Compared to 10 years ago Hanoi, at least the centre, has not much changed. - The Cyclos are still there, mainly for the many tourists who are visiting Hanoi. - The way of crossing the streets is still the same. Look left and right. Be sure it s impossible to cross. Close your eyes and start walking. Most of the time it works out. -The motorcycles are still there only more and newer. -The taxi s the same more and newer -Public transport still done by coaches, taxis and at the back of motorcycles. - The Dong, the vietnamese currency, is [View Full Entry]

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Monday night finaly we crossed with two last carriages and the last 6 passengers the China/Vietnam border. Chinese bordercontrol was fast and efficient, only 1 hour for 6 people but we could stay in the train. The Vietnamese took some more time but we had also to leave with luggage the train and fill out forms. Man in charge was hidden behind a wooden shield and whispered instructions . Had to pay 1 RMB for the right to hand over my healthcertificate. In the meantime they had changed the train.So I lost my Tea Cup who was still in the other [View Full Entry]

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Saturday may 23rd I went with a Chinese group with tour to the Shaolin temple to buy a costume for my grandson. In the group was only 1 older Korean man who translated everything for me with the help of his " wife" . That went as follows. The guide told in chinese and pointed out for 10 minute a story at a field of Stupas. The wife told him everything in Korean and he translated for me " That cemetery" The Shaolin temple is the historic place where in ancient times Kung Fu started as martial art for Monks who [View Full Entry]

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Took sunday the 24th of May Train 1627 at 11.08 from Zhengzhou to Guilin. Had three Chinese in my cabin who were most of the time sleeping their beautysleep and eating and outside the cabin in the washroom spittng. I had to eat a lot of their funny food. At night it was like an orchestra. The three men were snorring, making funny noises, getting up, spitting outside again and started snorring. Real fun. Regarding the spitting, the chinese government has tried in the past to forbid it. But that s impossible in China. So now they try to control it. [View Full Entry]

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Arriving on Zhengzhou railwaystation I had to find the north excit. That were the instructions of the agent. But what to do if everybody is directed to the south excit. I asked the platformmaster. A woman who started to use directly her mobile to ask colleques what to do. A few minutes later a girl in railway uniform and her boss arrived at the platform looking happy to see me. I told my problem and that I had to go to the Zhengzhou hotel and that due to the agent the north excit the best way was. The girl spoke correct [View Full Entry]

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Friday 22nd of may. Had to leave early for the station. 5 taxis in front of the hotel. Waiting for good clients. Perhaps airport. Not for me. To the railwaystation is only 8 RMB. Who want to drive for 80 eurocent when you r dreaming of an airport trip. Had to stand at the road till one was crazy enough to do it. Good business I told him he ll get 10 RMB. Just when I left the taxi an older woman, around 60 but still strong insisted to carry my luggage. This kind of things are bad for your consience. [View Full Entry]

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This is the last entry from Beijing last wednesdy. Walking aroud the Hutongs yesterday. Perfect quiet places in the middle of the busy Beijing. Probably they dont have toilets in the Hutong houses for every 150 metres you see an absolutely clean public toilet. That can t be only for tourists. Visited a local foodmarket. Fruit, vergetables, all kind of meat. Wished I had n t done it. It gives you another thought about the good taste in the restaurants. Not that the meat is not o.k. but the way they kill the flies before weighing it is not so nice, [View Full Entry]

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After almost a week I m back with my blog. I travelled over 60 hours since my last entry and could not find any Internet connection in Xian and enough in Zhengzhou but the speed was impossible slow. I ll try to catch up shortly. [View Full Entry]

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Compared to my last visit of Beijing 9 years ago and certainly to the 1st and 2nd visit 1992 and 1996 a lot has been changed. - Outside Beijing you see a lot suncollectors on the roofs of individual houses. -More roads, more railway tracks -Small electric motor cycles - Lots of old parts of Beijing has been destroyed and replaced by modern new buildings - All important streets have the name mentioned in english. and not only chinese anymore - English speaking people and not only the young ones still at school but also quite some older ones and not [View Full Entry]

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Living in hotel Hua Qiao located in a Hutong area . Their are only a thousand Hutongs left from the original 6000.. It are typical old houses, streetvendors, children playing in the courtyards and a pity so many are gone. Found out yesterday that the hotel has a big restaurant but only in use for breakfast. No diner except some very simple lobby food. So I went out to look for a restaurant with hopefully an english menu. Found one, no english menu but pictures. I chose the right pictures and it was good food and Finally after 4 weeks my [View Full Entry]

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