Splendid China Fall 2013 # 5

Our excursion continued on to see the famous Ming Tombs, where buried 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Picture of the Ming Tombs

Statue of Emperor Yongle @ the Museum

Emperor Yongle

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A visit to the Summer Palace next day included the Imperial Garden built in the Qing Dynasty

Summer Palace

Man Made Lake Surrounding the Palace

Gardens within the Palace Grounds

Garden beside Palace Restaurant (recently opened to the Public)

Splendid China Fall 2013 # 4

The folowing day, we climbed a portion of the Great Wall @ the Badaling entrance.  The ancient wall was originally built as protection from the Huns and other Nomadic tribes.  Regarded as a magnificent military defense work, The Great Wall of China is awe inspiring. Although the climb was exhausting and my knees were acting up, I managed to climb 3 sentry points.  My senses tell me, I have finally arrived!  With the strong winds and a fear of heights, I decided on a slow decent, holding on to the railings like a pitiful old lady fearing a fall over the cliff on this sunny Fall day.

My friend, Angela deserves a medal of reaching heights! While our tour guide suggested a walk up the West side of the Badaling entrance & return; she saw and conquered the West plus decided to follow the sun on the East side, alongside hundreds of Chinese locals and back. Angela, busy trekking the East side of Badaling entrance forgot to take a picture of herself reaching the highest point.  I took a quick shot of The Great Wall behind her; proof positive she was there with all the Chinese locals rallying around her!

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COMMENTS:

November 28, 2013 at 10:46 PM

Hello, Aurora - sorry to push you to share your photos but I certainly am enjoying the script. It is informative and a "walk down memory lane" for me eons ago...Do keep us entertained, please. Kudos for surviving the trip-Ahmee

November 28, 2013 Email Exch .. 11:16 PM

If my comment did not come thru in the blog - here's saying kudos and a load of Thank Yous for the great photos and wonderful script, dear Aurora - Glad you enjoyed the trek despite "maka pabannog".  Keep it coming, yeah!!! Ahmee

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Splendid China Fall 2013 #3

Motoring to our next stop, the Temple of Heaven (1406-1420) built during Emperor Yongle's reign, a collection of religious buildings, now standing in a beautiful park of 670 acres

Temple of Heaven

Gate of Prayer
Emperor went to humble himself in prayer to guarantee a good harvest

Beijing Opera

 

With aching feet and near collapsed knee joints, we were treated to the Beijing Opera in the evening. Here, we experienced a different style of singing in high pitched voices, the elaborate costumes, some elements of acrobatics and martial arts.

Splendid China Fall 2013 # 2

Next stop was Tian’an men Square

the largest urban square in the world

The Monument to the People’s Heroes, Tian’an men Square

National Museum of China, facing Tian’an men Square

18.2 meter  parterre in the centre of Tian’an men Square

Like anything big in Beijing, a big production tour group picture with the Jin Shui Qiao as a backdrop was taken. NB: past experience, a group picture usually takes place towards the end of the trip, but this was done @ a time when no one even knew each other, thus an urgent request to our National Tour Guide Cathy, to provide a list of names!  Chi Min Lee does not get flustered easily!!!  She provided us the details plus more info @ the end of the trip.

LOL!  You can not miss me... with the bright green jacket!

Splendid China (Fall 2013) 1st of a Series

In October 2013, my friend Angela and I embarked on a holiday to China.  The best way to see a vast and diverse country was to join an organized tour that took us 13,500 kms to 19 cities on 7 Coach rides, 5 Air flights, 3 river cruises on the Yi, Li and Yangtze and a chance to experience the High Speed Rail in China, the longest HSR network in the world @ 9300Kms of routes in service as of December 2012.

We flew from Toronto, connected in Washington, DC for a flight to Beijing.  Beijing, a city of over 13 million, is on a 24 hour gridlock and the traffic is mind boggling.  Driving along Hwy 401 @ its busiest, can never compare!  I, too, promise to keep silent next time I travel the ever busy California Highways.

The weather cooperated well with us.  Apart from the 1^st night of smog upon arrival, it was sunny and bright.  There was so much to see and do in Beijing.  Like a whirlwind, our visit began.  Our first stop-Forbidden City, the Emperor’s palace, was off limits to commoners for centuries.  Forbidden City has 9,999 rooms and viewing the highlights of this place took us nearly a day to visit.

My friend Angela Martino

The Watch Tower in the Forbidden City

BCHSIAA Ontario Chapter On The Go !!!

BCHIAA Chapter Officers held a meeting Nov 24th to form committees for the upcoming 20th Celebration of the Chapter's formation October 25, 2014

4 "working" committees have been established with each having a Chairperson plus working members assigned. The committee chairs are still in need of volunteers. Pls. call Chairperson (s), to volunteer your expertise:

Ticket Sales - Amy Nanni & Nonette Carion

Entertainment - Melissa Flores

Souvenir Program - Aurora Alcampo

Chapter President Aurora Rosalin Alcampo (seated Front Middle) & the Working Committees

There are 30 active "working" members and each one might be pulled into 1-2 committees.  Amy Hamada Nanni chairs Ticket sales and Advertisement Programs, while the other 62er, AuroraL is a member of the Souvenir Program Committee.  Each of the participants pictured above will have to work hard(er) to make the event happen on October 25th, 2014.  We invite "all" of you to share in the celebrations and see the (2) '62ers in Toronto work their retirement years in action !!!