We were headed to China to see what our relatives used to dor for CNAC. There were monuments in place around China to honor those who served. The Government had sponsered almost our whole trip, so we were spoiled!
Our group departed for China Sept 12th from San Francisco and arrived at our first stop, Hong Kong, on Sept 13th. We went on a tour around Hong Kong and Kowloon Islands. Around 7 million people live here, and is made up of 4 Territories (Hong Kong, Kowloon Island, New Territories, and the Outlying Islands). It is beautiful! My mom lived in Hong Kong for some time while her dad worked there. There were a couple others from the group that had also lived in Hong Kong about the same time as my mom. It has changed! My parents and I had the chance to go to the Hong Kong Temple, it was beautiful!
China is very Americanized. The scenery is FANTASTIC and SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I was SO glad I made the decision to go. We visited Hong Kong, Yunnan Province (Kunming province Capitol), Baoshan, Lushui County in the Nujiang Lisu Prefecture (very poor place in China, but MY FAVORITE), Pianma, Dali, Yunnanyi, Nanjing and Shanghai. We travled all over China and to some of the most amazing places.
My favorite part of the trip was in Lushui County, in the Nujiang Lisu Prefecture. This is one of the poorest places in China, but one of the most humble areas. This area is also the prettiest part of China, that I have seen! The Natives were so friendly, giving, and kind. They made sure we were well taken care of (carry our stuff, walk us to the WC (water closet), hold our arm and umbrellas so we wouldn't slip, gave us kleenex and bottled water). We were greeted off of the airplane with HUGE boquets of flowers. We were also given many items made by them...purses, vests, lays of flowers, and stories told of Chinese traditions on a carved mug.
The food was very good and a lot different then the US. We were given huge meals...there very best. Most meals were put on a turn table in the middle of the table and they kept adding more and more food. We had 15 course meals at some places. Some of the crazy food I ate were Bees (delicacy in China and very expensive), Larvae, Jellyfish, and different types of fish. Some had Eal, but I didn't try that one. They drink warm drinks (coke, wine, boiled water, corn (very yummy) and watermelon juice. We had watermelon every meal, SO GOOD, and I miss it! I felt like I ate so much, but when I came home, I lost 7 pounds. There food is cooked very well, not fried, greasy, not much carbs or anything, and not many desserts. They do have dessert, but it is not sweet or rich like ours, but too the Chinese there sweets are too sweet! We tried Mooncakes (very sweet to them), which are a tradition for them during their Mid-Autumn Festival. This took place while we were there...it is a three day holiday which the moon is at its brightest and roundest all year. They eat mooncakes, which is their traditional food. This holiday is one of their most important, where Farmers celebrate the last of the summer harvest. Tons-o-people all over China during the festival!!!
The scenary was AMAZING!!! We took a bus ride over part of the himilayas. We drove on a winding road up 3100 meters (10,170 ft). Every time the bus turned corners, the front corner, which is where I was sitting, would go over the edge, and we could see almost straight down. It is very green and tropical. There were Palm Trees up 10,000 feet. Very light rain showers and many landslides. The farming is all done by hand, and it is beautiful. They call it leveled (tier) farming, and it grows all up the mountainside.
Driving in China is SCARY!!! They don't have rules like we have in the US. Driving is all over the place, really no lanes, and lots of passing! Every time they pass, they honk their horns. Cars are coming every direction and pedestrians don't have the right of way, even in a crosswalk. I was always scared to cross the street, seeing as I could get hit, very easily. Everyone rides electric scooters (sometimes with 4 or 5 passengers on them and babies hanging on the back). They also have bikes and lots of taxis (which are inexpensive to take in China, and highly reccommended).
Overall China was the best trip I have ever been on. We made some amazing friends with Chinese Government Officials, and the Chinese population. The trip was amazing, and very unforgetable. I just LOVED the group we traveled with, they were so fun! We all got along and loved to joke with another.
I hope you enjoy my China pictures as much as I enjoyed being in China!!!
After China, I was home for a couple of days (and got really sick), then headed to Florida for an Advising Conference, for work. Not feeling great at all, I did manage to get a few pictures...and had the chance to go to Universal Studios (Harry Potter World) too.
