Post: So.....could not get my entry extended to this point. Tried several options. Weekends, office hours, travel days, and a combination of misinformation and delays (don't need to identify the source) and time running out has caused a "slight" change of plans.
My multi-entry one year visa's first 30 day China entry expires on the 28th. So I am flying to Seoul, South Korea on the 27th and returning on the 28th so that I can re-enter China legally. This little adventure will require two train tickets, one local bus ride, a 9 hour layover in Ganzhou, a 14 hour layover in Seoul, and a hotel night in Taiyuan.
Grand Total: $865 and three days out of the current tour itinerary. I will miss out on all of Pingyao. I could have simply waited and been fined on my way to Mongolia (possibly as much as $800 USD) but I would have then risked not being able to get a Chinese visa again in the future. That would mess up Tibet in 2015!
Frustration Level: Priceless
Sent from Leopard's iPhone. Read my blog at www.leopard2013.blogspot.com
From the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, this is my first "round-the-world" tour and the first time I am traveling alone. It's also the first time I am NOT the leader of the group. This will be a huge adventure for me, one that tests my patience (smile), stamina and my ability to adapt. I can't wait!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Black Dragon Temple
A short distance from the caves sits the Black Dragon Temple. Taoist on origin it is a major temple in the area and offered some pretty cool paintings, design, and statuary. There wasn't a black dragon to be seen. There were plenty of green and gold ones!
Our drive north to Pingyao was hot bit pleasant with loafs of cave villages, planted terraces of corn and melon. We offered a ride to a stranded young roman from Israel who we met the night before...some new chats. She was very interesting...and pretty!
Upon arrival in Pingyao we checked into our guest house and I headed for the train station. Why, you might ask? Read the next post. Yikes!
Sent from Leopard's iPhone. Read my blog at www.leopard2013.blogspot.com
Our drive north to Pingyao was hot bit pleasant with loafs of cave villages, planted terraces of corn and melon. We offered a ride to a stranded young roman from Israel who we met the night before...some new chats. She was very interesting...and pretty!
Upon arrival in Pingyao we checked into our guest house and I headed for the train station. Why, you might ask? Read the next post. Yikes!
Sent from Leopard's iPhone. Read my blog at www.leopard2013.blogspot.com
A night in a cave.
After walking in Mao Zedong's footsteps it only seemed appropriate to sleep in a cave similar to his Yan'an digs.
We drove north 400km. Along the way we passed countless villages with houses dug into the mountains and hillside. We reached the small hillside village of Lijishuan where over 600 people used to live, mostly all with the surname of "Li." Now only about 40 occupy some of the many cave dwellings.
People have been living in caves in this region for over 5,000 years. Today it is estimated that over 1,000,000 still do. It's cheap, efficient, cool/warm, and safe.
Tonight we were guests of Mr. and Mrs, Li who converted their cave home into a guest house when their kids grew up and moved away.
Stone platform beds, a remote village (we rode a van part of the way then walked the rest of the way) and a quaint setting in a small canyon made the frustrating drive worth the effort-Tao got us lost again :-(.
Mrs. Li made us a lovely vegetarian dinner. That mixed with beer and the local hooch made for memorable night.
Sent from Leopard's iPhone. Read my blog at www.leopard2013.blogspot.com
We drove north 400km. Along the way we passed countless villages with houses dug into the mountains and hillside. We reached the small hillside village of Lijishuan where over 600 people used to live, mostly all with the surname of "Li." Now only about 40 occupy some of the many cave dwellings.
People have been living in caves in this region for over 5,000 years. Today it is estimated that over 1,000,000 still do. It's cheap, efficient, cool/warm, and safe.
Tonight we were guests of Mr. and Mrs, Li who converted their cave home into a guest house when their kids grew up and moved away.
Stone platform beds, a remote village (we rode a van part of the way then walked the rest of the way) and a quaint setting in a small canyon made the frustrating drive worth the effort-Tao got us lost again :-(.
Mrs. Li made us a lovely vegetarian dinner. That mixed with beer and the local hooch made for memorable night.
Sent from Leopard's iPhone. Read my blog at www.leopard2013.blogspot.com
Museum of the Republic
We visited the museum today after enjoying a panorama if the city of Yan'an. The facility is stunning in both architecture and display. It was as good as anything of its kin in Washington DC. We had a lovely guide who proudly introduced us to her history. There was a small section describing the US help during the revolution. Nicely done and recently updated; wonder what it used to say :-). Photos are of the museum, the Mao statue and the entry hall. No other photography was allowed. I'd you are curious you can Google images for Yan'an Museum of People's Republic.
It rained last night the the skies were clear and blue...and it was HOT!
It rained last night the the skies were clear and blue...and it was HOT!
CCP Headquarters
Today we made our way to Yan'an, famous for being the final resting place for those on the Long March and the CCP headquarters for a brief time. When the diminished communist armies pitched up here at the end of the Long March, it signaled the beginning of Yan'an's brief period in the Sun. For 12 years, from 1935 to 1947, this backwater town was the CCP headquarters. We arrived late and visited the Headquarters site. The caves where Zamora lived in simplicity were interesting. The place was swarming with Chinese tourists. The assembly hall was cool, looked exactly as in the photos. Tomorrow we visit the Chinese Central Communist Party Museum.
Sent from Leopard's iPhone. Read my blog at www.leopard2013.blogspot.com
The great walls of Xian
We enjoyed a late morning and then visited the Temple of the Immortals. It is a Taoist temple just a few blocks from the east gate of the old city. Beautiful in its simplicity and surrounded by a Sunday antique market where we saw a lot of really good stuff and even more junk :-).
We climbed the walls of the old city, some 60' tall and easily 40' wide. They form a complete rectangular enclosure that measures 9 miles around. We rented bikes and rode the walls. It took two hours to circle the old city.
The old city is full of new buildings, lots of high rises, and zillions of high end shops-Gucci, Tiffany, Dior, etc. scattered amount the glitz were the historic pagodas, temples, and palaces.
It was a great day although at times unbearably hot. It hit 104^ with a hideout of at least 85%. Amazingly uncomfortable. And BTW, that's a clear sunny day. The smog is thick. Can't imagine breathing this stuff every day!
We enjoyed lunch at a posh restaurant and strolled to local Walmart. LOL. They had a greeter at the front door-an older Chinese lady with a big smile handing out shopping baskets. Just like home!
Sent from Leopard's iPhone. Read my blog at www.leopard2013.blogspot.com
We climbed the walls of the old city, some 60' tall and easily 40' wide. They form a complete rectangular enclosure that measures 9 miles around. We rented bikes and rode the walls. It took two hours to circle the old city.
The old city is full of new buildings, lots of high rises, and zillions of high end shops-Gucci, Tiffany, Dior, etc. scattered amount the glitz were the historic pagodas, temples, and palaces.
It was a great day although at times unbearably hot. It hit 104^ with a hideout of at least 85%. Amazingly uncomfortable. And BTW, that's a clear sunny day. The smog is thick. Can't imagine breathing this stuff every day!
We enjoyed lunch at a posh restaurant and strolled to local Walmart. LOL. They had a greeter at the front door-an older Chinese lady with a big smile handing out shopping baskets. Just like home!
Sent from Leopard's iPhone. Read my blog at www.leopard2013.blogspot.com
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