Our 2 daughters are growing up like weeds, we are thinking sadly maybe there are not too many times for all our family to travel together.
Yue wants to see Alaska saying: " too late maybe we could not see a lot of things, global warming...". She is so cute commenting on environment, remember one time she said :" Honey is what bees made for their babies, but human steal it away:(", since I like put honey into any liquid I drink...is it 100% really honey around?
To Alaska there are different ways:
1. Air
Many Alaska-bound flight itineraries include a stop at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle — the closest major airport to the state, hey, how about Canada, Vancouver?!
2. Cruise
There are two ways to reach Alaska by sea: cruise ship or ferry. Everyone knows Cruise; independent travelers may prefer to take in the same scenery via the Alaska Marine Highway, the state’s ferry system. Ferries offer the flexibility to stop and explore along the way, and to bring your personal vehicle or RV along for side trips to port cities.
3. Package Tour
see http://www.travelalaska.com/Package%20Tours/Wildlife%20Packages.aspx
It would be nice to take the Husky Sled! My favorite dog!
4. Highway driving
Once a bumpy dirt road, the Alaska Highway is now a modern, well maintained 1,500-mile highway. Some of the world’s wildest and most beautiful national and state parks are along this route. Cultural attractions, adventure tours, incredible scenery and unforgettable experiences make this option popular with independent travelers. Sounds exciting? Only in Summer!
When is the best month to visit Alaska? You can't go wrong visiting Alaska anytime between May 10 and September 15. The days are long, nature is in full bloom, and the air is alive with energy.
One way Air, one way Cruise, or go driving in summer time! That's what I think.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Beijing Music Concert
It will be a great treat if we could go to some music concert/show at Beijing.
There are several theaters where some famous singers/artists will perform, here are some links:
http://www.chncpa.org/
- 国家大剧院 首页 > 演出购票 > 演出安排 》
选 7，8月 刘欢音乐会 8月8-11日， 能搞到票吗？
http://www.chncpa.org/module/rili/index.jsp?year=2013&month=7&doflag=1
http://www.beijingyinyueting.com
- 北京音乐厅
http://www.piaobuy.com/yanchanghui/
- 京东票务网
The following picture is called Jiao Zi, don't mix this with dumpling, this is the 1st ever paper money!
There are several theaters where some famous singers/artists will perform, here are some links:
http://www.chncpa.org/
- 国家大剧院 首页 > 演出购票 > 演出安排 》
选 7，8月 刘欢音乐会 8月8-11日， 能搞到票吗？
http://www.chncpa.org/module/rili/index.jsp?year=2013&month=7&doflag=1
http://www.beijingyinyueting.com
- 北京音乐厅
http://www.piaobuy.com/yanchanghui/
- 京东票务网
The following picture is called Jiao Zi, don't mix this with dumpling, this is the 1st ever paper money!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
XIAN Plan
Jul 15 arrive Beijing and may stay in Beijing for a few days, then high train to XiAn.
XiAn is a great city and there are so many to see in the city and around city. Here are the images with the detail sights listed. Maybe we will spend 3-4 days?
Net Friend just recommand me this site: http://www.hylae.com/indexcc.asp - 汉阳陵。maybe we need 5 days!
In the city:
Around City:
A lot of to see, and also a lot of to eat, here is the name of a special food, dont worry if you dont know this word, I bet 99% Chinese can not ever read and write this, hehe.
And alos a lot of to buy, just click the following:
特产：仿秦兵马俑 虎头枕 户县农民画 西凤酒 临潼石榴 辇止坡老童家腊牛羊肉 临潼火晶柿子
XiAn is a great city and there are so many to see in the city and around city. Here are the images with the detail sights listed. Maybe we will spend 3-4 days?
Net Friend just recommand me this site: http://www.hylae.com/indexcc.asp - 汉阳陵。maybe we need 5 days!
In the city:
A lot of to see, and also a lot of to eat, here is the name of a special food, dont worry if you dont know this word, I bet 99% Chinese can not ever read and write this, hehe.
Here is chinese description and you could copy and paste into Google Translate and see what comes out!
Biang biang面是陕西名特小吃，这段弯弯曲曲巧妙幽默的“biang”字组合，概括biang
biang面的产地特性，食者感受、制作工艺要领，原料、调料、做面人辛勤操作，秦人性格气质，心底宽长，有棱有角，大苦大乐的爽快精神，引出陕西人为之自豪的饮食文化。
And alos a lot of to buy, just click the following:
特产：仿秦兵马俑 虎头枕 户县农民画 西凤酒 临潼石榴 辇止坡老童家腊牛羊肉 临潼火晶柿子
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Tentative Plan
Well, the airplane is booked, and now it's time to start details/questions of the trip plan.
Just a reminder: 2 new luggages , China Visa for 3, and what else?
Basically we considertaking train instead of airplane unless no choice, since it's troublesome to go up and down. Also should we do group or self tour?
Added 2 days later: To cities it's better to take train, but to national park as JZG and ZJJ, it's better to fly, saving time. And since there is no return for us, self tour is the only choice.
Beijing - Xian 大概1200公里左右
Xian - JiuZhaiGou 共702.4公里
either fly to 黄龙 or train to 成都 then bus, not sure if it's good for July, may consult with the relatives in China. Looks it's better to go with group (旅游团）。
JiuZhaiGou - ChengDu - ZhangJiaJie 共1338.9公里
ZhangJiaJie - Nanjing (东南大学我的母校，泪流满面ing。。。）
Naning - Suzhou - Shanghai - Home —— back to Beijing.
黄山要不要去？
线路图：
Just a reminder: 2 new luggages , China Visa for 3, and what else?
Basically we consider
Added 2 days later: To cities it's better to take train, but to national park as JZG and ZJJ, it's better to fly, saving time. And since there is no return for us, self tour is the only choice.
Beijing - Xian 大概1200公里左右
北京到西安列车共17趟 列车时刻及票价查询
| 车次 | 出发-到达 | 发时-到时 | 运行时间 | 参考票价 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G87 | 北京西 - 西安北 | 14:00 - 18:40 | 4小时40分 | 二等软座 515.5 一等软座 824.5 |
| G667 | 北京西 - 西安北 | 17:38 - 23:05 | 5小时27分 | 二等软座 515.5 一等软座 824.5 |
| G659 | 北京西 - 西安北 | 12:08 - 17:35 | 5小时27分 | 二等软座 515.5 一等软座 824.5 |
| G655 | 北京西 - 西安北 | 10:05 - 15:43 | 5小时38分 | 二等软座 515.5 一等软座 824.5 |
| G651 | 北京西 - 西安北 | 07:05 - 12:48 | 5小时43分 | 二等软座 515.5 一等软座 824.5 |
Xian - JiuZhaiGou 共702.4公里
either fly to 黄龙 or train to 成都 then bus, not sure if it's good for July, may consult with the relatives in China. Looks it's better to go with group (旅游团）。
JiuZhaiGou - ChengDu - ZhangJiaJie 共1338.9公里
ZhangJiaJie - Nanjing (东南大学我的母校，泪流满面ing。。。）
Naning - Suzhou - Shanghai - Home —— back to Beijing.
黄山要不要去？
线路图：
Monday, March 18, 2013
Van Gogh and Da Vinci
Last Saturday we had good family time.
We got up until 10ish, it's called "Natural Wake up" (自然醒in Chinese:), then we went to a GuangDong* Restaurant for Dim Sun at South-Point as planed, good thing is Yue decided to join us, usually she likes stay home by herself. After Dim Sun, we went to bookstore nearby and Yue was showing around the books.
Always amazed by so many great authors and artists. Out of all, we stayed longest to browse the works by Van Gogh and Da Vinci, two towering giants in the world of art.
Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo Da Vinci, one is from the late 19th century and one is a Renaissance figure. Whose works do you enjoy more?
From http://www.prlog.org
"In their approach to art, both of them are very linear.
In order to grab images quickly, Da Vinci always takes his sketchbook with him. These sketches consists the basis for the undertaking of all of his great art works. One only has to look at he Adoration of the Magi or his Cartoon of the Virgin and St. Anne to immediately grasp his understanding and use of line. Da Vinci's grasp of line was for far more than a drafting skill to set-up a painting, rather his drawings are expression of his main feelings and thoughts about his subjects and he conveys about this in his works.
Although drawings were used in Van Gogh paintings as well, Vincent would paint directly on canvas without using any drawings. This is quite different with what Da Vinci do. This is not to diminish his drawings, instead, it is to demonstrate the Vincent’s mind. If you look at any of his drawings you will know all at once that everything in the drawing is the subject. Van Gogh is able to integrate them all together what he sees and express them on paper. Some of his drawings are so great that it is difficult to understand them. In the same way, Da Vinci's drawings of wind and water are masterpieces that are difficult to understand but the message of the drawings call out to you.
As for the approach they used in their wokrs, Van Gogh and Da Vinci were totally different. Leonardo wanted to convey the scene or event that has been requested of him, but Vincent had no desire to convey any scene. Van Gogh wanted to express himself through his paintings which are very abstract and not easily rendered as images of scenes or events. The biggest difference between Da Vinci and Van Gogh is that the later's work pulsates and demonstrates vigor. Da Vinc, however, used very subtle tones and strokes to creat his art. No matter how difference in their approaches, both of them offer us the same thing which is the revelation of the inner consciousness at work within us.
http://www.atlandbiz.com/
Both Yue and Yuan like drawing, especially Yue did take lessons for years.
GuangDong* - Cantonese in Putonghua, which is official language in China
We got up until 10ish, it's called "Natural Wake up" (自然醒in Chinese:), then we went to a GuangDong* Restaurant for Dim Sun at South-Point as planed, good thing is Yue decided to join us, usually she likes stay home by herself. After Dim Sun, we went to bookstore nearby and Yue was showing around the books.
Always amazed by so many great authors and artists. Out of all, we stayed longest to browse the works by Van Gogh and Da Vinci, two towering giants in the world of art.
Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo Da Vinci, one is from the late 19th century and one is a Renaissance figure. Whose works do you enjoy more?
From http://www.prlog.org
"In their approach to art, both of them are very linear.
In order to grab images quickly, Da Vinci always takes his sketchbook with him. These sketches consists the basis for the undertaking of all of his great art works. One only has to look at he Adoration of the Magi or his Cartoon of the Virgin and St. Anne to immediately grasp his understanding and use of line. Da Vinci's grasp of line was for far more than a drafting skill to set-up a painting, rather his drawings are expression of his main feelings and thoughts about his subjects and he conveys about this in his works.
Although drawings were used in Van Gogh paintings as well, Vincent would paint directly on canvas without using any drawings. This is quite different with what Da Vinci do. This is not to diminish his drawings, instead, it is to demonstrate the Vincent’s mind. If you look at any of his drawings you will know all at once that everything in the drawing is the subject. Van Gogh is able to integrate them all together what he sees and express them on paper. Some of his drawings are so great that it is difficult to understand them. In the same way, Da Vinci's drawings of wind and water are masterpieces that are difficult to understand but the message of the drawings call out to you.
As for the approach they used in their wokrs, Van Gogh and Da Vinci were totally different. Leonardo wanted to convey the scene or event that has been requested of him, but Vincent had no desire to convey any scene. Van Gogh wanted to express himself through his paintings which are very abstract and not easily rendered as images of scenes or events. The biggest difference between Da Vinci and Van Gogh is that the later's work pulsates and demonstrates vigor. Da Vinc, however, used very subtle tones and strokes to creat his art. No matter how difference in their approaches, both of them offer us the same thing which is the revelation of the inner consciousness at work within us.
http://www.atlandbiz.com/
Both Yue and Yuan like drawing, especially Yue did take lessons for years.
GuangDong* - Cantonese in Putonghua, which is official language in China
Friday, March 15, 2013
Tickets to China
I am always wondering if I could book online by ourselves or ask agency. The key issue for we Chinese (care about money:() is that if agency could get better deal than youself search online or not. Even you could diligently do your own search, but a good agency with promo for sure is the best! We kind like our long-time agency, and let me know if you want the number!
I will tell you my story about my effort for buying tickets.
First I search myself, my iPhone, Nexus 7 are loaded with all the travel help apps, you name it and I have it. Among all, I use most is Tripadvisor, and I like the feature of emailing me the price dropping alert. I searched the price for Jul-Aug to Beijing, the lowest is around $1600.
Then I talked to my long-time travel agency to ask her to keep eyes on the price, until she sends me a good quote, that's why you need a good one since you rely on her/his service. You are doomed if you have a not so good agency, by no so good means they dont really care about you or dont try to save your money:). A few days ago my agency sent me quote and indicated it's a fair price, not that good deal (she is nice, isn't she?!) and gave me the choice either go for it or hold a bit (you could get lower or higher price if you are willing to wait, you never know). The price for Air Canada Jul-Aug to Beijing is $1450, not bad at all, right? since I can only find $1600 online.
Next I went to the Air Canada website to look for the price around the date, and checked the Flexible Check Box online, and I found a better price just by 1 day difference so I held the tickets at once. The I contacted my lovely agency to see if she could get even better deal:)
So after all those "hard working", I may save $100-200 per ticket, for all 4 of us, pretty good saving? I could buy a nice Tablet:)) Or not worth it, I wish I could do it like the others, not even care spending time to save a little money. SIGHing...
Well, let me know your thoughts.
I will tell you my story about my effort for buying tickets.
First I search myself, my iPhone, Nexus 7 are loaded with all the travel help apps, you name it and I have it. Among all, I use most is Tripadvisor, and I like the feature of emailing me the price dropping alert. I searched the price for Jul-Aug to Beijing, the lowest is around $1600.
Then I talked to my long-time travel agency to ask her to keep eyes on the price, until she sends me a good quote, that's why you need a good one since you rely on her/his service. You are doomed if you have a not so good agency, by no so good means they dont really care about you or dont try to save your money:). A few days ago my agency sent me quote and indicated it's a fair price, not that good deal (she is nice, isn't she?!) and gave me the choice either go for it or hold a bit (you could get lower or higher price if you are willing to wait, you never know). The price for Air Canada Jul-Aug to Beijing is $1450, not bad at all, right? since I can only find $1600 online.
Next I went to the Air Canada website to look for the price around the date, and checked the Flexible Check Box online, and I found a better price just by 1 day difference so I held the tickets at once. The I contacted my lovely agency to see if she could get even better deal:)
So after all those "hard working", I may save $100-200 per ticket, for all 4 of us, pretty good saving? I could buy a nice Tablet:)) Or not worth it, I wish I could do it like the others, not even care spending time to save a little money. SIGHing...
Well, let me know your thoughts.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
China Trip for Girls
First of all, I heartly thank God for giving us two lovely daughters, now I am not jealous others' boy anymore:) just kidding.
YueYue is doing great at University and YuanYuan is going to High School this Fall (she decided to turn down the invitation from OSA and go to nearby school), and we are very proud of them. But look at the post at 2009, I feel that we owe them some nice trip :
”
We did not go Canada Railway last year, so maybe we should take a trip this summer. Since YueYuan show strong interest of China, and love Chinese food, culture, etc, also a big reason this maybe last chance we all family could do long trip together, and also YueYuan could see grandparents, therefore we seriously plan this summer China trip.
Due to hot weather in China's summer, we plan tours just on the north of China, not too far south from Long River.
1. XiAn, world famous Terra-Cotta Warriors, even though not huge deal for Chinese (we went there way back dating time, felt a bit boring :)
滚滚红尘帝王都，悠悠岁月百姓城。历史感的古城墙和兵马俑及大饱口福的各色美食。
can not miss: 兵马俑，历史博物馆，古城墙，大雁塔，华清池
2. JiuZhaiGou National Park （九寨沟), 美的让人无语，只能勉强用中文来苍白无力地描述：九寨归来不看水，溪河湖瀑飞动，静谧结合，一步一色、变幻无穷。 夏日的九寨沟掩映在苍翠欲滴的浓荫之中，去五彩池赏杜鹃花，去诺日朗观瀑布。用驴友的话来说：这美的也太不像话了吧:)
http://lvyou.baidu.com/jiuzhaigou - pictures to prove!
3. ZhangJiajie National Park (张家界），Oscar Winner Avatar announced her beauty to the world.
三千奇峰，八百溪流，武陵源奇特的峰林地貌和壮丽的喀斯特景观让你置身于仙山仙境之中。
can not miss: 1. 武陵源 2. 天门山. please see http://lvyou.baidu.com/zhangjiajie
I can not help to marvel(惊叹）the beauty of Chinese Mountain and Water (山水）!
Later I would love to plan detail out (旅游攻略大全）, stay tuned...:)
YueYue is doing great at University and YuanYuan is going to High School this Fall (she decided to turn down the invitation from OSA and go to nearby school), and we are very proud of them. But look at the post at 2009, I feel that we owe them some nice trip :
Future Trip Plan written on 2009
“
Yue is going to High School, Yuan is going to
Grade 6.
To celebrate their studies and grow-up, and have high quality family time, the following dream travel plans are listed:
To celebrate their studies and grow-up, and have high quality family time, the following dream travel plans are listed:
- Canada Railway - http://www.trainpackages.ca/en_index.html (2012 when Yue high school graduation)
- Europe Trip (2016 when Yue university and Yuan high school graduation)
- Around China Trip (2020 when Yuan university and Yue Master degree celbration)
- South-American Trip (2024 when Yuan is doing Doctor study)
We did not go Canada Railway last year, so maybe we should take a trip this summer. Since YueYuan show strong interest of China, and love Chinese food, culture, etc, also a big reason this maybe last chance we all family could do long trip together, and also YueYuan could see grandparents, therefore we seriously plan this summer China trip.
Due to hot weather in China's summer, we plan tours just on the north of China, not too far south from Long River.
1. XiAn, world famous Terra-Cotta Warriors, even though not huge deal for Chinese (we went there way back dating time, felt a bit boring :)
滚滚红尘帝王都，悠悠岁月百姓城。历史感的古城墙和兵马俑及大饱口福的各色美食。
can not miss: 兵马俑，历史博物馆，古城墙，大雁塔，华清池
2. JiuZhaiGou National Park （九寨沟), 美的让人无语，只能勉强用中文来苍白无力地描述：九寨归来不看水，溪河湖瀑飞动，静谧结合，一步一色、变幻无穷。 夏日的九寨沟掩映在苍翠欲滴的浓荫之中，去五彩池赏杜鹃花，去诺日朗观瀑布。用驴友的话来说：这美的也太不像话了吧:)
http://lvyou.baidu.com/jiuzhaigou - pictures to prove!
3. ZhangJiajie National Park (张家界），Oscar Winner Avatar announced her beauty to the world.
三千奇峰，八百溪流，武陵源奇特的峰林地貌和壮丽的喀斯特景观让你置身于仙山仙境之中。
can not miss: 1. 武陵源 2. 天门山. please see http://lvyou.baidu.com/zhangjiajie
I can not help to marvel(惊叹）the beauty of Chinese Mountain and Water (山水）!
Later I would love to plan detail out (旅游攻略大全）, stay tuned...:)
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