Some of you may know that I am now spending allot of my time in China now. I've been here many times over the past few years but it now seems like I'll be pretty much living here for this year and maybe longer.

I'm gradually learning the language which has been a challenge, but it has also allowed me to become rather mobile in this country.

To say that China is different then the US/Canada is a gross understatement. Everything here happens at a very different pace, which is often very very slow. There is a huge economic divide between the rich and the poor. I've had the opportunity to see all sides of this.

My car waits in hibernation back home (in a very secure location). I miss it very much and look forward to my return visits so I can stretch its legs a little. If my time here is extended I will start to consider the possibility of bringing it over.

I've included some pictures here to give you guys a small taste.

Last weekend I traveled into Hong Kong and visted Stanley Park and the Peek, two major tourist destinations. Unfotunately the skies where not so clear so my images from the peak are less then spectacular, but I will share them anyway. Here are a few images:

















A few weeks ago I got to travel to Guilin. This is a popular tourist town about a 1 hour flight north of Hong Kong. Guilin is famous for some spectacular mountain formations which can be seen by river boat. It was almost freezing when I was there so I decided not to go this time. But here are a few images from around the city:









I also got to spend a few days in rural China. This was a highlight for me. Tourists simply do not get to see this side of China. People here work very long days and make just enough to sustain themselves, but despite this they appear to be happy and content. Crime is a big problem here and I definitely had to watch myself while traveling. Many have never seen foreigners before and being stared at was a very normal experience. Now for some pictures:























I'll be sure to post more pictures as my adventures continue... I hope to see everyone at Expo this year but just not sure yet where I will be.

Cheers,
Doug

 

omg man those pics and scenery are unbelievable, thanks a ton for sharing. Maybe I missed it or just out of the loop, but may I ask, why are you there?

 

did you eat that cat and dog too ? ,


Really cool pics , now i want to go to the orient soo much more , and you got to hang out in a village in nowhereland , thats sooo cool i wish i was there too !!

more pics of the rural area if you got please , id love to do that !!!!

loooks like a blast man

 

Wow, Doug that is amazing. Please post back often. As you know, we don't get to see this part of the World too often. Be sure and find some more of those ghetto cars too. That has to be quite an adjustment to get used too living over there. How does real Chinese food compare to what we have back over here?

 

Thanks for sharing the pics. HK looks just as polluted as LA.

 

Those are some awesome!!! pictures .

Hong Kong and China are definitely on my "to do list"

Thanks for sharing


Modified by 00TypeR1071 at 6:19 AM 3/12/2008

 

nice pictures what camera did you use and the lens

 

it's pictures like those that do well to remind us how lucky we are with our double glazing and fast cars


a real eye opener for sure, thanks for sharing

 

Different is definately an understatement. If some of you remember I was in China for 2 weeks back in Dec. and the culture is like nothing you've seen. The more touristy cities (Shanghi) werent that bad, but where I was in Linyi which is about half way between Shanghi and Bejiing, most have never seen a white guy. They would stare and point and laugh, probably saying " LOL, look at his round eyes". The only place americanized chinese food exists is in the major cities, i would have given a right arm for some General Tso's. Traditional chinese food is good, just have to pay attention to what it is your eating. If it is ok with the OP I can post some pics as well (don't want to be a thread jacker).

 

Awesome pics man. Didn't know you were on this side of the world.

 

wow great pics!!! What do you do that allows you to visit and interact in the rural areas?? It brings back childhood memories whe I saw the pic of you sitting on the stoop in front of the open-fire wok lol.

Youre right about the crime...lotta petty theft and pickpocketers. Were the bathrooms still porcelain jars? Hole in the ground? I was in that exact spot at the Peek too. Great stuff!

 

Thanks for sharing, very interesting.

 

Very cool I went to Hong Kong and Bangkok which isn't too far back when I was a child and it is a very different world, especially in Bangkok with the poverty and you do get stared at almost everywhere you go. I woould also like to know why the lady is holding the knife as though she is going to cut up the cat and dog

 

Wow, eye opener for sure, picture are truly amazing Doug.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00TypeR1071 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Those are some awesome!!! pictures .

Hong Kong and China are definitely on my "to do list"

Thanks for sharing


</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just make sure to NEVER....EVER...visit during the summertime. That is, unless you really enjoy the feeling of your nuts sweating so much that the tops of your socks get wet.... yeah - it's that graphic

The humidity is unbearable.... when you mix it in with the pollution... oh joy and other beautiful profanities.

 

Doug, I was in Hong Kong last weekend too. It would've been crazy if I ran into you on the street.

 

Fantastic pics, Doug. Thanks for sharing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mugen Mike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Fantastic pics, Doug. Thanks for sharing. </TD></TR></TABLE>

X2 Your night images are top notch. Please tell me you had a tripod??

 

I hope the dog isnt for dinner lol

 

wow you take AMAZING pictures. have you been to beijing? thats the only part i went to on my visit there... i'll never forget the "interesting" choice of meat and goods for sale in the street markets lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mugen Mike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Fantastic pics, Doug. Thanks for sharing. </TD></TR></TABLE>

x3. Talk about a culture shock

 

Amazing pictures. Thanks for sharing

 

great photos!! keep them coming.

 

One wants to know China, one has to visit the rual, out-skirt areas. That's where you get the real chinese flavors. Doug did just that. Great adventure, great photos Thanks for sharing


Modified by CW-ITR at 10:00 AM 3/12/2008

 

Great pics.