Love the pics Charlene - you look fabulous!...and I am getting the clear feeling you loved China. The pics are fantastic and much appreciated as a compliment to your travel logs.
Smooch,
Jeffo
Photos I, for one, love the photos, especially if you are in them. Congratulations on your physical feat - are you sure it was "determination" not "stubborness" that got you thru it? Love reading your blog.
memories of China It was fun to read about your time in Hong Kong. My first trip there in 1986 I stayed at the YMCA in Kowloon--simple, cheap, and not as crowded as the hostel you described. I always opted for the soft sleeper trains, although one night my son and I sat up all night on one of those aisle seats, until 6 AM, when a soft sleeper became available. On our last trip in 2004 with our grandson, we traveled in a very luxurious train to Beijing. The young Chinese man in the fourth bunk kept our grandson, age 13, up half the night enjoying a chance to try out his English.
Great to hear from you. Well, traveling like I am is just one problem to solve after another. Sometimes, I do give up...but only after I really decide that is the only or the better way. And, sometimes I get tired too and want to give up. During those times, I generally set whatever it is I am struggling with aside for a while and then come back to it. Many times, that rest makes things easier. Maybe the situation changes a bit or my luck gets better, or I come up with an alternative idea. Like right now. I have been trying to get to Xian for days, ever since I got to Qingdao. But, there is only one train out of this city from Xian and the people from the hostel have not been able to get me a seat on it. So, finally I went to the train station myself. On the way there I thought to myself, I am not leaving there without a ticket. So, what do I do if I can't get to Xian directly. Well, I need to get a 30 day extension on my visa (which takes 7 days) and was going to do that in Taoyuan. Not because I want to visit Taoyuan but there are several places around it that I do want to see. So, I thought, 'If I can't go to Xian, I'll go to Taoyuan, get this visa extension started and book transporation from Taoyuan to either Xian or Pingyao." And, that is what I am doing....no trains to Xian direct, so on the fifth I'm off to Taoyuan. Wish me luck with getting reservations from there to Xian!! Glad you are enjoying the blog. Thanks for writing. Charlene
hi,charilene hi, charilene. thank u for adding me. after reading ur diary i am quite sure u had a good trip to hong kong. haha, really jealous!
u were great to solve the difficulties and smoothed ur travelling way. u set a good example to me. sometimes i'd like to give up my mind
if i meet some difficuties. that is a little shame. hey, i've read the news of the train too. such a serious tragedy it is. it make so many people feel sad about it.
i am very happy that u r brave enough with ur further trips. ^ ^ go on with it. i am on ur side forever.
My whole life right now is traveling. I have no permanent address and, since I am retired, still young enough and healthy, the plan is to see as much of the world as possible. I just spent 5 months in India, am right now in Bangkok and leave in 2 days (July 17) for 2 1/2 months in China. It is a strange but wonderful feeling to know that you can just go from one travel adventure to another and life, at this point, holds no other responsibilites. ... full info
Susie B
non-member comment
Posed Poodle
Thank you, it made me laugh and start my day out right.