http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/SigChi79/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from SigChi79 en-us Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:09:57 BST Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:09:57 BST Alaska truly is one of the greatest adventure spots of the U.S. My son Matt and I decided to meet in Anchorage for a fatherson week of adventure and a visit with my good friends Tom and Cinda Devine. Matt flew in from Tennessee and I arrived from southern China. Leaving the densely populated territory of southern China to the wilderness of Alaska for a week of solitude was quite a change not o http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Alaska/Anchorage/blog-311698.html I came to China to join my husband who was working here as a general manager and wasn't sure about the teaching opportunities. Being in an area that has few foreigners in fact I know of no other Americans here in this city my first priority was to just get acclimated to my new location in a new culture where I did not speak the language. After several months I was asked to teach for a languag http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Guangdong/Shunde/blog-289904.html The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.In the summer of 2006 I traveled to China for the very first time in my life. In addition to the technical and vocational challenges that I knew I would face I had a strong desire to get to know the people and culture of China in a much deeper way than just a visit. The people of China have proven to be friendlier and more i http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Guangdong/Foshan/blog-282110.html TWO MORE UPDATES THE FINAL COMING NEXTSTAYED TUNED TheTopThree FinalistsCompeteI really hope you are able to view these video links. They are quite goodANOTHER UPDATEThis clip shows the top 5 selection for the elementary and junior high groups. Top5SelectionUPDATETake a look at the Top 10 competition in Beijing on CCTV Podcast link below Top10ANNIEYes we just got the c http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Beijing/blog-281820.html We decided to celebrate our 29th anniversary by climbing The Great Wall. We weren't sure exactly what to expect but it did not disappoint. We got up early and were the first visitors on the wall by 800 am Monday morning.We were not expecting as many steps along the wall as we encountered but the climbs were worth it as it was truly a spectacular sight. It was quite a pleasure as we did not e http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Beijing/Great-Wall-of-China/blog-280297.html UPDATE NEWSGreat news We just learned that Annie has made it to the Top 3 Finalist. We think she will compete again tomorrow for the crowning of the champion. Stay tunedUPDATE NEWSWe have just learned that Annie has been selected as one of the Top 6 finalist. She will compete again on Thursday 529 for the selection of the Top 3 and then the champion will be selected this weeke http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Beijing/blog-278846.html Beijing Competition ScheduleMay 23 1st day of competition and selection of Top 10 from the 20 finalistMay 25 2nd day of competition and selection of Top 6May 29 3rd round of competition and selection of Top 3May 31 Champion Selected from each age groupJanis and I are headed to Beijing for the 1st two rounds of the competition. We will keep you posted on Annie's progress. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Guangdong/Shenzhen/blog-275809.html We have heard from so many friends this week after the China Earthquake that we at least want to let people know where we are and that we are safe in southern China. We have been here nearly 2 years and enjoyed this adventure even more than we expected. Even though Shunde is a city of over 1 million people Google hasn't even added it to their map. Shunde is located just a 1 hour drive south of http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Guangdong/Shunde/blog-275731.html Another quick Asian adventure this weekend as we traveled west to Xi'an located in the north western part of China. Xi'an is a city of 8 million people with no mass transit system so you can imagine the number of people on the street. We've never seen so many people. We visited the Terracotta solders and rode bikes on the city wall which dates back to 200 b.c.Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanx http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Shaanxi/Xi--an/blog-273954.html Our hunger for adventure seems to be getting stronger and stronger. Another week and another new experience and adventure. This week we traveled to beautiful Singapore flying directly from Guangzhou China. Still the usual drill I work and Janis plays. What a life she hasSingapore is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 kilometres 85 mi north of http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Singapore/blog-271402.html Another Winning PerformanceThe third round of the CCTV Oral English contest proved to be the most challenging thus far. Hosted in Guangzhou a city of 8 million in southern China gave Annie plenty of new competition. The students competed in 4 different age groups elementary junior high senior high and university levels. Annie's junior high group was made up of 11 students from all over Gu http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Guangdong/Guangzhou/blog-270411.html Every week in China seems to hold a new adventure and always a unique experience. This week was no exception as we attended an oral English contest with our 14 year old friend Annie. I meet Annie nearly 2 years ago as I was wondering the streets of Shunde taking photos one day. She and her friend approached me and to my surprise began to speak very good English. Annie had a millioin questions http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Guangdong/Foshan/blog-268000.html Sorry for the delay in getting out this update on our trip to Phi Phi Island. We got busy with touring the island and also got stuck in Hong Kong for three days on our return to China as we tried to renew our visa. Seems the Chinese have once again change the rules of the game. We are now safely back in Shunde China now but wanted to share our photos and experience of beautiful Phi Phi Isla http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/South/Phuket/blog-266177.html We had a smooth 3 hour flight from Hong Kong direct to Phuket on DragonAir. The first noticeable difference in Phuket was the temperature as we arrived to a sunny 90F. We are staying at a beautiful resort located on Karon Beach. Evidently this area was not very affected by the Tsunami storm which hit further north from here. On our drive from the airport our first impression was that Phuket is http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/South/Phuket/blog-265186.html Our journey has soon come full circle as we made our way down the Pacific Coast Highwasy 1 from Kaikoura to Christchurch. Part of the trip follows the ocean and train tracks of the Transcenic Railway. The mountains and ocean seem to run together most of the way along the east coast. We detoured inland for a bit more scenary and found a game of bowling in progress as you can see from the panoram http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Christchurch/blog-257220.html Our drive down the coast proved to be more gorgeous views of the South Pacific with stops along the way to see the lazy seals sunning on the rocks. We made it to the little town of Kaikoura which sits on the rocky shoreline. Spending the night at an Irish Inn just 1 day before St. Patrickrsquos Day seemed a bit ironic but the Donegal House provided a good nights rest.For Sunday morning we deci http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Kaikoura/blog-256516.html We left The Resurgence after another wonderful dinner and breakfast prepared by Claire and Peter. Even met another couple from the U.S. that were staying there so we enjoyed talking with them. The drive to Blenheim via Picton was beautiful especially driving the Queen Charlotte Rd. It was hard not to stop at each pullover and take the amazing views in but you can just do that for so long before http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Queen-Charlotte-Sound/blog-255980.html We arrived in Motueka at The Resurgence Lodge to find it tucked away in the most beautiful natural setting we have been to yet. Peter and Claire the owners of the Lodge are so very nice and fabulous chefs We walked around the property on the first day and enjoyed the surroundings. We went just a short distance to the Resurgence Pool where there is a hike around the clear running stream. In the ev http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Abel-Tasman-National-Park/blog-255631.html We ended our time on the west coast with our stay at Bird's Ferry Lodge just north of Charleston. We had a delicious gourmet dinner prepared by Alyson our hostess at the Lodge with 2 other couples one from Holland the other from the UK. The west coast is the wetter side of the island but has its own beauty as you can see from these photos. The drive to Moteuka through the Buller Gorge was bea http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/blog-255321.html Last night in Hanmer Springs the sky opened up to a spectacular view of the stars. We have never seen so many stars in the sky as we listenend to Chris Tomlin's song Indescribable. Early this morning we drove through the Lewis Pass as we crossed the South Island to the west coast. The west coast is the wet side of the island and it shows with it's lush green terrain. Driving along the coastlin http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Punakaiki---the-Pancake-Rocks/blog-254958.html