As China Celebrates her 60th National Anniversary

I Remember China ............................................
                                                       

The People's Republic of China celebrates its 60th National Day on 1st October. The celebration coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival (full moon of the 8th Lunar Calendar). A week long holiday was declared by the government. It was estimated that more than 20 million people traveled back to their home towns and villages to be reunited with their loved ones. Televisions reported on the chaotic jams in major airports, train stations and bus terminals with people rushing home to be reunited with their families. Brings back memories of stories of China told to us by our parents and relatives when we were kids. That's more than 50 years ago! Life then was in the villages, not the skyscrapers I saw when I visited Quilin (2004), Beijing (2005), Guangzhou (2006), and Kunming (2006). Maybe it is time, I visit my parents' villages which they left behind as teenagers, with no opportunity of returning. Soon ................

If you did not climb the Great Wall, then you have not been to China!!

The famous Tiananman Square, Beijing

The Forbidden City in Beijing where the Emperors Rejoiced!

City of Guangzhou (formerly Canton)

Beijing Ru is the budget shoppers' paradise in Guangzhou

The mountains and rivers of Quilin

The colourful limestone caves of Quilin

In Kunming, you will be welcomed by the "Emperor" himself!

In Lijiang, visit the awesome Stone Forest

(Pinnacle Karst - UNESCO Heritage)

Leaving Vientiane, Laos

Cheers to Vientiane .....................................

Writing this in Vientiane on the night (or is it already early morning!) before leaving for home.

Home Sweet Home. This has been quite a long stay. Been here since 23 August 2009.

This being my third trip to this lovely city of peace, with all the friendly people.

My first trip was in January 2009, followed by a second trip of of one month in May/June 2009.

But these few days, the city has suddenly sprouced up, all along the road fronting the enchanting Mekong River.

Make-shift stalls are up with all the fun fare games and BBQ chicken and fish.

The roads are all jammed up with traffic and people. Wonder where all the people suddenly came from.

There are a lot of festivities going on.

Vientiane is getting ready for the "Wat Chanh Boat Racing Festival 2009" on 4 - 5 October.

Traditional boats will compete for the 1 kg silver bowl trophy and six million KIPS (about USD700!!).

The traditional floating of candle-lit banana leaf boats and candlelight processions around temples will also take place on the night of 4 October. When darkness falls, Vientiane will sparkle with processions of people carrying banana leaves folded to resemble traditional longboats (heua fai khok) and decorated with flowers, candles, incense and balls of sticky rice (khao niew - my friend's favourite!).

These boats are shaped to have a figurehead resembling a naga dragon.

The appearance of these boats signals the end of Buddhist Lent (Ork Phana).

Vientiane residents craft these model boats to show their respect for the naga, said to live in the river, and to Buddha. (ha but I am going to miss all this!!).

Laos is also getting ready to host the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane from 9 - 18 December 2009.

The Lao people take great pride for being given the trust to host the games for the first time.

You will be warmly greeted with the traditional welcome "Sa Bai Di" everywhere you go!.

Going to miss Beerlao too!! Cheers to all my Lao friends!! I will be back again!!!

The ever-popular Beerlao is brewed from "sticky rice - khao niew"

Cheers and "Kop Jai" to all my Lao Friends!!!

From this to this below

Its Carnival Time in Vientiane!