As one of its benefits, Our company arranges physical examination at end of every year, this year being on 15th and 20th this month at Hangzhou No.1 hospital,from 8-9:30. Since I am not in town on 20th, the only chance for me would be today.
The whole test package includes: blood, urine, surgical, internal, X-ray ultra-B, heart diagram, ENT. About one hour it took for me and other around 80 people, to complete all the tests, one after another before we got one free breakfast box each. The major chemical test results( blood, blood, heart) will be available one week later, we got all results of other items right there .
My good ones are: surgical,ears,nose,internal, ultrasonic, Xray, blood pressure 119/79. However, doctors suggest that I be more careful with my eye trachoma and avoid irritative foods for my chronical angina.
Dec 15, 2006
Dec 14, 2006
so ready to go
For the last weeks I 've been so concentrated on my planning of this coming trip, like:
developed passport size photoes for application for visa upon arrival;
checked and printed the flight plans;
booked some hotels but not all, usually I will book the hotel for my first city in a different country, like in Yangon, Myanmar, Bangkok, Thailand, since I have finalized the flight to those cities alreay;
bought some medicine, like Imodium and antibiotic against SOME problems etc;
exchanged some Thai baht and other small notes like American dollars, singaporean dollars and Hong Kong dollars;
other toilettry and sunblocks;
opened my international call function for my cell phone no.;
...
Many friends doubted my idea of travelling alone again although actually I'm not so particular about it. But I like this kind of freedom of choosing the time and hostel and all other changes during the journey. Surely I am going to meet some other lonely travellers during the trip,( as it has happened during my last trip to Combodia) when we feel any need of being together for some parts.
I'm telling mysefl I will be right. But meanwhile to be honest, I am becoming a little bit nervous. It's anyway a solo but long travel to totally foreign countries. I'm not sure what will happen, good and bad ? Last night I even had a dream in which I kinda lost all my wallets and cash. I do remember shouted to the parking lot guard for not taking good care of my car. I forget then how this incident ended.
So it's a travel, a very independant one. Surely it's going to be fun. If I will be open minded and careful enough. I will go travel light, flexible with smiles on my face.
Just in short, I know I will be fine.
developed passport size photoes for application for visa upon arrival;
checked and printed the flight plans;
booked some hotels but not all, usually I will book the hotel for my first city in a different country, like in Yangon, Myanmar, Bangkok, Thailand, since I have finalized the flight to those cities alreay;
bought some medicine, like Imodium and antibiotic against SOME problems etc;
exchanged some Thai baht and other small notes like American dollars, singaporean dollars and Hong Kong dollars;
other toilettry and sunblocks;
opened my international call function for my cell phone no.;
...
Many friends doubted my idea of travelling alone again although actually I'm not so particular about it. But I like this kind of freedom of choosing the time and hostel and all other changes during the journey. Surely I am going to meet some other lonely travellers during the trip,( as it has happened during my last trip to Combodia) when we feel any need of being together for some parts.
I'm telling mysefl I will be right. But meanwhile to be honest, I am becoming a little bit nervous. It's anyway a solo but long travel to totally foreign countries. I'm not sure what will happen, good and bad ? Last night I even had a dream in which I kinda lost all my wallets and cash. I do remember shouted to the parking lot guard for not taking good care of my car. I forget then how this incident ended.
So it's a travel, a very independant one. Surely it's going to be fun. If I will be open minded and careful enough. I will go travel light, flexible with smiles on my face.
Just in short, I know I will be fine.
Dec 12, 2006
trip-planning advice 3: packing
Five golden rules for packing
1) Get everything you want to pack in a pile. Put half of the stuff back in the cupboard.
2) Don't pack trekking boots. Unless you're planning on serious climbing you will not need them.
3) Leave the sleeping bag at home (unless you're planning on camping).
4) Pack one book and one only. There's loads of bookstores and bookswaps across the region. Read and swap -- carry less.
5) The biggest mistake of all - don't leave with a full pack!
What to pack
First on your list should be an open mind and a sense of humour. Don't come with too many preconceived ideas about what Southeast Asia is like, as media and friends' experiences have a habit of distorting reality.
Otherwise, bring as little as possible. If you forget something, you can probably buy it once you're on the ground travelling. Take enough padlocks for every double zipper to stop wandering hands and lock up your sacred belongings, even in your hotel room.
Essentials are a swimming costume, a day pack, a raincoat/umbrella in rainy season and some warm clothes if travelling in October to December, as some areas get cool. You will only need a couple of changes of clothes as you can get washing done anywhere cheaply. Remember dark clothes do not need to be washed as often, as long as you do not have a BO problem or sweat profusely. Sandals for when your hiking shoes are too hot can be bought cheaply in-country, although large sizes for women are hard to come by.
Take snorkelling gear or buy it on arrival if you plan to spend a lot of your time in the water. Alternatively put up a notice looking for gear from someone who is leaving. A tent for camping if you're a national park buff is a good idea, as is a compass. You might like to bring compact binoculars too if wildlife is your thing. A good map is also handy.
Take earplugs for when you're stuck in a noisy room or want to sleep on the bus. Take a mirror for shaving, as often budget places won't have any. String is very handy for hanging up washing. Travel scrabble can be great. Cigarette papers can be difficult to find, except in tourist centres. Climbing shoes for rock climbing are useful as the region has some of the best cliffs in Southeast Asia.
A spare pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses plus a copy of your prescription is a good idea. Bring a book you're prepared to swap. A personal music player is great as a huge range of cheap music is available everywhere.
Into the toiletries bag throw sun screen and insect repellent. Mosquito coils are also a good idea. A small pocket size torch will come in handy when the electricity goes out or for investigating caves. Condoms, of course. Passport photos come in handy for visas.
If you plan to travel long distances by motorbike, purchase a good quality helmet. Last but not least, pack your stuff in plastic bags to stop them from getting wet, especially when travelling in the rainy season or on boats.
Aside from the above, the following are essential:
Passport with minimum 6 month validity left
Travel insurance
Blood donor/type card
Details of your next of kin
Prescriptions for any medication you require. Most chemists will sell medicine over the counter without a script, but if you are searched by immigration it's good to be able to show you require what you're carrying.
A second photo ID other than your passport
1) Get everything you want to pack in a pile. Put half of the stuff back in the cupboard.
2) Don't pack trekking boots. Unless you're planning on serious climbing you will not need them.
3) Leave the sleeping bag at home (unless you're planning on camping).
4) Pack one book and one only. There's loads of bookstores and bookswaps across the region. Read and swap -- carry less.
5) The biggest mistake of all - don't leave with a full pack!
What to pack
First on your list should be an open mind and a sense of humour. Don't come with too many preconceived ideas about what Southeast Asia is like, as media and friends' experiences have a habit of distorting reality.
Otherwise, bring as little as possible. If you forget something, you can probably buy it once you're on the ground travelling. Take enough padlocks for every double zipper to stop wandering hands and lock up your sacred belongings, even in your hotel room.
Essentials are a swimming costume, a day pack, a raincoat/umbrella in rainy season and some warm clothes if travelling in October to December, as some areas get cool. You will only need a couple of changes of clothes as you can get washing done anywhere cheaply. Remember dark clothes do not need to be washed as often, as long as you do not have a BO problem or sweat profusely. Sandals for when your hiking shoes are too hot can be bought cheaply in-country, although large sizes for women are hard to come by.
Take snorkelling gear or buy it on arrival if you plan to spend a lot of your time in the water. Alternatively put up a notice looking for gear from someone who is leaving. A tent for camping if you're a national park buff is a good idea, as is a compass. You might like to bring compact binoculars too if wildlife is your thing. A good map is also handy.
Take earplugs for when you're stuck in a noisy room or want to sleep on the bus. Take a mirror for shaving, as often budget places won't have any. String is very handy for hanging up washing. Travel scrabble can be great. Cigarette papers can be difficult to find, except in tourist centres. Climbing shoes for rock climbing are useful as the region has some of the best cliffs in Southeast Asia.
A spare pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses plus a copy of your prescription is a good idea. Bring a book you're prepared to swap. A personal music player is great as a huge range of cheap music is available everywhere.
Into the toiletries bag throw sun screen and insect repellent. Mosquito coils are also a good idea. A small pocket size torch will come in handy when the electricity goes out or for investigating caves. Condoms, of course. Passport photos come in handy for visas.
If you plan to travel long distances by motorbike, purchase a good quality helmet. Last but not least, pack your stuff in plastic bags to stop them from getting wet, especially when travelling in the rainy season or on boats.
Aside from the above, the following are essential:
Passport with minimum 6 month validity left
Travel insurance
Blood donor/type card
Details of your next of kin
Prescriptions for any medication you require. Most chemists will sell medicine over the counter without a script, but if you are searched by immigration it's good to be able to show you require what you're carrying.
A second photo ID other than your passport
Dec 10, 2006
trip-planning advice 2:don't over-plan
Travel planning should be easy and need not be too detailed. One of the more disappointing experiences is when your trip is nothing but a series of missed deadlines and connections.
When you're trip planning, concentrate on the broad strokes -- getting from A to B -- don't worry about what you're actually going to see, nor how you're going to see it. How broad the strokes depends on the individual.
Some people are happy with something like:
Laos 2 weeks, Vietnam 3 weeks
Others may go for:
Northern Laos 10 days, southern Laos 4 days, Hoi An 4 days, Nha Trang 5 days, southern Vietnam 12 days
While others still may opt for:
Luang Prabang 5 days, Vang Vieng 3 days, Vientiane 2 days, Tha Khaek 2 days, Savannakhet 2 days and so on
There's nothing wrong with any of the above, though when you see a trip plan which starts like the following you start to worry:
Luang Prabang Day 1 morning: Breakfast and morning market
Luang Prabang Day 1 mid-morning: Shopping and 1 temple
you get the idea
Having some kind of trip plan is a good idea. It will help you organise your time and get the most out of your trip.
Just don't forget that one of the ideas of having a holiday is to relax, unwind and have a goodtime. A trip plan which tries to fit in too much or is the length of a thesis will not help you relax, nor will it help you have fun.
When you're trip planning, concentrate on the broad strokes -- getting from A to B -- don't worry about what you're actually going to see, nor how you're going to see it. How broad the strokes depends on the individual.
Some people are happy with something like:
Laos 2 weeks, Vietnam 3 weeks
Others may go for:
Northern Laos 10 days, southern Laos 4 days, Hoi An 4 days, Nha Trang 5 days, southern Vietnam 12 days
While others still may opt for:
Luang Prabang 5 days, Vang Vieng 3 days, Vientiane 2 days, Tha Khaek 2 days, Savannakhet 2 days and so on
There's nothing wrong with any of the above, though when you see a trip plan which starts like the following you start to worry:
Luang Prabang Day 1 morning: Breakfast and morning market
Luang Prabang Day 1 mid-morning: Shopping and 1 temple
you get the idea
Having some kind of trip plan is a good idea. It will help you organise your time and get the most out of your trip.
Just don't forget that one of the ideas of having a holiday is to relax, unwind and have a goodtime. A trip plan which tries to fit in too much or is the length of a thesis will not help you relax, nor will it help you have fun.
Dec 9, 2006
trip-planning advice 1:less is more
Less is more
When it comes to planning your trip to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, the most important point to remember by far is LESS IS MORE. Unless you have a particular fetish for being in a plane, train or automobile every day, try to travel as little as possible. If your plan requires you to be on the road (or in the air) every other day, then you are trying to see too much.
Make a list
Make a list of everywhere you're planning on visiting along with how long you're planning on spending in each spot. Multiply the total number of days by two and a half and if the total is more than your total trip time, chances are you're trying to see too much.
Getting around takes time
One of the big mistakes people make is they forget to take into account how long it takes to get from A to B. Unlike Europe, travel in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam doesn't really lend itself to doing lots of overnight trips to save time (and money).
Of course there are some trunk routes -- Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to the southern islands, Bangkok to Nong Khai -- which are all very popular night routes, but most spots are too close together to make for a convenient overnight trip or, as in Laos or Cambodia, there just isn't much overnight transport.
Travel can be tiring
Your trip-plan may look great on a sheet of paper, but don't forget that travelling in Southeast Asia can be uncomfortable, hot and tiring. If you're travelling every other day -- particularly long distances -- you'll rapidly become tired and grumpy.
Factor in a day off here and there. By day off we mean Day Off! No sightseeing and no activities other than putting your feet up, reding the paper and writing a few postcards -- if nothing else your feet won't be so sore and your Grandma will love the postcard.
Get a map
Get a map and mark on it where you want to go. At each point you're overnighting at write the number of days you're planning on spending there. Allow a day for travel between each point -- while the travel will often take less than a day, planning this way gives you padding to compensate for other, less realistic points of your plan.
Be realistic
You're on holiday remember? Trying to see the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Saket, The Teak Mansion, The National Museum, Jim Thompson's House and doing a khlong trip all in one day is insane -- yet people try and do it all the time. Aim for two to four sights in a day of heavy sightseeing. If you try for more you'll most likely under-appreciate whatever you cram into the afternoon.
Be flexible
Timetables are best taken as a rough guideline. Trains and flights leave on time -- flights arrive on time. Buses sometimes leave on time and sometimes arrive on time. Timetables in Laos should be taken with about six kilos of salt. When you're told the bus leaves in the morning that could mean anywhere between 05:00 and midday. Transport often stops for meals and for the bus driver to drop off and see his grandma.
Less is More
Don't try to see too many things
Don't forget to factor in how long a trip takes
Don't forget to factor in a few days of rest here and there
Don't forget to sketch out a plan
Don't be unrealistic
Don't be inflexible
Do have a terrific, well planned but not rushed trip!
When it comes to planning your trip to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, the most important point to remember by far is LESS IS MORE. Unless you have a particular fetish for being in a plane, train or automobile every day, try to travel as little as possible. If your plan requires you to be on the road (or in the air) every other day, then you are trying to see too much.
Make a list
Make a list of everywhere you're planning on visiting along with how long you're planning on spending in each spot. Multiply the total number of days by two and a half and if the total is more than your total trip time, chances are you're trying to see too much.
Getting around takes time
One of the big mistakes people make is they forget to take into account how long it takes to get from A to B. Unlike Europe, travel in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam doesn't really lend itself to doing lots of overnight trips to save time (and money).
Of course there are some trunk routes -- Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to the southern islands, Bangkok to Nong Khai -- which are all very popular night routes, but most spots are too close together to make for a convenient overnight trip or, as in Laos or Cambodia, there just isn't much overnight transport.
Travel can be tiring
Your trip-plan may look great on a sheet of paper, but don't forget that travelling in Southeast Asia can be uncomfortable, hot and tiring. If you're travelling every other day -- particularly long distances -- you'll rapidly become tired and grumpy.
Factor in a day off here and there. By day off we mean Day Off! No sightseeing and no activities other than putting your feet up, reding the paper and writing a few postcards -- if nothing else your feet won't be so sore and your Grandma will love the postcard.
Get a map
Get a map and mark on it where you want to go. At each point you're overnighting at write the number of days you're planning on spending there. Allow a day for travel between each point -- while the travel will often take less than a day, planning this way gives you padding to compensate for other, less realistic points of your plan.
Be realistic
You're on holiday remember? Trying to see the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Saket, The Teak Mansion, The National Museum, Jim Thompson's House and doing a khlong trip all in one day is insane -- yet people try and do it all the time. Aim for two to four sights in a day of heavy sightseeing. If you try for more you'll most likely under-appreciate whatever you cram into the afternoon.
Be flexible
Timetables are best taken as a rough guideline. Trains and flights leave on time -- flights arrive on time. Buses sometimes leave on time and sometimes arrive on time. Timetables in Laos should be taken with about six kilos of salt. When you're told the bus leaves in the morning that could mean anywhere between 05:00 and midday. Transport often stops for meals and for the bus driver to drop off and see his grandma.
Less is More
Don't try to see too many things
Don't forget to factor in how long a trip takes
Don't forget to factor in a few days of rest here and there
Don't forget to sketch out a plan
Don't be unrealistic
Don't be inflexible
Do have a terrific, well planned but not rushed trip!
Dec 5, 2006
Dec 1, 2006
aquarium people's lunch
At first thought the lunch I had today together with three clients was not so special. What my vip clients ordered were:
Shrimps with longjing green tea leaves;
Shark's fin soup;
Steamed carp with spring onion;
Soup of Clams and shrimps;
But let me tell their profession first. The couple were Korean Canadian. The husband is the general manager of Asian-pacific office,( based in Busan, Korea) of an Australian aquarium company. And third guy, Chinese, works in their Shanghai aquarium.
So clear now? I so wonder if they just love or hate fish (as job or food).
Shrimps with longjing green tea leaves;
Shark's fin soup;
Steamed carp with spring onion;
Soup of Clams and shrimps;
But let me tell their profession first. The couple were Korean Canadian. The husband is the general manager of Asian-pacific office,( based in Busan, Korea) of an Australian aquarium company. And third guy, Chinese, works in their Shanghai aquarium.
So clear now? I so wonder if they just love or hate fish (as job or food).
Nov 30, 2006
b cup
A friend is talking about a girl, month watering.
'She is so so hot. Her sexy body...'
'But hers breasts are only B-cup.' response from his audience.
' How impossible! My wife is b-cup, too. How come such a huge difference?'
...
In the end he convinced himself :
The difference is B could be capital B or small letter b.
'She is so so hot. Her sexy body...'
'But hers breasts are only B-cup.' response from his audience.
' How impossible! My wife is b-cup, too. How come such a huge difference?'
...
In the end he convinced himself :
The difference is B could be capital B or small letter b.
Nov 29, 2006
discovering my neighbourhood
' Is it Xia-che-lu stop?' I asked the driver for the direction for the post office.
'Yes, you get off at Xia-che-lu stop. The post office is just at the left corner.'
But..., Xia-che-lu is new name for me. It means' get-off-bus road'. How strange the name is! And I have never heard of it, although I live only 15 minutes' walk away.
The bus pulled in at the stop. I GOT OFF THE BUS at the GET-OFF-BUS stop.
I went there to pick the parcel express delivered from my hero housekeeper from Suzhou Glamour Hotel. They must totally understand my difficult situation of having no right glasses,(Thanks alot).
This is a new street, or to be more exact, an extension part of an existing one, but who chose such a name for it? I am really so interested.
And I should say this is my second discovery for my neighbourhood today. The first one was: in the morning I put on my old frame glasses, regardless of all blurred vision, just so as to find the penalty office for my overdue tap-water charges.
On the notice there's the address only. I clearly know the street, for it's the one right in front of my university campus. However, I don't know on which end No. 1 is. So anyway, I went to the middle part, to whose north is the campus. The street has been expanded a lot and there are much more new apartment building and stores on it than before.
However, after I got the clue for direction and began walking down in the southern direction down the street. The scene there surprised me. Compared to the new stores and expanded street other side, the south part seemed so forgotten. The old dirty markets, houses, narrow street, none public buses. What's going on?
And there I saw the alley Tai-ping-men alley. I haven't heard of it until two days before I met a driver who once based his 'special service' beauty saloon there. It was in the hotel restaurant when he and a tour guide began talking loudly and excitedly about their experiences, prices and all details in Hangzhou and Beijing respectively while we were accompanied by 60-70 people having dinner in the same restaurant lobby. He said he had about girls working for him but he had strong competition from others on the same street. He talked about the pricing system between him and his girls. He was so proud of one girl who once did some stripping dance and other thus earned him 1800 yuan. In the end he didn't answer why took a job of driver but he expressed if one day he's going back to this business, he will do only classy girls, instead of cheap ones.
It was not special alley; and it was now still in the morning, Sunday morning. Maybe at night it would become wild again. But were his girls still working there? I wouldn't like to think more because very soon I found the office and completed my task.
It's like another day of travel, although it was around my neighbourhood.
'Yes, you get off at Xia-che-lu stop. The post office is just at the left corner.'
But..., Xia-che-lu is new name for me. It means' get-off-bus road'. How strange the name is! And I have never heard of it, although I live only 15 minutes' walk away.
The bus pulled in at the stop. I GOT OFF THE BUS at the GET-OFF-BUS stop.
I went there to pick the parcel express delivered from my hero housekeeper from Suzhou Glamour Hotel. They must totally understand my difficult situation of having no right glasses,(Thanks alot).
This is a new street, or to be more exact, an extension part of an existing one, but who chose such a name for it? I am really so interested.
And I should say this is my second discovery for my neighbourhood today. The first one was: in the morning I put on my old frame glasses, regardless of all blurred vision, just so as to find the penalty office for my overdue tap-water charges.
On the notice there's the address only. I clearly know the street, for it's the one right in front of my university campus. However, I don't know on which end No. 1 is. So anyway, I went to the middle part, to whose north is the campus. The street has been expanded a lot and there are much more new apartment building and stores on it than before.
However, after I got the clue for direction and began walking down in the southern direction down the street. The scene there surprised me. Compared to the new stores and expanded street other side, the south part seemed so forgotten. The old dirty markets, houses, narrow street, none public buses. What's going on?
And there I saw the alley Tai-ping-men alley. I haven't heard of it until two days before I met a driver who once based his 'special service' beauty saloon there. It was in the hotel restaurant when he and a tour guide began talking loudly and excitedly about their experiences, prices and all details in Hangzhou and Beijing respectively while we were accompanied by 60-70 people having dinner in the same restaurant lobby. He said he had about girls working for him but he had strong competition from others on the same street. He talked about the pricing system between him and his girls. He was so proud of one girl who once did some stripping dance and other thus earned him 1800 yuan. In the end he didn't answer why took a job of driver but he expressed if one day he's going back to this business, he will do only classy girls, instead of cheap ones.
It was not special alley; and it was now still in the morning, Sunday morning. Maybe at night it would become wild again. But were his girls still working there? I wouldn't like to think more because very soon I found the office and completed my task.
It's like another day of travel, although it was around my neighbourhood.
thanksgiving
Three bills on my door. For cable TV, water and electricity. My roommate was not in. He totally forgot to pay off the bills. They were all sharp and tough, mentioning I have to pay the penalty before end of this month or all these services would be shut off.
It was day of thanksgiving. I was in not any mood of celebrating with friends after a long day's travel and seeing those red-letter notices. And besides:
I've lost my frame glasses. Or left behind at the hotel of Suzhou. But I was so stupid not until 6pm, already away for 10 hours,when I found out. I was being surrounded by the crowd at the transit area between metro line 1 and line 2. Seemingly pushed by all Shanghai communters going off work, I seached my bags inside out but all in vain. I had to run fast too, in order to catch the train or bus back to Hangzhou.
There were no more train tickets available; so hurriedly I walked around the huge train station square from the south to the north side, because the long distance bus station is only there. It was raining with big wind; I was so tired, so exhausted and so wet, even I had an umbrealla.
I bought the bus ticket 5 minutes before the bus ran out of the station. 9 pm I was back to Hangzhou and I saw those bills. Why were they so mean to do it on Thanksgiving?
Today was more thanksgiving-ly? I contacted the hotel and they promised me to send back my glasses as soon as possible;a friend invited me to a big buffet dinner; and bangkok airways send me email informing I could possibly collect my ticket at the transit counter, so that means I could save some 1600 thai baht for the visa and departure tax,(thank you.)
It was day of thanksgiving. I was in not any mood of celebrating with friends after a long day's travel and seeing those red-letter notices. And besides:
I've lost my frame glasses. Or left behind at the hotel of Suzhou. But I was so stupid not until 6pm, already away for 10 hours,when I found out. I was being surrounded by the crowd at the transit area between metro line 1 and line 2. Seemingly pushed by all Shanghai communters going off work, I seached my bags inside out but all in vain. I had to run fast too, in order to catch the train or bus back to Hangzhou.
There were no more train tickets available; so hurriedly I walked around the huge train station square from the south to the north side, because the long distance bus station is only there. It was raining with big wind; I was so tired, so exhausted and so wet, even I had an umbrealla.
I bought the bus ticket 5 minutes before the bus ran out of the station. 9 pm I was back to Hangzhou and I saw those bills. Why were they so mean to do it on Thanksgiving?
Today was more thanksgiving-ly? I contacted the hotel and they promised me to send back my glasses as soon as possible;a friend invited me to a big buffet dinner; and bangkok airways send me email informing I could possibly collect my ticket at the transit counter, so that means I could save some 1600 thai baht for the visa and departure tax,(thank you.)
what's new!
Still busy reading many, so many travelogue posted on different webs; still hesitating on some programme.But my coming tour in Dec through Jan,2007 will be like:
Dec 18 fly from Xiamen, China to Bangkok, Thailand;
Dec 19 fly to Yangon,Myanmar
Dec 20- Jan 09 visit cities in Myanmar, including Yangon, Bagon, Mandalay, Kalaw, Inle lake etc.
Jan 09-12 Bangkok, Thailand
Jan 12-18 North of Thailand, including Chiang Mai, Pai, Suhkuthai etc.
Jan 19 -... Laos
Jan19-25 in Laos, then back to Kunming, China.
Anyone interested? Welcome to join. I talked with several guys, but there was always problems of timing and length of the travel. Actually I am not sure if I myself can continue through to the very end (maybe after I finish Myanmar and Bangkok, I will buy a ticket to fly back. Good luck
Dec 18 fly from Xiamen, China to Bangkok, Thailand;
Dec 19 fly to Yangon,Myanmar
Dec 20- Jan 09 visit cities in Myanmar, including Yangon, Bagon, Mandalay, Kalaw, Inle lake etc.
Jan 09-12 Bangkok, Thailand
Jan 12-18 North of Thailand, including Chiang Mai, Pai, Suhkuthai etc.
Jan 19 -... Laos
Jan19-25 in Laos, then back to Kunming, China.
Anyone interested? Welcome to join. I talked with several guys, but there was always problems of timing and length of the travel. Actually I am not sure if I myself can continue through to the very end (maybe after I finish Myanmar and Bangkok, I will buy a ticket to fly back. Good luck
Oct 8, 2006
Sweet Osmanthus season
It was a very fine day, with sunshine and breeze, AND: fragrance of Sweet Osmanthus flowers.
While I was walking on the street, I suddenly smelled its sweet aroma. No matter how hard I tried to search around, I couldn't find where the sources. Sep and Oct are the blossom season for our city flower, which is small as half a nail, in bright golden and orange colors, smells close to gardenia's frangance if only richer.
I didn't find the flowering trees still, however, I know for sure they are hiding somewhere, smiling and giggling in the breeze.
While I was walking on the street, I suddenly smelled its sweet aroma. No matter how hard I tried to search around, I couldn't find where the sources. Sep and Oct are the blossom season for our city flower, which is small as half a nail, in bright golden and orange colors, smells close to gardenia's frangance if only richer.
I didn't find the flowering trees still, however, I know for sure they are hiding somewhere, smiling and giggling in the breeze.
Oct 6, 2006
Oct 5, 2006
Oct 5th, my official vege day
Oct 5th was also my official day of vegatarianism in order to express thanks to god and buddha for my making the flight.
On the plane, I ordered a vegetarian lunch from the attendants while I clearly felt the strange looks from them and my neighbours. I was told, if I didn't inform the airliner of my special taste, that I should wait if others did, since there was only one vegetarian lunch box aboard.
A minute later, she returned with my official vege lunch. It tasted not bad. There were mushroom and vegetables. My dinner at Hangzhou was also vege, which included mung bean soup, beancurd, and egg.
I am now busy treating my pics of the silk route trip.
On the plane, I ordered a vegetarian lunch from the attendants while I clearly felt the strange looks from them and my neighbours. I was told, if I didn't inform the airliner of my special taste, that I should wait if others did, since there was only one vegetarian lunch box aboard.
A minute later, she returned with my official vege lunch. It tasted not bad. There were mushroom and vegetables. My dinner at Hangzhou was also vege, which included mung bean soup, beancurd, and egg.
I am now busy treating my pics of the silk route trip.
Oct 5 is a day of runaway for me! Totally.
After saying goodbye to my group at the landmark hotel in Guangzhou city, I came to sudden realizationg that I was about to be late for my own flight back to Hangzhou. It was 9 am already and my flight was 1055 am.
I rushed back to the hotel reception and checked out and dragged my bag to the shuttle bus stop. It was a good day and a little windy there. I gave over 20 yuan for the fare while the girl returned my 100 yuan bill when the wind blew almost it away.I joked. ' I really should pay one more yuan for the insurance, but not for the bus ride.' She smiled.' Do you think I can catch this flight.' She checked my ticket and answered. The next bus was supposed to arrive at the airport at 1015. That is, it's very difficult to say.' but you can try to catch the bus from another station, which is 5 minutes away by taxi from here. That shuttle bus arrives 15 minutes earlier that here.'I crossed the street, and jumped on the taxi. 11 yuan was the taxi fare. I paid the bus fare and waited.
The bus arrived and waited to drive out of the station East hotel around 9:20.I began to pray and the bus attendant seemed to sense my nerve. I explained to her. She said the bus would arrive by 1010.10:10? Still I will be late. Different from other airports, the one in Guangzhou closes the checkin 45 minutes earlier than takeoff. 1015 would be the arrival time and meanwhile, the closing time for checkin.I worried about the worst consequence. But all of sudden, I began to give up. I switched on my ipod and began listening while watching the road and clock.The road was not busy, at all, compared to yesterday when we flied in the same airport from Wuyi mountain in Fujian province.
It was a long march group. We started on sep. 10, Beijing-Urumqi-Kanasi-Turpan-other cities in Xinjiang, then to Dunhuang-zhangye-wuwei (in Gansu pro.), then to Henan province, Zhengzhou-kaifeng-luoyang-Shaolin temple.Then Fujian province, wuji mountain and Xiamen...Maybe it was a really too long journey for myself and I've been so worried about everything for those senior travellers. So the second when the bus transfered them away from the hotel, I felt unexperenced freedom.The freedom stopped me from acting alert, I guess.
The bus was still rolling, while the memory of the silk route trip began flooding into my mind. There were some wonderful scenes in Xinjiang and wonderful persons along the trip...The bus made a stupid( as I see it) drivearound the whole airport terminal building before driving up to the departure floor. It was 10 o'clock. 10 minutes ahead of time.
Thank god.I rushed out of the bus and stormed inside. I ran across the huge building till I found the counter breathlessly.I made it. I checked in. Seconds later I began calming down and within 3 minutes I applied for myself a frequent traveller membership.With the fresh new memebership card, I walked back, gracefully, and had my mileage added and also, succeeded into changing my seat from 22B a center seat to 2C, front row and aisle seat.
This is Oct 5,a day to remember forever my adventure of successful runaway.
After saying goodbye to my group at the landmark hotel in Guangzhou city, I came to sudden realizationg that I was about to be late for my own flight back to Hangzhou. It was 9 am already and my flight was 1055 am.
I rushed back to the hotel reception and checked out and dragged my bag to the shuttle bus stop. It was a good day and a little windy there. I gave over 20 yuan for the fare while the girl returned my 100 yuan bill when the wind blew almost it away.I joked. ' I really should pay one more yuan for the insurance, but not for the bus ride.' She smiled.' Do you think I can catch this flight.' She checked my ticket and answered. The next bus was supposed to arrive at the airport at 1015. That is, it's very difficult to say.' but you can try to catch the bus from another station, which is 5 minutes away by taxi from here. That shuttle bus arrives 15 minutes earlier that here.'I crossed the street, and jumped on the taxi. 11 yuan was the taxi fare. I paid the bus fare and waited.
The bus arrived and waited to drive out of the station East hotel around 9:20.I began to pray and the bus attendant seemed to sense my nerve. I explained to her. She said the bus would arrive by 1010.10:10? Still I will be late. Different from other airports, the one in Guangzhou closes the checkin 45 minutes earlier than takeoff. 1015 would be the arrival time and meanwhile, the closing time for checkin.I worried about the worst consequence. But all of sudden, I began to give up. I switched on my ipod and began listening while watching the road and clock.The road was not busy, at all, compared to yesterday when we flied in the same airport from Wuyi mountain in Fujian province.
It was a long march group. We started on sep. 10, Beijing-Urumqi-Kanasi-Turpan-other cities in Xinjiang, then to Dunhuang-zhangye-wuwei (in Gansu pro.), then to Henan province, Zhengzhou-kaifeng-luoyang-Shaolin temple.Then Fujian province, wuji mountain and Xiamen...Maybe it was a really too long journey for myself and I've been so worried about everything for those senior travellers. So the second when the bus transfered them away from the hotel, I felt unexperenced freedom.The freedom stopped me from acting alert, I guess.
The bus was still rolling, while the memory of the silk route trip began flooding into my mind. There were some wonderful scenes in Xinjiang and wonderful persons along the trip...The bus made a stupid( as I see it) drivearound the whole airport terminal building before driving up to the departure floor. It was 10 o'clock. 10 minutes ahead of time.
Thank god.I rushed out of the bus and stormed inside. I ran across the huge building till I found the counter breathlessly.I made it. I checked in. Seconds later I began calming down and within 3 minutes I applied for myself a frequent traveller membership.With the fresh new memebership card, I walked back, gracefully, and had my mileage added and also, succeeded into changing my seat from 22B a center seat to 2C, front row and aisle seat.
This is Oct 5,a day to remember forever my adventure of successful runaway.
Sep 8, 2006
off to silk route tour
For the next coming weeks, I will be off to the silk route tour. Hope everything goes well.
Sep 5, 2006
It's the Official Restaurant of Hell
Little boy: Do kids go to jail?
Mom: No, kids don't go to jail.
Little boy: What if they kill someone?
Mom: Well, when kids are real bad, sometimes they go to juvenile, which is a sad place where they don't let you do things you want.
Little boy: And they don't feed you!!
Mom: Well, no, the kids there get fed. But maybe the food isn't very good.
Little boy, to himself: They feed you McDonald's. Because McDonald's is bad for you.
Mom: No, kids don't go to jail.
Little boy: What if they kill someone?
Mom: Well, when kids are real bad, sometimes they go to juvenile, which is a sad place where they don't let you do things you want.
Little boy: And they don't feed you!!
Mom: Well, no, the kids there get fed. But maybe the food isn't very good.
Little boy, to himself: They feed you McDonald's. Because McDonald's is bad for you.
Sep 2, 2006
eat faster somebody's brain
Faster, eat faster.
Hurry up.
No question. No play. Eat faster.
...
Sharing a table with me at the breakfast restaurant were a father and a son. The son was about 3-4 years old. Put in front of them were plates of dumplings, pickles and bowls of soya bean jelly, which is called in Chinese 'doufu nao'. Doufu is bean and nao means brain.
son:Dad, why is this called doufu nao?
father:No question. Finish it quickly.
son continues:whose brain is this?
father:No, no, not human brain. It's beans'.
son: why brain?
father:Faster you go.
...
I was guessing then: it must be named after its shape. Even the father's brain. He's been pushing the boy and repeating almost every five seconds, while the boy seemed so used to it. He kept his pace and raised questions, too. As I see it acutally the boy was not eating specially slow. And when I was having my 'brain', so annoying it was as if he was ordering me that. Why can't give your boy and other people at the same table some easy time for a normal breakfast? Why does he have to rush maybe because of your own reasons?
It's one of your earliest life lessons, son. When you grow up, you will be one of : 20 or more passengers run and push each other to get on the bus when it pulls into the station; even it's red light people cross the streets as if they have something really urgent to do...
It's September. Finally I realize this when the bus scanner could read my month card for I forget to input money for this month. It's September 1st, a beginning of a new month. How time flies. Or we ought to eat our time and brain FASTER.
Hurry up.
No question. No play. Eat faster.
...
Sharing a table with me at the breakfast restaurant were a father and a son. The son was about 3-4 years old. Put in front of them were plates of dumplings, pickles and bowls of soya bean jelly, which is called in Chinese 'doufu nao'. Doufu is bean and nao means brain.
son:Dad, why is this called doufu nao?
father:No question. Finish it quickly.
son continues:whose brain is this?
father:No, no, not human brain. It's beans'.
son: why brain?
father:Faster you go.
...
I was guessing then: it must be named after its shape. Even the father's brain. He's been pushing the boy and repeating almost every five seconds, while the boy seemed so used to it. He kept his pace and raised questions, too. As I see it acutally the boy was not eating specially slow. And when I was having my 'brain', so annoying it was as if he was ordering me that. Why can't give your boy and other people at the same table some easy time for a normal breakfast? Why does he have to rush maybe because of your own reasons?
It's one of your earliest life lessons, son. When you grow up, you will be one of : 20 or more passengers run and push each other to get on the bus when it pulls into the station; even it's red light people cross the streets as if they have something really urgent to do...
It's September. Finally I realize this when the bus scanner could read my month card for I forget to input money for this month. It's September 1st, a beginning of a new month. How time flies. Or we ought to eat our time and brain FASTER.
Sep 1, 2006
letter 2, new but sad
L.X.P. has a mental disadvantage. She is almost 5 years, but she
functioned like a girl from 1,6 til 2 years. She starts talking right
now.
She is fond of her sister and her parents. But she lives most of the
time in
her own world.
This was in China actually also. But then we hoped that it was only
temporary.
We have been in Hospitals with her the first 1,5 year she was with us.
According the docters is she Healthy, but is she Autistic.
But, we are very happy with her. She is our sunshine. Always
happy.
We only wanted to know how it could happen that the Lanxi Welfare
institute
could say that it was a normal healthy kid, while every one could she
that
she wasn.t healthy.
If they want to answer us that we are happy. But if you are to
busy it
is okay. We don't blame any one.
We were very happy with you in Hangzhou. And we have good memories of
you.
This is the reply from the family after I inquired about the reason L.X.Ping stays at a special school.
'She is still our sunshine.' sounds sweet but to me, a killing sweet.
Aug 27, 2006
As follows is a letter from the Netherland, which reads so inspiring. There always is something beautiful with life.
Hello,
I don’t know if you remember us. We were in China , Zhejiang in Augustes 2003. We got there our daughter C.X.P. She came from de L. Sociale Welfare Institute.
She was in a terrible condition. She was 20 month and couldn’t sit or walk.
We want you to know how it is with her at this moment.
I send pictures of us from 2003 en how she looks right know.
Caitlin is now 4 years old. She can walk since 1 year and she start talking. She is a very happy girl and really our sunshine.
She goes to a special school for children with an mental handicap and she likes it there.
She is fond of her big sister.
We were not happy in the beginning. That people could not good care for a little girl. But now we were very happy with her and couldn’t miss her.
We hope that with you is everything okay.
Thanks for your help in Zhejiang and who knows we meet again.
Aug 26, 2006
new lake
To the west of the West Lake, and on the Santaishan rd, there's new scenery area, which is so green and peaceful.
Aug 23, 2006
Aug 18, 2006
Yesterday I observed a funny guy at Starbucks.
When I was ordering my coffee, I heard clearly music of 'country road take me home'. How come starbucks is playing so old school songs. I clearly heard somebody singing along in hard,strongly accented English.
I took my seat when I noticed a man in middle or end of 30s sitting about 3-4 seats, about 8 metres away from me. It was he and his machine where the music was from.
I tried to focus on some magazines and books. But his songs kept coming, so I got a pen and wrote down his Karaoke hits. They included:
Country road take me home
Yesterday once more
Take me to your heart
Rose rose I love you
I never believe myself when it was Yesterday once more time, I even followed him. He was really loud and for me sitting meters away I heard clearly those syllables. I expected him to stop after enough entertainment when he stopped a second. But instead he borrowed some tiny screwdriver from starbucks girls and fixed somewhere on his machine. He began to do it again.
Around him there were no one at all.I was his nearest audience and the rest, as I guess were all so scared to run away those softest sofa outdoors into the heat.
I told myself, it would be good there was some moments like this to remember those oldies. However, my patience began to fade away and his singing was not lovely at all. I waved to the starbucks girls and asked her behind big newspaper to turn on the background music and volume up. Yes, volume up.
She read me.Seconds later just as some nice jazz was playing up the man stood up and walked out,satisfied.
When I was ordering my coffee, I heard clearly music of 'country road take me home'. How come starbucks is playing so old school songs. I clearly heard somebody singing along in hard,strongly accented English.
I took my seat when I noticed a man in middle or end of 30s sitting about 3-4 seats, about 8 metres away from me. It was he and his machine where the music was from.
I tried to focus on some magazines and books. But his songs kept coming, so I got a pen and wrote down his Karaoke hits. They included:
Country road take me home
Yesterday once more
Take me to your heart
Rose rose I love you
I never believe myself when it was Yesterday once more time, I even followed him. He was really loud and for me sitting meters away I heard clearly those syllables. I expected him to stop after enough entertainment when he stopped a second. But instead he borrowed some tiny screwdriver from starbucks girls and fixed somewhere on his machine. He began to do it again.
Around him there were no one at all.I was his nearest audience and the rest, as I guess were all so scared to run away those softest sofa outdoors into the heat.
I told myself, it would be good there was some moments like this to remember those oldies. However, my patience began to fade away and his singing was not lovely at all. I waved to the starbucks girls and asked her behind big newspaper to turn on the background music and volume up. Yes, volume up.
She read me.Seconds later just as some nice jazz was playing up the man stood up and walked out,satisfied.
Aug 17, 2006
e.
- e.
- Marriage is not for everyone, but definitely for her, e. . I knew THIS clearly when she was talking to me about her marriage life and her husband in my tiny room the other night.
She's bought new apartment in Shanghai and her father seemed to be bossy about refurbishing of it and planning to invite numberless of his relatives to visit him.( He is just so proud of you, his little daughter and his wise arrangement of your marriage.)She's happy about her husband good at housewares but also writing down their romantic stories beatifully. Besides, he got raise lately.
I enjoyed talking with her. I remember we had many pleasant talks like this, once in Lhasa, the first night I arrived there. We talked into 1 am and that didn't help my adaption to high altitude sickness. I still liked.
She 's active, quick and direct and straightforward and appreciates life so lively even after her failed relationships. After marriage she has already changed and grown into a calm ,tolerant,and understanding lady too.
'On 11.11 we are having the wedding banquet. The parents' decision. We couldn't find available hotels except this date, although it's The singles' day.You know I don't mind at all.'
She left, smiling. It was dark outside and I obviously saw colorful auro around her. Happiness, I am sure, that is.
Aug 14, 2006
yeah!
I got all the books finally, but not in a fully- naked manner. Instead, fully dressed.
It was 9pm when I got a call from the deliveryman. He was inquiring about my current location.
'I knocked your door, but nobody was there.'
'I was inside. I didn't hear, but anyway I am coming down to collect the books.'
Seconds later I ran down the steps and welcomed my treasure books.
It was 9pm when I got a call from the deliveryman. He was inquiring about my current location.
'I knocked your door, but nobody was there.'
'I was inside. I didn't hear, but anyway I am coming down to collect the books.'
Seconds later I ran down the steps and welcomed my treasure books.
- never know
- I have some funny friends.
And sitting opposite to me at the cafe was one. Now he was concentrated on picking the meat out from his plate of Indonesian fried rice.
' How come? I told the chef not to cook pork into my fried rice. The rice tasties not bad, though'.
I asked, 'so, you mean you are vegetarian now?' I kinda was laughing inside at the sight of his overweight figure.
' Er, I don't know. But I do eat some meat because a small quantity is good for health. So, I eat sausages.'
So I guess besides the terms like ova-vegetarian, maybe he could be categorized into sausage-vegetarian. Ha ha.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buying books on the net is a really tricky test to the patience.
First time at the of July I ordered books from dangdang, the so called the largest net bookstore in the world. It was not until 8 days later on the morning of Saturday I got a bad and loud knock at the door. Half-naked I jumped out of bed,worried about any incurrence of emergency. I signed hurriedly on it, but when I read the receipt I found the favourite one out of three books was not there in the parcel.
I rang customer service up.
' The book was not available when we sent out the parcel. But now there are in total 6 books in Beijing. If you like, you can order now from our web.'
'But how about the postage? That means I have to pay the shipment once again and wait for another 8 days? Or, maybe the parcel arrives with nothing inside. It's your fault when you didn't check your availability when taking my orders.'
' I will talk to my manager and give you the bonus ticket.'
She continued to explain the bonus ticket but she couldn't put that on my account. I had to wait till monday, two days later she could try to do it.
'But why didn't you inform me of it?'
'We wrote a mail to you already.'
'Why didn't you send short message, since you did send one when you got the money from my bank card.'
She continued in a cold tone and I sensed no slice of apology.
'Ok, if this is the way. This is my first time on dangdang, and the last time. Put my money back to my card.'
I found the book on joyo.com and others. I began checking the arrival info at my account colume. Aug 5 was the day I ordered; Aug 8 they sent out the parcel; Aug 9, 10:40 am the parcel arrived at Hangzhou.
Yesterday on 12nd, I called their delivery company twice. Their answer was: we might deliver this afternoon or tomorrow.'
I waited not daring to leave my room, after declined an invitation from friend and work offer too. And now it was 17:38, four full days and 7 hours after, I am still waiting...
For the loud knock at my door. And this time, I am going to greet them, fully naked?
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