Ready, Set...China Take 4



Yangshuo and Li River



I decided early on in the planning of my trip to China that if I was going to go then I would make time to visit a small town about 1800 Kilometers south of Beijing known as Yongshuo. National Geographic loves to photograph here; it is a panoramic natural beauty. Surrounded by karst peaks, a limestone landscape, and bordered on one side by the Li River it is a photographers paradise..

I talked Laura and John into a biking/river boat trip. They were eager to make me happy, but when we got lost out in the middle of China’s country side with no cell phone and no Mandarin to our name, they were not so keen to please me anymore. I eventually found the trail by doing hand gestures and repeating “Yongshuo” in my very best Chinese accent! It was a wonderful adventure and one that I will cherish.

Here are some of my favorite shots

Ready, Set...China Take 3

長城/ 萬里長城, known in the English language as The Great Wall of China.



When one approaches the Great Wall there is a sense of history, as if each brick can tell its own story. It was a very surreal moment as I climb the stairs to step back in time to a place that many others have only dreamed about. We were blessed the day that we visited the wall, we actually had clear skies. It was a beautifully clear, chilly autumn day; perfect for our adventure. Our guide, Richard, told us the history of the wall, the many wars and battles that had been fought, and about the spirit that keeps the wall alive. It was an incredible moment in my life when I took that first step on the wall and look around at the vista before me. I felt the wind on my face, the sun on my shoulders and an overwhelming since of the vastness of China and the world in general. I was reminded of lyrics to a song: “If walls could talk…” I imagined the stories this wall could tell. The lives that were lost just building the wall alone is amazing. The Great Wall is not just a wall, but a symbol of the bravery and wisdom of the Chinese people. I will be ever grateful for the opportunity to have…WALKED THE WALL.

The Great Wall of China

• While the Great Wall of China is not one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is typically included in the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World
• In 1987 the Great Wall was placed on the list of the world’s great national and historical sites’
• During its construction, the Great Wall was called “the longest cemetery on earth” because so many people died building it. Reportedly, it cost the lives of more than one million people..d
• The Great Wall of China is also known as the wanli changcheng or Long Wall of 10,000 Li (a li is a measure of distance, approximately 1/3 of a mile). The main wall is around 2,145 miles (3,460 km) long with an extra 1,770 miles (2,860 km) of branches.
• The earliest extensive walls were built by Qin Shi Huang (260-210 B.C.) of the Qin dynasty, who first unified China and is most famous for the standing terra cotta army left to guard his tomb. It is from the Qin (pronounced “chin”) dynasty which the modern word “China” is derived. Little of those earliest walls remain.
• Because the Great Wall was discontinuous, Mongol invaders led by Genghis Khan (“universal ruler”) had no problem going around the wall and they subsequently conquered most of northern China between A.D. 1211 and 1223. They ruled all of China until 1368 when the Ming defeated the Mongols. What survives today is the stone and brick walls predominately from the Ming dynasty, (1368-1644).
• The Chinese invented the wheelbarrow and used it extensively in building the Great Wall.
• The Great Wall’s western section, with a long chain of watchtowers, provided defense for those traveling the Silk Road.

Ready, Set...China Take 2

One of the places that I wanted to see was the Hutong area, it is the “old village” – people still live in these areas that surround the Forbidden City.  They are usually 1 to 2 room dwellings, about 20’ X20’, have no bathroom facilities still today and in some structures there is no running water.  They do have a community shared bathroom.

We took a rickshaw ride through the neighborhood and then meet with a family that lived there.  It is quite interesting. 

After the visit it was LUNCH TIME....

Ready Set...China Take 1

While living in Hong Kong I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to visit China, specifically Beijing and the Great Wall. Unfortunately we didn’t live long enough in Hong Kong to make the trip, but that didn’t stop me. I felt that it would be a shame to live in Asia, currently Thailand, and never see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall. I had the perfect motive, Laura had to leave the country for visa purposes and John had a week off of school. Did you know how easy it is to book airlines reservations on the internet and find hotels and places to visit? Armed with my computer and a need to be organized it took me no time at all to plan a week’s visit to China. Ron had to work so he unfortunately couldn’t come, but all that means is that I might have the opportunity to go again! LOL



Our trip was during the last week of October and we left 90 degree Thailand for 40 degree Beijing! What a climate change, we had to wear layers as we don’t have a lot of colder climate clothes in Thailand. Ron had been to Beijing earlier this year and met a struggling art student, named Richard, who served as his tour guide, and so we had contacted him to take us on a tour of Beijing. Richard spoke English fairly well and the first place that we went was to the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost five hundred years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government.  Built in 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings with 8,707 bays of rooms and covers 7,800,000 sq ft. The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese architecture. After being the home of 24 emperors — fourteen of the Ming Dynasty and ten of the Qing Dynasty — the Forbidden City ceased being the political centre of China in 1912 with the abdication of the last Emperor of China..

Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City

Beautiful Beijing

Amelia and Jackson

I went to Hong Kong for a hike last month, see past blog, and while I was gone...the family acquired sugar gliders!  I specifically said NO pets and yet I find myself with 2 little marsupials, Amelia and Jackson.  Secretly I have to say they are pretty cute.  I don't touch them - because then I would have to be responsible for them - and I am not taking that from JOHN.

Introducing for the first time on my blog....Amelia and Jackson

New "CAR"

Living here in Thailand and having Ron work for Coca Cola has its perks, like having a driver; except that I only have a few talents, one of which is driving. I would never want it to be said that I don’t practice my God given talent – so I had to get a “CAR”



It is a compact

Has surround around windows

It is electric!

It’s top speed is… 15MPH

20 Years Ago

Twenty years ago I was in St. Francis Hospital holding a new baby girl, Laura Irene.  Since that day she has been a source of pure JOY!  As I have watched, taught, held, mothered and love Laura over the past twenty years I marvel at how much I have grown.  She is the peacemaker in our family, she is the one that never asks for anything so it is easy to want to give her things but I have learned that what Laura really wants is time...time with me.  Having her living here with us in Thailand the last four months have been a great blessing to me.  She has been  my traveling companion, my decorating advisor, my navigational compass, my personal assistant and most importantly my friend. 

 Happy Birthday Laura!