A side-trip on our journey from Lijiang to Shangri-la was the Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Jinsha Jiang (upper Yangste River). The trip was full of glimpses and spectacular frontal views of the Yulong snow mountain range. Various hydro-electric projects and dams were also evident, and it is said a new dam may flood the famous gorge itself. Again there were massive numbers of tourists and tour busses to manage, and on a narrow road cut into the side of the gorge. It is vast, deep and steeply wedge-shaped. One may descend some 1,000 odd steps to viewing platforms, hassled all [View Full Entry]

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The third day of our tour, while based in Lijiang, comprised an ascent of Yulong Xueshan, and a visit to Su He Ancient City, not far from Lijiang. While the ascent by cable-car to 4,506 m is simple and quick, the logistics of accessing a berth in the car are a nightmare, given the massive numbers of tourists (mostly in tour groups like us). Having arrived at the base, we were first taken away to see some artificial lakes and rapids in a nearby river, coloured naturally blue by carbonates and sulphates in the water. We then waited an hour back [View Full Entry]

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Following our epic journey to Lugu Lake we returned to the city of Lijiang, a city of about 750,000 people, which lays in a broad valley at one of which is the beautiful range in which Yulong Xueshan (snow maintain) can be seen. The modern city is attractive as a whole, with broad main streets, distinguished among Chinese cities of its size by its lack of high-rise development. Lijiang is the heartland of the fascinating Naxi culture, which is still strong in many respects, although the majority in Lijiang is from other ethnic groups, particular the Han Chinese. The Naxi continue [View Full Entry]

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After arriving in Lijiang, (in North-West Yunnan Province) we were transported on perilious mountain roads (think rock falls /landslides /precipitous drops /narrow roads /limited guard rails / slippery mud), for some six hours to the very beautiful Lugu Lake (which borders Sichuan Province). The journey included crossings of some six mountains, and some fantastic scenery, including of the Jinsha River, the upper reaches of the Yangtse River. Sadly there were too few stops in which pictures could be taken! We also passed some amazing agricultural communities, and diverse tribal cultures, inc [View Full Entry]

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In the weeks before Dan was able to take leave, I found myself exploring the local communities and hills around our home. For example, I found an old cobbled road that winds through the police and prison complex opposite our building, and into the hills. I have yet to explore the full extent of it. However, I did find a way to climb the mountain behind the prison and see some great views of Shenzhen - actually, hazy views would be more accurate. I was, however, able to espy a smoke stack that looked rather like that of a nuclear power [View Full Entry]

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Being in Shanghai for Dan meant an important opportunity to see her mother's former very close friend, whom she calls aunty, two hours by rail up the track at Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province. We arrived in mid evening and got dropped off by the taxi driver, a block away from our destination. We (eventually) visited their lovely flat and were lavished with hospitality, including a meal of crabs! It was also wonderful to see the 8 week old beautiful daughter of their son and his wife who also lived in their flat. After a night in an unmemorable suburban [View Full Entry]

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Our visit to Shanghai was specifically to attend the Australian consulate about our impending partner visa application for Dan. However, it was also a great opportunity for Dan to meet her close friend Jian. She was a great host and guide for us, and we visited the Bund (which has colonial style buildings and views across the river to New Pudong with its Sci Fi towers, Yu Yuan gardens and buildings established by a Ming Dynasty nobleman, surrounded by a lively market, and the marvellous Shanghai Museum. Of course, there is much more to see in this amazing city of some [View Full Entry]

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On the evening of 30 September, Dan and I hopped on a sleeper bus to Fuzhou, the city where she grew up. Fuzhou is surrounded by mountains, so rail travel was not practical. We arrived there on the National Holiday. We soon meet Dan's father who is a remarkable individual who jogs some 2 hours per day. He very sober in his habits and certainly wanted to know how I would care for his daughter. He was very kind and welcoming. We visited a really fine art exhibition, which included a calligraphy gallery and some historic sights nearby, including an ancient [View Full Entry]

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Hello again. This one is just a throw together of photos from my life in Shenzhen. Dan and I are living in a small unit on the 29th floor made available through her work. We are in the locality of Mei Lin ("beautiful forrest"), a half hour bus trip from central Shenzhen (Dan thinks the tree near her bus stop has a dragon in it - she has a vivid imagination!). The unit has just 3 rooms, a kitchen (without stove or fridge), bathroom/toilet (without toilet stool or washing machine) and living room. The mattress comprises 2 inches of coconut fibre, [View Full Entry]

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It did not take long for Dan and I to decide to get married. Cliff had to make a quick trip to the Australian consulate in the great pollutionopolis Guanzhou for essential paperwork, and made faces at some poor child in the train on the way home. We attended at the Shenzhen Civil Affairs Bureau on 17 September 2007. We dressed nicely and performed the ceremony in Chinese, photographed and videoed by the in-house providers. It was dignified, and as you can see, culminated in parading our marriage licences in front of the crest of the People's Republic! It was reminiscent [View Full Entry]

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