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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
Oct 09, 2013 04:00 PM Second Forbidden City
I am in Shenyang. Few people know that in Shenyang you can visit second Imperial Palace in China... Second Forbidden city was built here in 17th century...
I saw it today. Bus 224 from Nort Shenyang station took me there for just 1 yuan. City transport is cheap in China, but the problem is to know the bus number and to find the stop. Have a pen and piece of paper handy and ask them to write for you. :)
They charge entry fee of 60 Y (half with my discount) and then you can wonder in the labyrinth of squares, passages, palaces and pavilions. Forbidden City in Shenyang is not as large as that in Beijing, but still worth a visit. Season is over, few tourists only - nice atmosphere without the crowds.
Shenyang was a capital of emporium during the Qing dynasty (these rulers came from Manchuria). The founder of the dynasty is buried on the other side of the city (bus 227 took me there from the palace) The New Tomb - that's what they call it is beautiful complex of the gates, walls, towers located in the big park. They charge 50/25 y entry fee but it is worth.
It was busy day. And the coming night I plan to spend on the train going further north. New challenge awaits!
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Oct 08, 2013 04:00 PM China - What they invented!
I know that in the past they invented the gunpowder and many other important things, but now...
I spent last night in Zhongmei hotel in Qinhuangdao. After thousands of hotels visited in 230 plus different countries and territories it is hard to impress me, but here they did!
Imagine the room with two nice beds. But the whole wall between the room and the shower is glass - made! So you can see your lady bathing before she will come to make you happy! No courtains! Hmmm... What a pity I travel alone :)
OK... They invented also their bullet train. I used this train today to travel to the giant city of Shenyang - the capital of Liaoning Province. Almost 7 mln people live here. The train is fast, but it is hard to say that it is luxurious. Airplane seats are installed but I did not have enough space to stretch my legs... I am slightly bigger then average Chinese. Sorry... only 2,5 hours en route.
My hotel near Shenyang North station hasn't any name in Latin script displayed outside or inside! Not easy to find! Print your detailed google map before! Once in the reception you will not find any single person speaking even basic English words. So they cannot also read the outprint with your reservation... They did not hear about such a reservation. My God! I spent in the reception 40 minutes with a feeling that they do not want me in this hotel... Finally I got check in. The price of the room is 190 Y, but they required hefty 400 Y of deposit - in cash. What they invented!
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Oct 07, 2013 04:00 PM The dragon sipping sea water...
Today I reached the place where The Great Wall is meeting the sea. They call it "Old Dragon's Head". In their imagination enormous dragon (Great Wall) sneaking through China has his head in Laolongtou on the coast of the Yellow Sea - sipping there the water.
Actually in Laolongtou I found the stronghold with towers, extended 22 meters into the sea. In the first tower, built and painted in traditional style I found... the statue of chairman Mao. The second, stone tower is empty. With white beach around this stronghold is very picturesque place. But some 200 m away they built another attraction - the colorful temple of Sea Goddess. Both are included in the 60 yuan ticket... They know how to milk the tourist!
The first and very solid gate in the Wall was some 5 kms away - in Shanghaiguan - this is now UNESCO World Heritage Site. From this place I was walking another 4 kms to Jiao Shan - the restored part of the Great Wall. With 30 Y ticket you can climb here the wall to the little castle on the mountain ridge. Good exercise, believe me! This was my third time on the Great Wall but it still impress me - they did enormous work!
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Oct 06, 2013 04:00 PM Tianjin - saying bye to the ship!
In the morning I disembarked the ship in the Chinese port Tianjin. They built new, enormous passenger terminal in the middle of nowhere. So the main task was to get to the closest station of the light railway. This is definitely not a walking distance!
I was lucky to jump on the shuttle going with a crew members to the AEON shopping Mall - Light rail station "Exhibition Center" is just nearby.
Ticket to Tianjin (45 kms) cost me 9 juan (they pay 6,05 juans per USD at the moment).
Tanjin center spread around Hei River has a lot of European architecture from the end of 19th century, To get to the remains of the old town take subway to Gulou Station - picturesque Drum Tower is close with the traditional gates and Confucian Temple... You will also find many traditional workshops around.
It is warm with some haze in the morning and I am happy and ready for the new adventure. Freedom! Since today there will be no need to come to the ship.
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Oct 05, 2013 04:00 PM Dalian-China. Not always it is so easy!
We arrived to Dalian with 1,5-hours delay. I was running the city to be as soon as possible at the bus stop opposite the north entrance of Dalian Station.
Why? I wanted so much to see former Port Arthur - where the Japan was fighting with Russia at the beginning of 20th century.
I bought the ticket for 8 yuan and I was waiting in the line of the local people. A young lady responded my question "Does anybody speak English?" And then she said that due the traffic jams the bus to Lushun ((it is present name of Port Arthur) goes 1,5 to 2 hours. I started to count my time and came in to conclusion that if I will go, I will be late for the ship - it stupidly departs already at 3 pm!
Bad luck! Maybe next time!
Dalian - ex Russian Dalnyj has nice buildings from Russian and Japaneese era and also nice skyscrapers... There is even "Russian Street" with Russian food on sale and "Arbat" restaurant.
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Oct 04, 2013 04:00 PM Qingdao. Geremans once were in China!
I am in China again! Qingdao is a big port on the Yellow Sea. I see the crowds everywhere - they celebrate here their national holiday - it takes one week!
It is hard to believe but at the end of 19th century Germany established here their base for the commerce and further expansion... Settlers from Germany established here in 1903 the brewery which works till now producing well-known in China Tsingdao beer. I had a chance well-preserved samples of German architecture; former governor residence, city hall, the prison.
There is also nice lighthouse far on the peninsula and a couple of nice parks.
I had a feelings that access to GS site is blocked in Qingdao (as facebook is). Luckily the problem disappeared when I went to the other province of the big China!
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Oct 03, 2013 04:00 PM Sailing The Yellow Sea
We just passed Korean Cheju Island entering The Yellow Sea. Only 3 days left till the end of the cruise. Then I will travel onward on my own. Hay time to make a laundry!
In the evening I had again the chance to listen to the wonderful tunes of our Thalia String Quartet - they are really good. They love what they do. They are professionals. And they have personal charm...
I was specially delighted when they played for me (the only Polish passenger aboard) string adaptation of Chopins' waltzes...
At home I am going to the concert say, once per two weeks. Here I can listen their melodies every evening... What is the best on this ship? Not a food, nor the shows... "Thalia String Quartet" of course!
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Oct 02, 2013 04:00 PM The temples of Pusan - Korea
I have been before to the South Korea, but never to Busan or Pusan - the second largest city of the country.
Busan in the morning sun looks very nice from the sea. Port is big so they offer free shuttle to the city centre. Due to the traffic it is like 40 minutes ride! Then it is worth to buy a day ticket for unlimited travel on the subway (4000 Won, they pay 1020 won per 1 USD). I took a long ride to Beomeosa Temple (from the station bus 90 will take you to the gate for 1200 won) This top Buddhist temple has
spectacular location and is still alive - people are coming here to pray, and probably that's the reason why the entry is free. Back in the subway I went closer to the coast and bus 181 took me to Haedong Yonggung Temple spectacularly located on the rocky coast. Return to the downtown took me more then an hour. Busan (3,5 million inhabitants) is a huge city, distances are big and traffic jams are very common - consider that planning your stay...
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Oct 01, 2013 04:00 PM The smuggler... :)
We have the day at sea sailing toward South Korea. I the morning I saw little and poor fishing boats of the North Korea fishermen. It is different world there - I was writing about this country few years ago...
I am the smuggler :) The cruise company do not allow to bring to the ship any liquor from the port. They want you to buy it from them - paying about 5 USD per each glass of wine.
I must confess: in Vladivostok I smuggled the bottle, so it is warmer in the evening (they are freezing us on this ship using a/c )
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Sep 30, 2013 04:00 PM Vladivostok - the Golden Bridge is ready!
Wow! When I have been to Vladivostok 4 years ago they just started the construction if the high bridge over the Golden Horn Bay.
It is ready now and Vladivostok - the Russian San Francisco also has its Golden Gate!
Sunny day with some fogg in the morning - I took a long walk uphill to reach the brigde and to recognize that the guard allows me to walk the bridge! It is Russia and I was not sure! The pedestrian space is very, very narrow along the bridge - but is is worth to be there because the Golden Bridge offers now the best panoramic view of Vladivostok.
Then I walked to the former Polish Catholic Church. It was built in the late 19th century by Polish patriots deported here by tsar. Closed during communist period it is now restored and open for Russian catholics. I was surpised that the mission is run by the catholic priests from the USA!
For me it was lovely visit of important place.
Then I took a long walk to the well-known places. Entry to historic submarine cost 100 roubles.
Very busy, but lovely day!
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