China is a destination that I will be going to this year. As a preview I am posting a blog by a friend and Guest Blogger, Beth White. Thank you Beth for your contribution and I look forward to seeing the beautiful country of China.
Hi folks, I am writing today to take you on the most exciting trip ever. Yep, it is my trip
with granddaughter Sarah without whom I could not have journeyed half way around
the world to Shanghai, China to visit with son Jim.
Traveling via Heathrow we arrived after some 30 hours and two sleeps to what we have
fondly called ‘the city of extremes’.
From the ultra modern, futuristic architecture;
advanced technology and rail systems, the density of high rises with luxurious
accommodation to the working classes who are steeped in their culture and retain
their ageless ways.
The elder population is revered - it has always been so.
The elder population is revered - it has always been so.
Our introduction to the population as we began our first foray into the subway system
was to quickly notice (then and again later as Jim’s daughters Molly and Breanna joined
us) that we were quite novel to most, the white skin, the lovely young ladies and one
senior with white hair. Little people peaking around a parent would giggle, young men
would nudge a companion to look and then there was the ever present telephones
taking pictures.
Subways, buses and trains carried us to unique shopping venues. The ‘cloth market
where one could have clothes made to measure in few days to ’the fake market which
boasted all sorts of knock offs to tempt shoppers. The street of fabulous name brand
stores such GUCCI and famous watches and perfumes; ladies clothing and jewelry!
Each day presented travel between a series of subway lines. RMB is the name of the
currency used. A 100 RMB bill was equal to about 16.00 Canadian. The girls proved
discriminating shoppers and quickly adapted to the difference in currency and honed
their bartering skills. I was glad when one or the other did the talking for me. We
picked up few words such as ‘sheshe‘ spoken as "she she" which means thank you. I
very much appreciated being able to say thanks when a rider on subway would stand to
give me their seat.
The customary washrooms still prevail while what we have grown up with are not as
plentiful in shopping areas. But, when in Rome .... as the saying goes. Dumplings and
noodles, assorted rice and vegetable dishes, pork and peking duck make up the great
fare but not outdone by the countless types of tea, samples were offered everywhere.
There was a ‘tea’ to help all ailments of the body, mind and soul. When I asked what
the sales lady would recommend to help me be taller she quickly replied ‘high healed
shoes!”. What a sense of humor. McDonald’s and Tim Horton’s were also evident
and one appreciated a good ole beefy hamburger and fries McDonald’s style.
a melting pot of nationalities. This area was developed with Ex pats in mind and
where most settle when living in Shanghai. One could hear a conversations in English
around the courtyard.
Shanghai World Financial Center was certified by the Guinness World Records as the
world’s Highest Observatory” in 2009. The Sky walk - 55m wide is located 474m
above ground and one feels like you are walking in the sky across the glass-floor
walkway. Amazing views in all directions. Almost beyond description. Verdigo
sufferers may not be comfortable. Barges traveling up the Huangpu River carrying
mounds of coal appeared like dinky toys. Coal is the main source of heat and energy
which accounts for the degree of pollution that covers the city. Face masks are evident
everywhere.
We flew to Beijing for two days visiting the Great Wall of China. How Great it is!
Hiring
a driver for the day, we drove 1.5 hr from Beijing to pay our visit. Built over
generations in east-west fashion over mountains, deserts, grassland to protect the
Chinese Empire from various warlike peoples of the North. Several walls were built as
early as 7th century B.C. and in time joined together through to 1368-1644 and the Ming
dynasties - at a cost of over million lives. It is 6000 km long and peasants, convicts,
army, and disgraced noblemen provided the manpower. Rice flour was used to make
the mortar.
We took the lift to top of mountain and walked until we could walk no more.
Periodically there were lookouts for guards and supplies. Twenty five feet tall and
15-30’ wide. One has to wonder “How Did they Do That!” and it is hard to describe the
wonder of it. Jim and I travelled back on lift while girls choose to take a bobsled like
sled that wound down the mountain with hairpin turns and steep drops. We could not
always see them but we could hear laughter and squeals as they sped down the icy
trail.
On then to the Summer Palace to finish the day with plans the next day to visit the
Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
The large city square takes its name from the
The large city square takes its name from the
Tiananmen Gate that separates the Square from the Forbidden City which is circled by
a 52m wide moat.. The Forbidden City was the Chinese Imperial Palace from the Ming
Dynasty to end Qing Dynasty. Ancient Chinese treasures are on view and we were
impressed with the Ceramic Museum where chards of dishes 8000 BC were displayed
and throughout various vessels, dishes produced throughout the following generations.
Each article detailed the process used, the firings and materials. Beautiful, absolutely
beautiful.
Soon Molly and Breanna were en route home while Sarah and I flew to London.
Subway travel once again to the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels - breath taking
to see. The history of the Tower and its bloody past came alive as one listened to the
guide telling of two of Henry VIII six wives, Ann Boleyn and Catherine Howard being
beheaded on Tower Green as was the 9 day Queen Lady Jane Grey. A few steps took
us to a ferry ride along the Thames River and under London Bridge to our stop at Big
Ben and Westminster Abbey and our visit to the final resting place of Kings and
Queens; notables such as William Shakespeare. Charles Dickens, Browning, Tennyson.
The Grave of the Unknown Soldier. The place of Coronations (38), weddings and
funerals.
A walk along St. James Park brought us to Buckingham Palace with the sun gloriously
shining on the golden peaks of the Palace and Queen Victoria’s memorial. Flower
beds with all shades of flowers blooming; changing of the guard, the Mall and the
crowds made such a memorable finish to our day in London.
And so we were soon on the way on the last leg of our wonderful experience - tired,
happy with hours of memories, pictures and laughs. Memorable experiences to fill theand for many years - a trip of a lifetime. Enjoy, Beth
