We joined this tour group in KL in April 2001. Tian Ann-men was The Forbidden City where the emperor of China once lived. On the first day, our tour leader advised us not to mention two subjects: the demonstration by the students at the square or the Fa-lun Gong cult. These were very sensitive topics with the authorities.
36. Emperor of China
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Summer Palace
Chengdu
It was 6 degree C in the morning, in Chengdu. Some of our Malaysian tour group members did not even bring a jacket because they were told that it was warm in summer, no need lah! I was wearing 4 layers. It was very cold when there was wind at the lake side. I remember every one dancing and jumping just to keep warm when we were waiting for our boat ride by the lake.
mutan flower
The mu-tan is a unique flower found only in China. One year it was imported to NZ at the Ellerslie Flower show. They were selling like hot cakes among the Chinese immigrants. This was my first mu-tan. The others were seen on Chinese brush paintings which looked exactly like the real flower!
These mutan were cultivated on the South Island where the weather is cooler and more suitable. They were flown in just for the flower show at Ellerslie.
These mutan were cultivated on the South Island where the weather is cooler and more suitable. They were flown in just for the flower show at Ellerslie.
The Great Wall
The Forbidden City
Tian Ann-men square, home of the emperor of China. This has become a very popular tourist destination. Standing there for the very first time in my life, I felt very close to my roots. My grand father was born in China. He went to Sabah to look for his fortune in 1908. My father was born in Malaysia and so was I. We have relatives in China; but we have lost all contacts with them. I took my family to live in NZ in 1995. Today my sons are living in Australia. Hakka ngin are not well known for staying in one place for too long!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Beijing
Christine and I made our first visit to China in April 2001. We joined a tour group in KL.
Shanghai
We visited China a second time in 2010. This trip was to find my wife's roots in Jejiang, Shanghai.