I woke up this morning, had breakfast at the hotel and met up with the Canadians I hung out with last night. From our hotel we jumped on a bus and took the Narita Express Train, (a fourty-five minute ride), into Tokyo. From Shinigawa we jumped onto another train and went to the Shibuya shopping district.
We walked around the city for awhile and desperately tried to find Japanese cellphones we could bring into the US...we failed. We did lunch at a ramen house and then I left the Canadians to their own devices.
From Shibuya I went back to the hotel and then to the airport and that's it, goodbye Asia!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Day Fifty-Seven
I woke up this morning at five o'clock and hired a taxi to take me to the Bangkok airport. I thought I'd get there early, relax and read. Unfortunately, the flight ended up being delayed six hours! Instead of reading I got a cheap massage in the airport terminal.
As a result of the flight delay the attendants informed us we would be staying in Japan for one night. Although I was anxious to come back home I wasn't disappointed by the misfortune. During the delay I ended up hooking up with some Canadian guys who were winding down on a two month summer trip to southeast Asia.
We arrived in Japan at eleven o'clock in the evening. The Canadians, a guy from Long Beach and I had dinner together and decided we'd go out on the town with the allowance that Japan Airlines had given us.
As a result of the flight delay the attendants informed us we would be staying in Japan for one night. Although I was anxious to come back home I wasn't disappointed by the misfortune. During the delay I ended up hooking up with some Canadian guys who were winding down on a two month summer trip to southeast Asia.
We arrived in Japan at eleven o'clock in the evening. The Canadians, a guy from Long Beach and I had dinner together and decided we'd go out on the town with the allowance that Japan Airlines had given us.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Day Fifty-Six
Today was a sad day...I left my friends and the island of Ko Phangnan. From Haad Rin I took a small ferry to Ko Samui. Once I arrived at Ko Samui I hired a taxi to take me to the airport. The island of Ko Samui is a lot more developed than Ko Phangnan. Travel guides say it is better suited for family vacations because it has all the amenities you would have back home.
I arrived at the airport three hours before my scheduled flight. Instead of waiting for my flight they put me on the next plane to Bangkok which was boarding in fifteen minutes.
I arrived to all the hustle and bustle of Bangkok Airport. From there I jumped on a bus to lively Khao San road. Once I was checked in I went straight to work, that is to buy gift for all the friends and family. For the next four hours I walked up and down the road trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on my list. Muay Thai boxing shorts for the guys, purses for the girls, and a taser for brando!
I couldn't sleep tonight so I just wandered around for awhile. Khao San road stays up until dawn! Back to bed!
I arrived at the airport three hours before my scheduled flight. Instead of waiting for my flight they put me on the next plane to Bangkok which was boarding in fifteen minutes.
I arrived to all the hustle and bustle of Bangkok Airport. From there I jumped on a bus to lively Khao San road. Once I was checked in I went straight to work, that is to buy gift for all the friends and family. For the next four hours I walked up and down the road trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on my list. Muay Thai boxing shorts for the guys, purses for the girls, and a taser for brando!
I couldn't sleep tonight so I just wandered around for awhile. Khao San road stays up until dawn! Back to bed!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Day Fifty-Five
Today was a day of relaxation. We woke up a little later in the morning and plopped down on the beach for the entire afternoon. Sam, aka "9 to 5", went to work and started picking up on girls. By the end of the day the Jeffs and I had had a good day of rest and relaxation and Sam had coordinated a group of four English girls for us to go with to the Half Moon Party.
After a quick dinner at the "Friends" show restaurant, we stopped at the market to buy some drinks. We cleaned up the bungalow and set up some tables. Once the girls came over we played a game called King's Cup. Right before we left the girls got out their glow in the dark paint and we all painted our bodies for the Half Moon Party.
On a side note, I actually found out that the Half Moon Party started not from Buddhist tradition but rather from a group or travelers who had a birthday party on a full moon for a friend. The travelers stayed for a few months and had party after party on every full moon. The parties were so popular that the island adopted it into its culture and became known as the "Full Moon Party Island."
We took a tuk tuk into the jungle in the hills. The party went all night, I didn't. We all kind of lost each other about three hours into the night and ended up coming home separately. Back at home I went on an adventure and ended up running into everyone else. It was probably our best night of partying and a great way to say goodbye to my favorite island, Ko Phangnan.
After a quick dinner at the "Friends" show restaurant, we stopped at the market to buy some drinks. We cleaned up the bungalow and set up some tables. Once the girls came over we played a game called King's Cup. Right before we left the girls got out their glow in the dark paint and we all painted our bodies for the Half Moon Party.
On a side note, I actually found out that the Half Moon Party started not from Buddhist tradition but rather from a group or travelers who had a birthday party on a full moon for a friend. The travelers stayed for a few months and had party after party on every full moon. The parties were so popular that the island adopted it into its culture and became known as the "Full Moon Party Island."
We took a tuk tuk into the jungle in the hills. The party went all night, I didn't. We all kind of lost each other about three hours into the night and ended up coming home separately. Back at home I went on an adventure and ended up running into everyone else. It was probably our best night of partying and a great way to say goodbye to my favorite island, Ko Phangnan.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Day Fifty-Four
In our haze we woke up this morning and managed to get to the ferry boat. The packed boat from Phi Phi to Krabi took a good couple hours and we were baking on the top deck under the sun the entire time. From the marna at Krabi we took a tour bus to Surat Thani. From Surat Thani we took another ferry to Ko Phangnan.
Once we arrived to Ko Phangnan we hired a tuk tuk to take us to Haad Rin. We checked into our hotel and finally settled in around eight o'clock...it was a long day. Our hotel, the Tommy Resort, had a beach front bungalow for $60 USD a night. It was an awesome bungalow that put on right on the sand.
After we got all cleaned up we spent the rest of the night walking up and down the strip of bars on Haad Rin beach. Long day, and good night.
Once we arrived to Ko Phangnan we hired a tuk tuk to take us to Haad Rin. We checked into our hotel and finally settled in around eight o'clock...it was a long day. Our hotel, the Tommy Resort, had a beach front bungalow for $60 USD a night. It was an awesome bungalow that put on right on the sand.
After we got all cleaned up we spent the rest of the night walking up and down the strip of bars on Haad Rin beach. Long day, and good night.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Day Fifty-Three
We woke up this morning to find that our friend J-Lynn was already drinking! J-Lynn was drinking what the Thai call a Thai Bucket, consisting of a flask of hard alcohol, a can of coke, and a bottle of red bull energy drink. Jeff was primed and ready for a day at the beach. The beach at Phi Phi wasn't as nice as Haad Rin at Ko Phangnan. The sand was more coarse, the beaches were dirtier, and the water wasn't as clear.
We relaxed on the beach for a majority of the afternoon. Unfortunately, while Sam was wading in the water he somehow broke his water proof camera. Even more unfortunately Sam could barely walk from his Muay Thai fight the night before. Apparently the kicks he took to his left knee had caused significant swelling and throbbing pain.
Once Sam got back we called it a day. On our way back it started dumping rain. We decided a massage would be a good way to pass time until dinner. The massages were great. An hour long massage cost the equivalent to $10 US dollars. After our massages we took some Thailand naps.
When we woke up we went to the grocery store to get some beers and then we played drinking games back at the hotel. Although tonight was fun it wasn't nearly as much fun as last night. We went back to all the same bars as last night and the night ended with J-Lynn falling into the ocean and losing his digital camera in the water...silly Jeff.
We relaxed on the beach for a majority of the afternoon. Unfortunately, while Sam was wading in the water he somehow broke his water proof camera. Even more unfortunately Sam could barely walk from his Muay Thai fight the night before. Apparently the kicks he took to his left knee had caused significant swelling and throbbing pain.
Once Sam got back we called it a day. On our way back it started dumping rain. We decided a massage would be a good way to pass time until dinner. The massages were great. An hour long massage cost the equivalent to $10 US dollars. After our massages we took some Thailand naps.
When we woke up we went to the grocery store to get some beers and then we played drinking games back at the hotel. Although tonight was fun it wasn't nearly as much fun as last night. We went back to all the same bars as last night and the night ended with J-Lynn falling into the ocean and losing his digital camera in the water...silly Jeff.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Day Fifty-Two
Today was our fourth and last day of diving. Our first dive was at Miaay Bay and I'm pretty sure it was at Phi Phi. Our second dive was at the King Cruiser shipwreck. The strong current made the dive a little difficult but the labyrinths of rusting metal, tunnels, and toilets was great fun.
Before our third dive at Anemone Reef, Sam and I swam over to another dive boat at the same site and asked if they could give us a ride back to the Phi Phi Islands. The captain was more than cordial and gave us a ride for free! Unfortunately, we missed our fourth dive of the day but we saved ourselves a full day of travel which enabled me to go to the Half Moon Party back in Ko Phangnan.
When we got to Phi Phi we had another couple hours of sunlight. We checked into our hotel, right next to Hippies Bar, and went to the beach on the other side of the island. We ran into some English girls we had met in Phuket while hanging out on the beach. We had dinner with the girls and then split to get ready for the night life scene.
Later on in the night we met up with the girls at Jordan's Irish Pub. We hung out there for an hour or so before we went to the Tiger Club. When we got to the Tiger Club, Sam decided it would be a good idea to Muay Thai box a complete stranger as the bar had a boxing ring and referee. Unfortunately, Sam ended up getting a draw but he'll always be a winner in our eyes.
After a quick trip to Hippies Bar I called it a night. Later dudes!
Before our third dive at Anemone Reef, Sam and I swam over to another dive boat at the same site and asked if they could give us a ride back to the Phi Phi Islands. The captain was more than cordial and gave us a ride for free! Unfortunately, we missed our fourth dive of the day but we saved ourselves a full day of travel which enabled me to go to the Half Moon Party back in Ko Phangnan.
When we got to Phi Phi we had another couple hours of sunlight. We checked into our hotel, right next to Hippies Bar, and went to the beach on the other side of the island. We ran into some English girls we had met in Phuket while hanging out on the beach. We had dinner with the girls and then split to get ready for the night life scene.
Later on in the night we met up with the girls at Jordan's Irish Pub. We hung out there for an hour or so before we went to the Tiger Club. When we got to the Tiger Club, Sam decided it would be a good idea to Muay Thai box a complete stranger as the bar had a boxing ring and referee. Unfortunately, Sam ended up getting a draw but he'll always be a winner in our eyes.
After a quick trip to Hippies Bar I called it a night. Later dudes!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Day Fifty One
Today was our third day of the dive trip, ( along with two new divers). Unfortunately visibility wasn't that great but we still had a good four dive day. Our first dive was at a dive site called Shark Point. We didn't see any sharks but we did see scorpion fish and octopus. About five minutes into our dive Sam actually had to call it quits because his camera couldn't go any deeper.
Our second dive of the day was right off the Phi Phi Islands at a dive site called Bida Nai. Bida Nai was a reef situated around the steep cliffs of a small island. To our disappointment the visibility was also pretty bad here too.
Our third dive, still at the Phi Phi Islands, was at a dive site called Ao Losama. The current was pretty strong so we couldn't see certain sides of the island's reef. We saw giant sea fans and a couple well hidden scorpion fish. After our third dive we snorkeled onto the main shore and followed a trail through a rock cave. The trail put us out on the beach where the movie "The Beach" was filmed. Unfortunately, the beach had been desecrated by years of beach goers' trash.
Our last dive of the day was a night dive at eight o'clock. We were each equipped with a dive flashlight. We caught a glimpse of a black tip shark but didn't see any other fish of interest. When we got back on board we watched the movie "Knocked Up,"...hilarious. Night guys.
Our second dive of the day was right off the Phi Phi Islands at a dive site called Bida Nai. Bida Nai was a reef situated around the steep cliffs of a small island. To our disappointment the visibility was also pretty bad here too.
Our third dive, still at the Phi Phi Islands, was at a dive site called Ao Losama. The current was pretty strong so we couldn't see certain sides of the island's reef. We saw giant sea fans and a couple well hidden scorpion fish. After our third dive we snorkeled onto the main shore and followed a trail through a rock cave. The trail put us out on the beach where the movie "The Beach" was filmed. Unfortunately, the beach had been desecrated by years of beach goers' trash.
Our last dive of the day was a night dive at eight o'clock. We were each equipped with a dive flashlight. We caught a glimpse of a black tip shark but didn't see any other fish of interest. When we got back on board we watched the movie "Knocked Up,"...hilarious. Night guys.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Day Fifty
Today was the second day of our four day dive trip. On a typical dive day, like today, we would have some toast and jam, do our first dive, have a big breakfast, do our second dive, have a big lunch, do our third dive, have an afternoon snack, do our fourth dive, and finish the day with a group dinner.
Before leaving the island of Racha Yai J-Lynn and I did our third dive skills lesson at the dive site called Homerun. Once we were back on the boat we started off on our way to the Racha Noi Bay, we ate breakfast in transit. J-Lynn and I were excited to get back into the water to do our final diving skills exercise. We practiced underwater navigation and a couple other vital skills.
Neil told us that during the underwater navigation exercise he was going to move so that we didn't cheat and just swim back to where him. J-Lynn took this quite seriously. In fact he swam right past us and kept going. I stayed put and Neil chased after him. Once J-Lynn was back in our company I finished up my skills and we were soon official Open Water SCUBA divers. During the second dive of the day I brought a 35mm camera that one of Sam's coworkers had lent him. Unfortunately the pressure from our diving depth smooshed the camera's capture button down. When you came up to a shallower depth the pressure would ease off and you could take pictures...but that's no fun!
Our third dive of the day was at Racha Noi's Banana Bay. After that dive we traveled back to Racha Yai and did our last dive of the day back at Racha Yai's Lucy's Reef. During our final day dive we saw a massive jellyfish which I managed to sneek a picture next to! We also saw a scorpionfish and an octopus.
After our last dive we came back to the Karon Beach marina so that we could drop off Neil, stay the night there, and pick up more divers the next day to join us. Sam, the Jeffs, and I disembarked and went into Patong Bay to get some drinks, we also bought some dvds to watch on the boat, ( Knocked Up, Transformers, and Die Hard 4).
Night everyone!
Before leaving the island of Racha Yai J-Lynn and I did our third dive skills lesson at the dive site called Homerun. Once we were back on the boat we started off on our way to the Racha Noi Bay, we ate breakfast in transit. J-Lynn and I were excited to get back into the water to do our final diving skills exercise. We practiced underwater navigation and a couple other vital skills.
Neil told us that during the underwater navigation exercise he was going to move so that we didn't cheat and just swim back to where him. J-Lynn took this quite seriously. In fact he swam right past us and kept going. I stayed put and Neil chased after him. Once J-Lynn was back in our company I finished up my skills and we were soon official Open Water SCUBA divers. During the second dive of the day I brought a 35mm camera that one of Sam's coworkers had lent him. Unfortunately the pressure from our diving depth smooshed the camera's capture button down. When you came up to a shallower depth the pressure would ease off and you could take pictures...but that's no fun!
Our third dive of the day was at Racha Noi's Banana Bay. After that dive we traveled back to Racha Yai and did our last dive of the day back at Racha Yai's Lucy's Reef. During our final day dive we saw a massive jellyfish which I managed to sneek a picture next to! We also saw a scorpionfish and an octopus.
After our last dive we came back to the Karon Beach marina so that we could drop off Neil, stay the night there, and pick up more divers the next day to join us. Sam, the Jeffs, and I disembarked and went into Patong Bay to get some drinks, we also bought some dvds to watch on the boat, ( Knocked Up, Transformers, and Die Hard 4).
Night everyone!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Day Fourty-Nine
We woke up early to prepare for our first day of diving today! After eating breakfast at the Best Western Karon Beach, (our hotel without power), an Australian man named Rudy accompanied by our German divemaster Waldi picked us up to take us to the dive shop. At the dive shop we met our dive agency director Jamie, who to our disappointment was a man. We met up with our fourth wheel, Jeff Davidson. Once we were all together Jamie geared us up with dive equipment and then Rudy took our entire crew to the Karon Beach marina.
At the marina we were J-Lynn and I were greeted by our personal dive instructor Neil. Neil was an English born Australian who had been living in Thailand for the past five or six years diving and giving lessons. From this point on the trip was complete luxury. Our group had the entire Sai Mai diving yacht to ourselves. We had our own personal boat crew which consisted of a captain, chef, and two deckhands to take care of our every need.
We left the marina around ten o'clock. From Karon beach we went to our first dive site Racha Yai- Bay 2 where Neil instructed Jeff Lynn and I for our first dive skills lesson. Sam and Davidson went along with Waldi to test the quality of their new underwater digital cameras.
{ Before I go on I need to tell you how awesome our deckhands were. Before each dive our deckhands would make sure all of our equipment was functioning properly, they would fill our tanks, help secure our vests, and even get down on their knees to slip our flippers on for us. SWEET!}
Anyways, after our first dive the deckhands helped us out of our gear and then we went upstairs for lunch which was awesome. Around four o'clock we jumped in for our second dive of the day at the same dive site. This time J-Lynn and I were able to do our second set of dive skill exercises within five minutes. This gave us ample time, (about 35 minutes), for our first underwater exploration in Thailand. To name a few we saw Moray Eels, Lizardfish, Trumpetfish, Indian Lionfish, Pufferfish, and Triggerfish.
After our second dive we had a nice dinner and relaxed to the sunset. The "big boys," Davidson and Sam (the certified divers), went on a night dive around seven o'clock. Neil wouldn't take J-Lynn and I because we weren't "certified" enough... Anyways, I ended up putting on my wetsuit and followed them around with a flashlight. I had a great chance to practice my free diving skills which I must say have gotten better since the last time I went out with a snorkel. I was able to dive 5 to 7 meters and stay down for 15-20 seconds each time, it was sweet! At one point I even dove down and grabbed Sam's leg when he wasn't expecting it...I'm suck a jokester.
Once Sam and Davidson were out of site I had J-Lynn keep an eye on me from the side of the boat while I circled around a small reef about 10 yards off. The reef didn't have much going on, that was until I saw a funny looking football shaped thing hovering around. Upon closer inspection I noticed this football shaped being had arms on one side. Besides being alone by myself I was in the dark water with only a flashlight. The fainthearted may have gone back to the boat. I on the other hand chose to hover around, dive, and flashlight this little creature I had discovered. After about fifteen minutes of watching this thing scavenge through the sand with its arms I decided to call it a night. When I got back on the boat Neil told me what I had seen was a Cuttlefish, ( a fish that falls in the same family as octopuses and squid).
Post dive we chilled on some beers and watched some Asia Cup soccer.
At the marina we were J-Lynn and I were greeted by our personal dive instructor Neil. Neil was an English born Australian who had been living in Thailand for the past five or six years diving and giving lessons. From this point on the trip was complete luxury. Our group had the entire Sai Mai diving yacht to ourselves. We had our own personal boat crew which consisted of a captain, chef, and two deckhands to take care of our every need.
We left the marina around ten o'clock. From Karon beach we went to our first dive site Racha Yai- Bay 2 where Neil instructed Jeff Lynn and I for our first dive skills lesson. Sam and Davidson went along with Waldi to test the quality of their new underwater digital cameras.
{ Before I go on I need to tell you how awesome our deckhands were. Before each dive our deckhands would make sure all of our equipment was functioning properly, they would fill our tanks, help secure our vests, and even get down on their knees to slip our flippers on for us. SWEET!}
Anyways, after our first dive the deckhands helped us out of our gear and then we went upstairs for lunch which was awesome. Around four o'clock we jumped in for our second dive of the day at the same dive site. This time J-Lynn and I were able to do our second set of dive skill exercises within five minutes. This gave us ample time, (about 35 minutes), for our first underwater exploration in Thailand. To name a few we saw Moray Eels, Lizardfish, Trumpetfish, Indian Lionfish, Pufferfish, and Triggerfish.
After our second dive we had a nice dinner and relaxed to the sunset. The "big boys," Davidson and Sam (the certified divers), went on a night dive around seven o'clock. Neil wouldn't take J-Lynn and I because we weren't "certified" enough... Anyways, I ended up putting on my wetsuit and followed them around with a flashlight. I had a great chance to practice my free diving skills which I must say have gotten better since the last time I went out with a snorkel. I was able to dive 5 to 7 meters and stay down for 15-20 seconds each time, it was sweet! At one point I even dove down and grabbed Sam's leg when he wasn't expecting it...I'm suck a jokester.
Once Sam and Davidson were out of site I had J-Lynn keep an eye on me from the side of the boat while I circled around a small reef about 10 yards off. The reef didn't have much going on, that was until I saw a funny looking football shaped thing hovering around. Upon closer inspection I noticed this football shaped being had arms on one side. Besides being alone by myself I was in the dark water with only a flashlight. The fainthearted may have gone back to the boat. I on the other hand chose to hover around, dive, and flashlight this little creature I had discovered. After about fifteen minutes of watching this thing scavenge through the sand with its arms I decided to call it a night. When I got back on the boat Neil told me what I had seen was a Cuttlefish, ( a fish that falls in the same family as octopuses and squid).
Post dive we chilled on some beers and watched some Asia Cup soccer.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Day Fourty Eight
Today we woke up around ten o'clock, I was a little sick from the night before. We hired a tuk tuk, ( taxi truck with benches in the covered bed, to take us to the Ko Phangnan marina. Our ferry took three hours to get to the Surat Thani marina.
The operation was a little shady and we somehow ended up in a travel agency/restaurant/ internet cafe in the middle of the city. Fortunately the Thai people are on top of their stuff and we had a private minibus as soon as we finished our late lunch.
The bus ride from Surat Thani to Phuket took about four and a half hours. When we got to our hotel at Karon Beach we were disappointed to find out that they had no power. Reluctantly, we picked up our luggage and followed a bellman to an adjacent resort.
Once Jeff and I got settled in we took a taxi to Patong Beach, ( "The City on the Sea), to meet up with our friend Sam. We anxiously waited for Sam at a bar called the Tiger Club. The Tiger Club was less of a bar than it was a drunken outdoor fiasco consisting of multiple pubs. We were happy to see Sam and had quite the interesting night once we had him in our company, (i.e. The Dragon Club).
Traveled from Kp Phangnan to Phuket to meet up with Sam...(to be completed).
The operation was a little shady and we somehow ended up in a travel agency/restaurant/ internet cafe in the middle of the city. Fortunately the Thai people are on top of their stuff and we had a private minibus as soon as we finished our late lunch.
The bus ride from Surat Thani to Phuket took about four and a half hours. When we got to our hotel at Karon Beach we were disappointed to find out that they had no power. Reluctantly, we picked up our luggage and followed a bellman to an adjacent resort.
Once Jeff and I got settled in we took a taxi to Patong Beach, ( "The City on the Sea), to meet up with our friend Sam. We anxiously waited for Sam at a bar called the Tiger Club. The Tiger Club was less of a bar than it was a drunken outdoor fiasco consisting of multiple pubs. We were happy to see Sam and had quite the interesting night once we had him in our company, (i.e. The Dragon Club).
Traveled from Kp Phangnan to Phuket to meet up with Sam...(to be completed).
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Day Fourty-Seven
Today has been quite relaxing. Last night, however, was insanity. I haven't mentioned it yet but Ko Phangnan is best known for its Full Moon Parties. According to some island natives the party actual started out as a ritual performed by monks who resided here nearly 600 years ago. Since then the ritual has evolved into a full fledged beach party! The party happens once a month on the night of the full moon and brings on average 10,000 partiers. Although there are a lot of drugs, among other vices, I can assure you Jeff and I are taking precaution and steering clear of any questionable situations.
Anyways, last night we found out that the beach we had been at that afternoon, Rin Nok beach, is actually the location of the Full Moon Party. We ended up just hanging out there meeting some "Euros" and dancing with the fire baton performers, (just like mom).
Like I said today has been pretty relaxing. As soon as we woke up we walked into the Haad Rin shopping area and booked our ferry and bus tickets to get to Phuket. Once we got that all figured out we dropped out gear back off at the hotel and returned to Rin Nok Beach. Besides lunch and dinner at the beach at the "Family Guy Bar," (a bar that plays the TV show Famly Guy episodes all day), we also played volleyball, read our books, hiked down the northside of the cove during the day.
Tonight we plan on going to the, not as popular, Black Moon Party which. The party is located at a different beach called Ban Tai Beach and is done on nights when the moon is not visble. Supposedly it isn't as chaotic as the Full Moon but it should still be exciting. Other than that we leave tomorrow around noonish to head over to Karon Beach in Phuket, (10 hour trip). See ya guys!
Anyways, last night we found out that the beach we had been at that afternoon, Rin Nok beach, is actually the location of the Full Moon Party. We ended up just hanging out there meeting some "Euros" and dancing with the fire baton performers, (just like mom).
Like I said today has been pretty relaxing. As soon as we woke up we walked into the Haad Rin shopping area and booked our ferry and bus tickets to get to Phuket. Once we got that all figured out we dropped out gear back off at the hotel and returned to Rin Nok Beach. Besides lunch and dinner at the beach at the "Family Guy Bar," (a bar that plays the TV show Famly Guy episodes all day), we also played volleyball, read our books, hiked down the northside of the cove during the day.
Tonight we plan on going to the, not as popular, Black Moon Party which. The party is located at a different beach called Ban Tai Beach and is done on nights when the moon is not visble. Supposedly it isn't as chaotic as the Full Moon but it should still be exciting. Other than that we leave tomorrow around noonish to head over to Karon Beach in Phuket, (10 hour trip). See ya guys!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Day Fourty-Six
Woo hoo, I'm in Ko Phangnan! After enduring 11.5 hours on a train from Bangkok, 2 hours in a crowded bus in Surat Thani, 3 hours on a rickety ferry across the Gulf of Thailand, and another half an hour in a hot taxi on the island we arrived to Ko Phangnan in the early afternoon. Although the trek took a lot of energy and patience it seems to have been completely worth our efforts.
The name of our hotel is the Drop In Hotel. I know it sounds a little "shady" but it's actually one of the nicest places I've stayed at all trip. Our hotel is located between the Baan Tai and Haad Rin beaches. It's own beach is actually called Rin Nok beach. Rin Nok beach is a white sand cove lined with beach stand bars and restaurants.
Jeff and I relaxed at Rhinnok beach for a couple of hours and got back to our hotel around six o'clock. Tonight we plan on going into Haad Rin where there are supposedly a lot of American and Euro expatriates our age. Anyways, we don't have any big plans for tomorrow but we may do a hike or two. Love you guys!
The name of our hotel is the Drop In Hotel. I know it sounds a little "shady" but it's actually one of the nicest places I've stayed at all trip. Our hotel is located between the Baan Tai and Haad Rin beaches. It's own beach is actually called Rin Nok beach. Rin Nok beach is a white sand cove lined with beach stand bars and restaurants.
Jeff and I relaxed at Rhinnok beach for a couple of hours and got back to our hotel around six o'clock. Tonight we plan on going into Haad Rin where there are supposedly a lot of American and Euro expatriates our age. Anyways, we don't have any big plans for tomorrow but we may do a hike or two. Love you guys!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Day Fourty-Five
Today has been quite interesting but not as interesting as I expect our train to be tonight. The first thing we did this afternoon was lunch on Khao San. We walked around and browsed through the shopping stalls. Jeff and I also stopped at a suit tailor shop. I got fitted for a suit jacket and Jeff got fitted for an entire suit.
After we got fitted we hired a taxi to take us around the city. We just looked out the window and soaked up Bangkok. Our train leaves tonight at 7PM and we should arrive in Surat Thani tomorrow morning. Peace!
After we got fitted we hired a taxi to take us around the city. We just looked out the window and soaked up Bangkok. Our train leaves tonight at 7PM and we should arrive in Surat Thani tomorrow morning. Peace!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Day Fourty-Four
Leaving China
Hey everyone! I'm leaving China in a matter of hours and then I'm going to be in Thailand. Unfortunately, I won't have internet for most of the trip in Thailand so I am formally making this my last blog for you guys until I get back to the U.S. I promise I'll bring it back up to date once I get back. Love you guys and I can't wait to come home.
Arriving in Thailand
So I said I won't have internet but I think I may have access every once and awhile so I will unofficially try to keep you guys posted. Last night my flight didn't get into Bangkok until 9:30 PM, about an hour after I was supposed to. I wandered aimlessly around the airport trying to figure my way to the city when I happened upon the tourist bureau. The tourist bureau set me on my way in a bus.
I got to my hotel approximately an hour later to find my partner in crime waiting with beers! Our hotel is situated on Khao San Rd. Khao San Rd. is an expats paradise! The promenade is lined with cheap souvenirs, hair braiding Thai hippies, bars, and even some of Thailand's coolest clubs. I was really missing white people so we people watched while drinking Tiger beers until two in the morning...it was great!
Hey everyone! I'm leaving China in a matter of hours and then I'm going to be in Thailand. Unfortunately, I won't have internet for most of the trip in Thailand so I am formally making this my last blog for you guys until I get back to the U.S. I promise I'll bring it back up to date once I get back. Love you guys and I can't wait to come home.
Arriving in Thailand
So I said I won't have internet but I think I may have access every once and awhile so I will unofficially try to keep you guys posted. Last night my flight didn't get into Bangkok until 9:30 PM, about an hour after I was supposed to. I wandered aimlessly around the airport trying to figure my way to the city when I happened upon the tourist bureau. The tourist bureau set me on my way in a bus.
I got to my hotel approximately an hour later to find my partner in crime waiting with beers! Our hotel is situated on Khao San Rd. Khao San Rd. is an expats paradise! The promenade is lined with cheap souvenirs, hair braiding Thai hippies, bars, and even some of Thailand's coolest clubs. I was really missing white people so we people watched while drinking Tiger beers until two in the morning...it was great!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Day Fourty-Three
Writing three blogs in a day is overwhelming. I'll give you guys a quick run down of my day today, my last full day in China. We slept in until noon. We got up and did some planning for Thailand. We went to lunch at Subway on Nanjing Lu. We came back and did some more planning and I did my blogging.
Tomorrow Jeff has to leave really early so we're probably not going to do much tonight. Anyways, glad to bring you guys back up to date as I bring my China chapter formally to a close. Love you guys and see you in Thailand.
Tomorrow Jeff has to leave really early so we're probably not going to do much tonight. Anyways, glad to bring you guys back up to date as I bring my China chapter formally to a close. Love you guys and see you in Thailand.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Day Fourty-Two
Yesterday was and experience to say the least. We woke up early, around 6:30am, and headed out to catch our train out of the city. Our destination, Suzhou, unfortunately, was completely booked until 10:30am. Since we had nothing else to do we booked the tickets for the late departure and adventured the Shanghai area north of the Shanghai's Suzhou river.
During our delay we meandered over to the Jade Buddha Temple. At the Jade Buddha Temple, also known as Yufo Si, we also had an awesome tea tasting experience. Upstairs on the perimeter of the temple we were given a great presentation of the different Chinese teas and herbal medicines. Our guide and waitress was well spoken in english and friendly as well. I ended up buying a small supply of medicinal green tea, (the proceded of the purchase were to go to the temple). On our way out of the temple we stopped at the feed the koi fish at the temple's pond. Supposedly, if a golden koi ate your food you'd get rich and if a larger koi ate your food your family would live long. I made sure a massive golden fish ate my fish pellets.
The train ride to Suzhou was only half an hour. Our first stop in the city was its Silk Museum. The Silk Museum exhibited ancient silk artifacts. While there we learned that silk was created nearly 6000 years ago. Although the museum wasn't that amusing we did get to see some silk worms at work and how silk products are made.
After lunch we visited a popular temple called Beisei Ta. The temple is best known for its nine story pagoda which we climbed to the top of. From the top of the pagoda we got a great view of Suzhou. Unfortunately the weather was pretty grimm and we couldn't see Suzhou in its magnificence.
Next stop was the Wangshi Yuan Garden. The Wangshi Yuan Garden was a mulititude of courtyards with rock gardens, ponds, plants, and trees. We relaxed near its central pond before walking back out onto the busy streets.
Before going back to the train station to come back to Shanghai I got a haircut, Jeff went to an english pub, we both had a snack at a nearby restaurant, and then we walked north through the city. Once we got back to Shanghai we relaxed and had some McDonald's. It was great.
During our delay we meandered over to the Jade Buddha Temple. At the Jade Buddha Temple, also known as Yufo Si, we also had an awesome tea tasting experience. Upstairs on the perimeter of the temple we were given a great presentation of the different Chinese teas and herbal medicines. Our guide and waitress was well spoken in english and friendly as well. I ended up buying a small supply of medicinal green tea, (the proceded of the purchase were to go to the temple). On our way out of the temple we stopped at the feed the koi fish at the temple's pond. Supposedly, if a golden koi ate your food you'd get rich and if a larger koi ate your food your family would live long. I made sure a massive golden fish ate my fish pellets.
The train ride to Suzhou was only half an hour. Our first stop in the city was its Silk Museum. The Silk Museum exhibited ancient silk artifacts. While there we learned that silk was created nearly 6000 years ago. Although the museum wasn't that amusing we did get to see some silk worms at work and how silk products are made.
After lunch we visited a popular temple called Beisei Ta. The temple is best known for its nine story pagoda which we climbed to the top of. From the top of the pagoda we got a great view of Suzhou. Unfortunately the weather was pretty grimm and we couldn't see Suzhou in its magnificence.
Next stop was the Wangshi Yuan Garden. The Wangshi Yuan Garden was a mulititude of courtyards with rock gardens, ponds, plants, and trees. We relaxed near its central pond before walking back out onto the busy streets.
Before going back to the train station to come back to Shanghai I got a haircut, Jeff went to an english pub, we both had a snack at a nearby restaurant, and then we walked north through the city. Once we got back to Shanghai we relaxed and had some McDonald's. It was great.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Day Fourty-One
Sorry for not blogging the last couple of days but I have been unable to reach a computer. The first day that I missed my blog was because I hadn't planned the day out far enough in advance to get to the business center before it closed. On that day we slept in and switched rooms at our hotel, the reason being that we decided late in the trip that we were going to stay in Shanghai for the entire 7 days we had left in China.
After we got resituated Jeff and I walked south to the Chenghuang Miao area, ( near the Yu Yuan Gardens and tea house). In Chenghuang Miao we had a small lunch and walked around the souvenir bazaar. When we finished in Chenhuang we headed over to the Pudong district to visit a very special museum.
The museum we visited was called the Chinese Sex Culture Museum. It exhibited the history of sexual differences dating as far back as 1000 B.C. We hung out at the museum for about an hour before coming back to the hotel to relax before dinner.
For dinner I took Jeff to a Hot Pot restaurant. I can't remember if I mentioned my hot pot experience in Chengdu but I'll give you guys a run down of how it works. During a hot pot meal the customers pick out the "flavor" of hot pot that they want. The flavors are what constitute the stew in which you cook your food. In our case we ordered a double flavor, a boiling pot that was split down the middle, one side was spicy the other not spicy. Once the hot pot gets back to boiling, as it sits on a stove in the middle of the table, the customer orders different raw meats and vegetables. There you have it, Hot Pot!
After dinner we came back home to get to sleep. The next day we had planned out was going to take a lot of energy and we knew it.
After we got resituated Jeff and I walked south to the Chenghuang Miao area, ( near the Yu Yuan Gardens and tea house). In Chenghuang Miao we had a small lunch and walked around the souvenir bazaar. When we finished in Chenhuang we headed over to the Pudong district to visit a very special museum.
The museum we visited was called the Chinese Sex Culture Museum. It exhibited the history of sexual differences dating as far back as 1000 B.C. We hung out at the museum for about an hour before coming back to the hotel to relax before dinner.
For dinner I took Jeff to a Hot Pot restaurant. I can't remember if I mentioned my hot pot experience in Chengdu but I'll give you guys a run down of how it works. During a hot pot meal the customers pick out the "flavor" of hot pot that they want. The flavors are what constitute the stew in which you cook your food. In our case we ordered a double flavor, a boiling pot that was split down the middle, one side was spicy the other not spicy. Once the hot pot gets back to boiling, as it sits on a stove in the middle of the table, the customer orders different raw meats and vegetables. There you have it, Hot Pot!
After dinner we came back home to get to sleep. The next day we had planned out was going to take a lot of energy and we knew it.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Day Fourty
After I blogged last night Jeff and I geared up for a night on the town. We went to an awesome Beijing Duck dinner where Jeff got his first "real" taste of Chinese cuisine. After our dinner we took a taxi to the Cloud 9 bar, located on the 87th floor of the Jinmao Tower. The bar was extremely nice and we may go back at some point to bask in the view once more.
Since it was pouring all morning we ended up sleeping in until about noon. Although the rain never stopped for the rest of the day we managed to get over to the Shanghai Museum. The museum was at the southern edge of the Renmin Park, only a mile walk from our hotel but by the time we got there our clothes and shoes were soaking wet.
The Shanghai Museum is a collection of historical Chinese artifacts. The main exhibits were made up of an Ancient Chinese Bronze Gallery, Ancient Chinese Sculpture Gallery, Ceramics Gallery, Calligraphy Gallery, Painting Gallery, and Jade Gallery. Each gallery had artifacts dating as far back as the 21st century B.C.
Right now we're relaxing at the hotel and planning out our itinerary for the remainder of the trip. Hope everything is good back home!
Since it was pouring all morning we ended up sleeping in until about noon. Although the rain never stopped for the rest of the day we managed to get over to the Shanghai Museum. The museum was at the southern edge of the Renmin Park, only a mile walk from our hotel but by the time we got there our clothes and shoes were soaking wet.
The Shanghai Museum is a collection of historical Chinese artifacts. The main exhibits were made up of an Ancient Chinese Bronze Gallery, Ancient Chinese Sculpture Gallery, Ceramics Gallery, Calligraphy Gallery, Painting Gallery, and Jade Gallery. Each gallery had artifacts dating as far back as the 21st century B.C.
Right now we're relaxing at the hotel and planning out our itinerary for the remainder of the trip. Hope everything is good back home!
Friday, July 6, 2007
Day Thirty-Nine
I woke up early this morning to a bright and shining Shanghai day. Although the day started little later we managed to kind of get out of the city to see the Longhua Si Temple. The most notable attraction at the temple is its 1700 year old pagoda. The padgoda stands about 40 meters high and has stood the test of times. During the Cultural Revolution the communist youth Red Guards plastered propaganda banners to cover the entire structure.
While we were at the temple we took pictures of the beautiful bronze and gold Buddha statues. Once we left the temple we walked to the Martyr's Cemetery which is the location where many soldiers who died during the communist revolution were buried. Since we didn't have shoes on we weren't allowed to go into the monument at the center of the park but we walked around and took pictures of the beautiful gardens.
Next stop of the day was to the Xiangyang Clothing Market. The clothing market was supposed to be very similar to the Pearl Market in Beijing, ( knock of designer wears, fake watches, cheap ties and all for haggling). Unfortunately, the market is no more. Apparently about a year ago they leveled the building to build the foundation for another sky scraper.
We walked back to the hotel and we're just going to hang out for awhile before we go to dinner...it was a long walk. Tonight we're planning on going to the Jinmao Tower and Cloud 9 bar at the top. See you guys tomorrow!
While we were at the temple we took pictures of the beautiful bronze and gold Buddha statues. Once we left the temple we walked to the Martyr's Cemetery which is the location where many soldiers who died during the communist revolution were buried. Since we didn't have shoes on we weren't allowed to go into the monument at the center of the park but we walked around and took pictures of the beautiful gardens.
Next stop of the day was to the Xiangyang Clothing Market. The clothing market was supposed to be very similar to the Pearl Market in Beijing, ( knock of designer wears, fake watches, cheap ties and all for haggling). Unfortunately, the market is no more. Apparently about a year ago they leveled the building to build the foundation for another sky scraper.
We walked back to the hotel and we're just going to hang out for awhile before we go to dinner...it was a long walk. Tonight we're planning on going to the Jinmao Tower and Cloud 9 bar at the top. See you guys tomorrow!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Day Thirty-Eight
Today was a little bit more eventful then yesterday. I woke up a little early, nine o'clock, and got ready for my friend Jeff's arrival. Around 11:30am I went down to the hotel Lobby Bar to wait for Jeff. I ordered some tea and read my book for about half an hour before he arrived. When Jeff arrived we sat and talked for a little before gearing up to tour the city.
The first stop of the day was to the Yuan Yu area. Near Yuan Yu there are an abundance of shops and restaurants. We stopped at a Shanghainese restaurant for crab and shark's fin soup. After lunch we walked around the district a little before walking to the Bund.
We strolled along the Bund, a stretch of walkway lined with souvenir shops along the Huangpu River, and tried to figure out how to get across to the other side of the river. We were unsuccessful, and had to head back into the city to board the metro.
When we got onto the other side of the river we disembarked our train and headed for the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The Pearl TV Tower is similar to the TV tower that we visited in Macau. The only difference being that the Shanghai TV tower is much taller than the Macau Tower and it also has a spherical section that has a space city exibition and rollercoaster.
We've been relaxing and the hotel since then and we're going to catch a late dinner soon. Night everyone!
The first stop of the day was to the Yuan Yu area. Near Yuan Yu there are an abundance of shops and restaurants. We stopped at a Shanghainese restaurant for crab and shark's fin soup. After lunch we walked around the district a little before walking to the Bund.
We strolled along the Bund, a stretch of walkway lined with souvenir shops along the Huangpu River, and tried to figure out how to get across to the other side of the river. We were unsuccessful, and had to head back into the city to board the metro.
When we got onto the other side of the river we disembarked our train and headed for the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The Pearl TV Tower is similar to the TV tower that we visited in Macau. The only difference being that the Shanghai TV tower is much taller than the Macau Tower and it also has a spherical section that has a space city exibition and rollercoaster.
We've been relaxing and the hotel since then and we're going to catch a late dinner soon. Night everyone!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Day Thirty-Seven
What's up everybody and welcome to Shanghai! Other than getting settled in to my hotel I haven't done much today. My plane dropped down around noon. Once I got in I boarded the only commercially operated Maglev train to get to the city. I'm sure you guys have heard of them, but maglev trains, are suspended and propelled by the the force of magnets. The Shanghai Maglev transports people to and from the Airport and reaches a maximum speed of 267 MPH! I can't say for sure how fast we were going on our particular train but it felt like flying at a low altitude, buildings and the landscape literally shot by.
I got to the city within eight minutes, ( by car it usually takes fourty five minutes to an hour). Other than just walking around district I checked into my hotel this afternoon and watched TV. My hotel, The Metropole, itself actually has a little history. The Metropole was built in the early 1930's. It has survived through the Japanese invasion during the thirties and fourties as well as during the communist cultural revolution. Anyways, my friend Jeff gets in tomorrow morning and hopefully we'll start doing some site seeing!
If you want to check out the second portion of my pictures please click on the link below.
Asian Adventure Picture Mess Part Two
See you guys!
I got to the city within eight minutes, ( by car it usually takes fourty five minutes to an hour). Other than just walking around district I checked into my hotel this afternoon and watched TV. My hotel, The Metropole, itself actually has a little history. The Metropole was built in the early 1930's. It has survived through the Japanese invasion during the thirties and fourties as well as during the communist cultural revolution. Anyways, my friend Jeff gets in tomorrow morning and hopefully we'll start doing some site seeing!
If you want to check out the second portion of my pictures please click on the link below.
Asian Adventure Picture Mess Part Two
See you guys!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Day Thirty-Six
Not a very eventful day today. The morning started out with breakfast with the ladies. That is, Fiona's grandma, mom,and maid. After breakfast Fiona's family went outside the city to visit some cousins and left me to my own devices.
I ended up just hanging out in the room. Watched TV, read my book, worked out, napped, and exchanged some money.
Around seven o'clock Fiona's driver came and picked me up to take me to dinner with everyone. We had rice soup and ate a ridiculous amount of shellfish. I leave to go to Shanghai tomorrow. Peace!
I ended up just hanging out in the room. Watched TV, read my book, worked out, napped, and exchanged some money.
Around seven o'clock Fiona's driver came and picked me up to take me to dinner with everyone. We had rice soup and ate a ridiculous amount of shellfish. I leave to go to Shanghai tomorrow. Peace!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Day Thirty-Five
This morning started out bright and early again. Fiona's aunt woke me up around seven o'clock to go to the Macau Lighthouse and park right up the street from Fiona's apartment. We got to the top of the hill that the lighthouse is on and I took a couple pictures.
When I got back to the house I finished packing up my stuff and got ready to leave Macau to go to Foshan/Guangzhou. Once we got across the border and into mainland China one of Fiona's dad's drivers picked us up again. The drive to Foshan took about two hours.
Once we got to Foshan we went to the Foshan Hotel to meet up with Fiona's dad and some of his business associates for lunch. The first dish that was served for lunch was quite interesting. It was a soup with fried bees and seahorses in it. I didn't eat either but I did sip on the broth, which was actually quite good.
After lunch I went with Fiona's family to the Foshan Hospital. At the hospital Fiona spoke to the director about a substance abuse rehabilitation treatment that is being developed to replace methadone treatment. Fiona may try to hook up the director from the hospital with researchers at USC so that they may collaborate.
The next stop in Foshan was at Fiona's dad's factory. I mentioned it in another blog but in case you forgot, Fiona's dad makes thermostats for various companies. The building in Foshan is where the company began. Since 1991 the business has grown exponentially. The company started out on one floor but now occupies an entire nine story building as well as a newly built satellite factory outside of the city that supposedly is even bigger than the first. The conditions seemed very clean and safe, however, the work looked extremely difficult, (even in the face of the manual labor I've seen at dad's packing house). A majority of the employees, most of which are migrant workers and haven't gone to high school, aren't even over the age of eighteen.
After visiting the factory we drove around Foshan so that I could see the city. About an hour later our driver took us to meet back up with Fiona's dad for dinner. The most interesting dish of the meal had to have been the crocodile soup. Although I didn't eat any crocodile meat the broth had a distinct and unique flavor. We're staying at a hotel tonight and probably just hanging out in the city tomorrow. Night everyone.
When I got back to the house I finished packing up my stuff and got ready to leave Macau to go to Foshan/Guangzhou. Once we got across the border and into mainland China one of Fiona's dad's drivers picked us up again. The drive to Foshan took about two hours.
Once we got to Foshan we went to the Foshan Hotel to meet up with Fiona's dad and some of his business associates for lunch. The first dish that was served for lunch was quite interesting. It was a soup with fried bees and seahorses in it. I didn't eat either but I did sip on the broth, which was actually quite good.
After lunch I went with Fiona's family to the Foshan Hospital. At the hospital Fiona spoke to the director about a substance abuse rehabilitation treatment that is being developed to replace methadone treatment. Fiona may try to hook up the director from the hospital with researchers at USC so that they may collaborate.
The next stop in Foshan was at Fiona's dad's factory. I mentioned it in another blog but in case you forgot, Fiona's dad makes thermostats for various companies. The building in Foshan is where the company began. Since 1991 the business has grown exponentially. The company started out on one floor but now occupies an entire nine story building as well as a newly built satellite factory outside of the city that supposedly is even bigger than the first. The conditions seemed very clean and safe, however, the work looked extremely difficult, (even in the face of the manual labor I've seen at dad's packing house). A majority of the employees, most of which are migrant workers and haven't gone to high school, aren't even over the age of eighteen.
After visiting the factory we drove around Foshan so that I could see the city. About an hour later our driver took us to meet back up with Fiona's dad for dinner. The most interesting dish of the meal had to have been the crocodile soup. Although I didn't eat any crocodile meat the broth had a distinct and unique flavor. We're staying at a hotel tonight and probably just hanging out in the city tomorrow. Night everyone.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Day Thirty-Four
So today was a little bit more eventful than yesterday... I went to Hong Kong! I was pretty close to not even going too. Last night I couldn't fall asleep, ( I think I stayed up until 4:30 in the morning, just trying to read myself to sleep). Despite my utter exhaustion from almost no sleep I managed to gather enough energy to get up, get ready, and go to the dock to catch our boat.
We got to Hong Kong around ten o'clock and right on time to see the Handover Parade at the Happy Valley Sports grounds. In case you didn't know, Hong Kong, exactly ten years ago, was a British colony. In 1997 England gave Hong Kong back to the Republic of China. July 1st of this year celebrated the Tenth Anniversary since the handover, (quite a big deal for Hong Kong). There were multiple ceremonies, including parades, sports matches, and other miscellaneous festivities.
The Happy Valley Sports grounds was the point at which the main Handover parade began. The main portion of the show consisted of synchronized skydivers flying down in different costumes with flares, smoke bombs, and fireworks.
When we finished at the sports grounds we grabbed a taxi and went to Hong Kong's Times Square. Although Hong Kong's Times Square is nothing like New York's it was still amazing. We ate lunch at the Times Square and then took off to the Peak Galleria.
The Peak Galleria is a giant shopping mall at the top of a hill that sits behind Hong Kong. It can be reached by one of two ways; tram or taxi. We opted to take a taxi but came back on the tram. While we were at the peak we took a bunch of pictures of Hong Kong's amazing cityscape.
Once we got back to the base of the hill we hired a taxi to take us to Victoria Park. Unfortunately, the cultural parade we had hoped to see ended up being a Worker's Rights March. Not really in the mood to be activists we jumped out of the taxi and just explored the city on foot.
We walked to the Hong Kong Convention Center, located on the ocean and then walked all the way to Hong Kong's Soho district. At the Soho district we had a small snack and a couple drinks at a bar called Staunton's. Once we finished with our snack we had a taxi take us to Lan Kwai Fong, a district filled with various flavors of bars and pubs. By the time we finished our drinks we were pretty tired. We shot back down to the Hong Kong dock and hopped onto a ferry to come back to Macau. Home sweet home now, I think we're going to watch a movie tonight and then catch up on some sleep. Night everyone.
We got to Hong Kong around ten o'clock and right on time to see the Handover Parade at the Happy Valley Sports grounds. In case you didn't know, Hong Kong, exactly ten years ago, was a British colony. In 1997 England gave Hong Kong back to the Republic of China. July 1st of this year celebrated the Tenth Anniversary since the handover, (quite a big deal for Hong Kong). There were multiple ceremonies, including parades, sports matches, and other miscellaneous festivities.
The Happy Valley Sports grounds was the point at which the main Handover parade began. The main portion of the show consisted of synchronized skydivers flying down in different costumes with flares, smoke bombs, and fireworks.
When we finished at the sports grounds we grabbed a taxi and went to Hong Kong's Times Square. Although Hong Kong's Times Square is nothing like New York's it was still amazing. We ate lunch at the Times Square and then took off to the Peak Galleria.
The Peak Galleria is a giant shopping mall at the top of a hill that sits behind Hong Kong. It can be reached by one of two ways; tram or taxi. We opted to take a taxi but came back on the tram. While we were at the peak we took a bunch of pictures of Hong Kong's amazing cityscape.
Once we got back to the base of the hill we hired a taxi to take us to Victoria Park. Unfortunately, the cultural parade we had hoped to see ended up being a Worker's Rights March. Not really in the mood to be activists we jumped out of the taxi and just explored the city on foot.
We walked to the Hong Kong Convention Center, located on the ocean and then walked all the way to Hong Kong's Soho district. At the Soho district we had a small snack and a couple drinks at a bar called Staunton's. Once we finished with our snack we had a taxi take us to Lan Kwai Fong, a district filled with various flavors of bars and pubs. By the time we finished our drinks we were pretty tired. We shot back down to the Hong Kong dock and hopped onto a ferry to come back to Macau. Home sweet home now, I think we're going to watch a movie tonight and then catch up on some sleep. Night everyone.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Day Thirty-Three
This morning we just hung around the house until lunch time. After lunch we walked through Senado Square and around the city. During our city walk we visited St Augistine's Square, St. Lawrence Church, St. Joseph's Church and the Lou Kau Mansion. Each site holds an important place in the history of Macau.
Once we got back from the church tour we came back to the house and I read a little. For dinner I went to a Shanghainese restaurant with Fiona and her friend Christina. After dinner we just came home for another movie night. I apologize for my uneventful day but hopefully tomorrow will make up for it. Love you guys.
Oh yeah, I posted a bunch of my pictures on Shutterfly check them out if you want @, Asian Adventure Picture Mess! See ya!
Once we got back from the church tour we came back to the house and I read a little. For dinner I went to a Shanghainese restaurant with Fiona and her friend Christina. After dinner we just came home for another movie night. I apologize for my uneventful day but hopefully tomorrow will make up for it. Love you guys.
Oh yeah, I posted a bunch of my pictures on Shutterfly check them out if you want @, Asian Adventure Picture Mess! See ya!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Day Thirty-Two
Not much happened today but last night after my blog entry Fiona and I went to the Wynn casino here in Macau and I won $150! Like I said though I didn't really do anything today and it rained all day. I woke up early this morning and just read my book then I went back to sleep until noon. For lunch we had leftovers from our Portuguese dinner.
The rest of the afternoon Fiona slept. I just read more of my book and then went on a walk with Fiona's aunt to a park called Lotus in Full Bloom park, ( the lotus flower is a symbol of Macau). When we got back it was pretty late and we had dinner,Fiona's mom prepared it. After dinner we watched the movie The Fountain and also the movie Failure to Launch. Sorry today's entry couldn't be more eventful. Later dudes!
The rest of the afternoon Fiona slept. I just read more of my book and then went on a walk with Fiona's aunt to a park called Lotus in Full Bloom park, ( the lotus flower is a symbol of Macau). When we got back it was pretty late and we had dinner,Fiona's mom prepared it. After dinner we watched the movie The Fountain and also the movie Failure to Launch. Sorry today's entry couldn't be more eventful. Later dudes!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Day Thirty-One
Alright, we're now officially past the half way mark. We stayed up pretty late last night watching Shrek 2 so I ended up sleeping in until about noon. Once I got out of bed Fiona and I headed out to meet up with her aunt to get some tofu for lunch, it was delicious.
After lunch Fiona and I stopped by the Macau tourist office to grab a map and then we caught a bus to go to the southernmost point of Macau, a region called Coloane. We visited one of Macau's nicer beaches called Hac Sa Bay. We walked around for about an hour and just hung out. On our way back onto the main peninsula we passed the Venetian casino, (still under construction), and made a quick stop at a place called the Taipa House Museum. The museum is reminiscent of the Meux home in Fresno. It was just a group of old houses on a lake.
Before meeting back up with Fiona's aunt and mom for dinner we visited the Macau Tower. The Macau Tower was built by the owner's of the Lisboa casino and it's basically just another Seattle Space Needle...with bungee jumping! I didn't do any bungee jumping but at the observation deck they had glass flooring in some spots so you could look down...pretty freaky.
When we finished at the tower we caught a taxi to a Portuguese restaurant to meet up with Fiona's aunt and mom. Dinner tonight was much better than last night. During dinner I mentioned something about the dog races I had seen on the tour guide map. Since, I'd never been to a dog race, and neither had anyone else at the dinner table, Fiona's aunt called around and figured out where and when to go. Right after dinner we hired a taxi to take us to the track.
After watching one race we came back to the house. We're going to go check out the Wynn casino and then call it a night. Depending on our host's plans we may or may not go to Hong Kong tomorrow. Either way I'll keep you guys posted. Night!
After lunch Fiona and I stopped by the Macau tourist office to grab a map and then we caught a bus to go to the southernmost point of Macau, a region called Coloane. We visited one of Macau's nicer beaches called Hac Sa Bay. We walked around for about an hour and just hung out. On our way back onto the main peninsula we passed the Venetian casino, (still under construction), and made a quick stop at a place called the Taipa House Museum. The museum is reminiscent of the Meux home in Fresno. It was just a group of old houses on a lake.
Before meeting back up with Fiona's aunt and mom for dinner we visited the Macau Tower. The Macau Tower was built by the owner's of the Lisboa casino and it's basically just another Seattle Space Needle...with bungee jumping! I didn't do any bungee jumping but at the observation deck they had glass flooring in some spots so you could look down...pretty freaky.
When we finished at the tower we caught a taxi to a Portuguese restaurant to meet up with Fiona's aunt and mom. Dinner tonight was much better than last night. During dinner I mentioned something about the dog races I had seen on the tour guide map. Since, I'd never been to a dog race, and neither had anyone else at the dinner table, Fiona's aunt called around and figured out where and when to go. Right after dinner we hired a taxi to take us to the track.
After watching one race we came back to the house. We're going to go check out the Wynn casino and then call it a night. Depending on our host's plans we may or may not go to Hong Kong tomorrow. Either way I'll keep you guys posted. Night!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Day Thirty
Today started a little later than the last few days, about eleven o'clock. Before going to dim sum with Fiona and her aunt I did a load of laundry and started getting my airline ticket information in order so that I could reschedule my flight to Shanghai after lunch. The restaurant we went to for dim sum was right next to Fiona's aunt's office, approximately a three minute walk up the hill ( Macau's terrain is very similar to that of San Francisco).
During the afternoon I didn't do much. I just read my book and worked with the Crowne Plaza travel agents over the phone to reschedule my flight. Around five o'clock Fiona and I walked to the Chinese consulate to pick up my visa. It was quick, easy, and now I'm all set to go back into the mainland.
Once we finished with my visa business Fiona's aunt picked us up and we went to Macau's Fisherman's Wharf. The wharf is located near one of Macau's main ports but is nothing like the piers or wharfs you'd find in the bay area. The wharf actually had more of a casino/carnival/miniature golf/arcade feel to it.
Before we could leave the wharf it started raining. Since the rain was so coming down so heavily we decided to just eat at a nearby Portuguese restaurant. After dinner we went to a row of bars and had a drink at one called Moon Walker. We're back at the house now and I think I'm going to chill out a little, maybe watch a movie, and go to sleep. Good...morning (to most of you)!
During the afternoon I didn't do much. I just read my book and worked with the Crowne Plaza travel agents over the phone to reschedule my flight. Around five o'clock Fiona and I walked to the Chinese consulate to pick up my visa. It was quick, easy, and now I'm all set to go back into the mainland.
Once we finished with my visa business Fiona's aunt picked us up and we went to Macau's Fisherman's Wharf. The wharf is located near one of Macau's main ports but is nothing like the piers or wharfs you'd find in the bay area. The wharf actually had more of a casino/carnival/miniature golf/arcade feel to it.
Before we could leave the wharf it started raining. Since the rain was so coming down so heavily we decided to just eat at a nearby Portuguese restaurant. After dinner we went to a row of bars and had a drink at one called Moon Walker. We're back at the house now and I think I'm going to chill out a little, maybe watch a movie, and go to sleep. Good...morning (to most of you)!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Day Twenty-Eight
Surprise! I'm in Macau,( or at least I should be). This morning I called Fiona to go to the business center to figure some stuff out regarding flights and what not. She answered and to my dismay woke up with a temperature. She told me that instead of going to Guangzhou she is going directly to Macau. When she called me back a couple hours later she asked me how to spell my name so that she could buy me a ticket, ( I think she knew that I really didn't want to stay on this island by myself).
So instead of staying in Hainan until July 3rd I'm going to go to Macau, (we leave from the Sanya Airport @ 7pm). Anyways, ( Mom don't kill me, I know there is no such word as "anyways" but I don't know how else to start 25% of my sentences), for the remainder of the day I have just been packing up my stuff, going down to the pool, and figuring out how I'm going to get my itinerary and re-entry visa stuff in order. Back to the room until we leave. I love you guys so much and, mom/dad, I promise I'll call when I touch down in Macau, (probably @ 6:00 AM your time). Later dudes!
...five hours later
We landed in Guangzhou around eight o'clock at night. From the airport Fiona's driver picked us up and drove us down to the Macau border, ( approximately a two hour drive), and then we took a taxi to Fiona's house. Once we got to the house we had a small dinner and now everyone is going to go to sleep. Night everyone!
So instead of staying in Hainan until July 3rd I'm going to go to Macau, (we leave from the Sanya Airport @ 7pm). Anyways, ( Mom don't kill me, I know there is no such word as "anyways" but I don't know how else to start 25% of my sentences), for the remainder of the day I have just been packing up my stuff, going down to the pool, and figuring out how I'm going to get my itinerary and re-entry visa stuff in order. Back to the room until we leave. I love you guys so much and, mom/dad, I promise I'll call when I touch down in Macau, (probably @ 6:00 AM your time). Later dudes!
...five hours later
We landed in Guangzhou around eight o'clock at night. From the airport Fiona's driver picked us up and drove us down to the Macau border, ( approximately a two hour drive), and then we took a taxi to Fiona's house. Once we got to the house we had a small dinner and now everyone is going to go to sleep. Night everyone!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Day Twenty-Nine
This morning I got to sleep in until 10:30am. When I woke up Fiona had left to a doctor's appointment so I was home alone. When she got back I had breakfast and we both did a load of laundry. Once we got our clothes hanged up to dry we went out for my first day of adventuring in Macau.
The first stop on our adventure was the tourist center in Senado Square. Before I tell you about the other places I visited let me give you a little history on Macau. Macau was up until recently a Portuguese Colony. Since, the arrival of the Portuguese in the mid 1500's the Macanese culture has evolved into a fusion of Portuguese and Chinese tradition. The food, architecture, ethnicities, and religion make Macau a unique Chinese region.
The aforementioned Senado Square is lined with stores and restaurants that fill in the historical buildings, (which are protected by the government and actually illegal to demolish). Many of the buildings have been restored to their Spanish Colonial look and unique Macanese pedestrian walkways pave the promenade. Before leaving the square Fiona and I took a quick look in St. Dominic's church, one of many Christian churches on the peninsula, ( many of the Macanese are roman catholic while others still belong to different Asian religions).
Once we left the square we walked to St. Paul's Ruin's. The Ruins of St. Paul's Church are what's left of the Church/Jesuit academy that was built by the Portuguese missionaries in the late 1500's. The facade still stands but the remainder of the church was destroyed in a fire about a century ago. We also viewed the St. Paul's crypt which displays the remains of head figures in the church.
After visiting the ruins we went to the Portuguese arsenal and barracks which has been converted into the Museum of Macau. The museum was awesome! I really never thought I'd say that but I learned a lot about Macau, Chinese, and even Western history. The displays, dioramas, and demonstrations were educative and fun.
Our next mission was to the Chinese consulate office to take care of some visa stuff so that I can get back into mainland China to meet up with my friend in Shanghai. Everything is working out fine and a lot smoother than I thought it would. Anyways, we just finished dinner and bought a couple dvd's to watch tonight. Night everyone!
The first stop on our adventure was the tourist center in Senado Square. Before I tell you about the other places I visited let me give you a little history on Macau. Macau was up until recently a Portuguese Colony. Since, the arrival of the Portuguese in the mid 1500's the Macanese culture has evolved into a fusion of Portuguese and Chinese tradition. The food, architecture, ethnicities, and religion make Macau a unique Chinese region.
The aforementioned Senado Square is lined with stores and restaurants that fill in the historical buildings, (which are protected by the government and actually illegal to demolish). Many of the buildings have been restored to their Spanish Colonial look and unique Macanese pedestrian walkways pave the promenade. Before leaving the square Fiona and I took a quick look in St. Dominic's church, one of many Christian churches on the peninsula, ( many of the Macanese are roman catholic while others still belong to different Asian religions).
Once we left the square we walked to St. Paul's Ruin's. The Ruins of St. Paul's Church are what's left of the Church/Jesuit academy that was built by the Portuguese missionaries in the late 1500's. The facade still stands but the remainder of the church was destroyed in a fire about a century ago. We also viewed the St. Paul's crypt which displays the remains of head figures in the church.
After visiting the ruins we went to the Portuguese arsenal and barracks which has been converted into the Museum of Macau. The museum was awesome! I really never thought I'd say that but I learned a lot about Macau, Chinese, and even Western history. The displays, dioramas, and demonstrations were educative and fun.
Our next mission was to the Chinese consulate office to take care of some visa stuff so that I can get back into mainland China to meet up with my friend in Shanghai. Everything is working out fine and a lot smoother than I thought it would. Anyways, we just finished dinner and bought a couple dvd's to watch tonight. Night everyone!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Day Twenty-Seven
It has been quite a long day! After my blog entry yesterday I ended up walking around the hotel and down to the beach. When I got to the beach I relaxed for a little bit then came back up to jump in the pool. Before getting dinner I made a quick run to the hotel gym. After dinner my friend Fiona came and visited me. Once she left I read my new book Wild Swans, which I just found out is prohibited from publication in China because of its "anti-Maoism / anti-communist" sentiment.
This morning I got up around eight thirty and came down to the hotel lobby to get breakfast. After breakfast Fiona and her mom met me and we took a taxi bus to go pick up my professor and her assistant, ( who I didn't expect to see again on this trip). Once we picked them up we went to the Nanshan Temple which is basically like a religious Disneyland. We visited a handful of temples and took pictures of beautiful statues. We stuck around the Buddhist theme park for about three hours and grabbed lunch on our way back.
For the first time in my life I actually watched as my meal was slaughtered! For lunch Fiona and I went to the fish tanks, chose the victim we'd be eating for lunch and witnessed as the "chef" clubbed it to death. Aside from a fried fillet dish the fish was also used to make a delicious tofu soup.
After lunch we went to a beach to go see the "End of the Earth," a rock with a large red inscription on it symbolizing the world's edge. The early inhabitants of the island truly believed it was the last piece of land before the vast ocean and then nothingness. Unfortunately, or maybe I should say fortunately, no one really had the energy for a rocky boat ride with no shade, ( I ended up getting a little sunburned anyway).
Before coming back to our hotel we stopped in the city so that the girls could do a little shopping. We ate dinner when we got to our instructor's hotel and then our driver brought us back to our hotel.
On the way back to our hotel my friend Fiona asked if I would be like to come with her and her mom to visit her father's business. Her father, along with three other partners, has been very successful in starting a new company. The company makes parts for air conditioning thermostats and is located in Guangzhou, (I'll check the spelling on that later). There are about 2,000 migrant workers employed. Anyways, they have graciously invited me to come visit Guangzhou from the 26th to the 29th and to possibly come to Macau until I need to go up to Shanghai on the 3rd. Anyways, I'm going to see what I can do with my current ticket from Haikou to Shanghai because if I go to Guangzhou I may not come back to Hainan.
Besides my new itinerary turmoil nothing else really happened tonight. Tomorrow we're going to leave the hotel early to go visit a small island off the coast of Sanya. Night guys!
This morning I got up around eight thirty and came down to the hotel lobby to get breakfast. After breakfast Fiona and her mom met me and we took a taxi bus to go pick up my professor and her assistant, ( who I didn't expect to see again on this trip). Once we picked them up we went to the Nanshan Temple which is basically like a religious Disneyland. We visited a handful of temples and took pictures of beautiful statues. We stuck around the Buddhist theme park for about three hours and grabbed lunch on our way back.
For the first time in my life I actually watched as my meal was slaughtered! For lunch Fiona and I went to the fish tanks, chose the victim we'd be eating for lunch and witnessed as the "chef" clubbed it to death. Aside from a fried fillet dish the fish was also used to make a delicious tofu soup.
After lunch we went to a beach to go see the "End of the Earth," a rock with a large red inscription on it symbolizing the world's edge. The early inhabitants of the island truly believed it was the last piece of land before the vast ocean and then nothingness. Unfortunately, or maybe I should say fortunately, no one really had the energy for a rocky boat ride with no shade, ( I ended up getting a little sunburned anyway).
Before coming back to our hotel we stopped in the city so that the girls could do a little shopping. We ate dinner when we got to our instructor's hotel and then our driver brought us back to our hotel.
On the way back to our hotel my friend Fiona asked if I would be like to come with her and her mom to visit her father's business. Her father, along with three other partners, has been very successful in starting a new company. The company makes parts for air conditioning thermostats and is located in Guangzhou, (I'll check the spelling on that later). There are about 2,000 migrant workers employed. Anyways, they have graciously invited me to come visit Guangzhou from the 26th to the 29th and to possibly come to Macau until I need to go up to Shanghai on the 3rd. Anyways, I'm going to see what I can do with my current ticket from Haikou to Shanghai because if I go to Guangzhou I may not come back to Hainan.
Besides my new itinerary turmoil nothing else really happened tonight. Tomorrow we're going to leave the hotel early to go visit a small island off the coast of Sanya. Night guys!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Day Twenty-Six
Hey everyone! I am now in the comfortable confines of Sanya, Hainan. This morning half of our group left to come back home. The rest of us met up in the hotel lobby to check out. Once we checked out we hired some taxis to take us to the charter bus station. Unfortunately, when we were getting out of the taxi I tried to assist our driver and further ripped the front passenger seat in his cab. This angered the small man and he began to incessantly yell at me. Long story short, he tagged along us into the bus station until I rightfully paid him 100 RMB, ( = $15 USD).
Anyways, once we rid ourselves of the disgruntled taxi driver we jumped onto the bus to start our trip from Haikou to Sanya, Hainan. The ride wan no more than three and a half hours. Once we got to the city my friend Fiona, her mother and I split up from my professor and her assistant, ( they will be staying at the Marriott, 30 minutes away). We got my new resting place Tianfuyuan Resort around three o'clock. I'm all settled in.
Since all the other students are gone I can only access the internet via the hotel's business center so henceforth I will probably only post in the early afternoon "my time." I'm going to go on a hotel and beach adventure right now. I have all the amenitities I need so I won't be leaving the hotel today or tonight. Love you guys!
Anyways, once we rid ourselves of the disgruntled taxi driver we jumped onto the bus to start our trip from Haikou to Sanya, Hainan. The ride wan no more than three and a half hours. Once we got to the city my friend Fiona, her mother and I split up from my professor and her assistant, ( they will be staying at the Marriott, 30 minutes away). We got my new resting place Tianfuyuan Resort around three o'clock. I'm all settled in.
Since all the other students are gone I can only access the internet via the hotel's business center so henceforth I will probably only post in the early afternoon "my time." I'm going to go on a hotel and beach adventure right now. I have all the amenitities I need so I won't be leaving the hotel today or tonight. Love you guys!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Day Twenty-Five
We left Lingao this morning and on a surprising note.
Last night after my last blog entry a fight broke out in front of our hotel. We looked outside to see the tail end of it. A group of men waving small trash cans in the air were chasing another man who was defending himself with a lawn chair, he eventually ran away.
Right when we thought it was all over with, about an hour later, a group returned with the man who had been chased away. They came back to the hotel and broke a front window and the two swinging glass doors and somewhere in the thick of it one man got bloodied up! Although it wasn't life threatening, he was still taken to the hospital by the police.
Sorry, I know none of you wanted to hear that story but I figured I'd spice up your viewing for once.
Anyways, like I said, we left the "danger zone," Lingao, this morning and I won't be going back to rural China any time soon.
In the shadow of last night today was pretty boring. We left the hotel at eight in the morning and our driver brought us to our nice hotel in Haikou, Sheraton. When we got here we showered and cleaned up so that we could go into the city. For my fifth time we went to Pizza Hut!
After lunch we went to an area in Haikou called Old Street. It's an alley lined with shops where most locals go to buy small goods. When we got back to our hotel we jumped in the pool and just relaxed for the remainder of the day. I finished my Dale Carnegie book and started on the book Wild Swans.
For dinner we went to our hotels nice restaurant, Fusion. Dinner was excellent/not Chinese. We're going to the lobby to say goodbye to some group members and then sleepy time. Love you guys, and I'm praying for you Auntie!
Last night after my last blog entry a fight broke out in front of our hotel. We looked outside to see the tail end of it. A group of men waving small trash cans in the air were chasing another man who was defending himself with a lawn chair, he eventually ran away.
Right when we thought it was all over with, about an hour later, a group returned with the man who had been chased away. They came back to the hotel and broke a front window and the two swinging glass doors and somewhere in the thick of it one man got bloodied up! Although it wasn't life threatening, he was still taken to the hospital by the police.
Sorry, I know none of you wanted to hear that story but I figured I'd spice up your viewing for once.
Anyways, like I said, we left the "danger zone," Lingao, this morning and I won't be going back to rural China any time soon.
In the shadow of last night today was pretty boring. We left the hotel at eight in the morning and our driver brought us to our nice hotel in Haikou, Sheraton. When we got here we showered and cleaned up so that we could go into the city. For my fifth time we went to Pizza Hut!
After lunch we went to an area in Haikou called Old Street. It's an alley lined with shops where most locals go to buy small goods. When we got back to our hotel we jumped in the pool and just relaxed for the remainder of the day. I finished my Dale Carnegie book and started on the book Wild Swans.
For dinner we went to our hotels nice restaurant, Fusion. Dinner was excellent/not Chinese. We're going to the lobby to say goodbye to some group members and then sleepy time. Love you guys, and I'm praying for you Auntie!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Day Twenty-Four
Our plans for today ended up changing a little. We had originally planned on going to the local CDC office here in Lingao, however, the developer (Andy Chan) called last night to inform us that the provincial news would be sending a crew to interview the USC group leaders and to get video of us working. The news crew's main objective was to put together a report for the Hainan Evening News program. I got some pictures of them interviewing our instructor and I'm pretty sure there will be some footage and pictures of our group working in the provincial news and local newspaper.
After our meeting with the news crew everyone skurried to their rooms to do some work. I did some reading and then went back down to the conference room for lunch with the other students. After lunch we had about an hour to kill before our rescheduled trip to visit the Lingao CDC office.
The CDC office here in Lingao is quite primitive compared to the office buildings in Chengdu and Beijing. The office here was part of a complex built adjacent to the town hospital ( the other CDCs each had their own newly built office buildings with laboratories, isolation units, and other departments). The main focus of the CDC here is to ensure child immunization. Their secondary priority to be ready to act in the event of an epidemic. Lingao has become relatively healthy over the last twenty years. In the past its biggest problem was tuberculosis and hepatitis. Recently, with the use of anti-TB medications and Hep B vacinations, both of these diseases have been nearly eradicated in the town. At the end of our short discussion we took a picture with the CDC directors and gave them some small gifts.
Tonight will be our last night in the city of Lingao. Tomorrow we wiil leave here to go back to Haikou. From Haikou the rest of the group will leave to come back home. I, on the other hand, just made reservations for a hotel in Sanya, Hainan, located on the south side of the island, and I'll be staying there until July 2nd, ( I'll probably just read, exercise, and do some school work). On July 2nd I'll come back up to Haikou and on the 3rd I'll leave from the Haikou airport to go to Shanghai. Alright, hope everything is good back home!
After our meeting with the news crew everyone skurried to their rooms to do some work. I did some reading and then went back down to the conference room for lunch with the other students. After lunch we had about an hour to kill before our rescheduled trip to visit the Lingao CDC office.
The CDC office here in Lingao is quite primitive compared to the office buildings in Chengdu and Beijing. The office here was part of a complex built adjacent to the town hospital ( the other CDCs each had their own newly built office buildings with laboratories, isolation units, and other departments). The main focus of the CDC here is to ensure child immunization. Their secondary priority to be ready to act in the event of an epidemic. Lingao has become relatively healthy over the last twenty years. In the past its biggest problem was tuberculosis and hepatitis. Recently, with the use of anti-TB medications and Hep B vacinations, both of these diseases have been nearly eradicated in the town. At the end of our short discussion we took a picture with the CDC directors and gave them some small gifts.
Tonight will be our last night in the city of Lingao. Tomorrow we wiil leave here to go back to Haikou. From Haikou the rest of the group will leave to come back home. I, on the other hand, just made reservations for a hotel in Sanya, Hainan, located on the south side of the island, and I'll be staying there until July 2nd, ( I'll probably just read, exercise, and do some school work). On July 2nd I'll come back up to Haikou and on the 3rd I'll leave from the Haikou airport to go to Shanghai. Alright, hope everything is good back home!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Day Twenty-Three
This morning we got picked up at 8:30am to go check out the retirement community construction site. The trip out took about fourty five minutes. Most of the drive was on dirt roads and when we got to the site we walked out to the ocean and strolled around.
Once we got back to the hotel we had lunch and were given some time to relax. After that we had a group meeting with the mastermind and head developer of the retirement community. During the meeting our group did a presentation based on our retired people focus group, Sun City study, and literature review.
The rest of the afternoon we just relaxed in our rooms. We had dinner at 6:30pm and right now we're just hanging out. Anyways, a bunch of people are waiting to use the computer. Love you guys!
Once we got back to the hotel we had lunch and were given some time to relax. After that we had a group meeting with the mastermind and head developer of the retirement community. During the meeting our group did a presentation based on our retired people focus group, Sun City study, and literature review.
The rest of the afternoon we just relaxed in our rooms. We had dinner at 6:30pm and right now we're just hanging out. Anyways, a bunch of people are waiting to use the computer. Love you guys!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Day Twenty-Two
Unfortunately, we had to leave our beautiful resort hotel this morning. We were picked up by our bus at 10:30am to take us to Lingao. Lingao is truly in the middle of nowhere. Once we got to the hotel we were served lunch and then given free time to work and walk around the city.
During the free time I actually finished up my powerpoint slides on retirement community design and key issues to be addressed ( physiological, environmental, community, medical, etc.). For the rest of the afternoon we hung out and watched the Friends show DVDs.
Dinner was quick and delicious. After dinner we walked to a local bakery and supermarket to buy some snacks. I got back to the conference room to discover a birthday party going on for one of the USC translators. Tomorrow we will be taken to the actual site that the retirement community in planned to be built on. Night!
P.S. Our hotel is a dump but yet it is one of the nicest hotels in Lingao, about 100 RMB (~ $13 USD a night). We have also been advised to watch out for cohabiting vermin, (mice and rates)! It's times like these that I miss home...
During the free time I actually finished up my powerpoint slides on retirement community design and key issues to be addressed ( physiological, environmental, community, medical, etc.). For the rest of the afternoon we hung out and watched the Friends show DVDs.
Dinner was quick and delicious. After dinner we walked to a local bakery and supermarket to buy some snacks. I got back to the conference room to discover a birthday party going on for one of the USC translators. Tomorrow we will be taken to the actual site that the retirement community in planned to be built on. Night!
P.S. Our hotel is a dump but yet it is one of the nicest hotels in Lingao, about 100 RMB (~ $13 USD a night). We have also been advised to watch out for cohabiting vermin, (mice and rates)! It's times like these that I miss home...
Monday, June 18, 2007
Day Twenty-One
Today was half work and half play. The first part of the day consisted of play. We had lunch at the hotel restaurant and then spent a couple hours poolside. The entire hotel is pretty desolate. Hainan is usually most visited during the winter season, the island's dry season, in order to escape cold snowy weather on the mainland.
When we got back to our room we worked for a few hours on our presentation for the school of architecture. The main focus of our presentation, as I may have discussed in my other entries, is to facilitate discussion and to present major issues regarding building retirement communities in China.
To finish the day we met with our professor to review our powerpoint, ate dinner, and debriefed at the hotel bar & lounge. Tomorrow we leave for Lingao, the future site of the retirement community. Our hotel may not have internet access so I may not post for the next 4 to 5 days. Hope everything is good and well back home!
P.S. Check out my new blog feature on the right margin of my blog. It's a news feed that streamlines up to the minute headline news in Asia!
When we got back to our room we worked for a few hours on our presentation for the school of architecture. The main focus of our presentation, as I may have discussed in my other entries, is to facilitate discussion and to present major issues regarding building retirement communities in China.
To finish the day we met with our professor to review our powerpoint, ate dinner, and debriefed at the hotel bar & lounge. Tomorrow we leave for Lingao, the future site of the retirement community. Our hotel may not have internet access so I may not post for the next 4 to 5 days. Hope everything is good and well back home!
P.S. Check out my new blog feature on the right margin of my blog. It's a news feed that streamlines up to the minute headline news in Asia!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Day Twenty
I can't believe I've been in Asia for twenty days now... only about 40 more left! This morning we got up around 8:30am and got ready for individual interviews. Some students from Sichaun University wanted to ask us questions about our graduate program and future plans in public health.
After our interviews we went to lunch at a restaurant called Swensen's, the same restaurant we've gone to over the last week to get late night dessert. On our way back from the restaurant some of the girls shopped around and I bought a sick t-shirt for Brandon.
When we got back to the hotel we checked out and then laid around in our instructor's assistant's room. The CDC sent transportation around five o'clock and the vans took us to the airport.
Our flight to Haikou, Hainan was about an hour and fifteen minutes (we're staying at the Sheraton Haikou). The temperature here is 85 degrees Fahrenheit and quite humid ( it's midnight). We don't have any plans for tomorrow other than to just relax and finish up a presentation for the school of architecture. Happy Father's Day Pop! Same to you Grandpa Moog and anyone else who may be reading!
After our interviews we went to lunch at a restaurant called Swensen's, the same restaurant we've gone to over the last week to get late night dessert. On our way back from the restaurant some of the girls shopped around and I bought a sick t-shirt for Brandon.
When we got back to the hotel we checked out and then laid around in our instructor's assistant's room. The CDC sent transportation around five o'clock and the vans took us to the airport.
Our flight to Haikou, Hainan was about an hour and fifteen minutes (we're staying at the Sheraton Haikou). The temperature here is 85 degrees Fahrenheit and quite humid ( it's midnight). We don't have any plans for tomorrow other than to just relax and finish up a presentation for the school of architecture. Happy Father's Day Pop! Same to you Grandpa Moog and anyone else who may be reading!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Day Nineteen
Today was quite eventful. Unfortunately, as dad and mom forecasted, it rained for the better part of the day but not enough to stop us from having fun. We left the hotel at nine o'clock to go to the Chengdu Panda Sanctuary. The panda base is one of the most famous sanctuaries for pandas in the world and boasts a panda population of just over 60. Supposedly there are only 1600 pandas left on earth! We walked around the base and viewed giant pandas, giant panda cubs, and red pandas (similar size and look as raccoon). My friend Jen was extremely excited to hold a panda, however, the activity cost about $130 so she opted out.
On our way back from the panda base we stopped at a dumpling house near our hotel. No unique foods, just dumplings, it was delicious. After lunch we came back and read for awhile. Our guide Huyen came to pick us up at four o'clock. She took us to a saloon called 1983 to get haircuts. Only three of us went. Huyen is a very lively gal, she convinced me to get some crazy hair treatment that you all may see through the rest of my trips pictures. Essentially, they straightened and fried my hair with some stuff they use to do perms.
We were are the barbershop for a good while and had to rush back towards our hotel to get to our show on time. Tonight we went to a Changing of the Faces performance. The show is basically a type of Chinese Opera that Chengdu is famous for. There were various vocal and instrumental songs. There were also situational comedies, acrobatic, hand puppet, and fire blowing skits! We grabbed some McDonald's on our way back and now I'm going to go to sleep, night!
On our way back from the panda base we stopped at a dumpling house near our hotel. No unique foods, just dumplings, it was delicious. After lunch we came back and read for awhile. Our guide Huyen came to pick us up at four o'clock. She took us to a saloon called 1983 to get haircuts. Only three of us went. Huyen is a very lively gal, she convinced me to get some crazy hair treatment that you all may see through the rest of my trips pictures. Essentially, they straightened and fried my hair with some stuff they use to do perms.
We were are the barbershop for a good while and had to rush back towards our hotel to get to our show on time. Tonight we went to a Changing of the Faces performance. The show is basically a type of Chinese Opera that Chengdu is famous for. There were various vocal and instrumental songs. There were also situational comedies, acrobatic, hand puppet, and fire blowing skits! We grabbed some McDonald's on our way back and now I'm going to go to sleep, night!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Day Eighteen
The first stop of the day was at a traditional Sichaunese tea house to interview a small group of retired citizens. We spoke to the group for about an hour and a half to find out how they live and what they do to stay healthy. We recorded their answers and jotted down notes to keep in mind for our visit to Hainan. In Hainan we will be advising a group of architectures in their development of a massive retirement community.
After our interviews we went to lunch at a Country Style Chicken restaurant, (knock off KFC), and then went to get massages. The massages weren't half as good as the ones that I've gotten in the U.S. but I couldn't complain, an hour and a half massage only cost 7 dollars!
Before going to dinner we came back to the hotel to dress up. The Chengdu CDC took us out to an elegant dinner. The dinner fell in line with many of the unique dishes we've eaten throughout this trip. The most unique plate we had was duck tongue... it kind of tasted like beef jerky. During dinner we were encouraged to drink a lot of a special Sichaun spirit (made with 5 "fruits") and Great Wall wine. The CDC directors gave each of us a small gift, ( ceramic plates with traditional art).
We came back to the hotel around eight o'clock and then left again to a bar crawl on the river that flows through Chengdu. Before going to sleep we jumped in the pool. Now time to go to bed. Night!
After our interviews we went to lunch at a Country Style Chicken restaurant, (knock off KFC), and then went to get massages. The massages weren't half as good as the ones that I've gotten in the U.S. but I couldn't complain, an hour and a half massage only cost 7 dollars!
Before going to dinner we came back to the hotel to dress up. The Chengdu CDC took us out to an elegant dinner. The dinner fell in line with many of the unique dishes we've eaten throughout this trip. The most unique plate we had was duck tongue... it kind of tasted like beef jerky. During dinner we were encouraged to drink a lot of a special Sichaun spirit (made with 5 "fruits") and Great Wall wine. The CDC directors gave each of us a small gift, ( ceramic plates with traditional art).
We came back to the hotel around eight o'clock and then left again to a bar crawl on the river that flows through Chengdu. Before going to sleep we jumped in the pool. Now time to go to bed. Night!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Day Seventeen
Last night one of the Sichaun University students, Salem, invited the USC guys to come over in the morning an play basketball before morning classes. Salem brought along his friends Rex and Deng, who together thoroughly kicked our ass in a game of three on three. After our game I picked up the laundry I had dropped off at the university a couple days before.
We came back to the hotel and jumped in the pool to cool down and then went to Pizza Hut for lunch, (my fourth time since I've been in China!). After lunch we met up with our professor to go to a Chengdu hospital where a man named Gregory Yingnien Tsang gave a lecture on smoking cessation to hospital staff. Before we left the hospital we were given a brief tour of the tobacco cessation department at the hospital.
To end the day we debriefed at the hotel and then went to a traditional Hot Pot dinner. Hot pot is a dining experience in which there is a boiling pot of oil in the middle of the table and various dishes are brought with foods to cook in the oil. It really isn't called hot pot for nothing, in fact it was probably the spiciest food I've eaten in my life. By the end of the meal I was sweating up a storm from all the hot peppers and oil. It's been a long day, night!
We came back to the hotel and jumped in the pool to cool down and then went to Pizza Hut for lunch, (my fourth time since I've been in China!). After lunch we met up with our professor to go to a Chengdu hospital where a man named Gregory Yingnien Tsang gave a lecture on smoking cessation to hospital staff. Before we left the hospital we were given a brief tour of the tobacco cessation department at the hospital.
To end the day we debriefed at the hotel and then went to a traditional Hot Pot dinner. Hot pot is a dining experience in which there is a boiling pot of oil in the middle of the table and various dishes are brought with foods to cook in the oil. It really isn't called hot pot for nothing, in fact it was probably the spiciest food I've eaten in my life. By the end of the meal I was sweating up a storm from all the hot peppers and oil. It's been a long day, night!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Day Sixteen
Today started a little later than the last couple days. We slept in until around nine o'clock and awoke to a room service breakfast! After breakfast we gathered to troops and went for a little trip to a local clothing market. I bought some athletic shorts to use at the hotel gym. On our way back we had lunch at McDonald's and then came back to the hotel.
Around two thirty we were picked up to go to the Chengdu high school we've been working with to do our last focus group. I was given a group of 10th grade smokers, all males. We discussed some issues regarding the school program and collected all their suggestions. The session went by a little faster than yesterday. A few of the students requested my contact information for future reference.
To end the day we went with our Chinese friends from Sichaun University to dinner at the Beijing Duck restaurant, ROUND 4! After dinner our friends took us to Ginli, an alley-like promenade with small concession stands and shops. The alley was lined with chinese lanterns on traditional style buildings. Tomorrow we're waking up early to play some basketball with some Chinese college students. Night!
Around two thirty we were picked up to go to the Chengdu high school we've been working with to do our last focus group. I was given a group of 10th grade smokers, all males. We discussed some issues regarding the school program and collected all their suggestions. The session went by a little faster than yesterday. A few of the students requested my contact information for future reference.
To end the day we went with our Chinese friends from Sichaun University to dinner at the Beijing Duck restaurant, ROUND 4! After dinner our friends took us to Ginli, an alley-like promenade with small concession stands and shops. The alley was lined with chinese lanterns on traditional style buildings. Tomorrow we're waking up early to play some basketball with some Chinese college students. Night!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Day Fifteen
Today was unlike any other. For the first time in my life I actually felt like a celebrity. We left the hotel around nine o'clock and were driven to the Pixian County CDC office. When we walked into our conference room there was a massive banner welcoming the University of Southern California group. During the CDC's presentation there was a camera crew taking pictures for what I assumed was the Pixian county local newspaper. At the end of the presentation we were allowed to ask questions and discuss any pressing concerns.
After the seminar we were driven to lunch at a Sichaunese restaurant. We ate Sichaun delicacies such as pig ears, frog, rabbit, and small fish (the entire things!). When we finished eating we walked along the lake on which the restaurant was situated.
Before saying goodbye to our friends from the Chengdu and Pixian CDC we visited the Pixian county hospital and a nearby town clinic. The hospital consisted of 300 staff members (approximately 120 active physicians, and they catered to about 400 outpatients a day). In addition to the hospital and clinic we also visited an immunization office that specialized in delivering vaccines to children.
Around three in the afternoon we came back to the hotel. My friend Fionna and I called our Chinese counterparts at Sichaun University (aka Washi U), to do some laundry at their school campus. When we got back we met with our teacher to discuss our term paper topics on tobacco in China, (my focus will be on tobacco advertising and marketing in China). After our meeting I booked a flight from Hainan to Shanghai for July 3rd. We grabbed dinner at a Beijing Duck restaurant and tomorrow we get to sleep in! Evie, have a safe trip to Hawaii and remember you'll be the closest family member to me! Love you guys, night.
After the seminar we were driven to lunch at a Sichaunese restaurant. We ate Sichaun delicacies such as pig ears, frog, rabbit, and small fish (the entire things!). When we finished eating we walked along the lake on which the restaurant was situated.
Before saying goodbye to our friends from the Chengdu and Pixian CDC we visited the Pixian county hospital and a nearby town clinic. The hospital consisted of 300 staff members (approximately 120 active physicians, and they catered to about 400 outpatients a day). In addition to the hospital and clinic we also visited an immunization office that specialized in delivering vaccines to children.
Around three in the afternoon we came back to the hotel. My friend Fionna and I called our Chinese counterparts at Sichaun University (aka Washi U), to do some laundry at their school campus. When we got back we met with our teacher to discuss our term paper topics on tobacco in China, (my focus will be on tobacco advertising and marketing in China). After our meeting I booked a flight from Hainan to Shanghai for July 3rd. We grabbed dinner at a Beijing Duck restaurant and tomorrow we get to sleep in! Evie, have a safe trip to Hawaii and remember you'll be the closest family member to me! Love you guys, night.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Day Fourteen
So I guess my vacation has officially entered the working portion of the trip. This morning we had a small breakfast in our room and were picked up to go to the Chengdu CDC offices. We were met at the Chengdu CDC by its vice president, Dr. Jaw. VP Jaw led an hour and a half seminar on his division's work and specialty departments. He also discussed Chengdu's history, geography, and demographic information. At the end of the seminar we were able to ask questions about health issues in Chengdu as well as other related concerns.
After a brief tour of the Chengdu CDC's new building we came back to the hotel to change into more casual clothes for our focus group activity. When we got back we also exchanged into new rooms so that we could all have beds, ( at the same low price we were already paying). We grabbed some dumplings as appetizers from a street vendor before going to KFC for lunch.
When we got back the vans were there to greet us again. They drove us to a Chengdu high school the research department has been working with on a wellness program for high school students. I was given a translator, Maggie, and a Chinese student counterpart, Vivian, who is studying about Health Insurance for her undergrad. The high school student groups arrived around 3:30pm and we began our focus group promptly. In case you're wondering what the point of the focus group was I will explain.
The USC MPH research department, three years ago, developed an anti-tobacco and pro-mental health program to be implemented in high schools. The program was immediately implemented in Chengdu and other major cities in China. Unfortunately, some schools were unable to continue offering the program to students, however, others continue to offer the course to vocational students (they are given very little time aside from their rigorous studies to do these kinds of activities). The program emphasizes techniques for self improvement, stress management, and various tools for social development.
The purpose of our focus group was to survey and interview a small number of the kids involved in the study to find out what their opinions were on the program, (what parts they did or didn't like and any suggestions they may have). My group consisted of seven students. Their preferences and suggestions weren't too far from the answers we expected.
After the focus groups we came back to the hotel with the our Chinese student assistants for a short debriefing. Each group talked about unique points that were brought up in their groups. When we were done with our debriefing I worked on some travel stuff for the last part of my trip (Haikou, Hainan to Shanghai). Finally, I caught a late dinner at Pizza hut with our instructor's assistant Ann. I'm looking forward to another long day tomorrow. Night!
After a brief tour of the Chengdu CDC's new building we came back to the hotel to change into more casual clothes for our focus group activity. When we got back we also exchanged into new rooms so that we could all have beds, ( at the same low price we were already paying). We grabbed some dumplings as appetizers from a street vendor before going to KFC for lunch.
When we got back the vans were there to greet us again. They drove us to a Chengdu high school the research department has been working with on a wellness program for high school students. I was given a translator, Maggie, and a Chinese student counterpart, Vivian, who is studying about Health Insurance for her undergrad. The high school student groups arrived around 3:30pm and we began our focus group promptly. In case you're wondering what the point of the focus group was I will explain.
The USC MPH research department, three years ago, developed an anti-tobacco and pro-mental health program to be implemented in high schools. The program was immediately implemented in Chengdu and other major cities in China. Unfortunately, some schools were unable to continue offering the program to students, however, others continue to offer the course to vocational students (they are given very little time aside from their rigorous studies to do these kinds of activities). The program emphasizes techniques for self improvement, stress management, and various tools for social development.
The purpose of our focus group was to survey and interview a small number of the kids involved in the study to find out what their opinions were on the program, (what parts they did or didn't like and any suggestions they may have). My group consisted of seven students. Their preferences and suggestions weren't too far from the answers we expected.
After the focus groups we came back to the hotel with the our Chinese student assistants for a short debriefing. Each group talked about unique points that were brought up in their groups. When we were done with our debriefing I worked on some travel stuff for the last part of my trip (Haikou, Hainan to Shanghai). Finally, I caught a late dinner at Pizza hut with our instructor's assistant Ann. I'm looking forward to another long day tomorrow. Night!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Day Thirteen
I am now in Chengdu,China! This morning we packed up and left to the airport at 9am. The flight left at 11:30am and it took just over two hours. Our friends from the Chengdu CDC met us with smiles...and two minivans for our luggage. We arrived at our hotel, the Crown Plaza, around 3:30pm.
When we got to the hotel we walked around and got a quick bite at a fast food restaurant down the street called Dico's (kind of like KFC). After lunch we came back and napped.
Around five o'clock we prepared ourselves for a focus group training session. A group of Chinese students from Washi University (in China) met up for the meeting. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half and we discussed what we will be doing tomorrow, (mainly interviewing high school students to evaluate the anti-tobacco program developed by the USC China Seven Cities Study).
Once we finished our training session we had a bite to eat. We also jumped in the pool for a little. Tomorrow will probably be a long day. Good night/morning!
When we got to the hotel we walked around and got a quick bite at a fast food restaurant down the street called Dico's (kind of like KFC). After lunch we came back and napped.
Around five o'clock we prepared ourselves for a focus group training session. A group of Chinese students from Washi University (in China) met up for the meeting. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half and we discussed what we will be doing tomorrow, (mainly interviewing high school students to evaluate the anti-tobacco program developed by the USC China Seven Cities Study).
Once we finished our training session we had a bite to eat. We also jumped in the pool for a little. Tomorrow will probably be a long day. Good night/morning!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Day Twelve
I can't believe it's day twelve already! It actually seems like time is going by really slow...considering I'm going to be here for another 45 days. Either way, fast or slow, today was a landmark on my trip calendar. It was the perfect mix of work and play.
The first thing we did this morning was a visit to a retirement home about thirty minutes outside of the city called Sun City. The hope of our visit was to learn more about China's growing aging population to develop better insight for our future trip to Hainan. In Hainan we will be advising top architects on elderly issues they may want to address when developing blueprints for their expansive retirement community. Anyways, we took a tour of the retirement community grounds and then headed back to Downtown Beijing.
On the way back we drove by the 2008 Olympic Stadium, called the Bird's Nest, and a special district designed to coincide with its Asian ethnic minority constituents. When we got back to Beijing half of the group got off at the Forbidden City. The rest of us continued to the hotel to drop off equipment and change clothes. Once we re-situated my friend Jen and I hired a taxi to go to a Confucian temple I had been looking forward to visiting.
On our way out we learned that there was also a lamasery in proximity to the Confucian temple. The lamasery had nearly a hundred elaborate Buddha statues. As we walked back through the rooms of the temple the Buddhas got progressively bigger and bigger. The final Buddha was a whopping four stories tall. Unfortunately all the Buddhas were indoors and we were unable to take pictures of any of them. It was even more unfortunate that the Confucian temple was completely under construction! We took a couple of pictures in front of some Confucius statues but were unable to see about 90% of the temple...(tear).
After visiting the temples we joined the rest of our group back at the hotel. We hired another set of taxis and went to the Temple of Heaven. The buildings and surrounding park were very beautiful. Locals strolled the gardens and gathered around elderly musicians. I was lucky to have a voice recording device to record some traditional Chinese songs.
After our visit at the Temple of Heaven we went back to the Silk Market so that some of the girls could do some more shopping. We then finished the day with a Beijing Duck dinner. Like I said, a very eventful day. Evie I love you, happy graduation!
The first thing we did this morning was a visit to a retirement home about thirty minutes outside of the city called Sun City. The hope of our visit was to learn more about China's growing aging population to develop better insight for our future trip to Hainan. In Hainan we will be advising top architects on elderly issues they may want to address when developing blueprints for their expansive retirement community. Anyways, we took a tour of the retirement community grounds and then headed back to Downtown Beijing.
On the way back we drove by the 2008 Olympic Stadium, called the Bird's Nest, and a special district designed to coincide with its Asian ethnic minority constituents. When we got back to Beijing half of the group got off at the Forbidden City. The rest of us continued to the hotel to drop off equipment and change clothes. Once we re-situated my friend Jen and I hired a taxi to go to a Confucian temple I had been looking forward to visiting.
On our way out we learned that there was also a lamasery in proximity to the Confucian temple. The lamasery had nearly a hundred elaborate Buddha statues. As we walked back through the rooms of the temple the Buddhas got progressively bigger and bigger. The final Buddha was a whopping four stories tall. Unfortunately all the Buddhas were indoors and we were unable to take pictures of any of them. It was even more unfortunate that the Confucian temple was completely under construction! We took a couple of pictures in front of some Confucius statues but were unable to see about 90% of the temple...(tear).
After visiting the temples we joined the rest of our group back at the hotel. We hired another set of taxis and went to the Temple of Heaven. The buildings and surrounding park were very beautiful. Locals strolled the gardens and gathered around elderly musicians. I was lucky to have a voice recording device to record some traditional Chinese songs.
After our visit at the Temple of Heaven we went back to the Silk Market so that some of the girls could do some more shopping. We then finished the day with a Beijing Duck dinner. Like I said, a very eventful day. Evie I love you, happy graduation!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Day Eleven
It was a little more difficult to get up this morning than the last couple days but I was able to sleep during the van ride to the Great Wall. To get to the Great Wall we had to walk up a sidewalk that was lined with arts and crafts shops. At the top of the shops street we bought great wall gondola and admission tickets.
The weather at the wall was hot and humid. As soon as I saw another guy with his shirt off I followed suit. Our group walked for a half mile or so down the Wall at which point the group grew a little tired. I noted the highest point on the wall up the mountain. I ran ahead of the group so that I could take some pictures. When I reached the top I was completely out of breath and energy. My friend Suvag tried to keep up but he got a bloody nose halfway up. I took some pictures and relaxed before going back down to meet up with the group.
We had lunch in a restaurant that was situated in a shaded green house (w/ air conditioning). After lunch we came back and napped and then went out for dinner at Pizza Hut. Right now we're drinking coke floats and then going to sleep because we need to meet with our instructor at eight in the morning. Night!
The weather at the wall was hot and humid. As soon as I saw another guy with his shirt off I followed suit. Our group walked for a half mile or so down the Wall at which point the group grew a little tired. I noted the highest point on the wall up the mountain. I ran ahead of the group so that I could take some pictures. When I reached the top I was completely out of breath and energy. My friend Suvag tried to keep up but he got a bloody nose halfway up. I took some pictures and relaxed before going back down to meet up with the group.
We had lunch in a restaurant that was situated in a shaded green house (w/ air conditioning). After lunch we came back and napped and then went out for dinner at Pizza Hut. Right now we're drinking coke floats and then going to sleep because we need to meet with our instructor at eight in the morning. Night!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Day Ten
Last night I actually got to sleep in a bed (the night before I actually slept on the couch)! Before I started to get ready I ran up to the lounge and grabbed some breakfast for everyone. Our group got ready and then met up in the lounge to leave to hotel.
The first part of the day we went to Peking Union Medical College (PUMC). It was at PUMC that we met with the university's vice president, Liming Lee. Dr. Lee was the former head of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Lee lost his job along with the entire CDC staff after the SARS outbreak. He will supposedly become China's next Minister of Health. It was really a privilege to be in his company. Dr. Lee did a combination powerpoint on public health in China and PUMC's history. After his presentation he received questions from our group. To end our meeting he hosted our lunch at a popular Seshuan restaurant called South Beauty. We were given a private room. The meal was probably the nicest meal I have had thus far.
After lunch we hired some taxis to take us to the China CDC office. It was at the CDC office that we were given two presentations on tobacco control in China. Dr. Jiang Yuan, the deputy director of the CDC tobacco department, answered our various questions after her brief presentation and gave us each a small gift.
Once we finished our day's business we came back to the hotel to rest and relax. We went back to Houhai lake for dinner. It has definitely been quite a long day. I hope I have a little more energy tomorrow so I can be more uplifting in my journals...but we're going to the GREAT WALL!!!!! We're going to do a lot of walking but I'm really excited!
The first part of the day we went to Peking Union Medical College (PUMC). It was at PUMC that we met with the university's vice president, Liming Lee. Dr. Lee was the former head of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Lee lost his job along with the entire CDC staff after the SARS outbreak. He will supposedly become China's next Minister of Health. It was really a privilege to be in his company. Dr. Lee did a combination powerpoint on public health in China and PUMC's history. After his presentation he received questions from our group. To end our meeting he hosted our lunch at a popular Seshuan restaurant called South Beauty. We were given a private room. The meal was probably the nicest meal I have had thus far.
After lunch we hired some taxis to take us to the China CDC office. It was at the CDC office that we were given two presentations on tobacco control in China. Dr. Jiang Yuan, the deputy director of the CDC tobacco department, answered our various questions after her brief presentation and gave us each a small gift.
Once we finished our day's business we came back to the hotel to rest and relax. We went back to Houhai lake for dinner. It has definitely been quite a long day. I hope I have a little more energy tomorrow so I can be more uplifting in my journals...but we're going to the GREAT WALL!!!!! We're going to do a lot of walking but I'm really excited!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Day Nine
I woke up this morning around 9 o'clock. Our instructor had scheduled an orientation for 10am so we ended up meeting at that time to do a brief orientation. We discussed our trip itinerary and project goals. All in all, we hope to complete a focus group project based on previously collected data, a tobacco cessation project based on our qualitative analysis and research, and a couple short documentaries centered on aging in China, environmental issues in China, and tobacco use in China.
After orientation we went to lunch as a group in the neighboring mall. We came back and gathered our gear and then headed out to China's WHO Collaborating Center for tobacco cessation. The office is situated in the Beijing Hospital, about a fifteen minute taxi from our hotel. It was at the center that we met the chairman, Dr. Xiao Dan. Dr. Xiao Dan explained her organizations current work and accomplishments. She then received questions from us. A hospital administrator also talked with us, she discussed the hospital's plans for development and expansion.
We exchanged small gifts with our hosts at the hospital and then came back to the hotel to rest and relax. Around six o'clock we hired a couple taxis and went to a noodle house down the street. Time to go to sleep, tomorrow is booked full!
After orientation we went to lunch as a group in the neighboring mall. We came back and gathered our gear and then headed out to China's WHO Collaborating Center for tobacco cessation. The office is situated in the Beijing Hospital, about a fifteen minute taxi from our hotel. It was at the center that we met the chairman, Dr. Xiao Dan. Dr. Xiao Dan explained her organizations current work and accomplishments. She then received questions from us. A hospital administrator also talked with us, she discussed the hospital's plans for development and expansion.
We exchanged small gifts with our hosts at the hospital and then came back to the hotel to rest and relax. Around six o'clock we hired a couple taxis and went to a noodle house down the street. Time to go to sleep, tomorrow is booked full!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Day Eight
I awoke to the noise of jackhammers and traffic this morning! I think I forgot to mention it, but yesterday another tourist booked my room before I told the concierge I was going to extend my stay. The room they moved me to was on the other side of the hotel and it had a lot of service vehicle traffic and building construction.
After I packed everything up and figured out where the Courtyard Marriott was I walked down the street and hired a taxi. I got to the hotel around 10:30am and was treated with great care. Our group was very fortunate and was upgraded to an executive/penthouse suite room for free (regulary $1000 a night)!
When the other students arrived I felt obligated to share my fortunate experiences with Luting. I first took them to the Wangfujing Mall. My friend Chris unlocked his phone and I bought a Chinese SIM card (In case of emergency my local Chinese cell phone number is #136-9363-4837, but I will still use my US SIM card to call home). Once we situated our phones I took everyone to the Silk Market again, (I bought Mom and Evie really nice scarfs).
I also took everyone to the snack street, (with the exotic foods), and then we came back to the hotel to have a nice buffet with our instructor and teacher's assistant. I think I'll probably stick it out in the hotel for the rest of the night and probably read. Night!
After I packed everything up and figured out where the Courtyard Marriott was I walked down the street and hired a taxi. I got to the hotel around 10:30am and was treated with great care. Our group was very fortunate and was upgraded to an executive/penthouse suite room for free (regulary $1000 a night)!
When the other students arrived I felt obligated to share my fortunate experiences with Luting. I first took them to the Wangfujing Mall. My friend Chris unlocked his phone and I bought a Chinese SIM card (In case of emergency my local Chinese cell phone number is #136-9363-4837, but I will still use my US SIM card to call home). Once we situated our phones I took everyone to the Silk Market again, (I bought Mom and Evie really nice scarfs).
I also took everyone to the snack street, (with the exotic foods), and then we came back to the hotel to have a nice buffet with our instructor and teacher's assistant. I think I'll probably stick it out in the hotel for the rest of the night and probably read. Night!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Day Seven
For the first time since I got to China I actually sat down this morning and "orient"-ed myself...get it? haha. I woke up this morning a little earlier than I have been and read for an hour then took out my China travel guidebook. After getting a sense of where I was and where I'd been I walked down the street to a local farmer's market.
Last night, I talked to a vietnam vet/NY firefighter named Billy who had discovered the market with his girlfriend the day before. The market was situated in a large wherehouse in the middle of a residential district (very isolated and without tourists). I bought a bunch of bananas, as a breakfast and walked back to the hostel to figure out what I woud do for the rest of the day.
I ended up just reading up more on the history of China and specifically Beijing's history. Around noon-thirty I walked around the lake near my hostel to a main road. It was on the main road that I got a cabbage and noodle stir-fry lunch. I brought the food back to the hotel to eat.
Once I finished eating I gathered my stuff and headed out in a taxi to the Tian'anmen Square. The plaza is known for its grand size. Throughout Chinese history city and town squares were avoided because they allowed people to gather, potentially in anti-government groups. The square is surrounded my the National History of China Museum (west), the Hall of the People (east), The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (south), and the entrance to the Forbidden City (north).
After taking some photos from the center of the square I walked into the Forbidden City through the Tian'anmen Gate, famous for the massive Mao portrait over it's entrance. The Forbidden City was basically the Imperial Palace to a multitude of dynasties. There are countless palaces within the gates, each serving a different purpose to different emperors. I paid for an audio tour which explained some history of each palace.
I exited the Forbidden City from the north gate and caught a taxi to meet up with my friend Luting (at her internship). The place she works is above the mall that we watched Spiderman 3 (Wangfujing Mall). We walked around the Imperial Palace, and actually back through Tian'anmen Square. Once we got back to the street we grabbed a taxi to Houhai Lake.
Houhai Lake is a beautiful area with bars and elegant restaurants lining the walkways and bridges around the lake. Most bars and restaurants had red Chinese lanterns and/or neon signs that beautifully illuminated the opposing shores. We had a wonderful 'spicy' dinner [fish head (actually extremely good), green chili eggplant, mushroom stew, and iron pot beef). After we ate we walked around the lake and I bought Brandon and I a couple t-shirts that were custom designed by a shop owner and of a limited supply. Tomorrow I plan on going to the Temple of Heaven and then checking into my new hotel to await the arrival of my teachers and colleagues.
Last night, I talked to a vietnam vet/NY firefighter named Billy who had discovered the market with his girlfriend the day before. The market was situated in a large wherehouse in the middle of a residential district (very isolated and without tourists). I bought a bunch of bananas, as a breakfast and walked back to the hostel to figure out what I woud do for the rest of the day.
I ended up just reading up more on the history of China and specifically Beijing's history. Around noon-thirty I walked around the lake near my hostel to a main road. It was on the main road that I got a cabbage and noodle stir-fry lunch. I brought the food back to the hotel to eat.
Once I finished eating I gathered my stuff and headed out in a taxi to the Tian'anmen Square. The plaza is known for its grand size. Throughout Chinese history city and town squares were avoided because they allowed people to gather, potentially in anti-government groups. The square is surrounded my the National History of China Museum (west), the Hall of the People (east), The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (south), and the entrance to the Forbidden City (north).
After taking some photos from the center of the square I walked into the Forbidden City through the Tian'anmen Gate, famous for the massive Mao portrait over it's entrance. The Forbidden City was basically the Imperial Palace to a multitude of dynasties. There are countless palaces within the gates, each serving a different purpose to different emperors. I paid for an audio tour which explained some history of each palace.
I exited the Forbidden City from the north gate and caught a taxi to meet up with my friend Luting (at her internship). The place she works is above the mall that we watched Spiderman 3 (Wangfujing Mall). We walked around the Imperial Palace, and actually back through Tian'anmen Square. Once we got back to the street we grabbed a taxi to Houhai Lake.
Houhai Lake is a beautiful area with bars and elegant restaurants lining the walkways and bridges around the lake. Most bars and restaurants had red Chinese lanterns and/or neon signs that beautifully illuminated the opposing shores. We had a wonderful 'spicy' dinner [fish head (actually extremely good), green chili eggplant, mushroom stew, and iron pot beef). After we ate we walked around the lake and I bought Brandon and I a couple t-shirts that were custom designed by a shop owner and of a limited supply. Tomorrow I plan on going to the Temple of Heaven and then checking into my new hotel to await the arrival of my teachers and colleagues.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Day Six
Today was a little bit more eventful than yesterday. Luting came over and picked me up around 2pm. We then went to the Silk Market. The Silk Market is an infamous flea market in Beijing known for its wide and large variety of dirt cheap knock off products (just to name a few: polo shirts, burberry ties, and countless fake watches). The market used to be on an alley but because of its high demand it is now a 4 story building with escalators and elevators. We walked around the market for a couple hours and didn't buy anything.
After we left the market we went to Starbucks and then went to street known as the "Snack St." The Snack St. is known for its exotic snacks. The most exotic to me were the "scorpion on a stick" and the " deep fried starfish." Again, these were only the tip of the iceberg.
Fortunately I still had an appetite after visiting the Snack St. so we went to Pizza Hut for dinner. After dinner we just walked around central Beijing until I jumped into a taxi to come back to my hostel. I think I'm going to lay low tomorrow and probably just read one of my books and skim through my tour guide book a little more. night!
After we left the market we went to Starbucks and then went to street known as the "Snack St." The Snack St. is known for its exotic snacks. The most exotic to me were the "scorpion on a stick" and the " deep fried starfish." Again, these were only the tip of the iceberg.
Fortunately I still had an appetite after visiting the Snack St. so we went to Pizza Hut for dinner. After dinner we just walked around central Beijing until I jumped into a taxi to come back to my hostel. I think I'm going to lay low tomorrow and probably just read one of my books and skim through my tour guide book a little more. night!
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Day Five
Unfortunately, today was a lot less eventful than yesterday. This morning I slept in quite late...had lunch...and then met up with my friend to go see a movie (I know, not very "touristy," but you have to remember I'm going to be here for two whole months").
We saw the Spiderman 3 movie and then met up with a set of other friends (from canada) for a dim sum meal. After dinner we went played some cards and then went back out to a club called Mix.
Like I said, today was pretty uneventful. Tomorrow we're planning on going to the Silk Market which is a very popular flea market.
We saw the Spiderman 3 movie and then met up with a set of other friends (from canada) for a dim sum meal. After dinner we went played some cards and then went back out to a club called Mix.
Like I said, today was pretty uneventful. Tomorrow we're planning on going to the Silk Market which is a very popular flea market.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Day Four
This morning I woke up around 6am and headed out to Narita airport. I boarded my plane on time and flew to Beijing. Not too eventful besides the new friend from London that I made (Ashvin). We talked almost the entire three hours of the flight and we could've probably talked for another three.
When I got to Beijing it took about 45 minutes to get through customs. Once I had my luggage I booked a cab to get to my hotel. Unfortunately, there is a lot of construction going on so a 20 minute cab ride turned into a two hour cab ride.
As soon as I got to my hotel I got situated and ran down the street to Wu Mart, (the equivalent to Walmart). I bought some toiletries and then got ready to meet up with my friend Luting. Luting showed up around 6pm and we met up with some other friends to go to a Beijing Duck dinner. Dinner was excellent.
After dinner we went to a club called Babyface. It was an "experience," to say the least. It's now 4am (Beijing time), and I'm going to catch up on some much needed sleep.
When I got to Beijing it took about 45 minutes to get through customs. Once I had my luggage I booked a cab to get to my hotel. Unfortunately, there is a lot of construction going on so a 20 minute cab ride turned into a two hour cab ride.
As soon as I got to my hotel I got situated and ran down the street to Wu Mart, (the equivalent to Walmart). I bought some toiletries and then got ready to meet up with my friend Luting. Luting showed up around 6pm and we met up with some other friends to go to a Beijing Duck dinner. Dinner was excellent.
After dinner we went to a club called Babyface. It was an "experience," to say the least. It's now 4am (Beijing time), and I'm going to catch up on some much needed sleep.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Day Three
Yesterday was so much fun I ended up crashing into bed around 10pm, right after dinner at my new favorite ramen house. I woke up this morning a little before seven and got to getting ready. Once again, I did the AM/PM breakfast and jumped on the train to start my last full day of adventuring throughout Tokyo.
First stop was Hama Rikyu Gardens which are situated right on the bay of Tokyo. The gardens used to serve as a hunting ground to Japanese shoguns. All in all, there wasn't a whole lot to see.
So after a quick tour I ran next door to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market. The Tsukiji Fish Market is known for its chaotic cargo, vehicle, and people traffic. It was suggested to me that I try the sushi. Despite the hour, 10am, I couldn't pass the opportunity. I ended up shelling out 20 clams, or 2,000 yen, for a preordained sushi meal. The waitress didn't give me any chopsticks so I used a toothpick to stab at my raw fish...unsuccessful. She then demonstrated that I needed to use my fingers...great. The first piece I ate was squid, the same kind and texture as the squid I'd used as bate the last time I went to go deep sea fishing. Needless to say the experience was an "experience." Toward the end of my meal I met a Japanese woman who had family in Tucson (for my reference).
After my sushi breakfast, I walked around the port districts, specifically the Ginza District. The Ginza district is home to a plethora of upscale restaurants, stores, and clubs. It's supposedly the equivalent to New York's Fifth Avenue. On my way out of the district I browsed at the newest Sony technology at the Sony Building.
Next stop was Ueno. I knew there wasn't much in Ueno except for it's Ameyoko market, filled with small markets and endless amounts of worthless poo, but I wanted to buy some souvenirs for the family (skip this section if you don't care about what I bought). I bought brando and me ties with matching handerchiefs (pimp white with cool shadow designs on them). I also bought Evie a stylish Hello Kittie shirt. I walked around another 15-20 minutes and stopped off at the Hard Rock Cafe Ueno before I left.
My next and last visit of the day was to the Asakusa Kannon Temple. The temple was built in the early 7th century and has been brought down by a multitude of earthquakes, bombs, and fires. Now restored, it consists of the temple, its imaculate entry gate, and an endless row of small shops called Nakamise-Dori. I finished off my souvenir shopping here (again skip next section).
Evie this applies to you cause the package I sent has a shitload of gifts in it. Here's the list of gifts and who gets what.
Mom- Book bag and yellow glasses case
Dad- Sandals (cause I'm sure he didn't want anything,and they're cool there are two pairs one for brandon or me and one for dad)
Brandon- One of the pimp ties (whichever one he wants)
You- The hello kittie shirt and that's it (hello kittie shit is expensive here)
Me- Whatever's left (make sure you find the braclet, it has a small pinhole on the large bead, put it up to light and you'll see a small image through it).
After my field day of gift buying I mailed out everything so I don't have to drag it around for the next two months. I was completely exhausted by the end of the day...again, and took the trains back to my hotel at Chidoricho. It's raining like nobody's business and I've never felt so close to lightning. I swear I saw a little japanese man get zapped down the street...(just kidding). Love you guys, tomorrow I leave for Beijing, I'm meeting up with my friend Luting Lei and she's going to be my tourguide until the rest of USC arrive.
First stop was Hama Rikyu Gardens which are situated right on the bay of Tokyo. The gardens used to serve as a hunting ground to Japanese shoguns. All in all, there wasn't a whole lot to see.
So after a quick tour I ran next door to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market. The Tsukiji Fish Market is known for its chaotic cargo, vehicle, and people traffic. It was suggested to me that I try the sushi. Despite the hour, 10am, I couldn't pass the opportunity. I ended up shelling out 20 clams, or 2,000 yen, for a preordained sushi meal. The waitress didn't give me any chopsticks so I used a toothpick to stab at my raw fish...unsuccessful. She then demonstrated that I needed to use my fingers...great. The first piece I ate was squid, the same kind and texture as the squid I'd used as bate the last time I went to go deep sea fishing. Needless to say the experience was an "experience." Toward the end of my meal I met a Japanese woman who had family in Tucson (for my reference).
After my sushi breakfast, I walked around the port districts, specifically the Ginza District. The Ginza district is home to a plethora of upscale restaurants, stores, and clubs. It's supposedly the equivalent to New York's Fifth Avenue. On my way out of the district I browsed at the newest Sony technology at the Sony Building.
Next stop was Ueno. I knew there wasn't much in Ueno except for it's Ameyoko market, filled with small markets and endless amounts of worthless poo, but I wanted to buy some souvenirs for the family (skip this section if you don't care about what I bought). I bought brando and me ties with matching handerchiefs (pimp white with cool shadow designs on them). I also bought Evie a stylish Hello Kittie shirt. I walked around another 15-20 minutes and stopped off at the Hard Rock Cafe Ueno before I left.
My next and last visit of the day was to the Asakusa Kannon Temple. The temple was built in the early 7th century and has been brought down by a multitude of earthquakes, bombs, and fires. Now restored, it consists of the temple, its imaculate entry gate, and an endless row of small shops called Nakamise-Dori. I finished off my souvenir shopping here (again skip next section).
Evie this applies to you cause the package I sent has a shitload of gifts in it. Here's the list of gifts and who gets what.
Mom- Book bag and yellow glasses case
Dad- Sandals (cause I'm sure he didn't want anything,and they're cool there are two pairs one for brandon or me and one for dad)
Brandon- One of the pimp ties (whichever one he wants)
You- The hello kittie shirt and that's it (hello kittie shit is expensive here)
Me- Whatever's left (make sure you find the braclet, it has a small pinhole on the large bead, put it up to light and you'll see a small image through it).
After my field day of gift buying I mailed out everything so I don't have to drag it around for the next two months. I was completely exhausted by the end of the day...again, and took the trains back to my hotel at Chidoricho. It's raining like nobody's business and I've never felt so close to lightning. I swear I saw a little japanese man get zapped down the street...(just kidding). Love you guys, tomorrow I leave for Beijing, I'm meeting up with my friend Luting Lei and she's going to be my tourguide until the rest of USC arrive.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Day Two
It was a lot easier getting up this morning than I thought it would be. I ended up getting out of bed around 7am and drank some tea, (our hotel supplies hot tea, robes and slippers free of charge), before I showered and planned my day's itinerary. As I headed to the train station I got breakfast at a local AM/PM convenient store, lol!
Next I jumped on the Tokyu Ikigawi Line and made my way to inner city tokyo. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do once I got there but my Tokyo guidebook gave me a few ideas. I ended up walking to the Imperial Palace Gardens from the Tokyo rail station. The gardens are adjacent to the "actual" Imperial Palace and are surrounded by a hundred foot wall and moat. The gardens were beautifil, filled with indeginous flowers and trees, as well as creeks and fish ponds. After visiting the gardens I walked around for a good hour just getting a sense of direction and soaking in the atmosphere. As I did this I came across the Tokyo Theatre House and the Japanese Supreme Court.
Around 11:30am I jumped on another train to go to Shibuya, known for it's abundance of shops and restaurants. It was in Shibuya that it started raining. I didn't buy anything, but I did develop a new respect for the Japanese culture. I window shopped and took some cool pictures of all the buildings and street shops. I also grabbed a little lunch before heading up to Harajuku, aka Fashion District. Harajuku is know for it's Takeshita St. where there a lot of small clothing stores, each unique its own way. Unfortunately, because it was raining there weren't that many people out. Supposedly, Harajuku is usually filled with outrageously dressed teenagers. I only saw a handful.
After leaving Harajuku I headed up north to Shinjuku, the district known for its numerous skyscrapers. The rain put a damper on the visit but I was still able to see most of the district and buildings. The district even has its own little Times Square with elegant shops and restaurants. By the time I left Shinjuku, I was exhausted so I just came straight back to the hotel...but not before getting lost for the first time!
The train system here is pretty easy to get around on after your first couple trips. Unfortunately I was a little careless and didn't notice that the sign for the train line was opposite to the electronic display beneath it. Anyways, it didn't take me too far out of the way but I'm pretty exhausted again. I'll probably go get some dinner now and read a little tonight. Tomorrow I plan on going to the Technology district and the infamous Tokyo fish market.
Next I jumped on the Tokyu Ikigawi Line and made my way to inner city tokyo. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do once I got there but my Tokyo guidebook gave me a few ideas. I ended up walking to the Imperial Palace Gardens from the Tokyo rail station. The gardens are adjacent to the "actual" Imperial Palace and are surrounded by a hundred foot wall and moat. The gardens were beautifil, filled with indeginous flowers and trees, as well as creeks and fish ponds. After visiting the gardens I walked around for a good hour just getting a sense of direction and soaking in the atmosphere. As I did this I came across the Tokyo Theatre House and the Japanese Supreme Court.
Around 11:30am I jumped on another train to go to Shibuya, known for it's abundance of shops and restaurants. It was in Shibuya that it started raining. I didn't buy anything, but I did develop a new respect for the Japanese culture. I window shopped and took some cool pictures of all the buildings and street shops. I also grabbed a little lunch before heading up to Harajuku, aka Fashion District. Harajuku is know for it's Takeshita St. where there a lot of small clothing stores, each unique its own way. Unfortunately, because it was raining there weren't that many people out. Supposedly, Harajuku is usually filled with outrageously dressed teenagers. I only saw a handful.
After leaving Harajuku I headed up north to Shinjuku, the district known for its numerous skyscrapers. The rain put a damper on the visit but I was still able to see most of the district and buildings. The district even has its own little Times Square with elegant shops and restaurants. By the time I left Shinjuku, I was exhausted so I just came straight back to the hotel...but not before getting lost for the first time!
The train system here is pretty easy to get around on after your first couple trips. Unfortunately I was a little careless and didn't notice that the sign for the train line was opposite to the electronic display beneath it. Anyways, it didn't take me too far out of the way but I'm pretty exhausted again. I'll probably go get some dinner now and read a little tonight. Tomorrow I plan on going to the Technology district and the infamous Tokyo fish market.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Day One
I couldn't sleep last night． I don't know if it was the Fresno heat keeping me up or my anxiety．This morning my mom and sister drove down with me to Los Angeles to see me off．As soon as I sat at my gate I made quick friends with a Japanese student from UNLV, We talked for awhile before the flight and exchanged contact information after we grabbed our luggage. As soon as I had my belonging I jumped on the train for an interesting navigating adventure.
The countryside between the Narita airport and Tokyo was beautiful. Rice patties and sparses of forest filled the space between community developments. I finally found my hostel, (Ryokan Kangetsu), after a good hour of travels and laid down with a hot cup of tea. The economic and cultural differences here are amazing. After I settled in I went out to grab some food. The district I'm in is very quiet compared to the inner city but the restaurants still stay open late. During dinner I met an Australian man named Ian and we discussed our travels for a good hour. I now plan on catching up on some sleep so that I can have a good day tomorrow. Night!
The countryside between the Narita airport and Tokyo was beautiful. Rice patties and sparses of forest filled the space between community developments. I finally found my hostel, (Ryokan Kangetsu), after a good hour of travels and laid down with a hot cup of tea. The economic and cultural differences here are amazing. After I settled in I went out to grab some food. The district I'm in is very quiet compared to the inner city but the restaurants still stay open late. During dinner I met an Australian man named Ian and we discussed our travels for a good hour. I now plan on catching up on some sleep so that I can have a good day tomorrow. Night!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Entry Log
So it's just past midnight and officially "Day One" of my Crazy Asian Summer. I'm a little anxious but mostly just excited for my travels. My flight leaves from Los Angeles and I'll be in Tokyo by tomorrow afternoon. Please feel free to comment on the blog. Also, if you have any questions on how blogs work leave your email and I may be able to answer a couple of them. Love you guys!
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