Summer 2015 on Vancouver Island

In early June this summer we acquired a Campion Toba 27' powerboat and boathouse 'My High'.
One of our first jobs was to haul her out and detail and paint the stern leg. We had several enjoyable weekends away and a major learning curve handling My High.  

Suzie visited us this summer and she certainly got us out for more 'walks' than usual. Looks like Kath and Suzie are both enjoying the sheep's skin rug.

In July Ruth visited us and we had the pleasure of celebrating her birthday with Bea, Fran and Grant who took the ferry over to Sidney for the special day.

 Rose and Carl were on an expended visit to the West coast of North America this summer and in the latter part of August stayed with us. During their stay we took the motor home north on Vancouver Island from Sidney to Campbell River. On our way we were invited to join Tony and Ruth who were vacationing on Denman Island. Leaving the motor home on Vancouver Island we took a ferry to Hornby Island then caught the 2nd ferry to Denman Island. We enjoyed a terrific reception from Tony, Ruth and family. Their holiday home was well hidden in a very remote part of the Island.

 While camped in Campbell River for a couple of days we enjoyed a crab dinner. Carl is now on a first name basis with this live crab before it joins the cooking pot.

Lyn and Graeme on their globe trotting trip stopped by for a few days and we were able to visit Duncan and Chemainus.

China Bound

On the 16 April 2015 we are packed and ready to go on our first visit to China. The journey begins as we fly from Kerikeri to Auckland catching a flight to Sydney then on to Beijing on Air China. It is an 11.5 hour overnight flight, arriving very early on the 17th. First impressions are of a very large, modern and well organized airport. After clearing customs and picking up our luggage we meet our guide, Candy and driver, Yuan who will show us around for the next 4 days.

The Express Highway from the airport to our hotel is our first introduction to driving in China. The traffic is very heavy on an excellent toll highway, but the driving is something to behold! Frequent lane changes, close encounters and driving on the shoulder, paved or otherwise when necessary to pass other vehicles. Most cars on the road are 'up market' and very new models.

Still early in the morning when we arrive at our hotel, very comfortable room with Chinese or Western breakfast included. We enjoyed a breakfast before 'crashing' for a couple of hours sleep. No guided tours were scheduled for today.....so we are on our own.

Our afternoon walk sees us exploring the area around our hotel and one of Beijing's major railway stations.

 An extensive fruit and vegetable market with an excellent selection catches our eye.

 A petrol/gas station with a city police officer. Gasoline is about the same price as in Canada, $1.30/liter.

 Various modes of transportation catch our eye, many roads are divided in 3, bus and car traffic, scooters, and the third being bicycles and pedestrians. We needed eyes in the back of our head to keep from being run over!

Part of the walled city still exists with a park adjoining it. Spring is just arriving with the leaves coming out.

 Slightly lost and walking through a very old part of town (a little like a rabbit warren) we find the very busy and impressive Beijing Railway Station. It's Friday afternoon and many people use the rail system to head home, sometimes a very long trip.

A watchful eye is kept by the police on the huge crowds, with several long lines to get into the station. All bags and suitcases are x-rayed  before entering the station.....airport style.

 Inside we get the idea of modern signage and automatic ticket machines.

Back to our hotel and dinner before our first nights sleep in China. We are both excited with the prospect of what the next few days will bring.

Beijing Touring

On our first full day in Beijing we enjoy an excellent buffet breakfast at the hotel before we are picked up by Candy our guide and Yuan our driver. Candy has brought along her parents and 2 and a half year old niece for the days travels.

Our first visit is to a jade factory and show room.

 This ancient ship is all carved in Jade.

Kath standing with Terracotta  Warriors also carved out of jade.

 A rather expansive show room.

 Jade carvings......just a few of the countless selections.

Bill getting instructions from Candy on some of the different Chinese apps on her smart phone.

The Great Wall of China

We have a morning tour of the Great Wall at the Juyongguan section stretching 6500 kms from the Pacific Ocean to the sands of Central Asia. It is considered one of the 10 wonders of the world.

Candy's parents don't speak any English but she decides that her father will accompany us on the 'Wall'. With only gestures and sign language we encourage each other and have a terrific day.

 One of the lower level guard houses.

 A 'before' the climb picture! The Great Wall is in the back ground.

 Candy and her father.

Plaque with an explanation of this section of the wall and the supporting village in the valley.

 Early stages of the climb.

 Some steps are shallow, some regular and others very high...with the hand rail at various heights.

 A small shop as we get closer to the top.

 The view is rather restricted today due to smog.

 Crowds are increasing as we get closer to noon. The village is a long way down!

 The village and starting point for our climb.

 An interesting tradition that friends and lovers buy a lock with their inscription and attach it to the chain.

Mind these instructions!

Lunch was at a grand restaurant, with an imposing stairway entrance, several rooms of various sizes that will seat about 1000 guests.

The Summer Palace

After lunch , we continued to the Summer Palace, the largest and best preserved of imperial palace gardens. During the hot and humid summer days the Emperor, his Ministers and family would travel from the Forbidden City to the Summer Palace.

 Entrance to the Summer Palace

Candy's niece, her father on the shores of Lake Kunming with spring blossoms. 

 The Palace Gardens cover 2.9 sq. kilometers with 70 percent of this area being the lake. During construction the lake was completely dug by hand using an army of 100,000 men.

 An ornately painted Long Corridor stretched along the shore line, it had a wonderful cool breeze off the lake on hot summer days.

 Many lake boats were transporting visitors around the lake. Also available were small paddle boats.

 The Dowager with great control over her son the Emperor had this full size boat built completely in marble. At one point when the lake flooded it didn't float!  

 Paddle boats on the lake.

We crossed the lake on one of the larger passenger ferries, landing at a different gate then we had entered at.

Before dinner we attended the amazing Beijing Acrobatic Show.

Dinner this evening was at a restaurant near our hotel. Our meal was shared with Candy and her family, before we headed back to our hotel after a fabulous day.