Beijing Impressions

Money Makes Happy?

Analytic Social Psychologist Adrian White, from the University of Leicester, collected data on happiness and projected subjective well-being on the World Map of Happiness.
Apparently, the Danish are the happiest people in the world. The Netherlands aren't doing bad either (15th position). The happiest people live in the richest parts of the world (especially the US and Europe). So money does make happy! Bhutan, surprisingly, occupies the 8th position in the world of happy countries.
Moldavians, Congolese (Democratic Republic), Zimbabweans, and Burundese are less fortunate, they rank lowest on the list and are the unhappiest people in the world.
happiness,Denmark,well-being,Netherlands,psychology

Home!

After 3 1/2 weeks in China I find Amsterdam tiny, cute and peaceful. Though I had a great tour of China I love to be back. That is another thing why vacations are so good, you can better appreciate home.

Amsterdam,travel

Uninformed

Back in Hong Kong, I get to read the news again. In China I was cut off from most news sources. My family in Hong Kong and Holland were worried about me after hearing about floods in China. However, I did not even get to hear about it in China! Now I try to catch up with the developments in the Middle East. So many things happened while I was travelling in China. I read opinions on my colleague's blog and on other sites, and I feel that I must find out what is going on. At the same time I should not feel the pressure to be fully informed and to form an opinions.
The world seems to stimulate thinking about the here and now. There's little incentive to look for what's beyond, in the future or in the distant past. Maybe that is one of the best things about holidays, breaking trough the routine, the daily practice, the short sight. I hope that I will keep a clear focus on a larger vision as I get back to work, a vision that is not necessarily religious, but still inspired by Christ.
news,Hong Kong,opinions,Middle East

Naked in Hong Kong

JR and I arrived in Hong Kong yesterday. Some describe Hong Kong as the place where East meets West. But after travelling through Mainland China, I conclude that Hong Kong is definitely more West than East. One of the few things that Hong Kong seems to have in common with the Chinese cities we visited is the hot weather. But you only find out what the weather is when you finally leave the airconditioned shopping malls that are interconnected with airconditioned tunnels and airconditioned trains and metros. In fact from the airport to my grandmother's house(it takes more than an hour by car), you don't need to get outside! However, I could not do too much shopping in airconditioned luxury department stores and shopping malls. I have spent most of my money on travelling. So I did not spend much, although I could think of a hundred people to buy gifts for. JR remarked that without shopping bags one feels kind of naked in Hong Kong, I think he's right.

This morning we went to Victoria Peak, to see the sun rise over Hong Kong. With only four hours of sleep, I fought hard against sleep and I actually managed to take some pictures. (I will post them once I'm back home). After that I saw JR off at the airport. The last two days I will be on my own. (Not really, I still have some family to meet up with.)

Newly inspired and recharged, I will start to work again on Monday. I feel a little bit tired, but quite up to it. I am thinking of some post-vacation resolutions. Here's some things I'm thinking about:

- A somewhat fixed bedtime and wake up time.
- A tighter budget regime for the next two months.
- More meaningful time with friends.
- Further developping a Christian perspective on creation.
- Less self-focus.
- Expanding my comfort-zone with people (thanks JR for this one!)
- Limiting internet time.

Hong Kong,travel,resolutions,naked

Last Day on Mainland China

Chinese consider Guilin the most beautiful place on earth. However, the greatest scenery is found outside Guilin city; where mountains rise in rivers and small villages are dotted at the feet of high cliffs. San Sui, mountains and water, are the classic formula for poetry, paintings and other works of art, and both are abundant in this region. How much of China's image is made by this single region! Paintings, prints on porcelain, drawings on scrolls, calligraphies all tell about the beauty of this region.

The boat trip over the Li River from Guilin to Yangshou was a welcome diversion from the hussle and bustle of the cities we've been to. If you consider the size of Chinese cities we visited (Beijing 16 million, Xi'an 7.5 million, Shanghai 20 million, Suzhou 5.7 million, Hangzhou 6.7 million, Guilin 1.2 million), it's easy to imagine how refreshing it is to leave the crowds behind.

Mainland China leaves me with strong impressions, both positive and negative. Although I knew about the environmental problems beforehand, I was still shocked to find every place we went (except for Guilin and Yangshou) covered with a thick blanket of smog. Privacy in overpopulated East China is a luxury, and public toilets are as horrific as travel guides tell. However, I also saw a China that is fast developing, where people do not starve anymore, like in recent history. I have high hopes that not only material consumption will grow, but also immaterial values will become more important.

Guilin,China,travel,scenery

From Shanghai to Suzhou

Too short, too little of Shanghai. We only stayed one day in China's window to the world. Shanghai has quite a different feel than Beijing or Xi'an. The city's history does not go back so far. Today, Shanghai is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It will host the 2010 World Expo, and it seems ready for it. New highrise buildings change the city's skyline about every week. About a third of the world's high cranes are in Shanghai!
We arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and took the world's fastest train (the Magnetic Levitation Train or Transrapid) to the city. Our top speed was 431 km/h. We continued our fast visit by taxi. The taxi driver charged us 450 yuan, about 10 times as much as it would normally be. But we refused to pay, finally we got away with 50 yuan. We don't let ourselves be Shanghaied...

Today we arrived in Suzhou. The city reminds me of my home town. Chinese call it the Venice of the East (although it's probably older). Canals, bridges and traditional gardens make a nice contrast with the Chinese cities I've been before. When Marco Polo visited the cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou he characterised them as 'noble' and 'great'. Chinese say: there is paradise in heaven, and Suzhou and Hangzhou on earth. Tomorrow we'll visit more of the gardens to test the lyric words. Tomorrow afternoon we'll continue our trip. The next destination will be Hangzhou.

Xi'an

We left Beijing by train to Xi'an, the cultural heart of China, and the ancient capital at the end of the famous Silk Road. I wonder whether I've ever been in a city as old as this one with its 4000 years history.

Yesterday we went to the Terracotta Warriors. They have been guarding the tomb of Qin ShiHuang, the Emperor who united China in 221 BC, for over two thousand years. They remained well hidden in underground vaults until 1972, when local farmers hit some terracotta fragments while ploughing.
The site is UNESCO protected, like the Pyramids and the Great Wall. Each warrior shows unique facial features. Not all of them have been uncovered yet, there are an estimated 8000 warriors.

Tonight we'll leave for Shanghai. But first we'll visit the Muslim Quarter of Xi'an. The city has experienced much foreign influenced during its 4000 years history. Zoroastrians (Persian Sun worshippers), Nestorians (a Christian Sect), Buddhists, Muslims, have all left their marks.

I will report later on Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Guilin.

The Hassle of Blogging

It seems like blogging through blogger.com in China is quite a hassle. I can log on to my account but the blogs themselves seem to be blocked. I won't get a red dot in China on my statcounter map :( !

I hope that my last posts are visible to you though. Apart from a slow internet connection, I also experienced some other - minor - nuissances (see one of my Hong Kong posts). I guess I had the ultimate Beijing experience the other day when my cell phone got stolen, actually I borrowed that phone from a friend of a friend...

blogging,cell phones,hassle,Beijing

Imperial Beijing

In a servant's room at the North gate of the Forbidden City an old man sits at a table reading a book. He doesn't look up or down. We are told that he's the nephew of the last emperor. We are offered calligraphy by his imperial highness, for good prices, ranging from 50 to 1000 USD. I think I'll decline, your highness...

Before I got to Beijing, I imagined it would be dusty, smog covered, hot, and traffic jammed. Indeed, Beijing is all of that and more. It's not a particularly beautiful city on a first sight. But it has many historical places, peaceful parks and pitoresque alleys. The Forbidden City is really a city in its own right, it's huge. The Emperor was catered by over 3000 eunuchs and had a couple hundreds of wives. The Forbidden City, at times reminded me of Alhambra, the Moorish palace/paradise in the South of Spain. However, the Forbidden City has more grandeur and it has fewer paradisical green places.

The Empire is still present in Beijing in spite of almost 60 years of Communist Party reign. At the Temple of Heaven the Emperor would pray and intercede for his people. I especially enjoyed the park around the Temple of Heaven. The Heavenly Park contrasts perfectly with the dusty, traffic jammed roads. The old trees are planted in neat rows, and temples and altars are along perfect straight lanes.

Beijing is also a culinary paradise. We just finished our Mongolian hot pot. Earlier we had the famous Peking Duck and fresh Beijing noodle. But I personally enjoy company even more.
We met up with a journalist from China's state television. Her son studies environmental studies at the famous Tsinghua University, and her husband works in the sustainable energy business. I guess you could imagine there's lots to talk about for me. I also spent a day with a friend of mine who lived in Amsterdam, we had some good conversations and a very fun time.

Next thing to do visit is - of course - the Great Wall.

China,Beijing,Travel,Forbidden City

Hotter Than Hong Kong

A post live from Beijing's Tiananmen square, the biggest square in the world. We arrived this afternoon. We haven't been around much, most of the time we spent planning our trip at our run-down (but still three star) hotel. We changed our plans. We will shorten our stay in Shanghai considerably. Instead we'll go to Xian (China's ancient 3000 year old capital), Suzhou (another ancient city), Hangzhou ("paradise on earth on the West Lake", and Guilin (otherworldy topography). Practically, this will mean spending much time on trains and planes.

My first impressions of Beijing: hotter but less humid than Hong Kong, diesel fumes, broad avenues, street vendors, and historical monuments hidden under much scaffolding (everything seems to undergo renovation before the 2008 Olympic Games).

Tiananmen,Beijing,China,Travel

Hubbing

Just a quick post from Hong Kong Airport. The airport is famous for its architecture and for the fact that it has been built partly on a flattened island and partly on drained land (with help of the Dutch).

My fever is over, just in time to catch the plane to Beijing in an hour or so. I was afraid that the customs wouldn't let me go through. There are body heat scans at Chinese airports, to check passengers for SARS. Anyway, I'm looking forward to Beijing.
Beijing,China,travel,SARS

Clean Toilets in HK

I stayed at my grandma's most of the day,... traveller's diarrhoea and a slightly high temperature. It's fairly common to travellers, but my aunties, uncles and my grandma are collectively worried and want me to see a doctor (and I only told them I had a headache!). I'm kind of grateful for going though this now, and not in Beijing, Shanghai or Quilin. I read horror stories about Chinese toilets. I'm sure I feel much better tomorrow morning when I leave for Beijing.

Oh yeah, I did get my digital reflex camera today: a Canon EOS D350! I can use my analogue lenses on it. I think my roommate Marco will grow green of envy reading this... Marco, don't worry you can use it now and then ;-)

diarrhoea,travel,Hong Kong,photography

More Shopping/Eating

Tomorrow we'll be in Beijing. One more day of shopping and eating (Hong Kong). Maybe we'll get to the other side to Hong Kong Island, where it's a lot greener and quieter.

In Beijing we plan to visit the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven and other highlights. We also look forward to visiting some friends. I also get to connect with a student of environmental studies at Tsinghua University. A lot to look forward to.

Beijing,China,Hong Kong,Travel

Casinos and Saunas, Eating and Shopping

Yesterday we visited the former Portuguese colony of Macau. At the 12 course dinner, the day before, my uncle told me there's nothing in Macau except for casinos and "saunas".
We spent half a day in a casino. We had more endangered species at the casino buffet and we watched the games. Afterwards we headed for the old town. While the casino "strip", was not so interesting as Las Vegas (according to my travel mate), the old town was surprisingly pittoresque, with the mount fortress and the ruins of St. Pauls Cathedral.

Hong Kong's all about eating and shopping. When you're in Hong Kong you easily become aware of many "needs", suddenly you "need" better clothing, you "need" new shoes, you "need" a new mp3 player. Of course, I remain quite untouched by consumerism...

Of course there is this one particular digital reflex camera... (really, in the end a digital camera is much cheaper than an analogue camera, the shop keeper told me).

Macau,Hong Kong,Travel,Canon EOS 30D,shopping

Sweet Grand Son's Late

Ok, time for a quick blog. It's 2.05 pm Hong Kong time. I arrived two days ago. The flight was safe, though I had delays all the way, I had to run to catch the transfer flight at Paris. But I'm glad I made it. I met up with JR on 30 June 8.15 pm, 15 minutes late, but not too bad. My 95 year old granny had to wait longer. She thought that I'd arrive at 8am (!), I forgot to tell her that it'd be in the evening! But she still loves me. She holds my hands all the time and keeps repeating how sweet I am. Well, I'm not too bad a grand son, I guess...

Hot and humid Hong Kong is beautiful as ever. Yesterday, I watched the sun setting over the harbour and Central district, the most famous skyline in the world.
I think I'll sit by the water side, drink a beer and I'll toast on you, my friends! (And I'll drink an extra beer for Aysem, just like I promised you)
travel,Hong Kong,China,granny