Euro Travel & More

I remembered learning all about the Yangtze River in China when I was a kid – during history lessons and when the boss said that we should go see the 3 Gorges and the Dam – I said why not!  so we hopped on a bus and off we went.  I don’t know the place is like now – but back then – it wasn’t really a pretty sight when we arrived in Chong Qing.  The hotel that we were booked in to stay wasn’t the most pleasant I’ll have to say – but the cruise down to the 3 Gorges was really nice.   If you are thinking of cruising down Yangtze River then in a tourist cruiser – then you can forget it – it’s more like a bunk boat.

The town folks selling all sorts of food – near the river.  And if you were told that the Ghost Theme Park is to die for – I’ll have to tell you it was more amusing – but not really for kids.  We had seen some kids that had tour with us – and were crying buckets at night from nightmares even though the statues and stuff weren’t that frightening.   We loved the magnificent dam as well as the Yangtze bridge – but I was glad to get out of Yangtze but I am assuming they are in better shape now – the town I meant.

Like many people who visits China – they usually go to Beijing or Shanghai – and they return home – thinking that they’ve already seen China – but Suzhou who is so near to Shanghai is a must to visit – and the high speed train is the way we took to Suzhou one fine day in May.  By the way – traveling on these high speed train are very cheap – and really fast – but make sure you book your tickets early and don’t be like us and up and left Shanghai outta impulse.  And you can get tickets in advance

Like most of China – Suzhou is no different when it comes to their bikes and motor bikes – their main form of transportation.

Walking and shopping in downtown Suzhou

There are many rivers in Suzhou – and this is just one of many.

Another river in Suzhou – more on Suzhou in another post.

I do love Shanghai and have been there many times for work but the Shanghai today – is quite different when I was there some 15 – 16 years ago.   Till today - labourer jobs are a plenty because everywhere you turn – some building seems to be half way up.  One of my distance relative who lives in Guangzhou went to Shanghai to work – all because of all these commercial buildings come up left, right and center.

Many people who talk about China thinks that China is all about old buildings and old people but they are so wrong – because different parts of China is pretty developed more than Canada – I’ll have to say.  Shanghai is one of the most cosmopolitan city I’ve been too – some 15 yrs ago – now it is definitely more advance from what I’ve heard from people who have been to Shanghai recently and return from their trip.

But I kinda prefer all these historical buildings more – I mean why would i want to go somewhere with high rise right?  we see them all the time.   But with Shanghai being the largest city in China – you can finish visiting Shanghai in one day or two – or even a week.  Shanghai is a mixture of the old coming out with the new.   Food is great too – if you know where to find the good stuff – but a lot of tourist falls into the tourist trap thing – so when they come out from Shanghai they complained that the food wasn’t great at all.

Climbing the great wall of china – isn’t as easy as it seems – according to chinese folklore – anyone who is able to finish climbing the wall – is consider a hero.  So are you hero enough?  as for me – I needed my ankle braces to climb the great wall.   And had I known how steep the staircase were – I would have worn even better shoes.  The great wall was definitely majestic looking even before we climbed it – but I’m telling it – it was no easy feat.  I only  managed to get up to the 3rd station – and I was so exhausted – and gasping for breath like there was no tomorrows – luckily I had my ankle braces – even though my ankle injury was like 6 months ago.

This is also part of the great wall – but the steepest of all the any part of great wall.

See how steep it is – this is called Jianko

Man-made and still intact – how can this not be a wonder of the world right?

The best friend was in Shanghai in July and shared some pictures with me – during the Expo.  She didn’t managed to go to all the pavilion – but she did take some good pictures of the expo during the night.  As you all know – China – especially Shanghai is a thriving place – all sorts of industry and investors put their money here – as you can see the government spared no money when it came to the Expo.

This is the Chinese pavilion and if you are in Shanghai even now – it is still open for visitors – so I heard.  Amazing architectural pavilion as you can see here and definitely reflect the modern china and the old.

This is the Malaysian’s pavilion and I really like it – so distinctive even though many would not agree with me.  But if I were away from home – this would definitely make me home sick – donch you think?  so kampong like.

This is the Singapore pavilion and like many would agree – it sure looks like a building in the esplanade right?

The Philippine’s Pavilion – so like the filipino – all about friendship and family.

The New Zealand Pavilion was definitely impressive as you can see here.

The Macau Pavilion – interesting.

The famous Lupu Bridge – the world’s second longest arch bridge and made of steel – right in the middle of the Shanghai Expo  – showing off Shanghai and it’s exquisite skills. The theme of Expo 2010 is “Better City, Better Life,” representing the common wish of the whole humankind for a better living in future urban environments.  I wished I was there – but since I am not – it was good to be able to share the pictures – I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did – thanks to my best friend.

I haven’t been to Beijing for many years but the friend who just came back from a study trip showed and shared this pictures with me.  This was his first time there – and lets look at Beijing from another eye.

While there were many places that I’ve been to already – there were some new ones that I haven’t seen for myself in Beijing.  But like any Asian country that is flourishing both in natural resources and the tourist industry – Beijing continue to grow and continued to build more high rises.   They retained the old but never stuck in the old – amazing these Chinese are.

One of the few temples that I haven’t been to.

More of the same temple.

Wonder what this mean – hahah!  probably saying the Chinese people are as hardworking as their animals?

As for this pink statue – seriously i still don’t know what it meant and what is the purpose of it?  I will be going to Beijing again – that’s for sure – i’m just in awe with the many changes.

No i wasn’t there silly – but the nephew was – his company sent him there – a US based company – with lots of perks like health care for the entire family with Blue Advantage – I often wonder if it was anything like the Blue Cross here. But it is always good to have some health insurance if you are traveling a lot like the nephew of mine.

There was a parade for the opening of the show – but he was pulled away to attend a meeting – so this was the only picture he got – bummer!

This is the Netherland and Holland Pavilion

The Croatia Pavilion

The Australian Pavilion – look at the line up!  i guess ppl do like to be in Australia eh.  If you are not a participant – you can still buy a passport to enter the expo -  and of course lots of food to try out and souvenirs that one can buy.  The Shanghai Expo is a cultural exchange for lots of countries coming together in one place – as you can see – it is a huge event – i wished i was there  – large scale expo like these are only hosted by countries with the capability – not only in manpower but resources to accommodate tourists and event planners from various countries.  Shanghai is definitely proud of itself.

About some 15 yrs ago.. when i first visited Shenzhen .. it was already a very thriving little place..  and although they have no astronauts there, you can see that they are trying very hard to make it as touristy as possible.

But these days.. not only is this Shen Zhen for tourist but also for businessmen and for those who wants to invest or have a rep office.   Lots of high rise.. and lots of work for the locals . .and yes.. like the rest of China..  ShenZhen is a place to go.. because it’s not only high tech, it is definitely cheap to live in.. and to do business at.

My friends are sometimes very mean.. they think that if they fly Air China.. it would mean some old crickety 2 propeller kinda aircraft.  But truth be told.. it is not true.  Air China plane isn’t the greatest .. but this was the economy meal that we were served on the plane not too long ago.  It doesn’t taste as bad as it looks trust me.. muahahah!!  The air stewardess were quite nice even to me, i think they think my boss is my husband or b/f.

Air Asia turns one .. and they are offering free seats.. to those who wants to fly from Malaysia.. to Perth, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Hangzhou (Shanghai).

Traveling period:
from 1 August 2009 – 24 Oct 2009

Booking Period:
from 3 Nov – 9 Nov 2008

The most expensive ticket would have to pay .. about $200 for surcharges, fee and taxes only.  It is not bad at all.  How I wished i was in Asia.. right now to take advantage of the free offer.  You know how we Asians are, we love to travel.. given any chance.