International Tea Expo, Cartoon and Animation Fair, Spring Festival Temple Fair, Winter-sweet and Mume Blossoms Show and the Wild Monkey Festival Hangzhou, China — The winter bloom of China’s distinct Mume flower, or “Plum Blossom,” marks the first signs of a Spring full of festivals and events in the ancient city of Hangzhou, described by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful and splendid city in the world” for its ancient temples and the UNESCO … [Read more...]
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em
My husband Gaz and I donned our raingear and headed to Nanjing Lu, the main pedestrian thoroughfare and shopping district of Shanghai. Big, bright, neon and modern, much of Shanghai’s architecture resembled a caricature of what someone in the 50s thought “The Future” would look like. Shimmering glass buildings covered in a rainbow of glowing signs flanked the wide walkway. The streets heaved with people, and in the sea of short, black haired … [Read more...]
There’s a CHILL Coming to the Southland
The Queen Mary Re-Interprets Winter with 51 Days of Unique Attractions and Ancient Art of Chinese Ice Carving Makes Southland Debut Long Beach, CA (November 6, 2012) --- Already recognized around the world as a maritime icon, the Queen Mary regularly hosts world-class events and attractions. Beginning November 17, a new chapter in her history begins with the arrival of CHILL - a winter celebration like no other. CHILL presents traditional and … [Read more...]
Tuscan Delights
When I first married into a Tuscan family, I was stunned at the sheer number of butcher shops that stood under the elegant porticos in Greve-in-Chianti's gracious piazza. This tiny town in the middle of the Chianti Classico wine country has a score of butchers, many more than I would have thought could possibly earn a livelihood from the miniscule population. Americans may be known for consuming large quantities of beef, but Tuscans are … [Read more...]
Moon Beijing & Shanghai
Moon Beijing & Shanghai by Helena Iveson Two of China's powerhouse cities are covered in this new edition from Moon Handbooks. We are on our way to Beijing soon and will be using this guidebook during our travels. Beijing is the capital city and has long been the source of attractions including Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven - more recently Beijing was in the global spotlight for the 2008 Olympics. This up-to-date book includes … [Read more...]
Squid on the Floor
At sunrise the buzz of motorbike traffic has not yet begun, and the street is oddly quiet. We come out of the alley and onto the sidewalk where shop owners are opening up and iced coffee vendors await their first customers. We're out here at this hour waiting for a van, which soon arrives. The four of us shove our bags in the back and groggily climb in. The previous afternoon we booked a Halong Bay tour from one of the hundreds of vendors in … [Read more...]
Luvin’ Shanghai
The Shanghai Financial Center contains the world's highest observatory. The building is nearly 500 meters tall with an elevator that rockets you up to about 440 meters in just over 60 seconds. There are two observatories - one at the 94th floor and one at the 100th floor. Both afford spectacular views of skyscrapers in all directions. Shanghai is a major International financial player and this building is one of the city's proudest … [Read more...]
Hanging out in China
Nice to be back in China and on Asia time - was in Beijing last year, this time around I've already re-visited Hong Kong and now in Shenzhen on way to Shanghai in a few days. Hong Kong is crazy with all its traffic and hundreds of high rise apartment buildings but so is Shenzhen! Last night was just mesmerized by all the lights driving by what seemed like never ending row after row of high rises. Cities you've hardly heard of in China have … [Read more...]
Everything is Coming up Cherry Blossoms at the Fairmont Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 20, 2011 - With the warmer weather quickly approaching, The Fairmont Washington, D.C. is ushering in spring with its signature Cherry Blossom Package. Available from March 25 through April 15, 2011, the Cherry Blossom Package offers overnight accommodations for two in a luxurious guestroom, complimentary valet parking and a box of assorted note cards featuring scenes of the capital's monuments and Cherry Blossoms by … [Read more...]
Shanghai World Expo – China Showcases its Place in the Modern World
With its management of the 2008 Olympic games a smashing success, China will, from May 1st to October 31st, 2010 at the Shanghai World Expo, try and outdo its Olympic success. As one of the Chinese workers at the Shanghai World Expo told me, "Like it left its footprints during the ancient ages, China is beginning to make its mark on the modern world." Well, he had a point. No one can deny that this country contributed much to the ancient … [Read more...]