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By brons
March 24th 2008

Beijing

 Asia » China » Beijing
After an overnight train trip from Xi'an I arrived at Beijing West Train Station and wandered around for an hour looking for the subway station, only to discover that the subway runs from Beijing Train Station, not Beijing West Train Station. This was a concern, as prior to leaving Shanghai for Xi'an, I had sat down and mapped out my way to the hostel we had booked according to the subway lines. After some futile attempts at communicating with taxi drivers and stall merchants, I spotted a group of university aged people and decided that one of them might have some [View Full Entry]

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2096 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 8 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: March 24th 2008 | 86 Views | [diary=259055]

Buildings at the Summer Palace
Marty wandering through the Forbidden City
A guard at Tian

By brons
March 11th 2008

Xi'an

 Asia » China » Shaanxi » Xi'an
When I was 9 years of age back in 1989, my mum went to China and the photo that I remembered most vividy was of the terracotta warriors in Xi'an. She also brought home two miniature models which I would often gaze at in wonder over the years, fascinated by the story of an entire army buried with an emperor to protect him in the afterlife. Therefore, my first visit to China would not have been complete without seeing these warriors with my own eyes. After saying a sad farewell to Marty who had decided to stay on in Shanghai for [View Full Entry]

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1327 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 7 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: March 11th 2008 | 91 Views | [diary=254940]

Atop the Old City Wall
Crouching Archer
In the main excavation pit

By brons
March 9th 2008

Shanghai

 Asia » China » Shanghai
Setting out on foot in Shanghai was like stepping into the future. The building designs simply have to be seen to be believed. At one point, Marty said she felt like she was in an episode of The Jetsons, and when I saw the Pearl TV Tower commanding my gaze as it thrusted upwards into the stratosphere, I could only agree. The skyline is dominated by numerous striking designs and the bustling street scene at the feet of these towering structures creates an exciting atmosphere. Shanghai doesn't necessarily feel like you are in China, at least, not when compared with the [View Full Entry]

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762 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 6 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: March 9th 2008 | 113 Views | [diary=254352]

Pearl TV Tower
The Grand Theatre
Inside the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

By brons
March 6th 2008

Hangzhou

 Asia » China » Zhejiang » Hangzhou
Well, the train ride from Wuyishan to Hangzhou certainly was an experience! Our standing tickets for the eight hour trip meant that for the first hour we were in the aisle, having to move every thirty seconds for someone who was on their way to the boiling water unit for their noodles, or someone who was on their way to the toilet, etc. This was becoming rather tedious, but thankfully an attendant had found us a couple of seats. Little did we realise that one of these seats was taken, so we spent the next seven hours playing a game of [View Full Entry]

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705 Words | 1 Comment(s) | 7 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: March 6th 2008 | 97 Views | [diary=253283]

Waterway at West Lake
Marty standing on the causeway to our hostel
At Jingci Temple

By brons
March 2nd 2008

Wuyishan

 Asia » China » Fujian
When I first started thinking about what I wanted to see in China, aside from the obvious tourist sites, I really wanted to visit some mountainous countryside that was far removed from the big cities. I found this in Wuyishan. Wuyishan has a polulation of less than 30,000 and is essentially a town at the entrance to a national park. In the days that we spent at Wuyishan, we never saw another westerner and had significant challenges in communicating with people, as there was very little English spoken in this region. In fact, Marty and I felt like some sort of [View Full Entry]

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1382 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 9 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: March 2nd 2008 | 163 Views | [diary=251876]

Rest stop during the ascent
We made it!
The Long and Winding Path to Heavenly Tour Peak, which is located amongst the trees in the top right corner of this photo

By brons
February 27th 2008

Xiamen

 Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen
After our delayed flight from Bangkok (which Air Asia felt bad about, so they supplied every passenger with a burger from Burger King and a bottle of water), we arrived safely in Xiamen and caught a taxi to our hostel. Being the middle of the night, we would have to wait until the break of day to get a feel for the city itself. The staff at the International Youth Hostel were very friendly (especially considering the late hour) and we fell to sleep in what was probably the most comfortable bed of our trip thus far. Upon waking, I simply [View Full Entry]

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820 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 6 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: February 27th 2008 | 122 Views | [diary=250523]

Marty at Nanputuo Temple
Testing out one of the supports propping up that heavy boulder
An incense burner at Nanputuo Temple

By brons
February 25th 2008

Koh Lipe

 Asia » Thailand » South » Ko Lipe
The first thing that I noticed as our ferry arrived at Koh Lipe was the clarity of the water. Even though we were anchored off shore awaiting a long tail boat to pick us up, we could see every rock and fish that was below the surface. At each of the three beaches on this island, the water is so clear that you can actually make out the individual grains of sand beneath your feet. Added to this, every day the weather was idyllic for such a location - warm, clear skies and a gentle breeze. We spent our days at [View Full Entry]

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694 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 5 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: February 25th 2008 | 225 Views | [diary=249911]

I don
The view from behind our bungalow
Banana Fritter with Chocolate Sauce - So unhealthy, but so good!

By brons
February 15th 2008

Koh Lanta

 Asia » Thailand » South » Ko Lanta
Staring into the Andaman Sea whilst enjoying a meal with the water lapping below your feet is a glorious way to dine! Such is the beauty of the beach at Koh Lanta Yai. Marty and I made our way here after an interesting couple of bus (read: dilapidated mini-van) trips from Ao Nang. Our driver from Ao Nang to Krabi seemed to be discovering as he went along where he needed to pick up other passengers, via his mobile phone as he was driving. This man really had to be seen to be believed, for he had one specific feature which [View Full Entry]

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825 Words | 1 Comment(s) | 5 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: February 15th 2008 | 119 Views | [diary=246543]

Longtail boat at sunset
Sound Shack Bar at Blue Andaman Resort
Marty at our dinner table

By brons
February 13th 2008

Ao Nang

 Asia » Thailand » South » Ao Nang
After a few days of traveling on planes, buses, tuk-tuks, trains, taxis and by foot, we finally arrived in Ao Nang, which is a beach just near Krabi. Visiting Ao Nang was recommended to us by my brother, who visited here last year. We're glad we took his advice, as we have had a very relaxing time since we arrived. All we have done is swim, read/sleep on the beach, swim, etc. Our most challenging decisions have been where to eat - what a tough existence! The 20 Baht banana shakes have been a particular highlight (that's less than one Australian [View Full Entry]

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303 Words | 1 Comment(s) | 5 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: February 13th 2008 | 93 Views | [diary=245741]

Longtail boats at Ao Nang
Venturing into the warm water
Ronald giving a Thai greeting

By brons
February 9th 2008

Hanoi Airport

 Asia » Vietnam » Red River Delta » Hanoi
Well, what an experience! After checking out of our hotel, we went and had a delicious lunch and coffee at 'Papa Joe's', which is a cafe that has a terrific view of Hoan Kiem Lake. The meal was the perfect tonic, as we were both feeling a little 'tired' after enjoying one too many bottles of Tiger Beer the night before to celebrate the dawning of a new year. The Hanoi streets were virtually empty, due to families spending the day together for Tet. Therefore, it was quite ironic that the first time I witnessed a westerner being struck by a [View Full Entry]

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914 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 3 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: February 9th 2008 | 155 Views | [diary=244349]

A brief moment of
The metal seats - not conducive to a good night



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