A mix of cultures, pictures that tell a story

Wonderful pictures ci - all of them are beautiful, but I especially loved the terra cotta soldier's museum, the tai chi class and the portrait of the boat man (his smile).
My dad loved China and encouraged me to go if I ever had the chance - I never really saw the allure until recently - and these pictures have helped cement my resolve that it's a place I'd enjoy exploring.
Thanks for posting them.

I agree with your dad. I've visited China three times, and the last one was to do the Yangtze River cruise before they completed flooded everything - which is supposed to happen this year. The progress in China since my first visit in 1992 is not only dramatic, but they now have some of the best hotels at very reasonable prices. The biggest problem for China and its people are the increase in pollution through their factories and use of coal for energy. You can still get a glimpse of the old China even in the Hutong area of Beijing and many of its villages. If you get the chance, go with a travel company that includes a visit to their grade schools in China (both in the big cities and in the small villages). When you do decide to go, let me know; I'll try to make some recommendations not found in your itinerary.

You should try to see the Canadian movie called Manufactured Landscapes which has been screened 3 times recently on Sky Arts One.

See something of the real China.

This second group is from Central Asia which includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The tour last May concentrated on the Silk Road route, and the impressions I got while there was much different than my anticipation. Their architecture is unique, and their people are very friendly and many speak English. We felt welcomed at most of the places we visited from the bazaars to the madrasas, and I learned some new things about the Silk Road; that the eastern-most terminus was Osaka, Japan, and not Xian, China.

The Silk Road.


What most of us "see" about Central Asia.


The architecture of Central Asia.






We were treated to several fashion shows.



The food we ate were quite good.


This was a cultural show in Khiva. That 3-year old boy danced and sang for us.

Many have been to London, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to see some favorites in and around London Town.




Royal War Museum.



St Pauls.


Globe Theatre.


Greenwich.


Maritime Museum.


Polynesians kill Captain Cook.



Goodnight (from Greenwich).


Covent Garden.

This time, we're going across the Pacific to Japan. This was our second trip to Japan, and this time it was a Buddhist pilgrimage to Central Japan. The Buddhist temples in Japan are the best way to really appreciate the country, because most were built during the 16th and 17th centuries, and that is where the Japanese culture is extant.

Welcome.




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Girl's day display. My wife used to have one when she was young, but had to leave it behind when they moved to Colorado when WWII was declared.


Mums are popular in Japan.


A small village.


Most of the temples are built on higher elevations, and one must climb steps or hills to reach them.


This is Todaiji Temple in Nara. It's supposed to be the largest wooden building in the world.


Our Sensai at prayer. We all repeated Sutras from a book.


The old town of Kyoto.




This is where they filmed The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise.


The temple grounds are well kept and beautiful.

This group was taken while in Hong Kong during Chinese New Years some years ago before our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia.

This was our hotel.


Nathan Road, the main shopping street.


Doormen at the Peninsula Hotel famous for their high tea.


High tea.


Star ferry (seniors ride free).


Inside the Star ferry.


Victoria peak tram entrance.


Tram.


View of harbor.


New Year's celebration parade and show.


Temple in New Territories where they practice three religions; Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.


Our Hong Kong local guide.


Next: Vietnam

Just a note on the Todaiji Temple in Nara; the Buddha inside the building is almost 50 feet tall.

Vietnam:

Typical street(s) in a big city like Hanoi and Saigon.


The Vietnamese can be seen sitting on the sidewalk having their meals.


The architecture.



Ho Chi Min's tomb.


Ho Chi Min's home.


A Buddhist temple.


Halong Bay (This is where they filmed one of the James Bond movie).




A cave we visited on Halong Bay.


A nice billboard in Vietnam (I like it).


Wild Rice restaurant in Hanoi.


If anyone would like to me do pictures of a country that I have visited (past five or six years), please request it.

Back home in Washington DC.
We stayed at the Marriott at Georgetown University in Arlington.

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.


Japanese-American Memorial.


Senator Feinstein's office.


Washington laid the first stone for the construction of the capitol.


The first Supreme Court.


Current Supreme Court.


Library of Congress.



Our capitol.


Mahatma Gandhi statue near Dupont Circle.


Metro.


Air and Space Museum.



Hope diamond (sorry for the blurry picture):


Museum of Natural History (big bird).


Ford Theatre.


House where Lincoln died.


Alexandria.

This group is on the island of Malta.

This scene is from my hotel room.


Around Mdina.


Gate at Mdina.


Souvenir shop in Mdina.


Valleta.




I went to a concert here.


Some of the architecture.




Tile art at the Roman museum.


Ferry to the island of Gozo.

HELLO!

How are everyone?

All is well I hope.

Now I only come here when I want something, be it money... attention.. ok just money and attention really.

Please have a look at my entry to the Nat Geo travel Photo comp, I took it all by myself on a lovely beach in Sri Lanka, I forget the name of it... but here, an image captured by my very own hands:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/entries/200838/view/

Please feel free to 'like' and share away....

Ooooh and follow me on twitter please everybody. @AnnifaBella

Welcome back, and it's a good picture. Are you going to tell us about Sri Lanka, or just drop the picture and run?

Sorry, I don't twit.

Excellent collection of pic's. Its really informative.Thanks for share.

Thnaks roger, I do twit becasue I am one.

I absolutely loved Sri Lanka, I was there in 2011 for one too-short week. Travelled along the west coast from Columbo to Galle (the picture is from a beach somewhere in the middle - Hikkaduwa) A beautiful place.

I have also travelled around South East Asia and have a lot of photos I'd like to share on here but um, where's the upload picture box? I suppose I have to do something more complicated... beyond the means of my tiny mind and far exceeding my limited patience for such things

Hi All, As most of you know, I have traveled extensively around the world. I started a travel blog at www.travelpod.com/members/c.i.222

My last journey was to Portugal, and wine-lovers will appreciate what I have learned - and which I will try to share them with you.

Enjoy.

Wow! Amazing pictures! Each picture has its own story, really looks nice all of those.

This was taken in Bali in 2005.

I just completed my blog on Portugal at www.travelpod.com/members/c.i.222

Please visit there for all of my travel blogs.