No news is good news...

So with all the tragedy in Haiti, Asia is off the map for the powers that be and control my work so all I have to post is a few pictures from little a stroll on the 30th. Just down from Confucius Temple is the Guozijian. Built in 1287 it was the the highest institutin of learning in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. I didn't go in, as i really don't belong in in places of higher education. My high school records would back me up on that. Stopped for a tea at the Lazy Cafe and watched the sun go down on the hutong.
Enjoy.

Lama Temple

In an effort to "get off me arse" and away from a neon tan, I had a lovely 3 days off. With a reporter away and a produce in Tianjin, I took advantage of the time to sleep late and go to bed early. Well as early as I could.

Saturday morning here brought a light dust of snow and a somewhat windless day. So of I wondered to Lama Temple. One of the more touristy attractions it is located just of line 2 subway at Yonghegong stop.

It’s part of the yellow hat sect. (no I’m not making that up). Built according to Wikipedia in the 1694 Qing Dynasty era. Here is Wikipedia’s take….

Building work on the Yonghegong Temple started in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty. It originally served as an official residence for court eunuchs. It was then converted into the court of the Prince Yong (Yin Zhen), a son of the Kangxi Emperor and himself the future Yongzheng Emperor. After Yongzheng's ascension to the throne in 1722, half of the building was converted into a lamasery, a monastery for monks of Tibetan Buddhism. The other half remained an imperial palace.

After Yongzheng's death in 1735, his coffin was placed in the temple. The Qianlong Emperor, Yongzheng's successor, gave the temple imperial status signified by having its turquoise tiles replaced with yellow tiles which were reserved for the emperor. Subsequently, the monastery became a residence for large numbers of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Mongolia and Tibet, and so the Yonghe Lamasery became the national centre of Lama administration.

The temple is said to have survived the Cultural Revolution due to the intervention of Prime Minister Zhou Enlai. It was reopened to the public in 1981.

Beautiful spot. Lots of people burning incense and a few of us tourists taking photos. I’ll have to start reading a bit about the Buddist, but I would image the government here would want me to mention the Big Guys name here so the code word now for the Dali Lama will be referred to as Rene Lévesque and the movement will now be know as the Free Quebec society.

Enjoy.

Just about a year ago I set out on the road...

What a difference a year makes. Doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that I was packing for what at times seems like an extended road trip. Home is still in Ottawa, but seems I now have a second home. It’s amazing how quickly time passes. Just a year ago I was saying goodbye to my wife, dog, family and friends. At times it feels like yesterday and at other times seems like a lifetime ago.

In the space of a year I’ve met many people. From the couple who eke out a meager living recycling bottles and selling tourist maps to the mother of one of the students killed in 1989 Tiananmen Square. The Canadian Doctor who has a team that brings smiles to kids with cleft palates who otherwise can't afford the surgery and would be left to a lifetime of poverty. A guy who still to this day makes and flies kites the old fashion way.

I’ve been up north to Chungchun, down south to Nanning, and wind farms in Hebei. Went to Taiwan to see the Dali Lama. Been to Thailand for a riot, and Philippines for floods. Still much to see and do; Cambodia, Vietnam would be nice to visit this year. Burma, but I doubt they’d let the likes of us in. Also would like to get out to Mongolia to see the Gobi desert and points beyond.

I guess the best part of this job is seeing new things. The Great Wall is always a spectacular sight. Especially when you can get away from the crowds and have it all to yourself. So as I start year two and put my family through another year of missing, worrying and wondering I just want to say thanks for putting up with my adventures and we will see you sometime this year. Happy 2010!

Yangbian Great Wall

There is alot to see and do in Beijing and in China. You can spend hours exploring the Forbidden City, a week seeing the Summer Palace, or just walk the back street “Hutongs”. There are also many pictures everywhere you look.

But a lot of these places are busy. Filled with other tourists and locals enjoying the same things. When it comes to the Great Wall though you can join the masses and walk alone the ancient relic in newly rebuilt sections, or you can get a little more rustic with your adventure.

I think the best way to see it up close is to go with a small group and hike it.
Dandelion Adventures is great company to try.

We met at the East end of Beijing at 7:30 am and collected our little group. Piled in to an old “Jin Bei” (a Chinese brand of what you would call a your standard mini van,) and off we headed.

Once out of the city and off the highway you get into the hills and switchbacks. Passing people who are on their three wheel bike/truck combos or donkey pulled carts with vegetables and fruit piled on top. We stopped in a small village in a valley. The sun just over the mountains and smoke from wood and coal fires rising up out the crisp morning air.

A little further on we get out of the van and head for the hills. It’s a bit of scramble up the side of hill and the wall just kind of grows out of it. There is still a bit of crusty snow that is wind blow like a piece of plaster pulled of the wall and tossed on the ground.

As you look out across the valley towards the Guanting Lake you can just make out the wind generators. There is a haze that you can see as the clear blue-sky changes to a brown black haze. Not sure if it’s pollution from the cities or from the local coal fires. But it’s cleaner than Beijing. There’s a tough wind when you top the hill and expose yourself, but soon are tucked back in along the trail. We cut down a switch back trail to a summer farming village. The place is normally home to 3 or 4 families, but now it’s abandon for the winter. Tiered field are visible with the remnants of sunflowers and corn, the leftovers from a fall harvest.

We break for a snack and try and get out of the wind. Once refueled its up to the top of one of the hills. It’s not that tough of a climb, but as you look back you can see how high you are and one slip will make for a quick, but long way down. We cut across the top of the ridge and can see parts of the wall for miles. It’s scattered and broken at times, but there is a definite line across the mountains.

We get back up on the wall, a major section that is ten feet wide across in section. It’s old and un-restored. Parts of it are falling off, but still seems like it will survive the next 1000 years without much help.

We get to low sections where an old dirt trail snakes down to a road. It’s another hour or so down to meet with driver who takes us for well earned lunch of pork, steamed buns and other things I couldn’t identify by wolf down like I haven’t eaten for days. It warms me up and as the wine flows my bad Chinese and some broken English translate to a toast to new friends, good food and great times.

It’s time to get warm so we pile into Fan’s car and head for the Hotsprings. It’s a great way to take the chill off and put an end to the knifing wind from the hike. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Harper Pictures

First shot is Qi and Tina from CBC, next is Francois CTV, then Glen from CBC and last but not least the man who comes to China to give you an update on Canada's Economy. Mr. Harper himself. Sorry about the blur.

Obama & Hu

Not much new here so here are pictures from Obama's recent visit.

Internet Boot Camp Death

Here is the tale of a gentleman who sent his son off to a camp because he felt he was spending to much time on the internet. Unfortunately he was beaten to death within about 10 hours. Seems the Chinese will be cracking down on these camps in the near future.

Other than that there isn't much else going on. Waiting for Obama, and Harper to arrive.

It did snow here and we had to crank out a package on it. Seems that the Chinese are taking the credit for it by launching rockets filled with silver iodide. It made for a very pretty Sunday.

Enjoy the internet story and thank goodness for regulation that prevent this stuff from happening at home.