Archive for the 'Ancient Culture' Category
Only 20 minutes and 2 Euros by train from Heidelberg is the ancient river town of Neckarsteinach, The town is home to 4 castles towering above the River.THe castles were built between 1100 and 1400. Two of them are occupied by families, and two are in their more original ruined,yet climbable state.
A 14th Century Wine Cellar.
Down the Well.
High above the Neckar in Neckarsteinach.
Two days later we were on our way back Stateside on the Lufthansa A380, nonstop from Frankfurt to Miami in 9.5 hours. Even the cattle class on the lower decks was quite pleasant. The plane has the feel of being on a ship in the air. First Class seats only 9 people.
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ArcticTropic attempted this post last week, but photos would not upload properly in the People’s Republic, even with, or perhaps because of, the proxy server. The purpose of this trip was not exploration, but rather business meetings taking place in office towers in major cities. This morning hike in Huangzhou, one of China’s secondary cites – smaller – meaning New York sized at about 9 or 10 million people was one of few outdoor excursions .
WIthin the city limits are large forested expanses surrounding West Lake. In the hills above the lake is a pagoda surrounded by shrines the Buddha – which were smashed with sledgehammers by fanatical Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution in 1967.
The brick pagoda – about 200 years old. It was probably too difficult to destroy with sledgehammers.
A sloping staircase through the mountain.
A peddler’s village.
The thoughts of the Chairman are always with us !
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A word from a sponsor …………
All Points East has been offering exciting small group and family adventure holidays to South East Asia for over 10 years. Whilst we recognise there are ‘must see places,’ we also realise that the modern day traveller has a desire to uncover each country’s best kept secrets – off the beaten track.
With exciting itineraries to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Yunnan, Malaysia, Borneo and Sri Lanka, All Points East has a proven philosophy – to provide small group tours that ensure genuine interaction with local people.
Winners of the 2010 Tourism Authority of Thailand Green Award, we have a commitment to local communities and to ensuring that our tours have respect for the people and places we visit.
As much as possible we stay in smaller, locally run hotels and guest houses, eat in local restaurants and use local style transport. Guides and agencies used are considered friends rather than business contacts. In keeping with our commitment to the communities we visit, our group sizes are usually a maximum of 10, very occasionally 12.
If this style of travel is for you and you want to get to know the real South East Asia, we would love to show it to you.
Video from the 10 KM trek along the Great Wall on March 5,2010. One of the best things about climbing in winter is that there are no tourists ! Other than the occasional post card vendor , I saw no one !
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especially challenging. The steps are treacherous, often with gradients of
80 degrees. One needs to be in top physical condition and not suffer
vertigo. The temperature today was no higher than 20 F ( -7 C) with a wind
howling down from Mongolia.
on February 14th.
Chairman Mao gazes eternally upon the masses entering the Forbidden City.
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A fresh snow covers the the courtyards of Old Cathay.
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