Monday, December 29, 2014
Streets of Jiangmen
Here's a video of the streets of Jiangmen, mainland China, with its multitude of the vehicles and motor scooters lock in their daily street dance.
The Fountain of Wealth in Singapore
Here's a video of the Fountain of Wealth in Singapore, once the largest fountain in the world. Every two hours the full fountain is on display and visitors must exit fountain centre. Visitors often throw coins into the mini fountain at the centre and walk around it three time for good luck. At night, the fountain is the setting for laser performances, as well as live music and laser message dedications which we did not see.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
On The Go In Asia
From Mid-October to early November of 2014, Kay and I traveled to Asia for three and half weeks. The main purpose of this trip was to visit relatives in Jiangmen located in southern China about 2 hours drive from the South China Sea, and to meet her brother's new wife. It has been 10 years since Kay last visited and it would be a first for me. My pictures are divided into five groups; Hong Kong Part 1, Jiangmen, Hong Kong Part 2, Macau, and Singapore.
Hong Kong Part 1: The first leg of our trip to Asia began with a non-stop flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. Before going into mainland China, Kay and I decided to spend four nights on our own exploring the sights in Hong Kong. My last trip to this area was in 1992. Needless to say that China, which now includes Hong Kong and Macau as Special Administrative Regions, has experienced an economic explosion since 1992. As a result, on going construction, be it high rise buildings or roadways, can be seen throughout the regions we visited. Living with a crowd is the norm here which certainly makes me appreciate, ever more, the luxury of space that I have at home. Here's a few favorite pictures from Hong Kong Part 1. To see all the pictures in Picasa, click on the link at the lower right of the last picture.
Jiangmen: We were picked up by Kay's brother and his wife in Jiangmen after catching the early morning ferry from Hong Kong, about a 3-hour ride. Our hotel, where we spent the next 9 nights, was within easy walking distance to most of the relative's homes and nicely situated across the street from the city's central park, the Donghu. This beautiful flowery park with two lakes, a large open plaza, and three hilly knolls, along with numerous hidden pathways and enclaves, is a popular gathering place for community activities throughout the day and evening hours. Besides normal activities like walking and jogging, there is group exercise, jazzercise, tai chi, kung fu, singing, fan dancing and ballroom dancing just to name a few. Add special events during weekends such Chinese opera on the open air stage and colorful light and fountain displays, and this is a very entertaining place. While in Jiangmen, it was all about being with family with big meals out and in along with side trips to local sights. Here's a few favorite pictures from Jiangmen. To see all the pictures in Picasa, click on the link at the lower right of the last picture.
Hong Kong Part 2: Kay and I returned to Hong Kong along with her brother and his wife, using the bus which was less expensive and more scenic giving us a bird's eye view of the phenomenal growth occurring in China. We, two couples, rented adjacent apartments near the Jordan MTR Station on Austin Avenue within the Tsim Sha Tsui District. Part of our plans in Hong Kong included a visit of cousins from Kay's father's side, who live in the Tuen Mun District within the northwestern region of Hong Kong, a 45 minute subway from our apartment. We also visited the Stanley area and Repulse Bay on the southside of Hong Kong island, where the coastal waters felt absolutely wonderful, but yours truly did not bring swim shorts. Here's a few favorite pictures from Hong Kong Part 2. To see all the pictures in Picasa, click on the link at the lower right of the last picture.
Macau: While in Hong Kong, the four of us, Kay's brother, his wife, Kay and I, did an overnighter to Macau staying at the Hotel Royal close to the old town. Like Hong Kong, Macau has been a Special Adminstrative Region of China since 1999. The primary attraction for the tourist, besides gambling, appears to be Macau's lavish hotels and casinos, reminiscent of the best in Las Vegas, Nevada. I should also mention that the seafood buffet at the Sands was outstanding. Yes, you can eat for two hours! During our visit, parts of Macau's roadways were undergoing transformation for the 2014 Grand Prix motor racing event. Here's a few favorite pictures from Macau. To see all the pictures in Picasa, click on the link at the lower right of the last picture.
Singapore: The final leg of our Asia trip was a week in Singapore staying in an apartment rented from Somerset Orchard, off of Orchard Road, one of the main shopping boulevards on this small island country. Besides the opportuntiy for us to visit new places like Singapore, a highlight of our stay was reuniting with Singaporean friends we met in 2012 on Jeju Island in South Korea. They showed us great places off the tourist route in addition to the more popular destinations within Singapore. Here's a few favorite pictures from Singapore. To see all the pictures in Picasa, click on the link at the lower right of the last picture.
Hong Kong Part 1: The first leg of our trip to Asia began with a non-stop flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. Before going into mainland China, Kay and I decided to spend four nights on our own exploring the sights in Hong Kong. My last trip to this area was in 1992. Needless to say that China, which now includes Hong Kong and Macau as Special Administrative Regions, has experienced an economic explosion since 1992. As a result, on going construction, be it high rise buildings or roadways, can be seen throughout the regions we visited. Living with a crowd is the norm here which certainly makes me appreciate, ever more, the luxury of space that I have at home. Here's a few favorite pictures from Hong Kong Part 1. To see all the pictures in Picasa, click on the link at the lower right of the last picture.
 |
| From Hong Kong, Part 1 |
Jiangmen: We were picked up by Kay's brother and his wife in Jiangmen after catching the early morning ferry from Hong Kong, about a 3-hour ride. Our hotel, where we spent the next 9 nights, was within easy walking distance to most of the relative's homes and nicely situated across the street from the city's central park, the Donghu. This beautiful flowery park with two lakes, a large open plaza, and three hilly knolls, along with numerous hidden pathways and enclaves, is a popular gathering place for community activities throughout the day and evening hours. Besides normal activities like walking and jogging, there is group exercise, jazzercise, tai chi, kung fu, singing, fan dancing and ballroom dancing just to name a few. Add special events during weekends such Chinese opera on the open air stage and colorful light and fountain displays, and this is a very entertaining place. While in Jiangmen, it was all about being with family with big meals out and in along with side trips to local sights. Here's a few favorite pictures from Jiangmen. To see all the pictures in Picasa, click on the link at the lower right of the last picture.
 |
| From Jiangmen |
Hong Kong Part 2: Kay and I returned to Hong Kong along with her brother and his wife, using the bus which was less expensive and more scenic giving us a bird's eye view of the phenomenal growth occurring in China. We, two couples, rented adjacent apartments near the Jordan MTR Station on Austin Avenue within the Tsim Sha Tsui District. Part of our plans in Hong Kong included a visit of cousins from Kay's father's side, who live in the Tuen Mun District within the northwestern region of Hong Kong, a 45 minute subway from our apartment. We also visited the Stanley area and Repulse Bay on the southside of Hong Kong island, where the coastal waters felt absolutely wonderful, but yours truly did not bring swim shorts. Here's a few favorite pictures from Hong Kong Part 2. To see all the pictures in Picasa, click on the link at the lower right of the last picture.
 |
| From Hong Kong, Part 2 |
Macau: While in Hong Kong, the four of us, Kay's brother, his wife, Kay and I, did an overnighter to Macau staying at the Hotel Royal close to the old town. Like Hong Kong, Macau has been a Special Adminstrative Region of China since 1999. The primary attraction for the tourist, besides gambling, appears to be Macau's lavish hotels and casinos, reminiscent of the best in Las Vegas, Nevada. I should also mention that the seafood buffet at the Sands was outstanding. Yes, you can eat for two hours! During our visit, parts of Macau's roadways were undergoing transformation for the 2014 Grand Prix motor racing event. Here's a few favorite pictures from Macau. To see all the pictures in Picasa, click on the link at the lower right of the last picture.
 |
| From Macau |
Singapore: The final leg of our Asia trip was a week in Singapore staying in an apartment rented from Somerset Orchard, off of Orchard Road, one of the main shopping boulevards on this small island country. Besides the opportuntiy for us to visit new places like Singapore, a highlight of our stay was reuniting with Singaporean friends we met in 2012 on Jeju Island in South Korea. They showed us great places off the tourist route in addition to the more popular destinations within Singapore. Here's a few favorite pictures from Singapore. To see all the pictures in Picasa, click on the link at the lower right of the last picture.
 |
| From Singapore |
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