29/07: July 29, 2006

Category: China Trip 2006
Posted by: admin
Home Sweet Home...

I don''t really know what was more enduring - the tours in the heat and humidity, or the number of lines and customs checks that we had to pass through? I think, the lines and customs tested our endurance.

The real question is, what is the first thing that everybody ate, upon arrival back to America. Speaking for my family...it was none other than McDonalds...

The second question is, what was the first thing everybody did when we got home? Taking a long shower, using our bathrooms with an abundant amount of toilet paper? For me, well - those on the trip and others who have been reading this blog knows what I did first. Make sure the site is up and running, and updating this blog.

Okay, we left the hotel at around 11:00am, went to eat lunch, then went to the airport.



We departed Shanghai, landed in Beijing for about an hour or so layover, and then flew back here to America. The most noticable differences - weather, signs, and language.

We took the bus from LAX to the Chinese School of San Diego,






and bid everybody our farewells...I have always stated, "My work day begins when the tour day ends...and this is no different, so I am sorting through over 3000 photo''s and will have the photogallery online by tomorrow night for sure.

To all...thank you for making this a memorable experience and as I said in one toast -
we have seen and experienced things others only dream and read about,
we have met and bonded with people beyond our expecations.

Thanks for the memories and hope to see you all again,
John L Wilson
Web Administrator, Chinese School of San Diego
johnlwilson@chineseschoolsd.com
866-393-2393

The estimated date for the DVD is 08/06/2006

28/07: July 28, 2006

Category: China Trip 2006
Posted by: admin
Today we arrived in Shanghai



and we rode on what is called the Magnelev or Magnetic Levitron transportation. In concept, it is a train that travels in excess of 450Km/hour on a cushion of air caused from opposite magnetic polarities. To make a long story short, it was a fast moving experience.


Following the ride, we went to the Chinese Gardens, Chinatown of China (had to try their Starbucks too)


and then the silk factory.

A lot of education on the making of silk products and a great display of silk embroiderie and clothing.


We then went to eat at a nice restaurant along the river



and then some of the group went shopping, while others were treated to a boat ride along the riverside of Shanghai.



Worn out, tired and beat from the heat and humidity, it was great to finally make it back to the hotel which was at 11:00pm, making this an extremely long and tiresome day.

Sally Wong-Avery talked with the tour guides on behalf of our group, expressing our fatigue and frustration of having to face another long day tomorrow (today) with more shopping, a plane ride to Beijing, and the long trip back to the USA - all starting at 6:30am. Sally prevails and we get some long awaited and needed rest - whew!!!

27/07: July 27, 2006

Category: China Trip 2006
Posted by: admin
Today we got some good rest prior to visiting the Terracotta Warriors which was really great to see one of the 8th wonders of the world.




Following the exhibition, we then ate lunch


where some people even indulged in tasting rice wines of different flavors...including one called ''snake''. Ever wonder why? (this is a real snake in the bottle of wine).


After the lunch, we then visited the Hot Springs.






Finally, some people went to the Bell Tower, where they ring the bell from a tower every hour and after a certain hour, and then dinner and back to the hotel.

Tomorrow, we leave Xian and fly to Shanghai, which is one of the most richest places in China. I am not sure if we will have Internet Access, or time to update this blog, but just in case we don''t. We will be heading back to America the following day from Beijing.

But an end note if this blog isn''t updated by the time we get back, we would all like to express our longing for America, American food, long nights and late mornings, and finally to be in the arms of our friends and Loved-Ones.

26/07: July 26, 2006

Category: China Trip 2006
Posted by: admin
Today was another long day only for the fact that we got up at 5:30am and got ready for our departure from Beijing and flying into Xian.

Upon arriving into Xian, we took the bus tour through some of the city and stopped off at the Pagoda.




Following this trip, we went to the hotel for an hour from 6:00pm - 7:00pm and went to dinner feasting on various dumplings and was entertained with a dance show. It was a great show displaying the music and dances which make this city one of the most exciting.
(because there are so many pictures at this event, the images are smaller than usual)







It is now 10:51pm and we are back at the hotel getting well needed rest and tomorrow we will be visiting the Terracotta Warriors and other sites.

Ps: Although there is better internet connectivity here in Xian, it is still not efficient enough for uploading all the files for the gallery. This will be done when we arrive back to America.

25/07: July 25, 2006

Category: China Trip 2006
Posted by: admin
If the walk yesterday didn''t task the legs and feet...the Great Wall of China was sure to break the test.

We took a trolley near the top of one of the stations, whereby we walked up and down one portion of the Great Wall.




This was a great challenge, with the steps unpredictable height and slope, one really had to be on their toes...so to speak.

The incline was so steep at times, that your body was almost laying flat just to climb to the top. As if that wasn''t hard enough, coming down the hill proved to be no easy task either.

It was great, as the Children seemed to have out lasted the adults in both agility and endurance.

On the way to the Great Wall, we stopped off at the Jade factory. Beautiful pieces of art and stone carvings.

Following the Great Wall, we (some of us) visited the Emporers Tomb, and then the Herbal Museum with an acrobatics show during dinner.



While at the Herbal Museum, quite a few of us enjoyed a relaxing and well deserved massage...Aaaaaaaaah! The life.


Tomorrow we leave from Beijing and fly 2 hours to Xian departing the hotel at 8:30am.

I will keep you all informed on the days events then.

Best to all, and we miss you too.

Ps: I am trying to get the album online, however, the internet access isn''t the best, so I will try to insert a couple of pictures into the blog until then.

23/07: July 24, 2006

Category: China Trip 2006
Posted by: admin
This morning, most of us woke up at around 4:00am or 5:00am here due to our mental time clocks being set back at home, which would make the time for us in at about 1:00pm there...now that is sleeping in.

We all enjoyed a big buffet breakfast at the hotel which had a wide range of different foods. It was all very good.

Today we was considered the hardest day for walking and for good reason. The Forbidden City lives up to its name, with over 9999 1/2 rooms and seemingly miles of walking from one end to the other, it made for a long and somewhat painfully tiring day.



Following the Forbidden City and a glimpse of the Tainemen Square


we then went to the Temple of Heaven



and finally to the Summer Palace.


By the time we got to the Summer Palace, it was raining, really raining...but the townspeople were readily available and selling umbrella''s and rain covers for $1.00 USD each.

Cold, wet, tired, we made it back to the hotel at around 9:00pm.
Category: China Trip 2006
Posted by: admin
We arrived at the LAX airport in quick time and we boarded our plane at about 2:00am.

The flight was China Airlines - a Big 747, which helped some people really enjoying the flight, with greater leg space and just the excitement of knowing we will be arriving in Beijing in about 12 hours or so, It was as close to first class as you can get.




Once we arrived in Beijing, we all went to a restaraunt for breakfast. it was great food and very nice setting.


Following Breakfast, we all went to Walmart


And then to the Silk Street shopping center, where everybody tested their "Deal or No Deal" ability...

afterward, we all went to lunch at this very nice restaraunt.


And finally to the hotel (pictures coming soon).

There will be more detailed write-up later, as well as a photo gallery.

Everybody made it safe and we all extend our regards and thoughts to all of you back home.

Until we post more later...take care and we miss you all!

Ps: In case some of you are wondering why the dates of this blog skipped from the 21st to the 23rd, it is because we lost a day in our travels...pretty much anyway.
Category: China Trip 2006
Posted by: admin
This evening we all met at the Chinese School of San Diego and boarded the bus for a couple of hours ride from San Diego to Los Angeles.

Our departure time from San Diego was about 8:05pm and right now we are on the bus, some sleeping, some reading...some woring *clearing throat*. All in all it is a nice trip, good bus and great people.

We should be arriving at the LAX around 10:30pm or so...more like around 11:00pm and we fly out at 1:40am for a 12 hour 40 minute flight to Beijing.




Category: China Trip 2006
Posted by: admin
Today we had a very informative meeting and introduction to China and the trip from Sally Wong-Avery, Natasha Wong, and Chun Lee.

We learned a lot of everything there is to know, for some of us whose never made these travels to Mainland China, which generated both anxiety and excitement.

Anxiety knowing the flight departs Saturday morning at 1:40am for a 12 hour flight.But for some, as I stated, that is exciting...exciting enough to sign up for the Walmart tour 3 hours after we arrive in Beijing.

So starts this weblog (blog), which I will try to keep everybody abreast on the journeys we venture and the food, culture and people we will become acquainted with and experienced with photo's and perhaps a small video of sorts.

So please sit back, relax and enjoy the ride...we will be!

For contact information:John L Wilsonwebmaster@chineseschoolsd.com