Bill Wilson
billwilson@pocketmail.com (While away on travel)
email2bill@cox.net (When home)
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May 20, 2005
Arrival - Vienna and Cesky Krumlov
Hi gang!
It's taken me a while to get my blog started! The first few days of the trip have the most hectic transportation connections.
I'm in Eastern Europe! Flight went very well. A post 9/11 note. On the flight from London to Vienna, an older couple believed they fell too ill to travel so they took them selves off the plane. Well, now your luggage must go with you. We all watched as the whole plane's luggage was unloaded outside, took awhile, then they found old George's bags. Then repacked it all. Then the couple decides to get back on the plane! to the moans and groans of all the passengers. Their luggage reloaded, and 45 minutes later the plane is off.
Vienna, is my hub city. I will be coming back here to fly back home. I haven't alloted much time to see it, but I'll catch Vienna on another trip. I arrived on Tuesday and have had rain for the first few days. Despite the difficulties touring in the rain, I managed to see a little of Vienna.
I had a little trouble navigating in Vienna. I kept seeing the same street. EinBahn. Man there are alot of Einbahn streets. Then noticed the arrow background on the sign. Einbahn in Austrian is "One way"...haaaaaaaaaaa. So much for language barrier. I better get used to it, I'll be in 5 countries :)
The over all plan in the first part of the trip is to travel from Vienna up thru the Czech Republic, stopping by the city of Cesky Krumlov on the way to Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. After a hectic, crazy day travelling from Vienna by train, shuttle train, then bus, I arrived in Cesky Krumlov on Wednesday. Wow. This is an amazing city. Google it and check it out! It's a Medieval village, built around a beautiful picturesque castle on the hairpin bend of the Vtlava river which also goes thru Prague. It is a world cultural heritage site for a good reason. The architecture and wall finishings of all the homes and buildings in town are incredible. Red tile roofs with various detail designs, wrapping around a lazy slow river with trees and parkside walks. I stayed here Wed and part of Thurs. Woke up to a beautiful sunny day Thurs. Finally some beautiful tour weather. Many many pictures. Wish I could share them. First off, Inet cafes have been hard to find at the right time in touring agenda, and no facilities for uploading pics yet. I'll work on that. Cesky Krumlov is a beautiful Czech City not to be missed.
The impact of the newly found freedom of the Czech Republic was evident on the way up. Trains in Austria were modern, nice wide seats and newly decorated. As you cross the border, the trains become old, small, and the villages around just beyond the border show a lack of maintenance, and appear old compare to their Austrian counterparts. I'm sure this will change as I get near the tourist driven cities. But the countries behind the old 'Iron Curtain' have found a new freedom since 1989, and I'm sure are quickly getting accostomed to this new economic existence. More on this later in the trip. And the difference in the two economies are amazing. I spend about $30 on a nice dinner in Vienna. The comparable meal, with some of Europes best beer 9 (Budvar..hey, this is the place where Budweiser was born) was about $10. Difference of about 1/3
Friday I left this lovely Idyllic town and headed for Prague. The bus system here, although many older buses, is punctual and efficient. It was a nice ride over the Czech countryside. Many fields of yellow mustard plant, (grown commercially I guess)...small villages surrounding a cathedral tower, with a real Slavic looking cupola at the top. These closely resemble the churches I saw all over Russia. Interesting Slavic architectural trend. Nice highways, many small cars. No SUV's here...well just a few. And gas prices are around $4.50 per gallon.
Well I'm in Prague now, got around for a couple of hours at the end of the day to quickly see the city. The hostel I'm in is terrific, fairly new modern interior and free Internet...whoo hoo!
A walk thru town, the old main market square and stroll along the Vtlava river reveals an amazing city that survived the bombing of World War II. The architecture of ALL the buildings, cathedrals, bridges is spectacular. I'll be on visual overload here for 3 days!
I'm off to tour Prague , just wanted to say hi. I'll be back after visiting this amazing city for a couple of days.
Take care,
Yours in travel,
Bill
It's taken me a while to get my blog started! The first few days of the trip have the most hectic transportation connections.
I'm in Eastern Europe! Flight went very well. A post 9/11 note. On the flight from London to Vienna, an older couple believed they fell too ill to travel so they took them selves off the plane. Well, now your luggage must go with you. We all watched as the whole plane's luggage was unloaded outside, took awhile, then they found old George's bags. Then repacked it all. Then the couple decides to get back on the plane! to the moans and groans of all the passengers. Their luggage reloaded, and 45 minutes later the plane is off.
Vienna, is my hub city. I will be coming back here to fly back home. I haven't alloted much time to see it, but I'll catch Vienna on another trip. I arrived on Tuesday and have had rain for the first few days. Despite the difficulties touring in the rain, I managed to see a little of Vienna.
I had a little trouble navigating in Vienna. I kept seeing the same street. EinBahn. Man there are alot of Einbahn streets. Then noticed the arrow background on the sign. Einbahn in Austrian is "One way"...haaaaaaaaaaa. So much for language barrier. I better get used to it, I'll be in 5 countries :)
The over all plan in the first part of the trip is to travel from Vienna up thru the Czech Republic, stopping by the city of Cesky Krumlov on the way to Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. After a hectic, crazy day travelling from Vienna by train, shuttle train, then bus, I arrived in Cesky Krumlov on Wednesday. Wow. This is an amazing city. Google it and check it out! It's a Medieval village, built around a beautiful picturesque castle on the hairpin bend of the Vtlava river which also goes thru Prague. It is a world cultural heritage site for a good reason. The architecture and wall finishings of all the homes and buildings in town are incredible. Red tile roofs with various detail designs, wrapping around a lazy slow river with trees and parkside walks. I stayed here Wed and part of Thurs. Woke up to a beautiful sunny day Thurs. Finally some beautiful tour weather. Many many pictures. Wish I could share them. First off, Inet cafes have been hard to find at the right time in touring agenda, and no facilities for uploading pics yet. I'll work on that. Cesky Krumlov is a beautiful Czech City not to be missed.
The impact of the newly found freedom of the Czech Republic was evident on the way up. Trains in Austria were modern, nice wide seats and newly decorated. As you cross the border, the trains become old, small, and the villages around just beyond the border show a lack of maintenance, and appear old compare to their Austrian counterparts. I'm sure this will change as I get near the tourist driven cities. But the countries behind the old 'Iron Curtain' have found a new freedom since 1989, and I'm sure are quickly getting accostomed to this new economic existence. More on this later in the trip. And the difference in the two economies are amazing. I spend about $30 on a nice dinner in Vienna. The comparable meal, with some of Europes best beer 9 (Budvar..hey, this is the place where Budweiser was born) was about $10. Difference of about 1/3
Friday I left this lovely Idyllic town and headed for Prague. The bus system here, although many older buses, is punctual and efficient. It was a nice ride over the Czech countryside. Many fields of yellow mustard plant, (grown commercially I guess)...small villages surrounding a cathedral tower, with a real Slavic looking cupola at the top. These closely resemble the churches I saw all over Russia. Interesting Slavic architectural trend. Nice highways, many small cars. No SUV's here...well just a few. And gas prices are around $4.50 per gallon.
Well I'm in Prague now, got around for a couple of hours at the end of the day to quickly see the city. The hostel I'm in is terrific, fairly new modern interior and free Internet...whoo hoo!
A walk thru town, the old main market square and stroll along the Vtlava river reveals an amazing city that survived the bombing of World War II. The architecture of ALL the buildings, cathedrals, bridges is spectacular. I'll be on visual overload here for 3 days!
I'm off to tour Prague , just wanted to say hi. I'll be back after visiting this amazing city for a couple of days.
Take care,
Yours in travel,
Bill
May 16, 2005
Eastern Europe 2005 - I'm off!!
Hi Family and Friends! You found my blog spot. Well I'm off again to see some of the world while I still can. This year its Eastern Europe. I hope to visit the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary and Poland. Come along with me, I'll enjoy having you along. Trains, Planes, boats and buses will be my mode of travel for a few weeks.
I'll try to post some pictures this year while on the trip. If they appear, click for a larger view.
All the postings will be found in the "archives" here on the blog. Last year's trip postings are still here, wow, has it been a year already?
Talk to you on the road!!
Yours in Travel,
Bill
July 9, 2004
China in the country, Hong Kong in the big city, and the end of a wonderful trip
Had another smooth flight in the Chinese transportation system here, from Wuhan to Guilin. The Chinese do it right. Tourism will boom here. Glad I got here before it goes wild. Beijing hosts the olympics in 2008. It will all be "discovered" then if not sooner.
Got in late in Guilin, so just stayed there at a hotel near where they dropped me off the bus. You get used to suddenly being in a strange place, at night, and the “touts” (people who get a small commission to take you to their hotel or guest house) are hounding you as you get off the bus or train. This time I followed the first tout, It was late, I needed a place to crash. How about the Bright Pearl Guilin Hotel? Sounds good to me. Turned out to be a little run down for the cheap room, but it will do. Got a/c, shower, bed, that’s all I need. Paid about $15, now that’s a rip off here in this small town market, ..haaa but now is the time you translate to US dollars and rationalize. The word here is to get to Yangshuo as soon as you can and get out of Guilin. They are right, Guilin on the surface looks like another big tourist town.
Got on the bus to Yangshuo in the morning, worked slick. Then found the International Hosteling local hostel. Old standby, the IYH, usually comes through with a nice place. This is my home for the next 4 days. Clean nice, some fun people here, all for 20 Y a day, that’s about 2 ½ US Dollars a day! Big difference in prices when you stay in the country.
Words cannot describe this place, you must see the pictures. When I’m back I’ll load a bunch on the cheapy yahoo site for you all to see. The most impressive was not particularly the beauty of the scenery, but the chance to experience the Chinese countryside. Went on a day long bicycle ride out in the country around Yangshuo and also a nice cruise down the river Li. This is country, I mean water buffalo drawn plows, back breaking labor in rice fields, carrying balancing loads with bamboo poles over their shoulders. And most of these people were my age or much older. What a contrast. Booming, big money China in the big cities, but still things out here haven’t changed in hundreds, maybe thousands of years. When will all this “new china” money get down to the working people?? The only way I see it is through tourism
Who knows.
Then a wild “sleeper” ride from Yangshuo to Hong Kong. Sleeper, yea right!! It looked like a jungle gym inside a big double deecker bus. About 40 little cubicles, big enough to fit a small Chinese person. Hmmm no feet or leg room. Haaaaaaa well big deal, its all part of the adventure.
Arrived in Hong Kong early AM, then taxi to border, then train into town. Called friends I met online a few years back, Frida and Shimon from Israel. They insist I stay with them. They are wonderful people. Shimon is an executive in a shipping firm here. They have a lovely, 4000 sq foot flat in a high rise overlooking the downtown. This is heaven. Frida is my tour guide for next couple of days, as we visit this incredible city. Huge, tall, minimum high rise here I think is 40 stories. Busy people, moving all with their own agendas.
I took a trip out on Landau Island, then thru the maze of walkways downtown, the “escalators” carrying people up the hills and through quaint little narrow streets with restaurants and shops. And shopping, wow this is the place. Everything you can imagine, jade market, pearl market, food market, clothes market. One should bring an extra suitcase when they come here. Amazingly beautiful city.
Well its come to an end folks. I’m writing here on July 9, my last day. As I look back, I have been blessed with another incredible adventure. This one was bigger than I imagined. Two countries, two distinct cultures. Many great people I met along the way. I think I only was truly alone for about 2 or 3 days out of the 40 on the road. That’s a success. I have many new friends including my wonderful "family" in Russia I want to keep in touch with. That’s the gift, that’s the adventure’s reward.
Well thanks for staying with me, I enjoyed your notes, many just at the right time. It was good to hear from home.
Until next time,
Yours in Travel
Bill
Got in late in Guilin, so just stayed there at a hotel near where they dropped me off the bus. You get used to suddenly being in a strange place, at night, and the “touts” (people who get a small commission to take you to their hotel or guest house) are hounding you as you get off the bus or train. This time I followed the first tout, It was late, I needed a place to crash. How about the Bright Pearl Guilin Hotel? Sounds good to me. Turned out to be a little run down for the cheap room, but it will do. Got a/c, shower, bed, that’s all I need. Paid about $15, now that’s a rip off here in this small town market, ..haaa but now is the time you translate to US dollars and rationalize. The word here is to get to Yangshuo as soon as you can and get out of Guilin. They are right, Guilin on the surface looks like another big tourist town.
Got on the bus to Yangshuo in the morning, worked slick. Then found the International Hosteling local hostel. Old standby, the IYH, usually comes through with a nice place. This is my home for the next 4 days. Clean nice, some fun people here, all for 20 Y a day, that’s about 2 ½ US Dollars a day! Big difference in prices when you stay in the country.
Words cannot describe this place, you must see the pictures. When I’m back I’ll load a bunch on the cheapy yahoo site for you all to see. The most impressive was not particularly the beauty of the scenery, but the chance to experience the Chinese countryside. Went on a day long bicycle ride out in the country around Yangshuo and also a nice cruise down the river Li. This is country, I mean water buffalo drawn plows, back breaking labor in rice fields, carrying balancing loads with bamboo poles over their shoulders. And most of these people were my age or much older. What a contrast. Booming, big money China in the big cities, but still things out here haven’t changed in hundreds, maybe thousands of years. When will all this “new china” money get down to the working people?? The only way I see it is through tourism
Who knows.
Then a wild “sleeper” ride from Yangshuo to Hong Kong. Sleeper, yea right!! It looked like a jungle gym inside a big double deecker bus. About 40 little cubicles, big enough to fit a small Chinese person. Hmmm no feet or leg room. Haaaaaaa well big deal, its all part of the adventure.
Arrived in Hong Kong early AM, then taxi to border, then train into town. Called friends I met online a few years back, Frida and Shimon from Israel. They insist I stay with them. They are wonderful people. Shimon is an executive in a shipping firm here. They have a lovely, 4000 sq foot flat in a high rise overlooking the downtown. This is heaven. Frida is my tour guide for next couple of days, as we visit this incredible city. Huge, tall, minimum high rise here I think is 40 stories. Busy people, moving all with their own agendas.
I took a trip out on Landau Island, then thru the maze of walkways downtown, the “escalators” carrying people up the hills and through quaint little narrow streets with restaurants and shops. And shopping, wow this is the place. Everything you can imagine, jade market, pearl market, food market, clothes market. One should bring an extra suitcase when they come here. Amazingly beautiful city.
Well its come to an end folks. I’m writing here on July 9, my last day. As I look back, I have been blessed with another incredible adventure. This one was bigger than I imagined. Two countries, two distinct cultures. Many great people I met along the way. I think I only was truly alone for about 2 or 3 days out of the 40 on the road. That’s a success. I have many new friends including my wonderful "family" in Russia I want to keep in touch with. That’s the gift, that’s the adventure’s reward.
Well thanks for staying with me, I enjoyed your notes, many just at the right time. It was good to hear from home.
Until next time,
Yours in Travel
Bill
July 6, 2004
Wuhan China, July 1, 2004 I'm the only one wearing flip-flops!
Hey, remember we said the flip flops were invented in China, and there are over a billion people here! Well, the only people wearing flip flops are the backpackers!! Chinese all wear the more comfortable, plastic slip on slippers. Haaaa, smart people.
Some other funny differences here:
1. You have no space in crowds. At an ATM, the next guy in line was literally on my back!
2. No diapers here. Little kids wear pants with a split in the back. They just stop along the curb and pee or crap. Hmmmm
3. In the middle of China, people are not used to seeing western foreigners. You get stared at a lot. Deep stares.
4. Tourist systems are very good. Its easy to travel here, and some very good bargains.
5. When its hot, the men like to roll their clothes up. They roll their pants up and roll their T shirts up above the nipples. Hilarious
6. Women want to keep their skin white. They even use whiteners for their skin. You see many sun umbrellas all over the city. If you get tan, it makes you look like a country peasant, so they like to stay white.
7. Just about the time you think the Chinese are rude, or don’t care about foreigners, someone does you a big favor. If you do a little favor, like take a picture of people together for them, later you seem to get so many offers for help. The people here are basically wonderful, but sometimes this is hidden under shyness.
Got off the Yangzi cruise boat in the rain, only time I’ve had to use the rain gear so far, been lucky.
Got on a bus to Wuhan, another large river city on the east end of the normal river cruise area around the 3 gorges. Off and running on the bus to Wuhan, and as we approach the city, a big verbal yelling match breaks out on the bus. It turns out many of the Chinese on the bus learn that the bus drops us off outside of town, not in the center. No way to convince the driver so we all loose. We must get cabs to the center of town.
Now you might be wondering how I found all this out, no I don’t know that much Chinese yet. On the bus I met a couple from England. Neil, retired from the paper business, and his native Chinese wife Fen. Boy Fen was really hollering at the driver she was doing the best she could to get him to change the route. She learned English when she was 20 years old, some 25 years ago at the University in Wuhan as a student there.
I decided to just get a cab with Fen and Neil, since I had no fixed place to stay yet. The hotel they had booked was lovely, sort of on the outskirts of town, in a wooded area. The Wuhan Guest house. My single room was good price, so I’m set. I tour the town and the next morning Neil and Fen invite me to breakfast with them, then invite me to join them on a prearranged city tour with two of Fens old school mates. This is the first time she has been back here since a student at 20 years old.
This turned out to be a fantastic memorable experience. Its amazing how little adventures show up on these trips. Besides touring East Lake in Wuhan, we walked the University of Wuhan, thru Fens old dormitory and library. Little had changed, same desks, same walls.
It was an awesome experience to watch Fen relive her childhood, see her old dorm. Now remember in 1975 when she went to school here it was the Mao era. She h ad to work hard for 4 years in the farm, and since she had a good attitude and worked hard, she was selected to go to the university, with her whole program being selected for her. She had no say in it at all. Since she was good with speaking, they picked English studies for her. She remembers sitting on the steps, reading and memorizing the works of Chairman Mao. Her first English words were the works of chairman Mao translated into English!! And all other books were poison!! She and her friend sneaked into the back room of the library back then and found the works of Dickens and she can remember reading them in secret.
Wow, and here we are almost 30 years later, with the new China.
This was an incredible experience to watch her relive those days.
I say good bye to Neil and Fen, exchange emails and hope to get in touch again. Now I’m off to Guilin and Yangshuo
Catch you later,
Yours in travel
Bill
Some other funny differences here:
1. You have no space in crowds. At an ATM, the next guy in line was literally on my back!
2. No diapers here. Little kids wear pants with a split in the back. They just stop along the curb and pee or crap. Hmmmm
3. In the middle of China, people are not used to seeing western foreigners. You get stared at a lot. Deep stares.
4. Tourist systems are very good. Its easy to travel here, and some very good bargains.
5. When its hot, the men like to roll their clothes up. They roll their pants up and roll their T shirts up above the nipples. Hilarious
6. Women want to keep their skin white. They even use whiteners for their skin. You see many sun umbrellas all over the city. If you get tan, it makes you look like a country peasant, so they like to stay white.
7. Just about the time you think the Chinese are rude, or don’t care about foreigners, someone does you a big favor. If you do a little favor, like take a picture of people together for them, later you seem to get so many offers for help. The people here are basically wonderful, but sometimes this is hidden under shyness.
Got off the Yangzi cruise boat in the rain, only time I’ve had to use the rain gear so far, been lucky.
Got on a bus to Wuhan, another large river city on the east end of the normal river cruise area around the 3 gorges. Off and running on the bus to Wuhan, and as we approach the city, a big verbal yelling match breaks out on the bus. It turns out many of the Chinese on the bus learn that the bus drops us off outside of town, not in the center. No way to convince the driver so we all loose. We must get cabs to the center of town.
Now you might be wondering how I found all this out, no I don’t know that much Chinese yet. On the bus I met a couple from England. Neil, retired from the paper business, and his native Chinese wife Fen. Boy Fen was really hollering at the driver she was doing the best she could to get him to change the route. She learned English when she was 20 years old, some 25 years ago at the University in Wuhan as a student there.
I decided to just get a cab with Fen and Neil, since I had no fixed place to stay yet. The hotel they had booked was lovely, sort of on the outskirts of town, in a wooded area. The Wuhan Guest house. My single room was good price, so I’m set. I tour the town and the next morning Neil and Fen invite me to breakfast with them, then invite me to join them on a prearranged city tour with two of Fens old school mates. This is the first time she has been back here since a student at 20 years old.
This turned out to be a fantastic memorable experience. Its amazing how little adventures show up on these trips. Besides touring East Lake in Wuhan, we walked the University of Wuhan, thru Fens old dormitory and library. Little had changed, same desks, same walls.
It was an awesome experience to watch Fen relive her childhood, see her old dorm. Now remember in 1975 when she went to school here it was the Mao era. She h ad to work hard for 4 years in the farm, and since she had a good attitude and worked hard, she was selected to go to the university, with her whole program being selected for her. She had no say in it at all. Since she was good with speaking, they picked English studies for her. She remembers sitting on the steps, reading and memorizing the works of Chairman Mao. Her first English words were the works of chairman Mao translated into English!! And all other books were poison!! She and her friend sneaked into the back room of the library back then and found the works of Dickens and she can remember reading them in secret.
Wow, and here we are almost 30 years later, with the new China.
This was an incredible experience to watch her relive those days.
I say good bye to Neil and Fen, exchange emails and hope to get in touch again. Now I’m off to Guilin and Yangshuo
Catch you later,
Yours in travel
Bill
July 5, 2004
Trans Mongolian Railway (Read after Surprise Visit) :) 6-30
Hi all,
Well I'm way behind in my blogs on the trip only because of one reason
censorship. My blogsite has fallen prey to the Chinese communist censorship Iguess. That is the ONLY element of communism I have witnessed here. It's booming! Busy streets, cities can't handle the traffic. Tourism is in full swing and everything is bargain basement low. China is incredible.
So I may be sending this to some of you via email, back to the old system. I'm trying a couple of tricks to try to get it uploaded on blogspot, but so far it's not working.
The last report that didn't upload to the site covered the end to my trip in Russia.I boarded the trans Mongolian railway, early on June 19. My way cool homestay owner got up at 5AM to make sure that the taxi got there on time, great guy. The train was a bit old, but adequate. I paid for second class, that gets me acabin for 4 people.
I opened the door, and was greeted with a big smile from Nadzeera. She is anative of Irkutsk, where every winter is 40 below. Nadzeera could not speak aword of English, not one word. For the next 12 hours we had the mostfascinating conversation by using a Russian/English dictionary!! The time flew.We learned about each others background painfully slowly, something that wouldhave probably taken one hour! But it taught me something about language.Usually you have a 5 minute encounter using a dictionary. But with this long atime, with expressions, shrugs, laughs, non-verbal communication comes through remarkedly well. She wouldn't let me buy food, she shared all her pre-made Russian food, bread, salad. I found out she had lost her house in a fire, was leaving her 20 year old son and 13 year old daughter to get a new job in UlanBaator, Mongolia. New job, new city, new people in a city in the middle ofMongolia. Now there is guts. Quite a lady. Later at a small city, the otherpassengers, all Chinese, joined us to fill up the cabin.
The Mongolian countryside is amazing. This is the Gobi desert, but not sand.It's a grassland much like I saw in Patagonia last year. Hump grasses, shadesof greens, then browns, fantastic skys. Passed many native houses called Yertsor Gurs. These are white, round with one door. Around them are usually a herdof horses. Out the top is the vent of a wooden stove. Also I saw many camelsroaming wild in this land. I traveled for hours over this Steppe land. Actually3 and 1/2 days!! Over the ancient trading route between Russia and China.
The customs procedure can only be described as downright harassment! Of the 3 days, over 14 hours were spent waiting full stop, waiting for customs orimmigration to process papers and stamp your passport!! And all this was donein the middle of the night, right when you are trying to get some sleep. Also,Russia has a different rail width for their cars. So when we crossed the borderto China, we moved the train into the bogie house, and all the wheels underour cars were rolled out from under us while we were in the cars, and changedout with ones that were 3 1/2 inches wider!! That was a 4 hour process.
Fascinating.
I wish I had more time. The thing to do§ here is to stop at Ulan Baator, andtake a one week, 4_wheel drive trip out in the Mongolian plain. You visit andeat in Yerts with Mongolian families. A great experience. The dining car was discovered!!! Great food, read in the guide books they usually are bad..WRONG. Beer, food, wow I?m in heaven, and watching the vastness of this land roll by.
Well I arrived in Beijing. After nice, solemn, quiet 3 days, I'm suddenly(with my New Zealand friends I met on board) thrown out into the hot, busytrainstation with full pack on to be introduced to this new city. I'm inChina. And we are called fresh tourist meat, ready to be preyed upon! First the ATM, to get Chinese Yuan. After money, then a cab to my Hostel, then groceries for lunch for tour of the Great Wall tomorrow.
Back with you for Beijing experience.
Well I'm way behind in my blogs on the trip only because of one reason
censorship. My blogsite has fallen prey to the Chinese communist censorship Iguess. That is the ONLY element of communism I have witnessed here. It's booming! Busy streets, cities can't handle the traffic. Tourism is in full swing and everything is bargain basement low. China is incredible.
So I may be sending this to some of you via email, back to the old system. I'm trying a couple of tricks to try to get it uploaded on blogspot, but so far it's not working.
The last report that didn't upload to the site covered the end to my trip in Russia.I boarded the trans Mongolian railway, early on June 19. My way cool homestay owner got up at 5AM to make sure that the taxi got there on time, great guy. The train was a bit old, but adequate. I paid for second class, that gets me acabin for 4 people.
I opened the door, and was greeted with a big smile from Nadzeera. She is anative of Irkutsk, where every winter is 40 below. Nadzeera could not speak aword of English, not one word. For the next 12 hours we had the mostfascinating conversation by using a Russian/English dictionary!! The time flew.We learned about each others background painfully slowly, something that wouldhave probably taken one hour! But it taught me something about language.Usually you have a 5 minute encounter using a dictionary. But with this long atime, with expressions, shrugs, laughs, non-verbal communication comes through remarkedly well. She wouldn't let me buy food, she shared all her pre-made Russian food, bread, salad. I found out she had lost her house in a fire, was leaving her 20 year old son and 13 year old daughter to get a new job in UlanBaator, Mongolia. New job, new city, new people in a city in the middle ofMongolia. Now there is guts. Quite a lady. Later at a small city, the otherpassengers, all Chinese, joined us to fill up the cabin.
The Mongolian countryside is amazing. This is the Gobi desert, but not sand.It's a grassland much like I saw in Patagonia last year. Hump grasses, shadesof greens, then browns, fantastic skys. Passed many native houses called Yertsor Gurs. These are white, round with one door. Around them are usually a herdof horses. Out the top is the vent of a wooden stove. Also I saw many camelsroaming wild in this land. I traveled for hours over this Steppe land. Actually3 and 1/2 days!! Over the ancient trading route between Russia and China.
The customs procedure can only be described as downright harassment! Of the 3 days, over 14 hours were spent waiting full stop, waiting for customs orimmigration to process papers and stamp your passport!! And all this was donein the middle of the night, right when you are trying to get some sleep. Also,Russia has a different rail width for their cars. So when we crossed the borderto China, we moved the train into the bogie house, and all the wheels underour cars were rolled out from under us while we were in the cars, and changedout with ones that were 3 1/2 inches wider!! That was a 4 hour process.
Fascinating.
I wish I had more time. The thing to do§ here is to stop at Ulan Baator, andtake a one week, 4_wheel drive trip out in the Mongolian plain. You visit andeat in Yerts with Mongolian families. A great experience. The dining car was discovered!!! Great food, read in the guide books they usually are bad..WRONG. Beer, food, wow I?m in heaven, and watching the vastness of this land roll by.
Well I arrived in Beijing. After nice, solemn, quiet 3 days, I'm suddenly(with my New Zealand friends I met on board) thrown out into the hot, busytrainstation with full pack on to be introduced to this new city. I'm inChina. And we are called fresh tourist meat, ready to be preyed upon! First the ATM, to get Chinese Yuan. After money, then a cab to my Hostel, then groceries for lunch for tour of the Great Wall tomorrow.
Back with you for Beijing experience.
Night Market in Xian - June 25-28
June 25 - 28
Wow, what a train. The train I took to Xian from Beijing was a brand new Chinese train. Each car had a cute, young Chinese girl with sharply styled uniform standing at attention waiting to help you. And the cabins, all new. Each bed, I was in a four bed cabin, had a flat screen tv at the foot of the bed with a selection of first run movies. What a contrast to my trans Mongolian train!!
On the train down, I see the "real" China. Back country farm homes, narrow valleys with huge red banners. People out doing Tai Chi in the morning, workers in the field doing work with NO mechanized equipment, all hand labor.
Xian is a remarkable city. Another BIG city, which is also booming. The center of the city is surrounded by a giant wall. It is an old fortress wall for protection. As with most Chinese cities I've visited, the infrastructure is not prepared for all the growth. It took 20 minutes to go 200 yards out of the train station to get into the city. On the west side of Xian, there are huge sky scrapers, new buildings, and cranes everywhere. More impressions that China is booming. I th ink I heard their GNP growth rate is over 10%. Traffic is always heavy, then when the peaks hit, it's a madhouse.
The Xian stay was a fun social experience. Sometimes the hostels are, sometimes they aren't, depending on your luck who you meet. For the three days, I hooked up with Jan, and American just finishing a Peace Corps assignment in Khasitstan, Sharon from New Zealand, and George (Georgia) from Manchester England. George was amazing, that cute deep English accent, (that many times I had to concentrate hard to understand..haaaaaaaaaaa). She is a lawyer there in Manchester, and hopes to perform consumer protection defense for people.
The major attraction here are the terracotta warrior statues. This was a whole day tour, we did ourselves by taking city and country buses out to the site. The hostel tour was too expensive.
What an incredible place. In 1975, a farmer while digging near the tomb of an emporer, discovered some clay figures. Turns out there are about 6000 of them. A whole army. The emporer had this clay army made to protect him in the afterlife. Each figure had a different face!!! they were all unique. there were chariots with horses, and orginally they were painted and holding weapons. The site has been turned into a major archilogical dig site, with huge buildings built over the excavations. Only pictures can show the incredible work this was. This was an amazing tour.
We all did the "night market" for three nights. This was in the Muslim quarter of Xian. When it gets dark, you walk under the big arch of the Drum Tower in the wall and the whole street lights up with vendors and street cooking. The Muslims love the meats on skewers and barbeque right on the street. Mutton, beef, and some weird chicken.
We also had pot boiled food. Like the old fondue pot, only with a hot soup that is boiling. You stick skewers in with various meats and vegetables. Wow, why don't we do this at home, it would be huge. For as long as the eye can see, lights down the street, smoke from the street barbeques, and lots of people. Mostly Chinese by the way.
I'm getting used to being stared at. I mean STARED at. Not casual stares, deep stares. Some are bold enough to just keep staring at me. I thought it was my age or my beard until I compared notes with the other fellow travelers. Haaaaaaaaaa its funny, we all just laugh at it. And after awhile you get used to it. It does tell me though, that not many foreigners come here. They say in Hong Kong, this doesn't happen, there are plenty of foreigners there.
Boy it's hot here. Record heat, its between 38 and 40 Deg C. If you calculate that out it has been over 100 deg F. In this heat, you tour early in the morning, then spend time around the hostel in the air conditioning mid day, then go out at night.
Well I'll say goodbye to Xian and to the great friends I met here. We all exchanged email names and plan to stay in touch. I fly down to Chongqing, where I'll pick up the boat for my river cruise. I was lucky, this hostel books transportation, so I was able to book my flights as well as the cruise.
See you on the Yangzi,
Yours in travel,
Bill
Wow, what a train. The train I took to Xian from Beijing was a brand new Chinese train. Each car had a cute, young Chinese girl with sharply styled uniform standing at attention waiting to help you. And the cabins, all new. Each bed, I was in a four bed cabin, had a flat screen tv at the foot of the bed with a selection of first run movies. What a contrast to my trans Mongolian train!!
On the train down, I see the "real" China. Back country farm homes, narrow valleys with huge red banners. People out doing Tai Chi in the morning, workers in the field doing work with NO mechanized equipment, all hand labor.
Xian is a remarkable city. Another BIG city, which is also booming. The center of the city is surrounded by a giant wall. It is an old fortress wall for protection. As with most Chinese cities I've visited, the infrastructure is not prepared for all the growth. It took 20 minutes to go 200 yards out of the train station to get into the city. On the west side of Xian, there are huge sky scrapers, new buildings, and cranes everywhere. More impressions that China is booming. I th ink I heard their GNP growth rate is over 10%. Traffic is always heavy, then when the peaks hit, it's a madhouse.
The Xian stay was a fun social experience. Sometimes the hostels are, sometimes they aren't, depending on your luck who you meet. For the three days, I hooked up with Jan, and American just finishing a Peace Corps assignment in Khasitstan, Sharon from New Zealand, and George (Georgia) from Manchester England. George was amazing, that cute deep English accent, (that many times I had to concentrate hard to understand..haaaaaaaaaaa). She is a lawyer there in Manchester, and hopes to perform consumer protection defense for people.
The major attraction here are the terracotta warrior statues. This was a whole day tour, we did ourselves by taking city and country buses out to the site. The hostel tour was too expensive.
What an incredible place. In 1975, a farmer while digging near the tomb of an emporer, discovered some clay figures. Turns out there are about 6000 of them. A whole army. The emporer had this clay army made to protect him in the afterlife. Each figure had a different face!!! they were all unique. there were chariots with horses, and orginally they were painted and holding weapons. The site has been turned into a major archilogical dig site, with huge buildings built over the excavations. Only pictures can show the incredible work this was. This was an amazing tour.
We all did the "night market" for three nights. This was in the Muslim quarter of Xian. When it gets dark, you walk under the big arch of the Drum Tower in the wall and the whole street lights up with vendors and street cooking. The Muslims love the meats on skewers and barbeque right on the street. Mutton, beef, and some weird chicken.
We also had pot boiled food. Like the old fondue pot, only with a hot soup that is boiling. You stick skewers in with various meats and vegetables. Wow, why don't we do this at home, it would be huge. For as long as the eye can see, lights down the street, smoke from the street barbeques, and lots of people. Mostly Chinese by the way.
I'm getting used to being stared at. I mean STARED at. Not casual stares, deep stares. Some are bold enough to just keep staring at me. I thought it was my age or my beard until I compared notes with the other fellow travelers. Haaaaaaaaaa its funny, we all just laugh at it. And after awhile you get used to it. It does tell me though, that not many foreigners come here. They say in Hong Kong, this doesn't happen, there are plenty of foreigners there.
Boy it's hot here. Record heat, its between 38 and 40 Deg C. If you calculate that out it has been over 100 deg F. In this heat, you tour early in the morning, then spend time around the hostel in the air conditioning mid day, then go out at night.
Well I'll say goodbye to Xian and to the great friends I met here. We all exchanged email names and plan to stay in touch. I fly down to Chongqing, where I'll pick up the boat for my river cruise. I was lucky, this hostel books transportation, so I was able to book my flights as well as the cruise.
See you on the Yangzi,
Yours in travel,
Bill
The Great Wall - July 3rd
The Great Wall - I'm in China!
Hello all, sorry again this has taken so long to upload, but the blogspot is censored over here. Wouldn't you know!!
I arrived in Beijing, and stayed the first night at the Youth hostel. They had a tour arranged to go to a remote spot on the Great Wall of China, away from the usual touristy spots. I hooked up with a Swiss couple who I met on the train over, we went together on the tour. And boy was it remote, took 3 hours to drive there, and three hours back. Then we hiked the wall, 9 Km !! in the 90 degree, humid heat. You can see from my pictures, my shirt is a bit dark, I was soaked. I don't do humidy well, I'm finding that out!
What a fantastic historical structure. To think of thousands of peasants building this great wall, many to their deaths, and many actually were buried inside the wall. The wall spreads over some 4100 miles in various sections that remain. Its over 2000 years old. Its an incredible site, I'm thrilled to have "Climbed the wall" The damn T-shirt they were selling was real cheesy, so I resisted.
The rest of my time In Beijing I stayed with Kenny Melton. I met Kenny on the Baja surfing trip I took last summer. Kenny was touring Vietnam, and decided to come up to Beijing and work teaching English. It was great to see him again, and he was my tour guide for Beijing. Had some great dinners out with his friends, who also teach here. Big demand for English here in China.
Kenny and I visited the Forbidden City, Tianamen Square, and the temple of heaven. The forbidden city was the home since the 1400's for 24 emperors, and was closed to Chinese citizens for over 500 years!!! I think it open up in 1924. But an incredible example of 15th century Chinese architecture.. I can see why it is a world heritage site.
Beijing is an incredibly big and busy city. Sky scrapers, traffic. I'm getting the impression that China is really booming.
Kenny took me to the Beijing West Train station to send me off to Xian. I will take a night train there, this time 1st class!! (Only $12 more). The train station was HUGE, unbelievable,. and the people watching was remarkable. Some Chinese very dressed up with Gucci bags, and some people from the country, with all their belongings in a blanket tied with a knot at the top sitting waiting to travel. There are real diverse economic backgrounds here.
Off to Xian, and the Terracotta warriors, until next time
Yours in travel,
Bill
Hello all, sorry again this has taken so long to upload, but the blogspot is censored over here. Wouldn't you know!!
I arrived in Beijing, and stayed the first night at the Youth hostel. They had a tour arranged to go to a remote spot on the Great Wall of China, away from the usual touristy spots. I hooked up with a Swiss couple who I met on the train over, we went together on the tour. And boy was it remote, took 3 hours to drive there, and three hours back. Then we hiked the wall, 9 Km !! in the 90 degree, humid heat. You can see from my pictures, my shirt is a bit dark, I was soaked. I don't do humidy well, I'm finding that out!
What a fantastic historical structure. To think of thousands of peasants building this great wall, many to their deaths, and many actually were buried inside the wall. The wall spreads over some 4100 miles in various sections that remain. Its over 2000 years old. Its an incredible site, I'm thrilled to have "Climbed the wall" The damn T-shirt they were selling was real cheesy, so I resisted.
The rest of my time In Beijing I stayed with Kenny Melton. I met Kenny on the Baja surfing trip I took last summer. Kenny was touring Vietnam, and decided to come up to Beijing and work teaching English. It was great to see him again, and he was my tour guide for Beijing. Had some great dinners out with his friends, who also teach here. Big demand for English here in China.
Kenny and I visited the Forbidden City, Tianamen Square, and the temple of heaven. The forbidden city was the home since the 1400's for 24 emperors, and was closed to Chinese citizens for over 500 years!!! I think it open up in 1924. But an incredible example of 15th century Chinese architecture.. I can see why it is a world heritage site.
Beijing is an incredibly big and busy city. Sky scrapers, traffic. I'm getting the impression that China is really booming.
Kenny took me to the Beijing West Train station to send me off to Xian. I will take a night train there, this time 1st class!! (Only $12 more). The train station was HUGE, unbelievable,. and the people watching was remarkable. Some Chinese very dressed up with Gucci bags, and some people from the country, with all their belongings in a blanket tied with a knot at the top sitting waiting to travel. There are real diverse economic backgrounds here.
Off to Xian, and the Terracotta warriors, until next time
Yours in travel,
Bill
Surprise Visit - June 15, 2004
Well it's my last day here in Russia (June 16, 2004). Today was going to be just shopping, want to pick up a couple of Winter Russian hats, and look at jewelry styles. Russian jewelry is very well made, much better than Chinese, and they have amber stones found only here in Russia.
On the way to shopping area, Vadim said we will go by the cemetery. A surprise visit. Hmmm, well ok..Well as it turned out, this was the cemetery for the war dead from the siege of old Saint Petersburg or Leningrad during WWII.. Nearly 490,000 people lost there lives here in this city during the siege against the German invaders. Stop, and think about the number for a moment. The siege went on for 900 days. It was extremely moving; walking by long graves sites where the bodies of unknown innocent civilians lay buried. Marked only with a date; 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945. All Russian school children are required to visit this cemetery, and discuss the history of this serene moving place. Something that should be practiced in another country I'm thinking of. It really made me think, as I watched a woman in her 70's, walk silently alone along the gravesites, reflecting perhaps about a long lost relative. A reminder of a dark time in Russian history. Moving.
My family drove me to the airport south of the city. I will fly to Irkutsk, in East Siberia, my hub to hop the Mongolian Railway thru Mongolia, on to China. I bumped into a Russian man traveling to Irkutsk who spoke English, he took me under his wing thru the flight process, which is much different than at our airports, and this was the domestic airport with very few English signs.
Fun though, I made plane.
It was difficult to say goodbye to Vadim, Olga and Sveta. We have grown very close. We all decided this was not goodbye, but "see you next time"!! This lovely country, beautiful cities and lovely people will be visited again my me for sure. I wish more American tourists would discover this gem.
Flew to Irkutsk, stayed in this small town for two days, visited Lake Baikal, the deepest freshwater lake in the world. It holds 20% of the worlds fresh water supply!. Beautiful place. Took a tour of the city which still possess some of the oldest examples of all wooden houses, going back to 1890's. An early rise on the 19th, and I hoped on the Trans Mongolian Railway. My 3 day odyessy across Mongolia, the old trade route between Russia and China. I'll be in Beijing on June 21.
Just a few differences I've noted while in Russia between them and us
Russians wear t here wedding ring on the right hand Hardly any business suits here, very casual Most live in apartments in the city, and have second homes in the country Cars rule!!! Pedestrians have No rights Business men carry pursesThe current fashion for shoes are very long and pointed, haaaaaaaaa like pixey shoes, some toes point up.
Some fashionable young women walk together arm in arm on the crowded streets Russian custom: Sit down for a minute, relax think, before you embark on a long trip Some russian men and women have more than one spouse. No salad dressings here, just mayonnaise! Kraft, get your stuff together, big market.
On to Mongolia, see you again soon. Still trying to get more pictures up, will try in a few days. Ok, I already arrived in Beijing, I'll tell you about the trip next, everything fantastic. Beijing is amazing. Bye for now
Yours in Travel,
Bill
On the way to shopping area, Vadim said we will go by the cemetery. A surprise visit. Hmmm, well ok..Well as it turned out, this was the cemetery for the war dead from the siege of old Saint Petersburg or Leningrad during WWII.. Nearly 490,000 people lost there lives here in this city during the siege against the German invaders. Stop, and think about the number for a moment. The siege went on for 900 days. It was extremely moving; walking by long graves sites where the bodies of unknown innocent civilians lay buried. Marked only with a date; 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945. All Russian school children are required to visit this cemetery, and discuss the history of this serene moving place. Something that should be practiced in another country I'm thinking of. It really made me think, as I watched a woman in her 70's, walk silently alone along the gravesites, reflecting perhaps about a long lost relative. A reminder of a dark time in Russian history. Moving.
My family drove me to the airport south of the city. I will fly to Irkutsk, in East Siberia, my hub to hop the Mongolian Railway thru Mongolia, on to China. I bumped into a Russian man traveling to Irkutsk who spoke English, he took me under his wing thru the flight process, which is much different than at our airports, and this was the domestic airport with very few English signs.
Fun though, I made plane.
It was difficult to say goodbye to Vadim, Olga and Sveta. We have grown very close. We all decided this was not goodbye, but "see you next time"!! This lovely country, beautiful cities and lovely people will be visited again my me for sure. I wish more American tourists would discover this gem.
Flew to Irkutsk, stayed in this small town for two days, visited Lake Baikal, the deepest freshwater lake in the world. It holds 20% of the worlds fresh water supply!. Beautiful place. Took a tour of the city which still possess some of the oldest examples of all wooden houses, going back to 1890's. An early rise on the 19th, and I hoped on the Trans Mongolian Railway. My 3 day odyessy across Mongolia, the old trade route between Russia and China. I'll be in Beijing on June 21.
Just a few differences I've noted while in Russia between them and us
Russians wear t here wedding ring on the right hand Hardly any business suits here, very casual Most live in apartments in the city, and have second homes in the country Cars rule!!! Pedestrians have No rights Business men carry pursesThe current fashion for shoes are very long and pointed, haaaaaaaaa like pixey shoes, some toes point up.
Some fashionable young women walk together arm in arm on the crowded streets Russian custom: Sit down for a minute, relax think, before you embark on a long trip Some russian men and women have more than one spouse. No salad dressings here, just mayonnaise! Kraft, get your stuff together, big market.
On to Mongolia, see you again soon. Still trying to get more pictures up, will try in a few days. Ok, I already arrived in Beijing, I'll tell you about the trip next, everything fantastic. Beijing is amazing. Bye for now
Yours in Travel,
Bill
June 15, 2004
A Visit to Moscow, Suzdal and Vladimir
On Thursday night June 10, the whole family including Vadim’s daughter Sveta and I took off for Moscow. We also planned to visit Suzdal and Vladimir, two cities in the Golden Ring, a group of cities northeast of Moscow that preceded the present capital of Moscow. This was the political and cultural heart of Russia in the 1100’s and earlier. The Vladimir-Suzdal princedom preceded Moscow as the capital back then. These towns are one of the few that have examples of preserved architecture going back to the 12th century. Much of this area was destroyed with the invasion of the Mongols in the 16th century. A visit to these towns was an incredible visual history lesson on Russia (Ross eee ya! Here)
The trip to Moscow is a 9 hour drive, about 700 or so kilometers. The highway is a fast paced, three lane motorway, with the center lane a passing lane for both directions (remember those in California back in the 50’s and 60’s?? we called them slaughter alleys..haa).
Although Vadim is an excellent driver, many times we call him “Shumacher” of Formula I fame, the road is still wild. In Russia, you don’t recognize the usual “space” you have on the road in the US. On passing you get about 4 feet away from the car in front, then swing out and hold your breath. Nine hours each way. Wow. The ride over was rough, because it was all night long. Then the next day I was falling asleep in the car tour of Moscow. Not again. The ride back during the day, was pleasant and fun, despite the roads bumpy conditions. But keeping with the working schedule, it would have been tough to take an additional day for the family to make the ride up during the day. No problem, the tour was incredible
Sveta, Vadim’s daughter is a delight. Her command of English is amazing. She began her English lessons at only 6 years old, with a demanding teacher on pronunciation. So even her pronunciation is excellent. As my English speaking guide, she made the trip so much more rewarding. She also knows her cities well.
Moscow was busy. Propka, the word for traffic jam, was used many times in the car. I think they have expanded too much here. Estimated population is 11 million. It resembles St Petersburg in the outskirts with high rise residential wherever you look, highrise..and more highrise.
I asked Vadim why so much highrise in Russian cities? You have such a big country. I told him that we build out ward and low in America. He said, yes our country is big but much of it is unusable, so we must preserve the land that is usable. Hmmm makes good sense. Something to consider at home.
We met Vadims Friend Ury, who would be our guide for the whole trip. We met at Mc Donald’s of course!! Ury works for the city police. Haaaa and this really helped. Parking was no problem, just drive up ON THE SIDE WALK, park and comeback when you want! Different rules here.
We toured the city, drove up to red square and the Kremlin, with excitement. Walked up to the barricaded gate with guards galore, and found out due to security for the Independence day celebration for VIP’s, red square is closed until the 15th!!! Yea right, Bill comes all the way to Russia, and its closed. Reminds me of the scene with Chevy Chase and Wallyworld !!! Oh well, chalk one more up for the influence of terrorists.
So we drove around the Kremlin and Red Square and took pictures. Visited many memorials. Town is full of sculptures and memorials to WWII, beautiful peaceful walks. The city is nice, has much appeal, but with traffic and busy-busy life here, St. Petersburg wins. There is however in both big cities, lots of parks and green tree lined streets. Good planning has made the city life somewhat appealing here.
On to Vladimir and Suzdal. This was the highlight of the Moscow trip. I have some great shots of ancient (12th century churches), flowing river, fields of flowers. Everything green green green. We toured a reconstructed old village, with windmills, peasant homes and churches. Very nice visual history lesson. Independence day, June 12, is what I would call the new independence day here. This was the day Russians recognize as their day of independence after the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991. We toured both of these historical cities on that day. It was a special treat, the streets were blocked off for walking, they had festivals with crafts, parachute jumpers, the whole bit. A fun look at how they celebrate here.
The last day, Sunday, we decided to “tour” the Moscow metro. Moscow’s metro, has more than any other major city metro I’ve ever been on, some beautiful wall coverings and mosaics in the stations on the main line circling the city. Many stations have themes, or dedications to some group, like mariners, world peace etc.
We decided to stop at city center and just see if the Red square was open. And IT WAS!!! Oh this is good!! So I did get to tour red square after all. Pictures only tell the story. The Kremlin, where President Putin resides, was still closed, but I was really happy to tour the square. It was still decorated with huge emblems of the country and city shields. This must have been quite a celebration here for VIP’s.
It was good to be back to St Petersburg! It feels like home compared to the busy city life in Moscow.
No time to upload pictures today, look for them tonight (15th or tomorrow 16th)
Well it’s a couple more days here, then I fly a distance about equivalent to twice across the US, to Irkutsk in eastern Siberia. Wow, that has a ring to it doesn’t it. Eastern Siberia. I hope to prove it IS a nice place to see! I will stay there for 2 days before boarding the Trans Mongolian railway on across Mongolia to China.
More later..
Yours in Travel
Bill
The trip to Moscow is a 9 hour drive, about 700 or so kilometers. The highway is a fast paced, three lane motorway, with the center lane a passing lane for both directions (remember those in California back in the 50’s and 60’s?? we called them slaughter alleys..haa).
Although Vadim is an excellent driver, many times we call him “Shumacher” of Formula I fame, the road is still wild. In Russia, you don’t recognize the usual “space” you have on the road in the US. On passing you get about 4 feet away from the car in front, then swing out and hold your breath. Nine hours each way. Wow. The ride over was rough, because it was all night long. Then the next day I was falling asleep in the car tour of Moscow. Not again. The ride back during the day, was pleasant and fun, despite the roads bumpy conditions. But keeping with the working schedule, it would have been tough to take an additional day for the family to make the ride up during the day. No problem, the tour was incredible
Sveta, Vadim’s daughter is a delight. Her command of English is amazing. She began her English lessons at only 6 years old, with a demanding teacher on pronunciation. So even her pronunciation is excellent. As my English speaking guide, she made the trip so much more rewarding. She also knows her cities well.
Moscow was busy. Propka, the word for traffic jam, was used many times in the car. I think they have expanded too much here. Estimated population is 11 million. It resembles St Petersburg in the outskirts with high rise residential wherever you look, highrise..and more highrise.
I asked Vadim why so much highrise in Russian cities? You have such a big country. I told him that we build out ward and low in America. He said, yes our country is big but much of it is unusable, so we must preserve the land that is usable. Hmmm makes good sense. Something to consider at home.
We met Vadims Friend Ury, who would be our guide for the whole trip. We met at Mc Donald’s of course!! Ury works for the city police. Haaaa and this really helped. Parking was no problem, just drive up ON THE SIDE WALK, park and comeback when you want! Different rules here.
We toured the city, drove up to red square and the Kremlin, with excitement. Walked up to the barricaded gate with guards galore, and found out due to security for the Independence day celebration for VIP’s, red square is closed until the 15th!!! Yea right, Bill comes all the way to Russia, and its closed. Reminds me of the scene with Chevy Chase and Wallyworld !!! Oh well, chalk one more up for the influence of terrorists.
So we drove around the Kremlin and Red Square and took pictures. Visited many memorials. Town is full of sculptures and memorials to WWII, beautiful peaceful walks. The city is nice, has much appeal, but with traffic and busy-busy life here, St. Petersburg wins. There is however in both big cities, lots of parks and green tree lined streets. Good planning has made the city life somewhat appealing here.
On to Vladimir and Suzdal. This was the highlight of the Moscow trip. I have some great shots of ancient (12th century churches), flowing river, fields of flowers. Everything green green green. We toured a reconstructed old village, with windmills, peasant homes and churches. Very nice visual history lesson. Independence day, June 12, is what I would call the new independence day here. This was the day Russians recognize as their day of independence after the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991. We toured both of these historical cities on that day. It was a special treat, the streets were blocked off for walking, they had festivals with crafts, parachute jumpers, the whole bit. A fun look at how they celebrate here.
The last day, Sunday, we decided to “tour” the Moscow metro. Moscow’s metro, has more than any other major city metro I’ve ever been on, some beautiful wall coverings and mosaics in the stations on the main line circling the city. Many stations have themes, or dedications to some group, like mariners, world peace etc.
We decided to stop at city center and just see if the Red square was open. And IT WAS!!! Oh this is good!! So I did get to tour red square after all. Pictures only tell the story. The Kremlin, where President Putin resides, was still closed, but I was really happy to tour the square. It was still decorated with huge emblems of the country and city shields. This must have been quite a celebration here for VIP’s.
It was good to be back to St Petersburg! It feels like home compared to the busy city life in Moscow.
No time to upload pictures today, look for them tonight (15th or tomorrow 16th)
Well it’s a couple more days here, then I fly a distance about equivalent to twice across the US, to Irkutsk in eastern Siberia. Wow, that has a ring to it doesn’t it. Eastern Siberia. I hope to prove it IS a nice place to see! I will stay there for 2 days before boarding the Trans Mongolian railway on across Mongolia to China.
More later..
Yours in Travel
Bill