Always start with the first step
Cathay is an anglicism of the old word for China, Qidan. Cathay Room is the name of one of Shanghais best brunch places. Located on the 9th floor of the Fairmont Peace Hotel, the Cathay Room overlooks the Lujiazui Skyline. This morning, we are almost by ourselves; at the best table in the house. Continue reading “Best view in town – Cathay Room Brunch”
5.35am, at 28m under water. Two dark shadows are circling overhead. Sharks! Thresher Sharks. They drift by gracefully with their long tail fin (also they have a slightly retarded look in their face). The water temperature is 27°C, even at this depth. Continue reading “Under the Sea – Diving in Malapascua”
Fujian Province was still a white spot on our China Map. With the cold and wet season approaching in Shanghai, we decided on a weekend trip to warmer regions; to Xiamen.
Where do you look for typical hanseatic architecture and windmills? Of course, in Shanghai’s Waigaoqiao district, where else. On 20.11., we packed our cheese sandwiches (actually no, but would have been a good stereotype), borrowed a bike (actually yes) and rode around the deserted streets.
Huangshan may be China’s most iconic and most famously painted mountain range. It is said to be enough to visit this mountain in China (a statement I certainly disagree with as there are many beautiful areas in China). Huangshan is sometimes called the “mountain of people” (“people mountain, people sea”). Why that is becomes visible after we exit the cable car. Streams of people move along the walkways. Sometimes we even have to wait in line to move. But we are rewarded with the most stunning views, esp. as we caught one of the rare sunny days in the mountains. Continue reading “Huangshan – The misty mountains”
The high pitched hammering sound grows louder as we walk down Baoyuan Lu. The area is an old town wedged between Baoshan Lu and the canal. At the end of the road, we find the legendary Cen brothers, the last of Shanghais Wok makers. We find Cen Liang Gen hammering away in the little outside area of the brothers’ small shop. Continue reading “The art of the Wok – Handmade woks in Shanghai”
We are standing at 6.000m above sea level. Our view wanders 2.800m upward to the 3rd pole, the higest point in the world. We have been hiking the North Side of Mount Everest towards the Advanced Base Camp. The air is thin, the wind is strong. During the day the sun burns down on us mercylessly, while during the cold night, we huddle in our sleeping bags and listend to the wind barrel down on our tents. Here, Mallory, Irvin and their expedition had already made their way from the Bay of Bangalore, when they discovered the small valley, which paves the way towards the summit. Continue reading “Top of the World – A tour to the North Side of Mt. Everest”
Kolyma Highway – The Road of Bones. I have an eerie feeling driving down this infamous highway, built by Gulag prisoners, many of whose final resting place is right under this very gravel. We have embarked on a five day road trip – a journey – through the very heart of abandoned Russia. Continue reading “Road trip on the Road of Bones – Kolyma Highway”
We visited Disneyland Shanghai one week after opening day. The opening has been a huge deal. Everybody has been talking about the first Disneyland in Mainland China. Since it was Michis lifelong dream to visit Disneyland, we were more than happy to go. Continue reading “Disneyland Shanghai – One week after opening”
The area around Guilin is regarded as one of the most beautiful sceneries in China, including the Li River with its Karst mountains is immortalized on the 20RMB bill and the Lonji rice terraces.
Continue reading “Guilin – Most beautiful scenery”