MarkX

MarkX

MarkX

amateur astronomer
mountain biker
software engineer



Asia July 20th 2009

After the long hot commuter train brought us to Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, we checked in to the beautiful Shaoxing Hotel, a series of connected temples and pagodas. In Shaoxing we visited historic East Lake, with its pagodas, stone bridges, and small boats rowed by old men in straw hats. "Very Chinese" as per our lake guide. We walked around sweltering Shaoxing day and night, all the while continuing to research eclipse viewing locations and scanning weather reports. ... read more

Asia » China » Shanghai July 19th 2009

Our journey to China began passing through Beijing Airport, reaching Shanghai on the hottest day of the year. It was over 99 degrees Fahrenheit, with 90% humidity. The line for the taxis was surreal, snaking around on itself like at Disneyland. But Disneyland doesn't have Shanghai's temperatures or humidity, nor does it have thousands of Chinese people queuing in the heat and humidity. After our 16 hour flight I actually entered a dreamlike state for a few seconds, spacing out on an hypnotic billboard on the wall nearby and hearing the foreign tongue. Later we checked out the city nightlife- the people, motor scooters, pedicabs and taxis. We ate noodles and dim sum. At our high-class hotel, we tiredly rebuffed the requests of a attractive and persistent lady of the evening down at the bar, the ... read more

Asia » China July 18th 2009

China - Summer 2009 - The Total Solar Eclipse And Beyond ... read more




Tot: 0.119s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 5; qc: 49; dbt: 0.0424s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 2; ; mem: 1mb