China-A new life

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January 3rd 2016

Published: January 3rd 2016

Antarctic is done for the time being. Someday I may try to go back to that type of life and travels. But now a new adventure awaits me. It took two years and a forest of paperwork, but now I have a job working as support staff at the American Consulate in Guangzhou, China. Ive been in country for seven weeks now on the start of a two year contract. Every weekend I explore the sights, sounds, cultu... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

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Hong Kong Trip - Memorial Day Weekend 2016

Beautiful wall tile design at one of the Hong Kong Subway stations.

Hong Kong Trip - Memorial Day Weekend 2016

Hong Kong ferris wheel is 197 feet tall and overlooks Victoria Harbor. http://www.hkow.hk/en/

Hong Kong Trip - Memorial Day Weekend 2016

Some of the many colorful crane / derrick work barges.

Hong Kong Trip - Memorial Day Weekend 2016

Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, just down the street from the Kowloon Star Ferry. Sky deck on 100th floor. On line one can get a coupon for 15% off.http://www.discoverhongkong.com/us/plan-your-trip/e-coupons/index.jsp

Hong Kong Trip - Memorial Day Weekend 2016

Kowloon subway map. In the colored areas one can walk to several stations and shopping districts without coming above ground in hot or wet days.

Hong Kong Trip - Memorial Day Weekend 2016

Under ground walkways as part of the Kowloon side of the subway system.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

This is actually festivities the weekend before the Dragon Boat races took place.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

More Dragon Boat celebrations the weekend before the actually race. These boats were twice as long as the actual race boats. Lots of fire crackers be thrown in the river.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

These are our practice boats. We practiced for about two months before the actually race. Our practice took place on a rather smooth river / lake. We later found out this was quite different then the wind swept wavy Pearl River we raced on.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

Dragon Boat race day was on 15 June 2016.

Exploring Guangzhou - Summer 2016

This is the Dragon Boat design on our race shirts.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

All teams received a case and large glass jug of "Regular Wine".

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

The Guangdong Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Ji Festival, is a very special event in the Chinese calendar.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

The boat races are said to be conducted in homage to legendary poet and patriot Qu Yuan, an honourable minister who drowned himself in protest against corruption during the Warring States Period (475 BC to 221 BC).

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

It is also a celebration of water and a general thanksgiving for good fortune. Dragons, in ancient Chinese culture, were not merely ferocious monsters, they were symbols of life force and rulers of lakes, rivers, and seas; usually they were powerful but benevolent. The pageantry and festivities at the Dragon Boat Festival are riotous, colourful, and fun, but they are also a form of worship and a homage to cultural heritage.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

Guangzhou is a city built around rivers, canals, and waterways, and the festival is particularly special and significant in this city.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

The one team we beat this year was the ladies from Iran. our time for the 2016 year was 3:09.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

Any one working at the US Consulate could race on the team. So we had both American and Chinese team members.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

International teams from the US, Canada, Australia, and Singapore now compete along with teams from all over China.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

Our team lining up to board our Dragon racing boat.Life jackets, paddles and boats were supplied to all teams. Team members could bring their own paddles if desired, and many teams did.

Guangzhou Dragon Boat - Summer 2016

The teams are competitive because a good performance is seen as a positive omen for the future.

3rd January 2016

Di & Joe V.
non-member comment

Looks beautiful.... Happy to hear that you are enjoying it there. :) Happy New Year!! Di & Joe

18th August 2016

Derek Davey
non-member comment

Silly Submariner
I hope that you are doing very well in Guangzhou and you have fully acclimated. Enjoy yourself there. Extremely hot in Lewis County this summer and very humid. We have had a "drought" and tornado this summer. The corn still grows. Take care. Derek

24th August 2016

Audrey J Mills
non-member comment

AWESOME!!
So great to hear from you and about your amazing adventures! I'm now a subscriber to your blog so keep it up!

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