Honeymooners

My home.. Sydney..Australia

abelaine — Sat, 4 Apr 2009 20:39:00 GMT

We arrived home in mid January. Not without our dramas though at the airport. Interestingly we have had little dramas at airports over the past long long trip. LUCKY US! However it was not so lucky this time around.

We were leaving for Australia from Germany-Munich. Via London and somewhere in asia. However due to nutty weather in London, our connecting flight to London was NOT even departing. So after hours and hours of dramas (where we go, where we sleep, where we eat, our bags....), we were re-routed thru to HONG KONG, then to Sydney. Amaazingly, after about a 10 hours delay, we only arrived 1 hours later than scheduled. hmm.... even our bags made it! YEAH!

Coming home was an interesting feeling. It was really different than coming back for a short trip. We were coming back for a LONG stay. We didn't focus now on sites to see or places to go. Only on the job hunt and the house hunt.

We had a traumatic few weeks. The financial crisis meant that jobs were hard to come by and the pay was much lower than we were used to. Plus renting was tough too, since now no one had money to buy homes. Now the rental market was a line of about 30 other applications for the one crappy apartment.

Although we thought we were ready for 'real life' again. Just a few days of working and we realized just how much I miss the road and travelling thru the world in search of a new adventure and a great new site to see.

I know I can't go back. I also know that I can't do it all again. However at least in those moments of quiet where work is depressing i can think back of some of the places I have experienced and my eyes brighten up again. My heart is filled with joy and I realise just how lucky I am to have had the chance to travel for so long and to so many places.

It is those moments now that I will treasure forever. I still need to watch all my video, look thru all my photos. I somehow always don't have the time. But I think that really I don't want to admit that I can't be in those places again. At least not for a long long while anyway.

All I can say is this. Dare to dream. My dream was to travel. To experience life other than what was my reality. I guess I loved it because I was in search for something that I was missing in my life. For a brief moment I had it. I experienced my dream. I made it my reality, even if it didn't last so very long. Yes I must say that travelling for the last 18 months it went by so quickly. Much too quickly.

So now I look to adventures at home in Sydney. This is an amazing place. The only problem with it is that now I know I am no longer on vacation. Still it is an adventure. Even though it is a different one.

Ciao for now.

Amsterdam Schipol Airport

abelaine — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:11:00 GMT

Amsterdam Airport is easy to travel to and from. After exiting the arrival gates, the customs and picking up your bags. Your options for travel to the main city are the usual: taxi & train.

Taxi will cost around 35euros to get to the city centre. Train will cost about 3.50euros to Amsterdam central. So whatever is cool with you to pay.... From central, to any hotel will be about 10 euros by taxi. However you can tram it or walk it to most places.

Trams are awesome. The Dutch are fab at English and they will help you get around. So don't be shy to ask a local. They are friendly and helpful.

I miss Amsterdam. I miss it as it was my home for so long. I miss the bike, I miss city, the canals, the small little corner stores. It was charming here.

Mostly I miss Pere. My dear dear friend. Did I mention I woke up crying a few nights longing for home (home being here!)

Ciao for now.

Munich Airport

abelaine — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:20:00 GMT

Munich Airport is about 30-40 minute train ride from the city centre. Taking a taxi would be really expensive all the way to the centre of the city, but hey that is up to you! It would take about an hour I guess.

Along the exit you will come along the train ticket machines. The tickets will include the train, tram, buses and uban you need to take - it include all of them. Just be careful you choose the correct ticket. From the airport to the main city it is the XXL ticket. Which is 10Euro for a single person or 18euro for the same ticket for up to 5 adults. So in theory you could share this ticket with a few freinds or even strangers. Note 2 children under 12yrs are considered 1 adult.

Once you have bought the ticket you must stamp it with the date to make it valid. It is valid till 6am the next day. You can keep using it all around the city or even back to the airport if you were going back again.

A tip here - locals arriving to the airport will often want to sell you their ticket they bought to get to the airport. The ticket is indeed still valid (till 6am the next day) so go ahead and buy this if you get a chance. For a single ride you would pay 5Euro and for the multi person you can pay 10 Euro. Then everyone's ticket is cheaper!!! BIG NOTE - careful to be seen doing this by the German police as technically this is not allowed. However all the locals do it anyway. So don't be confused when people ask you this - just check the date on the ticket and all is good!

Once in the centre there are then tram or Uban(metro) connections to the rest of the city. You will need to do some research first though as the stations they stop at are not listed on the screens above. You will need to know the number of the Uban/tram plus the las destination for the direction you need to go. Then you will be on the right track. Otherwise you could end up going somewhere totally different! I know I nearly did that a few times.

To understand the direction you need to go, there are sheets on the walls with the map and all the stops of the tram/uban lines. Munich is pretty big city so give yourself a lot of time.

Taxi's within the city are not expensive considering they are in Europe. However I think this is because mostly they don't try to cheat you and there is not too much traffic in the city so the rides go pretty smoothly!

Anyway Ciao for now!

Tel Aviv Airport

abelaine — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 00:46:00 GMT

Tel Aviv Airport is about a bit over 5 years old now. You a get a great modern feel as soon as you get out of the plane. With clean, modern styles and of course shopping available everywhere.

The first thing to know is of course that security is tight there. So you can expect to be checked and checked and checked again. However I find that to stay calm, friendly, open and honest makes the whole experience a lot better for everyone.

Here are a few things to help you be better prepared: Have your details ready: where you are staying, the address, telephone of the hotel or your friends. Know when you leave and where you will be going to.

There are many philippino caretakers these days in Israel. Many are ;egal and many are not. So often asian looking people (like me) travelling will be set aside and asked many questions. Try not to get too much on the defensive here as it just makes thing worse. Have the details above ready and you will be on your way much faster. Israeli's are very warm people - so talking nice, friendly and throw in a joke often breaks the ice really quickly.

Once you are out of the all the formalities. If you don't have someone picking you up, travelling out of the airport is easy. You can of course take a taxi or you can catch a train. The trains are the cheapest and the fastest way to get in and out of the airport. The trains run till around midnight (maybe even all night now I heard) to many a city. Especially Tel Aviv. You can get tickets at the counter or thru a automachine.

Most Israeli's will speak very good English so you can easily get directions for the train station. Train ticket is from 30 ILS depending on where you want to go to.

Alternatively you can hire a car. Which I would recommend since the easiest way to travel Israel is via car anyway. The road rules are fairly standard to the rest of the western world, so driving is not really a hassle. Although many a local has told me that Israeli's have a tendancy to drive fast and not signal... so just keep your eyes open for any sudden surprises!

Leaving the airport to catch a flight out can be long and annoying. ALL security checks take long time so be there 3-4 hours before your flight. Longer if you want time to do a bit of last minute shopping in the duty free (which is pretty nice).

Again when leaving just be open, honest, friendly. Have ready documents like where you stayed, photos, friends or family telephone numbers. Don't get frasseled and take anything personally, everyone is checked.

Due to the Israeli accent, it may initially seem that they are talking harshly with you. They aren't really. If you reply nice with a smile, it will loosen up the tension and you will then see the smile behind their words.

Israel is not without its issues. So be understanding that the airport security has a job to do and that you cannot take it things personally. If you do that you will enter and leave the airport smiling and ready for your next adventure.

Ciao for now!

Amman-Jordan airport

abelaine — Tue, 7 Oct 2008 07:14:00 GMT

Yes the next few blgs will be about airports! Having not been keeping up to date on the stuff I am up too, the airports are what I remember the best!

I had a 15hour stop over in Amman airport. As much I wanted to go around and visit places in Jordan like Petra, I was just too tired already from all the travel. Although a part of me still lights up at the idea of a new adventure and new place.

Anyway I expected another horried long boring wait at an airport. What a surprise we got when as we exited the plane, we got our passports stamped and then we were ushered onto a bus and to a hotel. We kind of boared the bus and went to the hotel in a shocked daze not really understanding what was happening.

Now worry sets in. We're backpackers. We cannot afford a stay in a fancy hotel. we were greeted with smiles and friendly people who then adivsed us that the hotel room was complimentary. We each could get a private room with cable tv and hot showers. Now along side that, every meal that you were in the hotel for, you could go to - for free. It was a buffet! YUMMO They even give you water and fruit juice. One girl her stop over was only for 5 hours and they gave her the same thing also.

WOW what a nice surprice. After a day travelling from HKG, Bangkok and now to here - we were gifted with this! COOL! What made it even better was the room was pleasant, clean, the food was delicious and the staff were so nice!

Apparently you get this service with Royal Jordanian Airlines only. WOW I wouldn't mind flying with them again one day.

The most interesting thing that happened there though was that when we were checking in they ask you the normal questions to fill in like: name, address, passport no etc etc.... however what made me giggle since I have never been asked this before in my life was "No. of wives" with you. I know it is so silly of me to giggle, it makes complete sense after all for this country and it's religion. Just when I think I am experienced with the ways of the world. I am kindly reminded that I still have so much to learn, experience and there is still so much of the world out there I have yet to explore.

Anyway ciao for now!

China and Hong Kong my last thoughts..

abelaine — Mon, 6 Oct 2008 23:34:00 GMT

I am sure that I already mentioned that Hong Kong is great for shopping. From clothes, to great food, markets and of course -- Electronics.

Let me be clear, the electronics are not really much cheaper than in many countries. You could get the same deal if the price was on sale in some European countries. However what is great and exciting is that you have such a huge variety to of choice right in front you in one store! From colours, to very specific speccifications on the hardware. It is crazy fun!

I loved shopping here and would love to come with real money - unlike now where we are travelling backpacker and basically don't have the money to enjoy what this city has to offer.

If you like places like New York, Sydney, London you will likely love this place also. It is all of these cities with an Asian flare that you can really feel the character distinction.

From food, fashion, flare and spending big - Hong Kong is all that an so much more.

I read that since being turned over to mainland China, Hong Kong has been given another 50 years to run itself without mainland China interupting its established flow. It will be interesting to see this city to compare to Beijing and Shanghai in a few more years time as the other cities continue to grow and prosper.

All in all China and Hong Kong were a wonderous experience. Difficult, interesting, crazy and fun all rolled into a very gorgeous landscape and intricate history.

I adored the locals while at the same time being stunned by them.

The advantage that Hong Kong has over the rest of the main cities of China is that language is less of an issue here. The signs, menus are also in english or at least pin yin. People are not shy to speak English with you. Which I found was more often the case in Mainland China - they can speak English and often very well! They are just shy about it, which is a charm also.

I would remember times when language was a BIG problem but the people would have a great time trying to talk with us anyway. It was a country where many a local person would allow you a closer look at really how they live, work and love. I didn't get that in other countries. Maybe that is the downside of a country being used to tourists - they know how to distance themself also.

If you love a challenge and adventure, China is great for that and more.

For now it is off home and a time to end this amazing honeymoon we have had. I will miss the adventure of being on the road and seeing something different every few days. However it will be fun to breathe home, family and friends again. Who knows what the next step is...

ciao for now...

From the lips of the locals-China!

abelaine — Mon, 6 Oct 2008 22:18:00 GMT

We met a few locals on our trip thru mainland China who were willing to talk candidly to us about their life and experiences in their home. For the most part we talked to educated, interesting people - we had no opportunity to talk to the peasants, minority groups or ethnic groups of China. So what we learned came from the lips of university graduates or school students or teachers.

Religion: We were told (don't really know how true this is) that most people in China have no religion in China. They have had no ties to religion since the Cultural Revolution. So on a moral ground many are lost, their priority on making money and doing great business. They all had to have the little read Mao books - like their bible - which dictacted how they should live life. It was at once glorifying peasant lifestyle of hard work in the fields, but in practice people were sent to the farmlands as punishment by the 'Party members'

However there is some buddists, taoists, Christian, Muslims within China. We saw them, how much of a % - no clue. I am sure you could look this up somewhere. Of course in the temples you see MANY people worshipping, but apparently the percentage of people who really worship and believe is small compared to the total population.

FOOD: The different provinces eat different things. Sichuan for example is proud to have VERY spicy food and often smile happily when your face turns red at something they consider quite mild. Very delicious food, but makes your face numb! In Xi'an for example we saw mostly noodles and not rice as we they grow wheat nearby and no rice fields... while other provinces like rice more in the south. The tibetian areas have pita like breads which they call Chinese Burgers which really looks more like a shoarma with meat and vegies - totally yummy. Of course you have the tyipcal dumplings and steam buns, but even they differ in taste depending on the province.

What I can say is this - over the last how many thousands of years they have tried to eat nearly everything in the country - well that is how it seems to me. Apparently there is even a small percentage in Gangzhou that like to eat human babies. I was shocked and even thought they were joking with me, but another local confirmed that in fact this can happen. Although it is spoken of in hush hush tones. I still wonder if they are all having a joke at the dumb tourist that has no clue... perhaps and I hope so!

However ALL the locals we met ate nothing more unusual than chicken feet or odd animal parts. Things like tapioka in tea, green tea everything like nuts or seeds, taro everything and many a mooncake floating around.

Education: We were told that people like to go to university to 'change their destiny', this is the ONLY way for peasants to be able to leave their peasant life to earn money in the cities. Everyone studies the same things of economics or business, medicine and so the problem these days is that there are WAY too many graduates that have no job. For every job position, there are thousands of applicants. So there is many a taxi driver who might have a medical degree. So salaries stay much too low as people compete for job placement. when you compare the living expenses, this seems a bit unfair. However there was ways to live relatively cheap. So maybe this is not as bad as it seems to me.

Language: In modern times all students must learn English as well as PutongHua (manderin). However a vast majority are still scared to try to really use what they learned. So we had many an experience where people where shocked or scared that we spoke to them. Few even just would walk away and refuse to look at us. There was the rare and amazing few who did venture a conversation with us. Excited that they could practice and learn a bit about the world. They are still pretty excited at seeing tourists (outside the big cities) and we had many an occasion when Briel would get his photo taken.

Culture: OUr friend said - we have a problem with creativity in China. No one thinks for themself. Most are not allowed to think for themself. Everyone knows this is a problem, but nothing is being done to change it. We saw this often unfortunately. People are taught to stay within their comfort zone and will not think outside the box. I was confused by this statement having just seen the most amazing Olympic games ceromony ever. When I questioned him on this his reply was a little chuckle and "yes we Chinese were also surprised and delighted with this. We didn't know we could do something this artistic and original"

Well for a communist country I guess this is normal. We were told that ALL news is approved first by the government before printing and all tv stations are owned by the government. So often journalists are bored of their jobs are they are just told what they can report - which might change day to day depending on the policy of the moment.

Politics: The party members have all the rights. Our friend was unhappy with how the goverment ran things, but felt there was NOTHING she could do change anything at all. So she wouldn't try. Her parents are party members, her father in the army even. As unhappy as she is, she won't do anything about it.

Business: Many will cheat ALL tourists, I don't just mean foreign tourists, but even those they know are NOT from the same city. They even have different menus with different prices for outsiders. Our friend, he hoped that one day more people would look at everyone as the same - ALL HUMAN - and just treat everyone equally. Not to look at outsiders and think - I will try to take as much from them as I can. He is teaching his daughter this, he encourages her to think, be creative and be open to new things. He hopes for her great things - like any parent. He told us that he travels much of the time in his work, so he experiences many locals noticing his different accent and doing things like: offerring a different menu, or just charging higher price than the person standing next to you.

In talking to a hostel owner on this, even he as friendly as he was justified this. You people that travel have money. Many of these people have a very hard life and their jobs are long and difficult. So it is fair that when you buy food from them, they can charge you more since obviously you earn more since you can travel... hmm yes well...

ODD habits: The clearing the throat REALLY loud and spitting was a shock. I even saw one man stand aside and belt out a great big fart - with no hesitation. Many push and shove, lines are not respected. Smiling is rare. In a country where you have to run and be first to get things - this can be understood. As for the throat thing I guess everyone suffers from phlegm issues!

However please know that kindness is found regularly - I know we found it often.

China has many amazing things. I don't understand all I saw. Perhaps I never will fully understand. I got agitated at a few situations, but then again I also received great feelings many a time at simple places like resturants or even retail outlets where we have a funny great time communicating with one word or hand gestures.. or the famous calculator.

I have a connection with China, which like the book Chinese Lessons started with a passion of the food from when I was a kid. Later I loved the little junkie stuffs but really had no idea of the meaning of history behind the little jade ornaments or the meaning on yin-yang... It was later I learned more, from my medicine studies that my 'normal' relationship with China changed. I think it will be ever growing and changing as I learn more and meet more people from this interesting country. I hope to come back. I know I will follow it more closely than I have in the past.

Mostly I hope for the country that the people find their way - whatever that might be. I see that like myself, many a young people seek something - though they are not sure what it is. I guess I feel connected to them because I feel or felt the same way. I too look for answers. Sometimes I think I have found them, sometimes I know I have yet more to discover.

This was the last destination on my honeymoon. I learned and experienced SO much. I am sad that China was the last and I often already felt exhausted because I have been on the road for so long - however my experience has been great. I have learned from every place I have been and grown in more ways I can even describe. I know myself a bit better and hopefully I have become more than I was.

My story does not end here. However this year long vacation is ending. As I travel home to Israel for 2 months I fell happy and excited to no longer be on the road. To feel again that I am at home - I long for it. Of course I know I will miss the road. The road has changed me. I will always have the travel urge. For now though I am happy to go home. To start me next adventure - working in my field of study and starting my own little family.

I am thankful for every experience I have had. I know I am lucky to have had this chance to travel to so many different places and met so many great & interesting people. I am also thankful for being ready to come home. What made this trip so amazing was that I got to share it with Briel - my husband & friend. He and I didn't share only roses and sunshine. I just hope we now are closer and happier from all this.

For now I miss home, family and friends. I can't wait to see them all. I only wish that ALL my friends where in one place. I know I would need another world ticket to see you all again. That part pains me. Just as it pains me to know I will not see many a friend (who I think of as family) for quite a long while.

If I have learned one thing is this - my world is made amazing because of the people in it. I hope they know I treasure them all and think of them often. Even if they are not by my side everyday of my life, I know they are in my heart. I hope they know that too.

Ciao for now.

Sudden changes...

abelaine — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 16:08:00 GMT

So we took the T97 fast train from Beijing to Hong Kong. The trip was 25 hours and leaves every other day. This same train also leaves from Shanghai. NOTE: You really don't have to go to GuangZhou then cross the border from there. Even some Chinese locals will think this but it is FALSE - this is the new fast train that goes direct to HKG Hom Hum station.

We left mainland China earlier than we originally planned. We had thought we would spend 2 months here and indeed were very disapppointed when we only got 30 day visa. Then added to the problem that when we called OneWorld (in the UK) we couldn't change our flight dates from full bookings in our 'class'. (I will talk about this in another blog for tips).

So with knowing we had to find a way to stay in China, we found out that in Leshan (near ChengDu) there is a PSB office that will extend your visa for a month - with a same day turn over. EXcellent. The only thing was that we were getting tired after being on the road now for over a year. We kind of liked the idea of going home to Israel - but there was no flights.

The night before we were scheduled to go to Leshan we called OneWorld again. At midnight we called American Airlines in USA (who is part of OneWorld) and in 2 minutes we were surprised as we got earlier flight connections back home! I guess our flight did have some opening now! So it pays to keep trying!

With this, we now new we were on a tight schedule in mainland China. Which made us even more anxious when we nearly got stuck in the mountains. With the weather we could have been stuck for weeks, when our visa would have run out and in which case, I heard horror stories of tourists going to jail (at worst) for overstaying their visa. AUGH! Plus we had prebooked trains and hostels to Xian since now we were on a tight schedule - where we would lose that too.

However we kept the date of our eearly return a secret. Everyone in israel was expecting us back in Novemeber. We would arrive just after Yom Kippur holiday finished - so we thought this would be a fun surprise for Briel's family.

Anyway Ciao for now!

Beijing and the Birds Nest

abelaine — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 04:47:00 GMT

We took a bus ride to the Olympic Arena from Tianmen sq. It took about an hour to get there. It was not really possible to see the stadium from too far due to the never ending smog that seemed to always be in the city.

But as the sun set, it was fun to see the arena area come alive with lights and colour. Everything was lighted up, the floors, the birds nest, the walls of other buildings - everything. It was all sounds of the Beijing olympic songs and lights. The songs after a while were a bit cheesy, but the sentiment was nice.

Due to the Independence Day holiday, the tickets to go inside were all sold out. You can buy tickets on the street, but you risk buying fake tickets. So we only saw the outside - but it was cool also.

Riding back we headed home to try to get some famous Peking Duck - which is roast duck served up in pancakes (or the spring roll wrap) and sweet sauce. It is the sauce that makes this great. Have to be early though as many resturants will run out of the duck by 8pm.

One this interesting about Beijing is that it is common for there to be tourist menu and a local menu. I don't just mean that the menu is in English (or whatever language) but the prices are also different. It is pretty common in Beijing for even established high end resturants to charge alot more if you are a tourist. This can even happen if you are a Chinese tourist from a different city.

This would ofcourse also happen on the street vendors, you would watch as locals paid a certain price, you order the same thing and they try to charge you double. They think that this is okay and right. You must be rich if you are a tourist. Many locals think this is an okay practice and is normal.

We got into many an arguement with a local wanting to charge us more. So a tip is to come with exact money and be ready to just say no and walk away. This is not a rare thing, it was more rare to find a local vendor who would honestly charge us the normal amount.

I met a few people originally from Beijing who have moved away who are sad by the way the city treats its tourists and its own locals also. They love the city but also have a hard time with it. So I guess it is not just us tourists that have a hard time. Interesting and sad at the same time really.

Anyway we easily got tickets from Beijing back to Hong Kong on the fast train. Cost of a hard sleeper (which is very comfy by the way) is around 500 RMB each. Travel time is 25 hours, but immigrantion is stamped at Beijing, so you officially depart the country when you go thru the check in at Beijing. This is important for your visa purposes!

Also, there is a special area for check in - you don't just go to the station and wait for your train (although you can thinking that it is okay), but lucky for us I read a tiny sign that for those catching the fast train straight thru to Hong Kong we must go wait at the special spot for immigration. So go looking for this. T97 was the train and it has only been operating the alst 6 months, so many people will think that it doesn't exist and that you need to catch a train to Guangzhou then change to another train to Hong Kong. NOT TRUE. There is fast trains that go straight to HKG from Beijing and from Shanghai - leaving on alternate days at around midday. The train leaves from Beijing Xi (Beijing West station).

Anway ciao for now!

Gallery: Birds Nest

abelaine — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 04:43:00 GMT

Gallery: Great Wall China

abelaine — Wed, 1 Oct 2008 04:37:00 GMT

The Great Wall of China

abelaine — Wed, 1 Oct 2008 04:03:00 GMT

The Great Wall of China is the only human made construction that can be seen from space. It is hundreds of KMs long and was built to keep out the Mongol invasions.

There is a Mongol joke that it doesn't matter how big a wall you build, it matters who is on the other side to guard... they say this as a joke since they were able to invade 2 times after the wall was built.

BUT... considering that before the wall was built the Mongols could invade at anytime (and did so), the wall did prevent many invasions. The Mongols then had to use superior tactics and not just brute force to succeed. So in fact the wall did help keeping them out since over the 100 years or so they invaded only 2 times rather than what happened in the past which was more like every decade. Forgive me if my history is a bit off. We didn't take a guide here and didn't make a big effort to learn the details this time.

What we do know ---> the wall is amazing. Climbing it and walking along it was wonderful. Seeing it go on and on was something special.

There are a few sections open to the public. There are tours from Beijing that can take you to any sections. The main section and main tourist spot can also be found by taking the bus. The bus costs around 15RMB and goes every 15 minutes back and forth from the city. Takes about 2 hours on the bus.

There are sections which are less touristy also - these are often what is provided on the tours. You can also go on your own, you take a bus to a local town then a mini bus or taxi. The bus cost 15 RMB, but then the mini bus or taxi can cost about 50 RMB a person. The taxi is only advisable if you have 4 people to fill the cab otherwise it is more expensive.

Getting to the places is not hard, it is coming back that is the problem. There are often not enough tourists to get a taxi and so the mini buses want to charge 100 RMB each to get back.

We go lucky, we found some Beijing locals going back to Beijing and they drove us all the way back to the city for 100 total..

Going to the wall the entrance fee is 90 RMB no student price during high season. This ticket is only for THAT specific section of the wall. It is possible to walk to another section (we did try that), but they charge you another 90RMB to cross to another section. So we had to walk all the way back to the original spot to exit the wall.

Walking back, it is possible to get off the wall and go walking thru the paths that the locals use. The walk then takes 30 min and not 2 hours.

Ciao for now...

Gallery: Forbidden City

abelaine — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:25:00 GMT

Forbidden City

abelaine — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:35:00 GMT

After taking a long nap we headed to the busy busy Tianmen sq as the Forbidden City (Palace) is nearby. There is ALOT more people in the city at the moment, it seemed the whole country travelled to Beijing to celebrate Independence Day. We could barely move as tried to walk around the sqaure, we walked like sardines. I don't think I have seen so many people in my life in a city. However as full as it was, there was a sense of control and organisation.

The forbidden city (Summer Palace) costs 80RBD to get in (half for students). The grounds are pretty large, the detail on the palace rooftops and walls were pretty. The whole layout was grand and beautiful. With little pretty alleyways, many gates within the walls to protect the inner palace further. Was stunning.

The gardens would have been a ahven for peace and tranquility. It is a shame that most of the inside of the palace is a museum now and doesn't whoe what it would have looked like when emperors and empresses lived here. The information was great though.

Definately worth a visit.

Ciao for now.

Hard Seats in China

abelaine — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:12:00 GMT

I wish I had a picture of this scene. Technically speaking the hard=seat is not a bad seat and is quiet comfortable as a train seat really - IF you were travelling up to 5-6 hours no problem at all. The seats are pretty new, soft enough, clean and with some space.

However for an overnight ride - this just does't work at all. The seats seat people back to back. So there is no incline at all. The back is straight up and down, with even perhaps some forward incline due to the head cushion. errrr

Also you are facing other people in front of you, so your legs are all tanlged up together as there is just enough space strech out so long as the legs are tangled together - but after you are in a position there is no way to really move to another position.

Then there is the annoying thing that there is a table between you and the people in front of you. Now this would be fine on a short ride, but on a long haul, add to the discomfort.

In the end it is pretty hard to find a position to be able to fall asleep with. On the wirst buses in India I have been able to sleep, but here I could find only a few minutes of shut eyes at a time before my ass getting numb or my position getting painful. Plus you really just end up sleeping on the others - it is necessary.

Its is even weirder that they don't ever shut off the lights in this compartment.

However the experience was fine in the context of things, we were lucky to get a seat at all to Beijing. So we were thankful no matter what was happening. The people we sat with were also nice and made the experience alot easier.

Of course we arrived to Beijing at around 10am, easily bought our tickets to Hong Kong without and drama at all (this ticket was easy to buy). After getting to the hostel which was in the centre of town just near Tianmen sq - we crashed for a few hours to get some much needed sleep. ahhhhh

Ciao for now

Gallery: Xi'an

abelaine — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:44:00 GMT

Xi'an city

abelaine — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:10:00 GMT

Xi'an city was the alternative city considered for modern China's capital. This is because of it's long history as a captial on the Northern provinces and also because of the wonderful preservation of ancient mixed with the modern city.

Xi'an also known as the theives city where it had a bad reputation for being dirty, having some scum and stealing, no longer really has this problem, but as I talk to locals - these comments are not far from their lips. I guess their memory is long......

The old city has a wall surrounding it which was made around the time of the construction as the Great Wall of China. Much of the wall is original, with great care taken to maintain it's beauty.

It is possible to walk around on top of the wall - or even hire a bicycle around it. There is an entrance fee of 40RMB which if you have a student card is half price.

The bike ride is awesome, where you get a chance to see around the whole old city. The fun part was seeing the rooftops and the busy traffice where you are quiet and a bit far away - where normally you are squashed in the craziness! We got a tandem bike which was fun. We hadn't done that since my birthday a year ago. Cost is about 40 RMB for 90min and you have to leave 200 RMB deposit or your passport.

The city is happening, but mixed with the old which makes it really charming. It was fun to just walk around and see the buildings with the decorative rooftops. The streets are wide and clean. Plus there are some great local places.

Noodles are the main food here over rice as they grow much wheat in the neighboring farmlands. Many places will make your noodles fresh when you order them. We found our great eat - which was 5 RMB each for a big bowl of noodles. You can choose wide, thin, thick noodles and have a choice of different soups or stirfries. Not much menus in English, but it is worth to go in and point to what you want.

There are some interesting drinks here sold on the streets, warm apple something or other. After midnight there are many street vendors to eat from which smells just delicious. There are people doing ballon sugar sweets in different animal shapes. Some of these people are really artists.

There are some fun markets with the usual art works, caligraphy and charms. Always fun to walk thru these. We actually got a lot of treats walking around because of the holiday season. We saw some musicians, some cute people playing some ancient games (dunno what it is called but they use a string with a turning thing that is amazing). We saw some gorgeous Chinese model doing a photoshoot.

There is quite a bit more to see in this city, but being rushed now for time we had to move on. We actually got VERY lucky to at least get a hardseat on the train to beijing as many people were without tickets and were stuck - as it is the independence day holidays which seems to go on for 10 days.

Anyway Ciao for now

Terracotta Soldiers!

abelaine — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:53:00 GMT

The Terracotta Soldiers are the most famous and significant find of this century. There are over 6000 soldiers found. Consisting of infantry, carioteers, archers (both standing and kneeling), horses, chariots, weapons, with different figures depending on rank and function.

Originally they were created by the Emperor of the Qin dynasty after he unified the different provinces of China bringing them all under his ruling. Being an arrogant and ruthless leader, he spent the next 4 decades creating his tomb.

The tomb is over 53sq kms in size. There are currently 3 pits excavated. He died 3yrs before the completion of the tomb however - interestingly while he was inspecting their construction.

However he was buried with his dream - to bring his army with him into the afterlife so that there too he could reign supreme.

However after his death there was a peasant uprising - and the tomb was set on fire and eventually was buried by the earth to be forgotten for more than 2000 years.

In 1974, a farmer on the land digging a new well found the first parts of a buried soldier. The site was then excavated and the site declared a world heritage site.

Standing there in front of the soldiers was more magnificant than I could have imagined. I had always wanted to visit this site since I was a little girl - it was one of the main reasons that I have always wanted to visit China. I was a bit hesitant as we went - Briel had never heard of the site, and we were at a point in our travels that we were craving just natural beauty. To see this site we had to go to ANOTHER city in China and he was hesitant.

As I entered with a bit of hesitation and nervousness, I was relieved to see that Briel's face was just as stunned and excited as mine. They really were life size models, each figure special with their own armour and design based on their rank and function. We both wanted to run thru them, to touch them, to look closer at the detail. Of course we did not... but we REALLY wanted to.

In the end Briel was really happy we went - and I was able to tick off another item on my 'travel to do list'. Happy Happy day.

Plus we made another great 2 new friends - Daniela and Avi.

Gallery: Terracotta Soldiers

abelaine — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:25:00 GMT

Getting to Terracotta Soldiers

abelaine — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:06:00 GMT

The Terracotta Soldiers are 30kms outside of the city of Xi'an (or also sometimes written Xian). The many hotels and hostels will offer a half day tour to the place from 160-250 RMB depending on how nice your hotel/hostel is...

Other options to get there:

Bus : Go to the Main Railway Station - and it sites just outside of the North Gate of Xi'an. Facing the station there is a bus station area on your right hand side - about 50-100 meters away. Take local BIG GREEN bus 306 and will take you direct to the soldiers (it does stop along the way for other passengers and other drop offs - BUT it is the most direct route. The stop is the LAST stop which will take you about 100m from the main gate. Price is 7 RMB or 6 RMB if you have your international student card (one way). Takes about an hour.

You can also take bus 914 which takes a much different route and is a bit longer and crazier in roads. Also costs 7 RMB. NOT recommended but is possible.

NOTE---> There are also mini green buses with a number of 306 on them - they are fake and will take you on a tour of shopping stores taking you perhaps 2 hours to get there. Have no idea of the price.

Many of the bus routes go to the Railway Station. From the South Gate take bus 603. The cost of the local bus rides are 1 RMB - or 2 RMB if they have airco. You will know if they do as they have a picture of a snowflake on them.

TAXI: You can take a taxi at a negotiated price from 450-600 RMB. Depends on how good you are at bargining.

The local BIG GREEN bus is the most recommended and cheapest option. This is VERY easy and NOT hard at all to do.

Price for entrance is 90RMB for adults or 45RMB for students (with card). The price for entrance is 65RMB for low season - don't know when that is. You can get a audio guide for 40RMB (30 for students).

Here in China our students cards have saved us a load of cash.

TIP: Go earlier in the morning as there are much less crowds. After midday the amount of local tourists really is quite crazy and noisy. Watch the movie of the soldiers first so you get a chance to know a bit more of the history. There are 3 pits, go in this order: 3,2,1. No 1 being the biggest and most wonderous so nice to see this as the final WOW.

Ciao for now !