A very Chinese silence.

I know it’s hardly news to most of you, and the emails that you sent us are testament to that, but on May 12th the Sichuan area of China was devastated by a massive earth quake. We usually try to keep the stories posted here light and fun, but sometimes you have to acknowledge that there is a down side to things and ride with it.I guess we feel for the people there quite strongly for a few reasons; it goes without saying that any humanitarian disaster can make you feel empathy, but here in Tangshan they have a special understanding of what happened, seeing as how the Sichuan quake was the deadliest since the one that struck here in 1976 – and many of our students and friends have memories and stories to tell of that event. It’s also quite distressing seeing the rescue work and children being pulled out of collapsed schools of the same age, and wearing the same track-suit uniforms as those pupils we teach day-in day-out.I have to commend the people of China and those we know who seem willing to do anything to help those affected. A lot could be learned from their attitudes.A week exactly to the time and day of the quake, there was to be a three minute silence across the country. Valmai and I were in Beijing at the time and went to the entrance to the Forbidden City around the time of the silence. It was eerie – as the time approached people started to fall silent, Chinese and foreigners alike with heads bowed – even most the tour groups with their blaring megaphones hushed. The usually incessant traffic ground to a standstill and slowly, drivers got out of their cars.Then it started. Car horns! Not the usual punctuation racket of daily life in Beijing, but one, continuous sound as the drivers paid their respects, a very Chinese form of silence!All across the city, and from reports we watched later, the country, the same scene of tribute was repeated.In the night we walked an area of SanLiTun known for its bars. A usually vibrant place the atmosphere was subdued, and outside many of the restraints and bars candles were lit – most in the shape of hearts – and within the hearts, more candles were arranged, reading 12th/5th (The date of the quake), or ‘Sichuan’ in Chinese characters.Good luck to all those affected, our thoughts are with you.

Discover North Vietnam 7 days, tours

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D).Our guide will meet you at Noi Bai airport and escort you to a hotel in the center of Hanoi. The tour will start in the afternoon with 2 hours cyclo tour around the Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and Old Quarter streets. You are then attend the Water Puppets show. Enjoy welcome dinner and overnight in Hanoi.Day 2: Hanoi - Ninh Binh (B/L/D)Vietnam TourEthnic people8:00 A.M you will visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Residence, One-Pillar pagoda Tran Quoc pagoda, Quan Thanh temple, Army Museum and Hanoi Flag Tower. In the afternoon, departure to Ninh Binh. On the way, visit Hoa Lu - ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10 century and the remaining two temples of Dinh King & Le King. Dinner and Over night in Ninh Binh.Day 3: Ninh Binh - Ha Long bay (B/L)8:00 our car will drive you to Tam Coc, then take a sampan on winding streams deep in rice fields and limestone rocks to visit Tam Coc cave. After lunch leave Ninh Binh for Halong bay. On the way, the car will stop for the short visit to Tran temple and Pho Minh tower in Nam Dinh province. Dinner and Overnight in Halong.Day 4 : Ha Long Bay - Hanoi (B/L/D)Hanoi Hoan Kiem LakeHoan Kiem LakeBoat trip through majestic HaLong bay. Enjoy beautiful landscape of HaLong Bay, naturally formed by islands and islets, explore natural caves or sunbathing. Enjoy lunch on board. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon with stop over at Phu Lang Pottery Village at Bac Ninh. In late evening take the night train to Lao Cai - Sapa.Day 5: Lao Cai- Sapa (B/ L/D)You will arrive at Lao Cai at about 6.30. Short car trip to Sapa of about 40km from Lao Cai. Check in a hotel in Sapa. Relax or optional visit in the morning. In the afternoon, 2 hours trekking to visit Catcat village, home of a Black H'mong hill tribe, which is just 7 km from Sapa town. Overnight in Sapa. Day 6: Sapa (B/ L/D)Halong bayHalong Bay8:00 taking a jeep trip to Lao Chai - Ta Van village, Home of Dzay and Black Mong hill tribes. While trekking around the village, meeting and talking with local hill tribes to learn more about their daily life, customs and traditional habits. Optional visit around Sapa town or take a rest before taking car trip back to Lao Cai train station. Get on the train return to Hanoi.Day 7: Hanoi (B)5:30 our car will pick you up the the train. After breakfast, take a bath and relax at Sunny hotel for a while (check-out time is at noon) before the car will take you to airport for departure home or more visit the South of Vietnam.Type of tour: * Private tour. (This is the sample tour, you may go with all details above or we can modify to fix your way of travel) * Easy/Adventure tour * Departure: Any dayFeature of tour: The life of urban, suburban, country side and hill tribes Vietnam people. The beautiful landscape of North VietnamPrice in USD per person

The ancient city of Dali

After 2 days we headed Northwest to Dali. A city with a lot of influence from Budhism. Old town Dali is surrounded by a massive wall that protected the city from outsiders during ancient time. We spent the day with 1 KungFu teacher that we met and 2 local Chinese girls. Us 5 enjoyed a great homecooked dinner and shared stories. The next day we biked to the 6th largest freshwater lake in China. Biking through small little villages we could see the old cobblestone streets and narrow alleys through the villages.