Blogs from Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Asia - page 100

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Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu September 20th 2006

Our first day trip out in Chengdu was to 'Dufu's thatched Cottage'. Some history: (Dufu was a famous Chinese poet (AD 712-70), and the thatched cottage is a place where he is meant to have written some of his most famous poems. At the age of 47 Dufu composed more than 240 poems reflecting upon the misery of the people at the site of the thatched cottage. Although the original residence disappeared long ago it has been renovated several times during several dynasties and in modern times.) The place is now a popular place for tourists both Chinese and foreign. It is mentioned in most guide books and on the map so we decided to check it out. The grounds are quite big and we managed to spend most of the afternoon there, we still didn't ... read more
Nice place for a walk
Tower
Bell

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu September 19th 2006

I signed up to this travel journal late so I am not going to bore you with my run down of what I have been up to so far. So I will start off on food in Chengdu. Everyone goes on and on about Hot Pot in Chengdu and it is pretty tasty but my experiences of it so far have been: Hot Pot place on Chanxi: The food was pretty good but there was no aircon where we were sitting and there was like about 10 or more of us so we couldnt really get right into the Hot Pot. Not the best for my first real Chinese Hot Pot experience. Hot Pot place near my flat off Fuqin Liu: Tad pricey but it was pretty tasty apart from the fact it was only a ... read more
Jinli snacks

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu September 19th 2006

Ok so I am teaching here at a School in Chengdu for a year. It is called 'Chengdu Experiemental Foreign Languages School'. Its based out by the North West of Chengdu city centre but I am mostly based out at their spare campus out even further four days of the week. I am teaching 16 classes a week and I am doing 2 sessions of English corner a week or fortnight as well. Not sure about the English corner rota yet but knowing my luck it is weekly. Not that bad a set up our flat is off campus which means we don't get woken up at 6 am in the morning by load music. There is however someone in our block making annoying tapping noises as if they are fixing something. I share with ... read more

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu September 13th 2006

How can a personal encounter with a "smirking" Panda-Bear not be a happy life's moment? But we were not prepared for what this morning had waiting for us, and later had difficulty finding words to express the experience... An early sun-rise-visit to the Panda Breeding Center near Chengdu, the Capitol of Sichuan Province of South-Central China, on this rather rainy morning, had at times been discussed. All of Arthur's meticulous and tireless planning brought us this moment. We were heading for an "enchanting" encounter, right out of a story-book, and something I have only dreamed about. This was to become a beautiful day. All of my research and reading had suggested, that the true "panda-spectacle" takes place early, when these fairy-tale-like-creatures are about to enjoy the first and the freshest bamboo of their day. What to ... read more
He asked me to scratch an itch.
"I asked for a scratch and not to be strangled, Schneider!"
only a few days old

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu September 11th 2006

Chengdu The train journey from Lijiang was our longest yet and the first time we had been on a 'sleeper'. I wasn't relishing the prospect of 22 hours on a train, but it turned out much better than expected... At first it was a little daunting... As usual we arrived late and the train was already quickly filling up with busy Chinese people hunting down every last remaining inch of luggage space. When they saw us they all stopped what they were doing to stare at the westerners with the huge rucksacks. With the watching audience we manged to carefully re-arrange people's luggage so we could fit ours on. The 'hard sleeper' tickets were rows of beds three high, surprisingly comfortable although the bottom bunk(Tonys!) if unoccupied does become the sitting area for any other passengers! ... read more
Hungry Panda!
The miracle twins
Just hanging out...

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu September 11th 2006

Taught 3 senior classes today and they are much harder work than the juniors. They don't volunteer at all and are v reticent to speak - only AFTER the class has finished do they crowd round me and ask questions! I cycled home from school just now and although I was a bit worried I was going to get killed, it was a breeze! Cyclists pretty much rule the road here as they are everywhere so the traffic has to bend round them! If you came here I'm sure you've never seen so many cyclists in your life. It was quite liberating actually and a good way to see your local neighbourhood...I'm sure many people here haven't seen a white person riding a bike in Chengdu before....I enjoy being one of the locals! Well now I'm ... read more

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu September 10th 2006

Good evening all....... Today has been such a lazy day but it's a Sunday after all, and I am teaching again from tomorrow so I'm allowed! This morning/at noon some of the British Council teachers met at a place called Pete's Tex Mex bar and grill. It's near the Ximen Gate, near Sichuan Uni, if you have a map, you'll see the gate symbol (south west of the city centre) on the map and you can point at that to the taxi driver! Basically it's like a little cottage set up inside! Tables and seats with plenty of cushions etc. You can get milkshakes (18 RMB), appetisers, main meals, all very yummy and not too badly priced, ok, more expensive than a plate of noodles in town for 3 RMB but if you are getting fed ... read more

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu September 10th 2006

This time I did not enjoy a good 'piss up' before I got on the plane. So what better way to correct this oversight by drinking a riduculous amount after getting off the plane! I think this is not what they meant when they said to 'drink a lot' to prevent altitude sickness... It was great though :-) I highly recommend hitting the clubs in Chengdu. Babi II is where I spend the eve with a bottle of delisiously smooth Balintines (sorry have to plug it because is was a themed party) in the company of Han, Bob (sorry his Chinese name is just to complicated) and Shirley. Music was good, alcohol was abundant and my jetlag was perfect for the occasion. Just a note to all my girl friends... if you ever want to feel ... read more

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu September 9th 2006

Today visited the world's largest Buddha, in Leshan. Very impressive! and def worth a visit. From Chengdu city centre, or the outskirts, get the no. 48 bus into town - the last stop is Xin na men bus station. You can buy a ticket from the bus st for about 48 yuan (single). Then you hop on the right coach (they go frequently). The coach trip is comfortable and takes just under 2 hours. When you get off the coach in Leshan, you can take a taxi to the Buddha site, but this costs about 15 yuan. Instead, for a cheaper option, stay on the right hand side of the road and take bus no.13 (1 yuan) which stops at the Leshan site - it's on your RH side, pretty obvious, massive entrance! Entrance to the ... read more
buddha of a thousand hands
steps up to a buddha
me with the Buddha looking down!

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu September 6th 2006

Chengdu The train journey from Lijiang was our longest yet and the first time we had been on a 'sleeper'. I wasn't relishing the prospect of 22 hours on a train, but it turned out much better than expected... At first it was a little daunting... As usual we arrived late and the train was already quickly filling up with busy Chinese people hunting down every last remaining inch of luggage space. When they saw us they all stopped what they were doing to stare, mainly at me with my ridiculous 100 liter bag. With the watching audience we manged to carefully re-arrange people's luggage so we could fit ours on. The 'hard sleeper' tickets were rows of beds three high, surprisingly comfortable although the bottom bunk(mine!) if unoccupied does become the sitting area for any ... read more
6 weeks old
Its a hard life
1,000 armed Buddha




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