Approaching Manila Cathedral from horse carriage |
The interior is decorated with elaborate Biblical imagery |
Daoist books and pamphlets available at the temple |
The temple ceiling with its dragon-inspired design |
Approaching Manila Cathedral from horse carriage |
The interior is decorated with elaborate Biblical imagery |
Daoist books and pamphlets available at the temple |
The temple ceiling with its dragon-inspired design |
I recently visited the city of Fuzhou, just under 2 hours from my home city of Xiamen by high-speed train. I've been to Fuzhou twice before, but each time have had some different experiences and seen some different parts of the city. While I don't think Fuzhou has quite the scenic beauty of Xiamen, it does have some interesting sites, nice bar/entertainment areas, and unique historical landmarks.
This pagoda also functioned as a lighthouse in days gone by |
1873 cannon made in London |
Last weekend, I went to Riyuegu (日月谷) Hot Springs with some friends. Hot spring resorts are very popular in China, probably because they provide one of the few ways to escape the crowded cities into a more relaxing environment. Of course, popular hot springs can also get pretty crowded (I went to one in Fuzhou that was packed with people), but at least you can avoid much of the noise and never-ending construction prevalent throughout most cities in China.
A few months ago, I took a trip to the Philippines and since I've finally had time to sort through the photos I took, I thought I'd start posting some as well as my recollections of some of the places visited.
I met up with a friend from China in Manila and we decided to take a day trip to Taal Volcano, about 50 km south of Manila. We took a taxi from Makati to Tagaytay, from which you have to take a small boat, known as a banca to Volcano Island.
We ate a quick lunch (chicken adobo) here before taking our banca across the lake |
View of crater lake on Volcano Island |
Like most foreigners living in China, I'm often amused at the strange English translations of things on public signs. On my way to the gym this morning, I noticed one of the best Chinglish examples I've encountered.
Since my recent post about pizza in China seemed to be relatively popular, I decided to continue with an informal review of another China culinary experience. One of the things that's difficult to find in China is decent yogurt. There's plenty of Chinese yogurt, but unlike the Western variety, it tends to be watery stuff that you drink from a small bag or bottle. In addition to not being very good, it's also relatively expensive (a bit higher than what you'd pay in the USA for better quality). Consequently, I generally avoid it and instead buy imported brands from the Xiamen Metro Hypermarket, a German chain which sells many imported as well as Chinese food items. As with most imported products, you pay a premium, but if I'm going to overpay for my yogurt, I might as well overpay for the better imported brands.
Tibetan Yogurt Shop in Jimei with picture of the Potala Palace |
Some Yaks in Tibet from my 2010 trip |
Me, expertly riding a Yak in Tibet |
My Tibetan yogurt with fruit |
Inside view of the Tibetan yogurt place |
Last weekend I went to dinner in Xiamen Island with some friends. As with many things in China, such a seemingly simple experience can often involve some challenge and adventure. I met 2 friends that live in my apartment complex in Jimei (a district of Xiamen, outside of Xiamen Island). We tried to get a taxi, but after waiting for about 40 minutes we got on a bus instead and took about almost an hour to get to Xiamen Island.
"Enjoy the colorful fried food in spring" |
My panda potato posed artfully in ketchup |
I like the triangle design on this menu page showing various fried potato options as well as the "meiyou" onion rings |
I find this hard to believe, but according to the South China Morning Post, China is going to unblock the Internet (at least to a very limited extent). For those of you in the free Internet world, this might be hard to believe, but here in China many websites are blocked including some of the world's most popular websites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Many foreign blog and news sites are also blocked such as the New York Times. Since this blog is hosted by Blogger, it is also inaccessible to the vast majority of people in China. Those of us residing in China that want to keep our online connection to the rest of the world must rely on VPNs.
In 1986, American spy satellites under President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative hovering above the mountains of southeast China's Fujian Province spotted large, circular-shaped buildings suspected to be nuclear missile silos. The CIA sent spies to investigate these mysterious buildings only to find out that they were actually ancient buildings made largely of mud.
A view of a Tulou cluster from the top of a nearby mountain |
A view from inside a Tulou |
Me on a bridge in front of a 700 year old Tulou |
This is the King Tulou since its the biggest (and the most touristy and commercialized) |
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