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A Buddha in Hangzhou

August 3, 2009 by

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, one statue of a buddha is worth a thousand statues of little babies. This one is installed in a walking area in Hangzhou, China. This area contains some very interesting elements including a number of bronze sculptures of people living their daily lives in China. It also contains the oldest Chinese pharmacy still in existence.

Like other places in China, this area in Hangzhou is unique and well worthwhile a stroll, even on a dreary day.

Now here are two pictures of the Buddha

Buddha statue in Hangzhou

Buddha statue in Hangzhou

Buddha statue from another angle

Buddha statue from another angle

Filed Under: China, Kosher Tours Tagged With: , , ,

What you might not know about China

July 27, 2009 by

1. Most people think that because China is a populous country wherever you go there are hundreds of people. In fact, the streets of China are no more crowded than the streets of Jerusalem or Washington or London. In addition, the Chinese people love gardens and so there are vast gardens in the center of cities throughout China including Beijing and Shanghai. They are enjoyed by local residents as well as visitors and always feature a pond or larger body of water.

2. Many people think of China as a harsh place. In fact, the Chinese are friendly, welcoming people. They love visitors from overseas and they enjoy using whatever English they have to make conversation. They are warm and kind people.

3. People worry about anti-Semitism when they travel. They won’t find it in China. Chinese people think of Jews as the other great ancient civilization and they admire Jewish scholarship, ingenuity, and ambition. In fact, Chinese parents are very much like Jewish parents in that they value their children and they value educating their children and will sacrifice everything to give their children an excellent education.

4. People think of Chinese music as discordant. It is not so. Chinese music is many different things. It is Beijing Opera, but it is also the haunting flute melodies that one sometimes hears when walking through gardens. There is no place in my memory that rivals the gentle flute music in the Good Luck Garden in Hangzhou. Walking there was a truly spiritual experience.

The Good Luck Garden

The Good Luck Garden

Also, there are wonderful innovative Chinese artists like this one.

In short, China is better than you can imagine. It is the perfect place to travel. Come along with me!

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Cambodia – Tonle Sap

June 5, 2009 by

This is an excellent article on Tonle Sap, a real phenomenon. It is a lake that during the rainy season expands enormously. The water current actually changes twice a year. During the dry season, the water flows from it to the Mekong Delta, but in the rainy season, the water backs up causing the lake to swell, carrying with it lots of fish.

Here are a few pictures I took when I visited there…

homes along Tonle Sap

homes along Tonle Sap

These homes were usually one room homes and contained places to sleep and usually a TV. They have no indoor plumbing and we could see wells with pumps for fresh water that had been donated by foreigners. All of these homes can be dismantled and trucked to other locations. In fact, I took this picture on my first trip to Cambodia and when I returned a year later, this whole line of homes had been relocated.

Another home next to a water pump

Another home next to a water pump

This, as the other, was photographed through the bus window, hence the glare and reflection. You should be able to see on the right a sign with US and Cambodian flags that marks the donation of the pump by an American donor.

The weather tends to be warm all year long. The two seasons are wet and dry- so it is not unusual to see little children running around without clothes.

Beautiful child

Beautiful child

The fishing industry

The fishing industry

Fishing is a very important industry. In the foreground is a pile of dried fish!

A floating elementary school

A floating elementary school

This school is moored, but is completely transportable. The upstairs area is for recess and play activities. Some schools have basketball courts that are fenced like this one so that out of bounds balls don’t end up in the Mekong Delta!

Buying fruits and vegetables

Buying fruits and vegetables

There are many people who live on boats. They can have delivery service to their door (so to speak).

Floating church

Floating church

And yes, a floating church, complete with a Cambodian flag next to the door. Here’s a piece of trivia: Cambodia’s flag is the only country’s flag that features a structure. On its flag is a drawing of Angkor Wat. Someday, we will explore Angkor Wat on this site. Stay tuned.

Filed Under: Cambodia, Kosher Tours Tagged With: , , , , ,

Hanoi

May 27, 2009 by

There is a lot to say about Hanoi. Coming of age in the era of the Vietnam War, I thought of it as a dark forbidding place and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever visit. NowI not only visit, but I am getting to know it like a friend.

There are many notable sights to see in Hanoi. There is the complex that surrounds Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. It contains the Presidential Palace built by the French, Ho Chi Minh’s two unassuming residences, a museum dedicated to him, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Further off in the city are several lakes, the Temple of Literature, the Old City, and one of the famous Vietnamese water puppet theaters. Of course, there is also Maison Centrale, the old French prison that used to house political opponents of the French, but during the Vietnam War era, housed US POWs including John McCain.

But today, I want to show you the character of the city. It is perhaps enhanced in these pictures by the gentle rain that was falling as I took them.

Early in the morning in Hanoi

Early in the morning in Hanoi

This woman is readying her flower cart. There are hundreds of flower carts in Hanoi and in the days before the celebration of Tet, many of them are festooned with flowering branches, many times of peach blossoms, without which, the holiday is not complete.

Flower vendor with blossoming peach branches

Flower vendor with blossoming peach branches

Park in downtown Hanoi

Park in downtown Hanoi

This park has a large memorial to the fighters of Vietnam. Here, the women are cleaning the park, sweeping it in the early morning hours. The hats they are wearing are worn throughout the country. They provide shade from the sun while allowing circulation of air.

Luscious flowers in Hanoi

Luscious flowers in Hanoi

Tet is a holiday that is celebrated with great joy. There are dozens of customs that accompany the holiday. One of them is decorating the home. These decorations are very similar (perhaps identical) to those of the Chinese New Year which comes out at just about the same time, in the mid-winter.

Tet decorations

Tet decorations

And lest you think that Hanoi is a frightening or dangerous place to be, rest assured that you have nothing to fear. The watchful eyes of the FBI are guarding you.

FBI Agent

FBI Agent

Filed Under: Kosher Tours, Vietnam Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Forbidden City- Beijing, China

May 4, 2009 by

Before we actually enter the Forbidden City, it’s important to know that this is not the first Forbidden City in China. It is one of many that existed over the years in places like Xian (where the first Emperor lived), Kaifeng, and Nanjing. In fact, the name Beijing means “northern capital” – just as Nanjing means “southern capital.” Even in Beijing, this is not the first Forbidden City. The Yuan Dynasty which ruled from 1271 or 1279 (depending on which source you trust) to 1368 which preceded the Ming Dynasty had built their own Forbidden City within the city of Beijing. When the Ming Dynasty came into power, they very much wanted to negate the former dynasty in large part because they were not of Chinese origin, but Mongol. The Emperor and others in the Ming Dynasty not only decided to build their own Forbidden City, but they arranged to eclipse the former Forbidden City by constructing a hill in front of it, destroying its Feng Shui and forever remaining ascendant. The name of this hill and the park now surrounding it is Jing Shan and the view from there, looking north, of the former Yuan Forbidden City is most fascinating.

Looking toward the Yuan Dynasty Forbidden City

Looking toward the Yuan Dynasty Forbidden City

However, it is also possible, from this hill, to view the Ming Dynasty-built Forbidden City. This is the one that served as home to 24 Emperors, fourteen of the Ming Dynasty and ten of the Qing Dynasty.

Looking south over the Forbidden City

Looking south over the Forbidden City

This picture, taken in August of 2007 captures the scaffolding around parts of the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City has been undergoing renovations for many years and each year it is more beautiful. Word has it that the reconstruction may take as long or longer than the original construction that took from 1406 to 1420. The silver dome-like object in the upper right is the brand new Beijing opera house.

After the Qing Dynasty was overthrown in 1911 and the young Emperor, PuYi was forced to abdicate in 1912, the Forbidden City became known as “The Palace Museum” and it houses many of the treasures of the Chinese people.

And now, let’s visit the Forbidden City.

We are lucky. The reason the Forbidden City has its name is that quite simply, if you weren’t invited, you didn’t enter it. Fortunately for us, there are no more Emperors to keep us out and we can enjoy strolling through this awe-inspiring structure.

The Forbidden City is in the center of Beijing which is, according to the Chinese, the center of the world. Hence, China is termed “The Middle Kingdom.” It lies at the crossroads of east/west, north/south. South of the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square, a huge open plaza, the largest of its kind in the world. It was in front of the square, at Tiananmen Gate on October 1, 1949 that Mao ZeDong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China. His picture still appears on the outside wall of the Forbidden City.

Tiananmen Gate

Tiananmen Gate

As with other Chinese structures, the Forbidden City is entered from the south and one proceeds northward through successive gates. Here is another picture of the entrance to the Forbidden City.

Entrance to the Forbidden City

Entrance to the Forbidden City

OK, we’re at the threshhold, but you must have patience. Next time, we enter the Forbidden City!

Filed Under: China, Kosher Tours Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Hello world!

April 22, 2009 by

Welcome to a blog that will be taking you to China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Not only will I be talking about the rich cultures of these three magnificent countries, but I will be talking about the wonderful warm people, the beautiful sights, and the very special experiences of traveling there– and remaining able to eat freshly prepared, healthy kosher food! You can find a list of our tours here

The Summer Palace, Beijing

The Summer Palace, Beijing

Come back and see me and join in the adventure!

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