Asia Trip 2008

Below are few shots from my and Katka's travel in Southeast Asia.

Enjoy!

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Map of China with highlighted areas (green) we visited

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Then in Thailand, we stayed in Bangkok and also in Pattaya and nearby Koh Larn island (green dots)

Hong Kong (July 17-20, 2008)

We flew from Munich through Doha, Qatar to Hong Kong which is Special Administrative Region of China with its own currency, police, juridical system, immigration and customs policy, etc. and actually still keeps its partial independence since 1997 rejoining with China after British rule of about 155 years. Now, nearly 7 million people live on the total are of 1100 sq kms. The territory consists primarily of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island and Kowloon Peninsula as well as some 260 other islands. The city is full of skyscrapers and never sleeps...

Avenue of Stars at Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, 17th July 08

.Central and Sheung Wan districts in night from Salisbury hotel

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With its 416 meters, the 2IFC is the tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong

.Hong Kong Museum of Arts and Wan Chai district at Hong Kong island
. Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour is always very busy

.Central Pier on Hong Kong island

. Des Voeux Road with double-decker trams and buses
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HKG Tramways is only fully double-decker tram fleet in the world
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Mid-levels escalators - with its 800 meters the longest in the world

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On the ferry in Victoria Harbour

.Central district from the ferry

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Central and Sheung Wan districts with Victoria Peak behind

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Nathan Road, the main road in Kowloon

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Tasty lunch in Kowloon

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Shopping street in Mong Kok

. Night view from Victoria Peak

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Tasty and cheep street food

Macau (July 18, 2008)

We visited by ferry also Macau which was both the first and the last European colony in Asia. Since 16th century it was administred by Portugal for 442 years until handover to China in Dec 1999 to become its other Special Administrative Region. The wide range of expensive hotels and casinos makes it one of the richest cities in the world. It is also the most densely populated region in the world, with a population density of 18500 persons per square kilometre. The overall population is about half million. It has mixed Chinese and European as well as Buddhistic and Christian genius loci.

On the ferry from Hong Kong to Macau. It takes about 45 min
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Typical street in modern Macau on reclaimed area

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Grand Lisboa Hotel & Casino is new landmark in Macau

.Exhibit in Grand Lisboa Casino

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Old Portuguese architecture in the centre of the city

.St. Dominic church square

. Chinese delicacy - dry sweet meat

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Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral

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On the ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral

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View of the Old Town and reclaimed district from St. Paul

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Mount Fortress which guarded Portuguese colony

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View from Mount Fortress to norther part of Macau and Zhuhai city, China

. Macau's Taipa island, residential quarters

Kunming, China (July 20-26, 2008)

Our next stop for a week was Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. Population of the city is about 6 milion and the whole province about 46 million. Although not much visited by foreigners, beautiful landscapes, mild climate and colorful ethnic minorities make it one of the most popular turistic spots in China. Nearly 40% of the province's population are members of minorities. 26 nationalities living there include Yi, Lisu, Tibetan, Mongolian, Wa and others.

Kunming downtown, different from what Marco Polo saw 730 years ago
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Most people still use bikes and its derivates for transport in Yunnan

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Muslim restaurant

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Dianchi Garden Resort & Spa Hotel
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Pavilion in Dianchi park
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House by the lake, unfortunately Dian lake is highly poisoned...
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These girls taught us how to prepare and drink Chinese tea
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Typical form of Chinese tea - the older, the better and the more expensive
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Such tea is made from 1000 years old and more than 30 m high trees
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Not in the suburbs but in the middle of the city...
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People use their home-made vehicles for transport...
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...and even horses or donkeys
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Modern part of the city
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Government buildings are huge and polished
. Colourful and tasty street food
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Street market in suburbs
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Very tasty muslim food
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China is full of strange English signs... Zoology WC?
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Katka & Chinese dance performer at conference banquet
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In Asia, Karaoke is a must...