On Thursday, March 5th, a group of 25 of us embarked on an unforgettable trip. We left the Rotterdam in Hong Kong and flew to Xi’an, China. Here we visited the world-famous Terra Cotta Warriors, an underground empire prepared for the after-life of Emporer QinShihuang. In 1974 local Chinese farmers were drilling wells searching for water when they discovered ancient bronze weapons and pottery fragments. The government stepped in and excavation began. There are now 3 pits open to the public, with hundreds of human sized, clay warriors, horses and relics. I was speechless when I first saw them.
The next day we flew to Beijing and climbed the famous Great Wall. Several young Chinese people motioned to me with their camera and I thought they wanted me to take their picture, but it was ME they wanted to photograph! This kept happening throughout China. I now have many new Chinese friends! Our visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City was also memorable. There were thousands of people celebrating Womens’ Day so we had to push our way through the crowded palaces and courtyards.
Besides visiting many mosques and pagodas, we stopped by Olympic Village and saw the Water Cube (which contains 5 separate swimming pools) the Birds Nest, hockey stadium and the athletes’ dormitories. We were treated to a Peking Duck dinner and Chinese beer – which is quite good.
We returned by air to Shanghai where we rejoined our ship. Shanghai on the Yangtze River, is a contrast of old and new: tall skyscrapers in the Global Financial Center surrounded by old mosques, temples, and people living in poverty in run-down shacks. We took the elevator to the 88th floor of the Oriental Pearl Tower (a 45 second smooth ride) to the observation deck. What a view! Shanghai is competing fiercely with Hong Kong and Beijing to become a world financial center and important trade city. However, I couldn’t help but see many empty cargo ships anchored off shore both in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Shipping has slowed down visibly. After 2 days in Shanghai, we set sail for Nha Trang, Vietnam.
The next day we flew to Beijing and climbed the famous Great Wall. Several young Chinese people motioned to me with their camera and I thought they wanted me to take their picture, but it was ME they wanted to photograph! This kept happening throughout China. I now have many new Chinese friends! Our visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City was also memorable. There were thousands of people celebrating Womens’ Day so we had to push our way through the crowded palaces and courtyards.
Besides visiting many mosques and pagodas, we stopped by Olympic Village and saw the Water Cube (which contains 5 separate swimming pools) the Birds Nest, hockey stadium and the athletes’ dormitories. We were treated to a Peking Duck dinner and Chinese beer – which is quite good.
We returned by air to Shanghai where we rejoined our ship. Shanghai on the Yangtze River, is a contrast of old and new: tall skyscrapers in the Global Financial Center surrounded by old mosques, temples, and people living in poverty in run-down shacks. We took the elevator to the 88th floor of the Oriental Pearl Tower (a 45 second smooth ride) to the observation deck. What a view! Shanghai is competing fiercely with Hong Kong and Beijing to become a world financial center and important trade city. However, I couldn’t help but see many empty cargo ships anchored off shore both in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Shipping has slowed down visibly. After 2 days in Shanghai, we set sail for Nha Trang, Vietnam.
We are glad you got to visit and see parts of China. Did Sharon come and see you?
ReplyDeleteWe think of all of you often so continue enjoying your trip.
love
Miro and Barb