山水情-梦幻桂林110327: 第一天:桂林

山水情-梦幻桂林
GuiLin Fantasia-The Live Chinese Painting

当人们提到山与水,第一个让我们联想到的就是桂林.自古以来,桂林以秀丽的山峰,平滑的水面,在漓江烟雨的笼罩下,构成一幅美丽的中国山水画.

山水情之行是经过一年的策划,两次大改和无数次的小改才成型.

经过漫长的期待后,终于到了三月廿六日.早上的我还忙着清明祭拜祖先,然后匆匆忙忙理了一个发后就前往机场.汇合了大小米,KK,YY, Step, See Bee 后就乘搭亚航去吉隆玻.

早上四点,大伙聚集在酒店大厅后就到机场办理登机手续.办理登机手续时竟然闹了笑话, 上网办理登机手续竟然不被接受,原来大米输错了槟城吉隆玻的号码.改正后又遗忘了位于另一张确认号码的See Bee.虽然乌龙百出,最后还是顺利将全部的行李托运.

高空下的桂林郊区

手续后就是最重要的早餐时间,大伙因麦当劳有特惠而一窝蜂涌往享用早餐.贪心的小熊猫竟然点了两份的麦当劳早餐,以至最后大派街坊.

经过四小时的飞行后，出现在窗外的就绿油油的大地。桂林两江国际机场很小，国际班机更少，最令我惊讶的是连控制塔塔身也用来张挂“东风日产”的广告。 两江国际机场的入境处放了几个桶， 原来是机场漏水，就在移民厅的前方就可以看到一处还再滴水。护照盖印后处的前方就是行李认领处，小米的行李出来是已经是断头断脚，真可恶的工作人员，竟然把那么强韧的行李给弄坏。 两江国际机场的行李认领处也没有任何的工作人员，我们必须把行李提到大厅的询问处投诉，经过一般折腾后大伙才开始山水情之旅。

陪伴我们八天的旅巴

桂林两江国际机场

接待我们一伙的是年轻的阿妹小彭，从机场到巴士的路程中，她已经领悟到我们团的恐怖的地方，任何的景色,物件都逃不出我们的镜头。

我们第一个参观的地方是位于漓江旁的“玉玺楼”享用桂林的第一个午餐。 马蹄炒鸡球，荔浦芋扣肉， 爆炒漓江虾，马蹄蒸肉饼，油炸漓江鱼等名菜都出现在我们的桌上。 桂林以它那带有凉意的初春天气来欢迎我们的到来，让坐在门旁的团员必须穿上寒衣才能继续用餐。

丰富又美味的风味餐

由于两江四湖的行程定在下午四时半，大伙先回酒店休息.桂林景翔酒店位于桂林市的南方，旁边是桂林会展中心与城南购物中心。酒店大堂不象照片显示的那么辉煌，但是它的房间却出乎意料的美丽，厕所与房间只隔着玻璃与纱布窗帘（可能还会春光乍泄），睡床也非常舒适。

短暂的休息后,大伙前往杉湖滨的日月塔，日月塔是分别为铜塔和琉璃塔，晚上是以黄白灯光装饰.我们没能一览湖底隧道和塔顶风光，但是乘船穿越两江四湖也能弥补这小小的遗憾。漓江，桃花江、木龙湖、桂湖、榕湖、杉湖谓之两江四湖，前三者在宋代已经存在，惟独木龙湖本是近代的产物，用以贯穿两江四湖的水系。两江四湖以各种形态不一的桥梁贯穿，湖畔更以山石花草树木点缀。美中不足的是旁边的民宅太靠近了，各种不协调的“国旗”，保养不良的建筑外观大煞风景。

两江四湖的各种点缀

杉湖以日月塔闻名；榕湖以古南门，北斗七星桥，湖心岛为看点；桂湖以假山，流水，绿叶与各种鸟类为规划的景区；木龙湖以古城墙，叠彩山和宝积山为背景。当船开到木龙湖后时，就掉头回返杉湖。

随后大火到正阳步行街逛，这儿的手工艺品和云南的没太大差别，所以我把焦点注重在食物方面，喝了一杯的抹茶奶昔和两个面包差点让我吃不下晚餐。

正阳步行街

和以往旅游的过程一样，晚餐后就是最期待的购物时间。位于酒店对面的南门购物中心就是我们的好去处。零食，沙田柚都变为我们的宵夜了。

追梦京华091119-长城随想

追梦京华-19/Nov/2009(Thu)-长城随想

今早与以往不同的是我们没吃早餐就已经搭地铁前往北京北站.北京北站位于西直门,地铁站出口有明确的指示.经过安全检查时候,我们两个男的被不客气的语气训令拿出证件,当他们看到是大马护照时语气就完全改变了.想不到北京人到现在还是那么崇外…….

北京北站

北京通往延庆的列车可以说是为了八达岭长城游客而设的.月台的入口处有和善的大妈广播是前往八达岭的列车.因为是一等位,车厢的确较舒适和卫生,更重要的是没有国内旅客的嘈杂声.除了可以自由走动拍照外,沿途还可以看到水关长城,居庸关长城. 八达岭长城入口距离列车站800公尺,沿途有很多黑车招揽.如果在春秋冬到来就可以慢慢走到长城山脚.

登长城可以选择徒步,缆车或滑车对我们来说旅游需要自在,方便与享受,所以选择了缆车.八达岭的缆车直达好汉坡,一路往下走可以欣赏到万里局龙盘旋在神州大地.由于上星期才下大雪,长城的天空显得蓝蓝的,加上能见度高,是摄影的好时机.

小小的遗憾是当局把所有上烽火台顶端的阶梯拆除,不能象五年前可以攀登烽火台拍照.

长城随想

滑车山脚前方就是919公交车总站.但距离列车站很远.如果想乘列车的话就必须徒步到山脚. 车站等待时,很多无牌或黑心旅游业者会向你兜售到十三陵的配套,希望大家不要贪便宜或方便以避免不愉快的事情发生.正规的长城十三陵的旅游配套只在北京旅游散集中心出售.

由于没塞车,1小时半后到达得胜门车站.由于北京突然降温,从得胜门919车站步行到积水潭地铁站并不是件容易的事情.沿着西边方向颤抖走了十几分钟就可以到达了积水潭地铁站.

西单

如以往一样,接下来就是血聘的时间,今天安排了西单的图书大楼.简单的吃了一品三笑的午餐后,大伙又大小包的回到房间.

真正的“真功夫”

晚餐是享受真工夫的蒸排骨,炖汤和腊味饭.到今天还是那么难忘那么美味的快餐.

DQ的暴风雪

位于新世界底下一层的Dary Queens (DQ)冰淇淋有很多很特别的甜品如暴风雪,石榴记….暴风雪是以浓郁细腻的雪糕参杂花生,腰果碎片与芒果粒放在特制的搅拌器搅拌而成.其令人回味的是特制的雪糕以浓郁的奶味,口感细腻来占领我们的胃蕾.

追梦京华091118-文物与美食-首都博物馆

追梦京华-18/Nov/2009(Wed)-文物与美食-首都博物馆

早上8点,传来了敲门声,原来两个女的病到了.服药后,她们继续留在公寓休息.

首都博物馆

吃了早餐,两个男的往木樨地站出发.原来馨瑶已经在首都博物馆等待了. 首都博物馆的门票是免费的,但是需要提前6天内预约,或网上预约.

位于木樨地的首都博物馆新馆于2006年5月18日正式开馆.首都博物馆以其宏大的建筑、丰富的展览,先进的技术,完善的功能的大型现代化博物馆.

首都博物馆

首博建筑本身是一座融古典美和现代美于一体的建筑艺术品,既具有浓郁的民族特色,又呈现鲜明的现代感. 展陈分为:《古都北京•历史文化篇》,《古都北京•城建篇》,《京城旧事——老北京民俗展》,《古代瓷器艺术精品展》,《燕地青铜艺术精品展》,《古代书法艺术精品展》,《古代绘画艺术精品展》,《古代玉器艺术精品展》,《古代佛教艺术精品展》,《书房珍玩精品展》.

首都博物馆

除了建筑设计融合古今中外,文物的展览具有国际先进水平.很多文物是北京一级保护和修复的真品如出土的商朝青铜器-伯矩鬲(西周,北京房山区琉璃河251号墓出土), 景德镇窑青花凤首扁壶(北京西城元代窖藏出土), 缂金十二章龙袍(清 乾隆)都是文物中的宝贝.

在馆里随时都会有义务工作人员讲解各种文物的历史,特点,只要用心聆听,要了解各种历史渊源是不难的事.

虽然说首都博物馆是免费开放,它所展出的文物,历史与文化都是北京的精髓.尤其是文物更比故宫来得漂亮.

粤菜-日昌港式餐厅

首都博物馆不远就是中央音乐学院.逗留不到一小时的后果就是在天天艺术(中央音乐学院的出版社)买了一堆的民族音乐的CD与DVD.然后才与大伙到地安门大街的日昌港式餐厅用餐. 五个人十样菜才RMB250,太划算了…….便宜与好吃是大伙对它的评价.

馨瑶的QQ

在地安门天意商城是到地的北京人购物的地方,各种服饰,家庭用品,包包,小玩意等都有.价格比起万通,秀水都便宜很多,只是在款式的选择比不上前两者. 所以买了一些后,大伙决定再战秀水街商城.

由于前两天在秀水街商城买Samsonite中型硬壳行李是被掉包为中国本地品牌,大小米又把行李拉去换.建议各位购买时候一定要注意.本来是去换行李,后来变成大伙又买了一堆.

躲在小巷里的竹鱼坊

满足欲望后,慧君带我们到东单,经过阴暗的后巷就是美丽的竹鱼坊.里面是著名的蒸淡水鱼.豆豉蒸鱼的味道鲜美, 豆豉香浓…..原来北京还有那么特别的餐馆与好吃的食物. 由于明天要去长城,大伙买了一堆的西饼为早餐与午餐.

以重量计算的西饼

追梦京华091117-皇家园林的爬山记-颐和园

追梦京华-17/Nov/2009(Tue)-皇家园林的爬山记-颐和园

简单的吃了McD的早餐,就开始漫长的地铁路线去颐和园. 从2号线再转换4号线去北宫门站需要45分钟时间,幸好4号线是北京最新的地铁,车厢与月台在设计与措施都是最新的,过了东直门站,搭乘的人朝也变少了,所以才可以寻找到座位让双脚临时放松.

北宫门地铁站出口

北宫门入口处离地铁站不远,但是沿途都会有人兜售便宜门票.为了安全起见,我们只向正规的售票处购买全票.

白雪覆盖的苏州街

大胆

颐和园坐落于北京西郊,由万寿山和昆明湖组成.从北宫门进入就是苏州街.苏州街又称”买卖街”,仿江南水乡构筑,是帝后嫔妃娱乐购物的好去处.往山上”爬”, 就可以抵达万寿山顶最高处的建筑-智慧海.它是一座完全由砖石砌成的无梁佛殿,由纵横相间的拱券结构组成,实际上没有一根木料,全部用石砖发券砌成的,没有枋檩承重,所以称为“无梁殿”,又因殿内供奉了无量寿佛,所以也称它为”无量殿”.可惜建筑外墙上的琉璃佛象的头部都是奥运会其间新砌的,原本的已经被八国联军破坏了.

智慧海

从智慧海往下的路上可以欣赏到颐和园的湖光水色,白雪覆盖的瓦片,金黄发亮的山石是在长廊所看不到的.

不好吃的饭

颐和园与其他大的景点一样,园内的餐厅素质差强人意.大伙在”宫廷小吃”点了3个快熟面与1个红烧肉饭盒.不求吃好,只求吃饱.

佛香阁

排云殿与佛香阁是需要全票的园中园,为此游客人数相应减少很多,建筑物的保养也较完善.在排云殿里也展示了颐和园修过程的历史与一些文物.

长廊

昆明湖

全票也包括文昌院文物库馆,是中国古典园林中规模最大,品级最高的文物陈列馆.馆内设有六个专题展厅,陈展了上自商周,下迄晚清数以千计的颐和园精品文物如铜器,玉器,瓷器,金银器,竹木牙角器,漆器,家具,珐琅,钟表等.由于颐和园特定的皇家环境,这些艺术品代表了当时最好的工艺水平,许多珍品在当时即为国之重器.有时间的自由行者,不要错过了那么精彩的展览.

无悔

夕阳西下, 万寿山和昆明湖有如金黄色的真珠闪耀着.在湖畔有个老人家用特大的毛笔和清水在石块上写字.当他写到”无悔”两字时,那仿佛在告诉我们人生短短几十年,不需要大起大落,但不要后悔与遗憾.

黄昏伴园林

经过仁寿殿,玉澜堂,乐寿堂就可以出颐和园的东宫门.由于西苑地铁站与东宫门有400米远,手上的热烤蕃蜀是冰冷世界中的唯一温暖.

和合谷的猪手饭套餐

SKETCH OF NORTH INDOCHINA- Day 8: 100330:Hanoi

Today train is late arrival about 1 hour. Sam is waiting for us when we arrived at Hanoi. With simple Phor for breakfast and simple washing on the hotel room, we rushing to Hanoi Airport.

The departure gate of Hanoi International Airport is still very traditional, all products sell here is price in USD. The duty free even is expensive than Malaysia Airport.

After so many days together with Sam, it is not easy to good bye to him. Wish can see him again this year end in Penang. I miss you Sam.

Once reach LCCT, whole group is rush to the Air Asia ticket counter for flight change request due to the original flight on 5pm is retime to 10pm. However, the poor service by LCCT is really make us tiring as we need to runt o the standby counter to get the boarding pass, then rush to check in counter to check in luggage. Thanks ken for the hard work that allow all of us can reach Penang by 5pm…. Woo HOOOOO.

Now let me introduce all my dearest travelmate:

Ken, my big brother- he is a passion and straight forward guy. He is caring to all his travel mate. Our journey si so smooth because of his hard work to do research and planning. Then get a good tour agent to organize the trip without shopping in those ‘luxury’ place or force shopping.

Doreen, my big sister-She si sometime serious but is so caring. Thanks for the salonpas. Hehehhe

Kim Lean, the best and natural model. When she is posting, it is so natural. Should invite her for portrait shooting one day.

Bee sister, my usual travel mate. We together travel to many place since we met each other on Yunnan trip on 2006. Really wonderful to travel with both of you.

Step and SP, my director, my model and also photographer. Thanks for the medicine when I not feeling well during long drive to Ba Chan and Sapa.

CP, always smile and make everyone happy. Sorry for calling u “Glor**”but u really so cute from the personality to make all happy. Thanks for the kiamsuiti.

Lee Lin, cute person, she is the only one took video. Sometime u can see all funny clips on her video cam. Hahahhaha

Myself, I’m a Panda, a happy Panda because i travel with u all. You all are funny, sporting, caring and enjoying. Can said that this is not the best trip I have but is the best travel-mate and most enjoyable trip for me. Thanks all guys and gals that make this trip so wonderful for each other.

SKETCH OF NORTH INDOCHINA- Day 7: 100329: Sapa, Lao Cai

This is the first time I stay in hotel without hot air in such cold area. Due to not sleep well during the train from Hanoi, it was very sweet dream during last night.

Today breakfast is the best among all. I like the porridge and friend noodles(seems like instant noodle). After I full up my stomach, Lee Lin took some French toast for us again. Yummy, it is so delicious.

From the hotel, we walk through Sapa town towards the Cultural Village or Cat Cat Village. The minority groups will come to near you while you walking, their purpose is very simple, be tour guide for you or wish to sell some craft to you. The local tribe here is most by black Hmong tribe. Their costume is more in black or dark color.

The teres padi field is not clearly seen due to heavy mist is fill up surrounding. However, while we near to Cat Cat village, few Hmong children is running here and there, some of them is begging for money. I really don’t like this situation as the adult is teach their child to do this type of work when they small. Compare to Hmong people in Ba Chan, I really respect Ba Chan Hmong people. They are poor but they never please anything from us. This is the most important behavior for others to respect them.

After the village, we need to trek up and down the hill. It was 1pm when we reach our lunch destination. Most of us like today lunch as they serve us with beacon, cheese, French toast and salad.

After the trekking, we back to Sapa Town for shopping. This is first time I dint buy anything during traveling. It might be due to most of the craft is same as minority tribe in Yunnan. The limitation in luggage weight for Air Asia is another important issue that stop me from shopping.

We took the night train back to Hanoi. This train was big different from the deck we took yesterday. It is so small and even can’t allow 2 people to walk side by side inside the cabin.

Since all so tired, it is better go to rest early.

SKETCH OF NORTH INDOCHINA- Day 6: 100328-Lao Cai, Bac Ha, Sapa

Sleeping in train is only slightly better than flight. However, I automatically wake up about 4.30am due to the air is become very cold. We met Tan(pronounce as Deng) at Lao Cai Train station.

The Lao Cai meant old street. The train railway stop here and is gate to Sapa. After the breakfast, we met with 2 French and direct drive to BacHa. Bac Ha Sunday market is only weekly market that available for minority tribes for business and also met their love one. We are very lucky as we have the chance to see it during this trip.

Due to the transport at mountain area is not convenient, some of them even walking few hours to get to the market. Bac Ha area is nominate by Hmong(in China call Miao tribe). The Hmong here is flower Hmong as their costume is more colorful. Bac Ha market is offer variety of things from craft to food, wine. The most interesting is most of the local people is wearing their traditional costume and it is the killing point for our memory card.

After Bac Ha market, we stop over at local Hmong village. My tears drop when I saw the condition of their home, the discolor TV is still using, no any proper chair and table at home, the only dish for their lunch is 1 pack of instant noodle. By comparing minority tribe at Vietnam and China, we conclude that China is take care to minority group. However, form the eye of the children, their life is more happy and simple. Sometime is very difficult to measure the meaning of happy.

After Bac ha market, we transfer to Sapa town. Sapa is a small town like Brinchang in Cameron Highland. The mist is usually cover up the whole area. Franch built a churt at the center of town. The colorful window decoration is the attraction of this old church.

Opposite the church have many stalls selling backpack, wind breaker and craft form minority tribe. The left hand side of church is fruit stall. I like their local plum and peach. However, if you don’t like sour fruits, then better don’t try the plum. Hahahaha

By waling, we reach the wet market of Sapa. The vegetable available here is mostly same as Cameron Highland. But the food is mainly Phor, kerabu(mixture of pig skin, onions, peanuts and chilly), BBQ. The most interesting thing is we saw they have many variety of dry Phor is selling there.

Shopping in Sapa is not a good suggestion. Due to the cold wind blow from Mongolia during our visit, the stall selling sweater and wind breaker don’t want to reduce the price for us. 2 layer North Face wind breaker is sell on USD50, so expensive….

Due to the cold weather, we have steamboat on the night at Sapa. This is the best steamboat that we have. Cold air with hot sour soup. The nice combination.

SKETCH OF NORTH INDOCHINA- Day 5: 100327- Halong Bay, Hanoi, Lao Cai

Night at Junk is nice. It is not what we think earlier that will shake here and there. All of us sleep so sweet that day. After nice French toast breakfast, we carry by a small sampan to visit the a nice and peaceful lagoon. The lagoon exit is a cave that only can go through by sampan during low tide. Due to the conservation of the natural, only small sampan without motor is allow to enter.

After past through the Luon Cave, the inner side is small lagoon with monkeys habitats on it. The water is greenish blue. The stone around the lagoon is clearly seen the sea level during high tide. It is 4 foot height from what we see now. After round the lagoon, we back to Huong Hai Junk and continue our gila group photo session. The GuiLin on the Sea is only part of the scene because mostly all concentrate into group and portrait photo.

The enjoyment on the sea end after the lunch. Hence we continue our journey to Hanoi for shopping while waiting for the Sapa train departure on 9.10pm. During the shopping time, me, KK and Sam is separate from the group for drinking in local style. The “pub” in Hanoi is fully open air, no decoration but they enjoy so much the good time in drinking with friends. Each of us drink 2 big bottle of Tiger Beer and 2 big glass of the draft beer(no indicate the beer manufacture on the container). The local draft is a bit bitter but is nice to eat with local tidbits like local ham, pork minch meat and seed cracker.

Dinner is nice Hanoi ChaKa or fried fish. I like the nice fragrance vege laminate under the pan. After nice food, we depart from haoi for LaoCai on sleep deck train. The deck we book is very big, due to 8 girls occupied 2 room, 2 guys is sharing with s Aussie womans. This deck of train is occupied by foreigners, hence we don’t need to face the bad habits of the local people on the train.(sorry for Vietnamese who read this travelogue).

SKETCH OF NORTH INDOCHINA- Day 4: 100326- Cao Bang, Halong Bay

Today is the earliest day we start our journey, just 4am we start drive from Cao Bang.

After long drive, we finally reached HaLong city about 1pm. We took speed boad transfer to HuongHai Junk.

After nice seafood lunch, everyone nonstop to press their camera on sundeck for personal portrait nor nice scenery along Halong Bay.

I like this Junk so much due to the good condition of the room and bed, nice food and also cleanliness of the environment.

After the lunch, we proceed foir visit the Sung Sot Cave, situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area, the Sung Sôt or Surprise Grotto is on Bo Hòn Island, and is one of the finest and widest grottoes of Ha Long Bay.

From the wharf, you climb 50 steep stone stairs to the mouth of the grotto, which lies 25 m above the sea level. Going down some 10 stone stairs, you reach the mouth of a grotto. The grotto covers some 10,000 m2. Inside the grotto there have thousands of stalactites and stalagmites along the 500-meter paved passage. Light posts line the passage and serve as signposts and ornaments. The lighting system with elegant styles adds more charm to the beauty of the grotto.

The entrance and exit of this cave is nice for photography for Halong Bay. The chocolate color ship, green color island and blue color sky paint the nice harmony view of Halong Bay.

After the cave, we proceed to Titov island. The beach is full of the fine and cold sand, and a viewing deck on the top of the hill on Titov island.

Night on the ship is not boring, sharing the time with friend or you can fishing alone on the sundeck will make u enjoy the stress less life.