Our Asian Adventures | FindPenguins

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Trip start
July 27, 2017
Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Heathrow
July 27, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
About to embark on our Asian Adventure! This trip celebrates the silver wedding anniversary of both couples and has taken a year to organise after booking May 2016, with numerous planning weekends, emails, telephone calls and texts - can't believe the day is finally here!. An early start from Heathrow, our first of eight flights this holiday is to Helsinki with a connecting flight to Shanghai due to arrive at 7.00 am Friday morning, China time! Bon Voyage UK!Read more
TravelerHave a lovely time all xx
7/27/17Reply
TravelerHave fun!
7/27/17Reply
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Shanghai
July 28, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C
Checked in at the Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel and were able to go straight to our room (actually straight for breakfast!). After a few hours kip we took a taxi to the World Finance Centre Observatory Tower - known as the Shanghi Eye. Towering on the skyline at 474 metres above sea level - this is the world's highest observatory (but not the highest tower - that is in Dubai!). It gave us amazing views of the Shanghai vista and the Huangpu river.

After eating in a local restaurant we took a stroll towards the river taking in the amazing views of Shanghai at night. The views across to the Bund were stunning and the buildings looked more amazing then ever performing their light shows.

We felt very safe walking around the city - just one minor altication with a taxi driver who asked us to leave his taxi in the middle of the highway as we did not agree with the crazy price he was charging!Read more
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Shanghai
July 29, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C
First stop today with our tour guide Richard was the Yuyuan Gardens in the Old City. This is a beautiful example of a Chinese classical style - beautiful landscaping and architecture that dates back to the Ming Dynasty.

A torrential downpour did not discourage us from a walking tour of the Bund - mind you the plastic ponchos did create a sauna like experience when the blazing sun came out!

We could have blown the kids inheritance (if there is any!!) on a lovely silk carpet/duvet/clothing/silk items etc but managed to keep the purse strings closed on this occasion! May be next time though!

Following lunch we headed to the Shanghai Museum - what did we learn here?
- Jade was more precious than gold
- One emporer sold 3 cities for one disc of jade
- In its purest form, jade is not green but colourless
There were lots of ming vases and also a huge queue, which we did not join, to see the visiting exhibition of artifacts form the British Museum!

If this was not enough for one days' entertainment, we headed after dinner to see a performance by Charm Oriental - acrobats who manged to distort their bodies into positions that created lots of ooohs and aaaarhs from the audience! No photos though - not allowed!! We are sure however two of the performer have been on Britains Got Talent - the ones that entwined themselves in hanging silks.Read more
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Wuhan
July 30, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Flight number 3! Good bye Shanghai, hello Wuhan! En route to the boat, we had a visit to the Gui Yuan Temple - the only surviving temple from the Cultural Revolution. This gave us amazing views over the Yangzi river and also the famous Yellow Crane tower in the distance. Then onto the boat almost minus Martin who went AWOL much to our tour gudes distress - he hasn't lost a punter yet!

Then onto the boat for the cruise portionof our holiday and home for the next 6 nights.Read more
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Wuhan
July 31, 2017 in China ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
The boat stayed at Wuhan overnight and we disembarked to got to see the Hubei Museum. This is normally closed on a Monday but Viking has some power and it was opened especially for us! It was great to have the place to ourselves without having to jostle for a place by the exhibits. Here we learnt about Marquis Yi's tomb and all its contents (lots of bronze and jade!). Think the Chinese version of Tutankhamun, this 2400 year old tomb was discovered in 1978 by the miltary. Not unlike the Egyptian process of buriel, Yi was buried with his many favourite belongings and his concubines, musicians and dog (all buried alive). Of particular significance are the 64 Hubei bells.

Following an excellent tour by our guide, Richard we were treated to a performance on a replica set of the Hubei bells with musicians in traditional costume and dancers. Fabulous!

Upon returning to the boat, we enjoyed lunch and then it was time for the mandatory evacuation drill, snooze, relax and then a welcome drink at the Captain's reception! By this time, we had set sail en-route to the Three Gorges.Read more
TravelerSounds like you are having fun! Feel free to bring home any odd pieces of jade, mingy old vases of carpets/ duvet covers you think I may like x PS think I've finally deciphered how this app works 😳🎎🏮🎏x
7/31/17Reply
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Wuhan
August 1, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
After a few busy days it was nice to have a lie in. Today it was Pam and Martin's 25th wedding anniversay and we also celebrated Debbie and Steve's too (it was really in April but the holiday is to celebrate both!).

Debbie went off to have her nails done whilst Pam, Martin and Steve went off to become fluent in Mandarin in just an hour! We have excellent pronunciation now of Ni Hao - that's Hello!!

After lunch and to continue the Chinese theme we learnt how to play Majhong. Lots of rules, funny words and tiles - we kind of managed to play!

The trip normally involves a visit to the local primary school sponsored by Viking but as it is the school holidays the children came to the boat instead. What a delightful hour of singing and dancing by the young children.

Afterward we headed off to Jingzhou city wall - a lovely chance to stretch our legs and enjoy a walk in a city park (and also a rather wild golf buggy ride to return us to the coach!).

Anniversaries were celebrated at dinner including being serenaded by the waiters who presented a cake. Afterwards we enjoyed some fizz in the bar with some fellow passengers who we have become friends with followed by Debbie and Pam hitting the dance floor!Read more
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Three Gorges
August 2, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
Alarm set for 6.45 am to see us go into the first ship lock of the Gezhouba Dam. Quite a sight to see. Once through this we entered the Xiling Gorge - the scenery changed from flat landscapes and high rised towers to spectacular greenery and rock formations along with houses nestled in the hillsides. We learnt that there are no trades in this this picturesque area and that many family members go elsewhere to work and send money home.

After lunch the boat moored and we headed over to the Three Gorges Dam Project. This opened in 2008 and is the world's largest generator of electrical power from a renewable sourse. The dam is 8000ft and 6000 ft wide - and visiable from space. The estimated cost to build is US$28 billion - and over a million people were displaced when it was built. It really is an amazing site to see. Added to this we experienced the hottest day so far - temperatures soared to 46 degrees plus - thank goodness for air conditioning on the coach!

As we head to midnight now, we have just left to go through the dam consisiting of 4 stepped locks that will take over three hours to navigate - there are normally 5 locks but one is not in use at the moment. We are off to watch the start of this now!Read more
TravelerAmazing! Really enjoying reading about your adventures! Continue to have a fabulous time x
8/2/17Reply
TravelerFinally got on it ! Great reading about your adventures and of course the photos . Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary to both couples, well done 😂love to you all xxx
8/4/17Reply
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Lesser Three Gorges
August 3, 2017 in China ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Today we continued to sail down the Yangtze taking in the impressive scenery of both the Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. Spectacular! . We docked for a short time at Wushan and travelled by sampan up a breathtaking Yangtze tributary - the Lesser Three Gorges.

Back on board we relaxed in the sun on deck, enjoyed more food and Pam had a Chinese neck and back massage!

(Had no decent Internet so there has been a delay in writing our blog!)Read more
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Shibaozhai
August 4, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C
We woke this morning to the boat docking at Shibaozhai. We did try to make the early morning tai chi session but yet again failed miserably!!

After breakfast we disembarked and walked up the 100+ steps declining the many offers of a sedan chair to visit the Shibaozhai Temple. This exquisite example of Chinese architecture stands upon a huge 164 foot rock. To reach it we had to cross the "Drunken" bridge - a rickety bridge, which we were assured was very safe! . The views of the Yangtze were spectacular - well worth the walk in the extreme heat!

After lunch we took the opportunity to visit the wheelhouse and the relaxed on our balconies taking in the fabulous scenery, which constantly changes.

As this was our last night on board we had the Captain's cocktail party. A chance to dress in our newly made Chinese silk items - a dress for Debbie and jacket for Pam - made by the tailor on board. Others joined us too!

Turned into a very lucky evening! Debbie got third prize in the raffle and Pam got 2nd! Then later on Pam and Martin came third in the music / dancing competition - and yes, there were more than 3 entrants!!

Another bit of trivia! Despite its huge size China is in one time zone!Read more
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Chongqing and Xian
August 5, 2017 in China ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
A very early start today as we said goodbye to our home for the last six nights - but no-one minded at all as squeezed in a visit to Chongqing zoo before we flew to Xian.

We got to see the famous residents of the zoo - the pandas! Unfortunately this site only allows us to share 6 photos each day - but we have 100's more and all the better photos are on the camera!! We were so lucky to see the young cubs too including the twins! By the way, the fur of the adult bears discoloured due the high humidity in China!

As our visit was so early we saw many locals enjoying their daily tai chi, aerobics and badminton in the park too. All ages - we wanted to join in!!

Sadly it was soon time to leave and our 4th flight - this time to Xian, which was the capital of China for 12 imperial dynasties.Read more
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Xian
August 6, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
Early starts are a regular occurance on this holiday but we do not mind as it means we beat the crowds and the traffic! Another exciting day - the Terracotta Army! Discovered in 1974 by accident when local farmers were digging a well - they broke into a pit containing 6000 life-size terracotta figures. Excavation started in 1976 which revealed two further pits - and apparently there are thought to be more smaller pits not yet excavated.

The army was built to guard the tomb of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang who lived over 2,200 years ago - hope you are taking all this history in as we will be testing you on out return!

We could have stood looking at this amazing site for hours - sadly not possible. The detail on each figure is absolutely unbelievable. Definitely a memory to treasure and we both have 2 (slightly smaller) ones to enjoy at home!!

Some interesting info - the hands and heads of each of the warriors were made separately and each head is reputed to be unique with individual features and facial expressions.

To end this special day, our evening was spent at the Tang Dynasty dinner and show. A lovely Chinese meal that included delicious rice wine was followed by a show of dances and music from the Tang Dynasty. Amazing colourful costumes, traditional music and spectacular dancing the evening was packed full of entertainment.Read more
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Beijing
August 7, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Beijing
August 8, 2017 in China ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
This trip has been packed full of fantastic opportunities but today was one we were all really looking forward to - the Great Wall of China 🇨🇳!

We were actually pleased to wake to an overcast sky and slightly cooler weather - and again we didn't mind the very early start!

The first glimpse of the wall brought lots of oooh's and aah's - and we couldn't wait to get started with our trek! Obligatory stop at the Happy Room first, a group photo and then we were on our way!

Built mainly during the Ming Dynasty the wall once stretched for more than 6,200 miles and it certainly is a "great wall!"

The sun didn't stay away - it came out just as we started out on our trek - and I think half of China joined us too! Boy, it was steep in places but we made it as far as possibly could and got back on time too! .

We didn't want to leave that was for sure! On the way back back to the hotel we had the chance to take a stroll down the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, situated in a beautiful valley that the emperors chose as their buriel place.

The it was back to the hotel with the coach driver making a detour so we could see the birds nest stadium - home to the Beijing Olympics. Another fabulous sight!

What a day!Read more
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Our Asian Adventures Traveler
Beijing
August 9, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
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Trip end
August 9, 2017