China by Guest Blogger, Beth White

CHINA    FEBRUARY 2014


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.

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 visit to the international square with its variety of eating establishments proved to be

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

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 the

hours then a
and for many years - a trip of a lifetime. Enjoy, Beth

Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Pretoria South Africa

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

South Africa

Arranged through Goway Tours

We leave Cape Town on South Africa Airlines, flying to Johannesburg.  Our guide picks us up at the airport for a three and a half hour drive, north to Pretoria and the game reserve.

We are off to see the Big Five--the elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and the cape buffalo, north from Johannesburg and Pretoria in one of the country’s most popular wildlife areas  Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Set in an ancient volcanic crater, this well-stocked reserve has a dramatic landscape that supports a wide variety of plants, animals and birds.

The fourth largest park in South Africa, Pilanesberg is a melting pot of topographies--which include syenite koppies, forested ravines, bush veld and rolling grasslands and lightly wooded areas--all contained in the crater of an extinct volcano that covers 55,000 hectares.

Thabayadiotso, "the Proud Mountain", offers fitting relief to the panoramas of the park. Apart from the large mammals, the park is home to over 300 species of birds. 

 

Our accomodations are in the Ivory Tree Lodge.

Ivory Tree Game Lodge is situated in the north eastern region of the Pilanesberg National Park, the closest point of entry is through Bakgatla Gate.

Nestled in the basin of an ancient amphitheatre divided by riverine woodlands and elephant trails lies this exclusive private game lodge. The central facility includes, stunning feature pool, bar, conference room, dining room, boma, reception and curio shop. Guests stay in private bungalows, with the featured outdoor shower!

Once settled in our room, we begin our first of the twice daily game drives. Viewing animals in their natural habitat is one of the most thrilling experiences ever. The game drives were three to three and a half hours in length. Morning drives began at 5 a.m and evening drives at 4:30 p.m. We didn’t miss one and were thrilled and amazed on every drive. Our guide, Solly Maponyane was knowledgeable, entertaining and determined to show us the Big Five!    If you plan to visit Pilanesberg, or Ivory Tree Lodge, be sure and ask for Solly. He is the best!

We left South Africa with sadness and will definitely return. It was one of the best trips ever for us and we would highly recommend it. Thanks to Winnie at Goway Travel for all of the arrangements and to Fazelia and Roberto, with Thomson Africa Tours for taking care of us in Cape Town.

 We took hundreds of pictures and I can only share a few, so enjoy !

Cape Town South Africa

Cape Town South Africa

Flight KLM Toronto to Amsterdam  7 ½ hours

Flight KLM Amsterdam to Cape Town  11 hours

Long flight with only a two hour stopover in Amsterdam but KLM is an excellent airline and the time passed quickly.

We arrived in Cape Town South Africa at 10:30 p.m so straight to the hotel for some much needed sleep before the adventure began.

Cape Town is the second-most populated city in South Africa, after Johannesburg , and it is the provincial capital. Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a supply station for Dutch ships sailing to East Africa, India, and the Far East. As of 2011 the metropolitan region had an estimated population of 3.74 million.

Our hotel was the stunning Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel, located at the entrance of the V & A Waterfront. A large hotel with 600 rooms, breakfast restaurant, bar, gym, pool and dinner restaurant, it is conveniently located to everything.

We were both surprised and impressed by the city of Cape Town. Both culturally and visually, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities we have visited.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens provided wonderful scenic walks through the indigenous Fynbos vegetation. Located along the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the views from every angle were awesome. Covering 36 hectares, the gardens are large and we returned the next day to finish our tour.

The V&A Waterfront quickly became one of our favorite places with shops, restaurants and lively outdoor bars, it was a wonderful place to relax and people watch.

A day trip to Cape of Good Hope and Boulder Beach proved to be the highlight of our Cape Town visit. The scenery was spectacular and the penguins were a joy to visit.

Our trip would not have been complete without a cable car trip up Table Mountain. The views from the top were amazing and the hiking trails gave us some much needed exercise.

I would recommend the Hop on and Off bus. At less than $20 Cdn. for an all day pass, you will see and experience Cape Town at its finest.

All in all, we were impressed with Cape Town and would definitely consider returning to the vibrant city. Sadly, we left South Africa on Tuesday and Mr. Mandela passed away on Thursday. He will be missed.

NOW  OFF TO PILANESBURG GAME RESERVE……………….

Calais, France

October 2013

Calais is connected to Dover in England by ferry services provided by P & O, DFDS Seaway and MyFerryLink. The trip of 26 miles,  takes about one hour and thirty minutes for both vehicle and foot passengers. Once you reach the port in Calais, shuttle busses run every thirty minutes to the center of town or the train station.

 

Calais is directly connected to the European motorway network. The A26/E15 provides access to the heart of France, including Paris.

  
 

 

 

Calais was once a humble fishing village but is now the combination of three towns, Calais Nord, Calais Sud and Calais Quest. Nord is the old part of town and harbour area. Rue Royale is considered to be the smarter shopping street, filled with boutiques and restaurants. However, be forewarned that many shops are closed on Wednesday, as we soon found out. Calais Sud is separated by canals and is the main town center.

 

There is a lovely park in the center of Calais which is well worth the time to enjoy.

  

When we departed from the ferry, we met a couple from western Australian, Marg and Wayne Hall and spent the rest of the day touring Calais with them. After walking many streets and avenues, we  found a nice café on the beach and enjoyed a lovely meal and a pint.

 

 

 

 

The wind was blowing fiercely on the beach but we did walk in the sand for a short distance. Rather than take the shuttle back to the port, we took a leisurely stroll and enjoyed the comraderie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calais is very large and would require more than a day to really be seen and appreciated.