New Train Journeys Section Added
We have launched a new section of Our Distant Journey, consisting of travelogues chronicling our train journeys on all six continents.
We have launched a new section of Our Distant Journey, consisting of travelogues chronicling our train journeys on all six continents.
We are currently on an all-night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. This is the sixth night we will spend on a train during our journey.
We are currently on a bus back to Chiang Mai. We’ve spent the last week in the north near where the boarders of Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos meet.
China is a unique destination and we spent three weeks exploring this country. Our goal was to go from Beijing to Hong Kong, relying primarily on trains.
Beijing was the first stop on our three week trip. We visited the Forbidden City in addition to our day trip to the Great Wall.
Yesterday we went to the Great Wall. It is a portion of the wall that sees very few visitors. With all the buses and subway, it cost us Y66 or $7 per person. Pulling the whole thing off wasn’t easy though.
It was a 5 1/2 hour journey on a double decker express ‘K’ train from Luoyang to Xian. The next morning we went back to the train station to catch the bus to the Army of the Terracotta Warriors. Nothing prepares you for the enormity of seeing the warriors in lines as you first enter.
We arrived in Xian last night. We took a train from Luoyang. The train ride took six hours. During the trip, we had hawkers coming through selling everything from hot food, cold food, books, magazines and socks.
We are still in Xian. The other night, Sandy and I took a little walk through the city. If it wasn’t for the diesel fumes and the drum tower at the end of the block, you wouldn’t know you were in China.
After some rough traveling, we first visited the pandas in Chengdu and then relaxed in Dali. Among the highlights there was a visit to a local market.