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Dongchuan Redland, Falling Clouds Ditch, Luoxiagou, prc, travelling with friends, Yunnan Province
The colourful terraces of China
In September this year my friend Jon and I travelled from Sichuan Province to Yunnan Province by bullet train and intended traveling around the province for about seven days. Jon had never been to Yunnan so I wanted to show him around but decided not to re-visit places I had been to. We didn’t want to stay very long in the capital so I arranged a tour guide and driver to take us to Dongchuan Redland which is about a four hour drive northeast of Kunming and has an altitude of around 1800 – 2600 metres. 
When we reached Dongchuan we stopped many times at Luoxiagou [Falling Cloud Ditch] to take photos of the beautiful landscape. Luoxiagou is surrounded by mountains and is adorned with traditional local villages and colourful fields – absolutely stunning!
We arrived later in the afternoon which is said to be the best time for photography.
It was then time to drive to our hotel which was chosen by our tour guide. This meant I had no idea what was in store apart from our guide was told we wanted four or five star! But in China this could mean ‘China 4 star hard bed’ and not ‘Western 4 star comfy bed’…
We travelled down a very steep mountain which only allowed one car on the road at one time. Lucky for us no other vehicles were on the road. We then arrived at the most beautiful grounds surrounding a gorgeous hotel. The first thing we did after we were shown our rooms was to take a walk around the gardens. Lovely little bridges over small running streams, beautiful shrubs and trees, paved pathways and lush green grass.
We were the only guests at the hotel along with our driver and guide and the staff asked us to select our fresh vegetables and meat [for Jon] from a large selection in the kitchen. Of course eggplant was selected for me and a local meat and vegetable dish for Jon. I enjoyed a lovely pot of Chinese tea whilst Jon tasted the local beer. Then it was time for bed. My room was lovely with a nice ensuite…bed pretty comfy…yay!!
The next morning, we enjoyed a pot of tea in the dining room after which we departed for Dongchuan Redland. The Redland has high temperatures and abundant rainfall which makes the iron in the earth oxidised and together with different crops and unpredictable light it brings about fabulous coloured [and spectacular] scenery. 
Autumn in China (September to November) is a great time to visit and photograph the red fields or red earth. Whilst I could see the red earth, our guide told us that it was a little late in the season to see the bright red colour. He did say that the farmers turn over the fields for new crops including highland barley and wheat which add more colour to the landscape.
We also saw a few healthy cows on the hillside with a spectacular backdrop of coloured terraces.
We stopped off at a lovely local restaurant for lunch. Great views from here also and there was a walkway really high up across part of the river; there was no way [ever] I was walking on it…Jon did!
Then it was time to drive four hours back to Kunming for an overnight stay before we departed for another road trip to see the Yuanyang Terraces but more on that later!
I have known my Hong Kong friend Irene and her family since 2008 so when I visited in April this year, I gave her notice and she arranged a full day and evening out so we could spend as much time as possible together.
Our first stop was the lovely little Stanley Post Office, a small temple then a walk through the markets which are an array of small indoor shops selling absolutely anything you might want. I find them rather commercial now and a little bit expensive [for markets] but I did buy some lovely linen napkins.
Stanley Main Street was our next port of call which is located on the waterfront with some great restaurants, bars and pubs and great views of Stanley Main Beach. 
Lots of people were out and about walking with their families which included their furry children; some paws I think have never touched the paths.
The waterfront is pretty special both from Stanley Main Street or from Ma Hong Park side.
Murray House is definitely worth a visit. It’s a lovely 160-year old restored three-storey colonial building which was originally located in Central and reassembled to Stanley in early 2000’s. It is one of Hong Kong’s longest surviving buildings and has become an iconic landmark in Hong Kong which now houses a range of restaurants and shops. Nice views from the archways too. out over the water.
We then took a walk through Ma Hong Park and up to a small temple before heading back to Stanley Main Street. We chose The Boathouse; a bright yellow three storey building overlooking Stanley Bay where we sat upstairs and enjoyed a plate of chips, calamari and glasses of wine. Irene and Ben’s eldest daughter joined us and ordered a great looking chocolate dessert.
By this time it was getting late so we left to make our way back to Wan Chai for a late dinner.
Great day with so many laughs and lovely memories to bring back to Australia.
The International Commerce Centre (ICC) is a 118 storey commercial building in Hong Kong, and its tallest. It does have two sister buildings over Victoria Harbour on Hong Kong Island ( the International Finance Centre) where one is the second tallest in HK but it was the ICC that I wanted to visit as had been told the views from the roof were amazing.
Whilst in Hong Kong earlier this year my Aussie friend Naomi and a HK friend and I went for drinks at the Ritz Carlton Hotel which is located on floors 102 to 118 of the ICC. A cosy and dark [albeit extremely glamorous] lift took eighty-seconds to reach the 102nd floor which is the Ritz Carlton lobby.
The foyer has an amazing chandelier and a very large sparkly panda bear…
As we were about half hour early for the opening of the Sky100 bar, we decided to walk around the hotel. I must say I have never seen anything so glamorous and to top it off spectacular views over the harbour and Hong Kong Island.
I found the hallways leading to the private dining rooms magnificent; it was like walking through a Christmas wonderland…
I did take a lot of photos of the dining rooms, restaurants and other areas but for some reason I cannot find any of my photos so all photos on this blog are courtesy of my friend Naomi [thank you].
We ordered some snacks; fries [no surprises there], spring rolls and couple of other things that I now can’t remember. We enjoyed lovely views from our table and then as the sun was setting we had beautiful views of the harbour and over to Hong Kong Island. Pretty special!!
It was then time for Naomi and I to take the ferry back to Hong Kong Island to our hotel…I have such a soft spot for the gorgeous Star Ferry and every time I return to Hong Kong I always take the ride across the harbour!
What an afternoon; what a night!!
Before heading to China last month I read about places around Beijing that had the top lavender gardens. I love brightly coloured fields so took down the details of the one I thought was the best (Beijing Blues Lavender Manor) and arranged a driver to take us there a couple of days after arriving. It took us over an hour from our Airbnb and it really was out the back of no-where; a downtrodden old street with huge construction over the road and on each side of the entry gates.
We hesitated as we arrived at the front gate because we were greeted by these two ‘people’…mmm not a great start.
But because we had driven so far we decided to pay our 20 RMB ($4 AUD) each to go inside as I really wanted to see the beautiful lavender fields. We started walking around the paths and the first tree we see is one with fake orange leaves and cheap umbrellas around the trunk. Second bad sign.
And then we were welcomed by some unusual little rope people along the pathway but no lavender yet…
Then…in the distance we see a small field of purple but it was not lavender; they were some sort of weed and as we walked alongside we saw a chair in the middle of the field – guess this is in case you get tired and need a rest? But the ‘lavender’ had grown over so we decided not to stop!!
As can be seen, this small field looks absolutely nothing like the internet photos but to add to our amusement there were a few other ‘interesting’ garden ornaments.
An old stone carriage that was impossible to enter…
An interesting structure which I said looked like an outdoor toilet complete with more artificial flowers but no toilet!
And I have no idea why rope Sponge Bob Square Pants was there but he was as were some unusual signs.
No more ‘lavender’ but a farewell from some more rope people. 
We haven’t laughed so much and spoke of this experience during the next four weeks travelling around China! Our next stop was Liaoning Province over north/east China and we caught the fabulous bullet train from Beijing but it was Golden Week (national holidays) which meant all Chinese are on holidays. Most of them at the train station…
What a great experience travelling in business class with huge chairs, complimentary snacks, water, Chinese tea and slippers…
And travelling at speeds of over 300km/h checking out the cities and rapeseed fields along the way.
When I lived in Beijing some years ago, I arranged to visit Inner Mongolia on two separate occasions but on both times my return flights were cancelled and I ended up cancelling the whole trip as I was very concerned I would get stuck there for nearly week; and really once you have seen the downtown/a museum/temples and the grasslands there is not that much to do because it’s either very hot or very cold!
The interior of the restaurant was quite interesting and I couldn’t work out if the artificial flowers were a regular feature or there was a special event [perhaps a wedding] later that afternoon.
We arrived in the middle of no-where to a [rather bored] locally dressed welcoming committee who gave us a local spirit to drink in a small silver bowl [tasted exactly like Chinese alcohol {bai jiu} which is definitely not on my favourite drinks list] and a blue nylon scarf [hada] was placed around our necks as a welcoming gift.
Our guide then took us to a large yurt where we had lunch and as it was 1230pm, the majority of Chinese visitors had finished and we were quite alone in this cavernous room.
I mentioned before the lunch was good; so different on this day. I was given a plate of cabbage in some yucky sauce and my friend Jon had mutton soup [which he said was disgusting – way too oily] and some mutton cut up. Also said this was awful. Even our guide apologised and said the food in the grasslands was not good and he disliked it. But staff were very friendly so I just drank Chinese tea and omitted to take photos as food was not appealing even to look at.
(source: Wikipedia)
We drove about ten minutes up a mountain and this enabled us to walk around for the next hour or so. 
As it was September, the grasslands were not green but I still found them beautiful. The sky was a gorgeous blue and cloud formation lovely. I enjoyed breathing in the fresh air and taking in the sights. This was definitely what I came to Inner Mongolia to do and see.
For anyone who does not know, Inner Mongolia borders Russia and Outer Mongolia and is about 1000 metres above sea level. It’s a pretty large land surrounded region, actually the widest in China covering 2,500 kilometres from west to east. Our guide told us that the following week would be his last tour to the grasslands as the weather turns and becomes too cold for visiting. I think I was therefore very lucky to be able to walk the area with a little bit of sunshine.
We finished our walk and headed back on our four hour drive to Hohhot. Whilst we did have some laughs, I am incredibly happy I made the effort to go to Inner Mongolia as this was a pretty special day.
I start off leaving from Canberra and arrive at Sydney Airport from Canberra for five weeks in the ‘Middle Kingdom’ and because this year [and last] I achieved Qantas Platinum Frequent Flyer Status I take my friend Jon and I into the First Class Lounge. On our last occasion we saw a famous movie star so that was pretty cool and on previous occasions I really look forward to ordering scrambled eggs, hash browns and sourdough toast but since becoming a vegan, eggs are out so it was delicious sourdough, hash browns and avocado and…a glass of champagne!
Before I leave for any overseas holiday, I do a lot of research about where I want to go and then type out a full itinerary which includes details of places to visit/who I will see/my driver [if there is one]/costs and accomodation details. My friends who travel with me love it because all details are in one document and it might include a map and a link to the place we intend to visit. However, I do always leave time for resting as that is just as important to me as sightseeing. This time was no different…a complete itinerary.
We arrive in Beijing nearing midnight and I had booked an Airbnb in Sanlitun [area that is know for the location of many embassies and lots of restaurants and bars]. Our accommodation was great and the weather was amazing the next day; skies were blue [surprisingly]…but so welcome as we had great views from our apartment.
Our first day and evening we went for a walk around the local area and saw some great buildings; some I had not seen before in the two years since I had been to Beijing.
Our second day, I had arranged a private driver, one I used when I lived in Beijing, to pick us up to take us to the Forbidden City. Both Jon and I had been to there separately before, but I really wanted to go back and walk slowly through and see things I had not seen before. It was worth it as we arrived early and our fabulous driver Mr Mike had already booked us tickets so there was no need to line up; just arrive show our passports and in we went and as can be seen from my photo so did thousands of other visitors.
But before we arrived, cars are not allowed to stop on Chang ‘an Jie [street] alongside the Forbidden City or Tian’anmen Square so we parked some distance and after going through security screening (and seeing the long line of Chinese to visit the body of Chairman Mao at his Mausoleum) we entered Tian’anmen.
So as I said, we entered the Forbidden City and walked about a couple of hours. It is a former imperial palace; so impressive and really you could spend days there looking at the individual rooms containing jade, jewellery, wooden structures etc. Or like me, just loving walking around the ancient buildings because it has such an incredible history having taken fourteen-years to complete by over fourteen-million workers and the fact ordinary people were not allowed to enter without permission! I love hearing the provincial Chinese talking when it is their first visit to such an amazing place they thought they would never access.
And one of my favourite sites is the rooftops..
Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious Chinese lunch of eggplant [of course], sautéed cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, a tofu dish [that didn’t look all that good but was absolutely delicious], string beans and mushrooms and duck pancakes for Jon. And a bottle of New Zealand white wine brought by a dear Chinese friend.
What a great way to start a five week holiday in the Middle Kingdom…so until next time!!
In 2008 I worked in Hong Kong and had a lovely boss who I have remained friends with albeit long distance. So prior to arriving in HK, I contacted my friend Evelyn who said she would pick up Naomi and I up from our hotel and take us to a monastery I had not been to. So off we went in her beautiful Mercedes Benz…what a car..she took us up to Tai Po District which is about a thirty-minute drive from HK Island.
Our elderly guide met us and we commenced our tour. As soon as you arrive at the monastery, the first thing you see is an outdoor bronze statue (Guanyin) which is seventy-six metres high and said to the second highest in the world. Guanyin is the six armed goddess of mercy and we were told has miraculous powers to assist all those who pray to her. 
So because of those miraculous powers, we joined other visitors and walked up to Guanyin to make a water offering in the Thousand Wishes Pond where each of us made a wish.
I do remember a few things though. One is that the monastery is a sanctuary for the purpose of spiritual purification. Secondly it is open to the public who can attend various activities where compassion and wisdom are the main themes. I think this would be a lovely thing to do.
Our dear guide was told we only had a short time but because he wanted to ensure we were told everything about the history, Evelyn had to remind him of our time restraints – but that didn’t matter he kept on talking. Very sweet man but boy could he talk!!
And the reason we had to leave is we were driving back to Kowloon [as this was our last evening in HK], to see the sun set from Ritz Carlton Ozone rooftop bar which is located in the International Commerce Centre, HK’s tallest building. We definitely didn’t want to miss that…but more on that in another post.
On a hot Saturday in Hong Kong, my friend Naomi and I took the free shuttle from our hotel to Central to meet another friend, Raegan who was coming in from Guangzhou on the train. We found a nice little bar to grab a drink and get out of the heat which allowed us all to catch up especially with Raegan as I had not seen her for some time.
We then decided to take a walk along Hollywood Road checking out some of the antiques (overpriced) and also some of the street art along the way.
Hong Kong has such lovely old streets and bars and we walked past one in particular with Chinese umbrellas hanging from the ceiling and waiters wearing traditional Chinese costumes.
I was able to get a good shot of one of the waiters taking his break…
We found a lovely little tapas restaurant for lunch where the food was really good. Lots of vegetarian options and both friends were happy to eat mostly vegetable dishes but I forgot to take photos. After a fabulous afternoon we went back to Central to the shops before Raegan had to take the MTR over to Kowloon for the train back to Guangzhou.
Some shiny and new…
Some very old…
And one particular building reminding me of the Flatiron building in New York.
I will always love the busy streets of Hong Kong; stores open until late with Chinese signs selling everything from household goods to fresh vegetables and meat and dried seafood.
And whilst not a building, there is also the Hong Kong Eye…smaller than some others and although we did not take a ride, I can imagine the views are spectacular.
Another great day in Hong Kong.
Monks can be seen through archways as well as a gardener along one of the corridors of the Forbidden City.
There are branches falling over sandstone archways as well as glass archways on modern buildings in western China.
There are archways on bridges in eastern China to hold the hundreds of thousands of visitors and a view of the beginning of the Ming Tombs from another.
Repeating archways; some not for walking through at the Summer Palace in Chengde; others making it easy for visitors to reach the Lama Temple in Beijing.
And then there are those archways that are known all throughout the world because they belong to the Forbidden City where the huge portrait of Chairman Mao sits.
Some are just pretty…
And others are not as pretty but still very interesting…
All in all, some great archways leading to wonderful places in a fabulous country.
Qianmen is a lovely street to walk along prior to dining at Capital M as it has beautiful buildings/tea houses/shops and cafes on either side and the majority have been refurbished to resemble the style of the late Qing Dynasty. The gate is situated to the south of Tian’anmen Square and once guarded the southern entry into the inner city.
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