Memories from Trips to China - Timeless Thursdays 10

It's been four long weeks since the last Timeless Thursdays, it was the 9th run of the meme, and now it's making a comeback (if only you guys can still remember and wants to join). I know memes are supposed to be consistent but my sincere apologies, I hope you'll still give me a chance to start them time to time when life permits me to.

For this week, instead of sharing just one memory, I'll be sharing a few photographs from my several trips to China, through the years, and will try to share a portion of the story behind it with as much as I can remember. For those of you who don't know yet, I am whole-heartedly a Filipino, but I am a quarter Chinese and I am proud of my heritage as a Filipino-Chinese. 

At the end of these memories, I would like to ask you all, which of these photos and stories spark something in you?

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BEIJING - January 12, 2013

What you see above is not a tour group. these are complete strangers. There is no announcement or a product endorsement here, they are all in the beginning of a performance. Yes, this is one of my most memorable experiences on my first trip to China. As we walked to the Temple of Heaven, we passed by several groups singing together. At first we thought it was a choir practice but no. As I was watching and appreciating their beautiful song, I looked back and find myself in the middle of so many more Chinese people singing the song with all their heart. These are songs that they all know, probably thought from school, but the mostly senior group sings them with so much pride and honor. I think they are singing for their country. 

I was so regretful to not be able to shot that moment on video but hey, I think I'm not regretful at all because I was standing there in awe. In the middle of the song, I felt so emotional because I have never seen, in my life, a group of strangers singing traditional folk song together as one. It was the most patriotic thing I have ever seen, I felt like I was on a real-life Les Miserable setting. As they were all singing, the Chinese man beside me held my hand and sang with so much conviction. He seems to be mouthing the words and asking me to sing with him, but of course I don't know the song so I just smiled and watch him sing. After the song we all clapped and all hundreds of them went on to do their strolls. It was a very beautiful moment, very documentary worthy. 

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TIANJIN - January 11, 2013

It was our very first winter experience. The photo above shows me and my dad on the Tianjin railway station. This was the very first overseas trip I did with my father after my childhood days in California where we once lived. Since it was winter, there were not much tourists so it was a delight for us to travel around the busy cities of China. We were amazed by how eerie and cold it was, and saw the beauty from the eerie and quietness of Chinese winters in the northern part of the country. For somebody like me, the first winter experience was magical. Not the first for my Dad because he lived a few years in Iran where he told me stories of harsh but beautiful winter seasons. 

Though it did not snow the whole time we were there, seeing everything so gray and white and cold and frozen is just a delight for someone who lived all his life in the tropics. 22 countries after, I still haven't seen snowfall except for a few flurries in Prague last December. I pray that I can experience a beautiful (but not harsh) white winter.

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JINJIANG - November 4, 2014

This was at my father's cousin's house, one of my Chinese uncles. He was not just my uncle but he was also my father's friend. My father was born and raised in the Philippines but whenever he visits my Grandpa's hometown, my uncle has been so nice to my father and they grew a bond. Sharing this photo because this is another touching moment for me. 

We spent 4 days in Jinjiang and Quanzhou to visit my grandfather's old house and seaside town and my uncle's family took very good care of us as their guests. I was so happy to see all of the for the very first time. They speak no English, and I speak no Hokkien. So for them to remember me, on the first day I saw them I gave them a copy of my University photo as remembrance. 

And on our last day in the city, they invited us for dinner, it was amazing! My uncle's wife and his daughter-in-law prepared a very delicious Chinese table for us filled with seafood and fried rice and fruits and vegetables! Then when I went to the restroom, I passed by this family frame. There I saw my photo. How can you be more family to them than seeing your photo on their family pictures. I haven't seen them since, I hope they are all well and healthy at the moment.

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XIAMEN - November 8, 2014

Xiamen was our entry point and our last stop for my 2014 trip to South-eastern China. We visited an uncle in Jinjiang, my aunt in Fuzhou, but we know nobody in Xiamen. Luckily, my Uncle Vincent who lives here in the Philippines has a very good friend who lives in Xiamen. I call him Uncle Cai, he is the one on the photo with me above. We may no be related but Uncle Cai adopted me and my dad for a few days like we are not just guests but family. He doesn't speak English, and I can't speak Hokkien as well so it was hard for us to converse but these are just moments when you seem to understand what they say that the hearts speaks louder than words.

I can still remember when he picked us up at the airport, I was quite afraid that we might get lost because I am not familiar with who he is, his face, or his name but all has been arranged by my uncle Vincent and Uncle Xiao in Fuzhou. So we waited for all people from our HSR train to leave until there's a man holding a paper with English letters and there it was, my name! Even from the very first meeting I felt very comfortable with him and he is such a cool person! he took us around Xiamen for three days and it was amazing! The food, the sights, getting to know his family members, it was such a joy! When they visited the Philippines a year after, I never missed the chance to see him. We still get in touch through chat but I hope and pray that someday I can visit him again in Xiamen and we can bond. He's one of the best people I have met and known through my trips. I was in tears after three days of being with his family when he dropped us off at the airport, okay I can get too emotional. I very much thank my Uncle Vincent for letting me know such a wonderful Uncle in Xiamen.

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FUZHOU - November 7, 2014

This is a very touching moment. While walking at the park with my father and his cousin, my aunt Wai Ning, we came across this old Chinese man writing characters on the park tiles. His strokes are amazing, even as per my aunt who writes artistically perfect calligraphy. I was so amazed by him and he even wanted me to try it but I can't write in Chinese. I can feel he wanted to talk to me and I myself wanted to tell him how amazed I am with his talent (He uses a plastic tube with a piece of foam at the end, sliced purposely to have that brush end. Water is filled in on the tube and works as ink on the dry tile which then dries up after a few minutes to nothing). My aunt said that he is not just a good calligrapher because what he is writing are verses to a poem.

My dad was so amazed and he had a light conversation with the old man (my dad speaks some good Hokkien) and he gave a small tip to the old man which he is not asking for. At first I gave my dad a bad stare because it might arrive as an insult but the old man was in tears for joy. I think it's not really because of the money but what my dad did, I think the old man understood that it was an act of appreciation for his art. He hugged us so dear and I was also on tears and the man handed me the brush! I don't want to take it because it's his and I just can't do anything about it but he was insisting so I just gave him a hug and took it with me. 

FUZHOU - November 7, 2014

As we walked away he was looking at us with a big smile and he waved at me. I was literally on tears on a crowded part of a Chinese park, so dramatic huh? But that moment was so touching. We traveled to our next cities with that pole brush on my bag and it even made its way to the Philippines (we had to detach the brush head though as advised by the airline crew. It's here in my room, I just don't know where, but the memory of that old man and his kind and appreciative heart is with me forever and will never be unseen.

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I would love to welcome and invite everyone to join this new Linky that I thought of starting - Timeless Thursdays.

Timeless Thursdays is open for anyone who wishes to share old photos or old thoughts that you would like to share as beautiful memories with everyone. This can be from yesterday, a year ago, or something from your grandma's treasure chest.

This runs every Thursday at 12 am (Manila/Perth Time) until Sunday at 11:59 pm (Manila/Perth Time)

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Once Upon a Time in Beijing

The Forbidden City at the heart of Beijing

Last January 9-12, 2013, a new country has been added to my list - it was country number 7, another dream came to life! Together with my Dad and my cousin Ate Judy, we went to China seven years ago. China will always be extra special for us because our grandfather is Pure Chinese. though he is from the south of China, it was still magical to be able to visit his country, and in some ways, our country.

The first destination we have been to, Forbidden City. Located in the Tienanmen part of Beijing, Forbidden City has been one of the symbols of Beijing and of China. It was the imperial Palace of China during the Ming Dynasty up to the end of the Qing Dynasty. For half a millennium  the palace served as the home for the emperors and the whole of his household.

The Forbidden City has been marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 1987. UNESCO listed the site as holding the world's largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. 

Ate Judy mapping were we are on our way to Tienanmen

The way to the palace is easy from our home in Beijing, the Red Lantern House. With the help of our map, we followed the route all the way to Xidan and then walked our way until we end on a big Major road with a metal barricade. We then headed left until we see the big red walls with many police. The Forbidden City cops are tall, quiet and reserved and they know very few English  But at least, you feel a little bit safer with their presence.

We walked and walk until finally, we saw the Front. It was so cold and chilly even in the middle of the afternoon. But at the sight of the first building in front, it was truly astonishing! As always, it felt like I was in a dream! It was just a picture on my desktop computer but now, with the cold of minus three degrees, I confirmed that yes, I am in Beijing!

The gate facing Tienanmen Square

An Imperial Guard guarding the gate with the portrait of Chairman Mao.

There were a lot of tourists both local and foreign taking pictures of themselves together with their family and friends! Some Chinese people are conversing me in Mandarin and I think they are asking me to take their pictures which I cheerfully agreed and took their photos. They were really nice and friendly people.

The guards are standing firm, guarding over the gates and looking after the tourists. People were flocking on their way to pass the first gate to get inside. Through the first two gate, it is free until you reach the Meridian Gate. Everywhere you look is picture worthy!

The cold Ate Judy posing for a photo when we got through the first gate

One of the main reasons we went to Beijing on a January is for us to hopefully see snow! For all 5 days we were there, unfortunately, there was 0 snow fall. It was quite sad but experiencing Negative degree temperature was very good enough for me! Maybe it was really not yet my time to see it falling but yes, I did see snow on the grounds! It was slippery as it hardened and started to melt at the heat of the sun.

Beijing really is cold in the Winter but as they call it, the city enjoys a Sunny Winter where the suns rays feel mild and comfortable even in negative temperature. But the nights were really cold, which I LOOOVE! I am always a lover of colder weather than the hot ones we have on Philippine Summers! I Love the Philippines but if I would omit something about life here, it's the very hot Summer nights which is so hard for me personally!

We went through and through and took many pictures until we saw this vendor selling hats. I talked to him and we got it for 80 RMB. We bought two of the hats, one for me and another for my Dad. But while we were waiting for change for our 200 RMB, the tourist police went straight in front of us and confiscated all the hats being sold by the vendor. It was full of action and I can't help but feel sorry for the guy so I did not get the change. I don't know if it was a front by the vendor and the police but well, I got the hats.

Me at the Meridian Gate.

Oh! Here's a little something about my outfit. I was wearing a cotton undershirt inside my Navy Terranova woven long sleeve cardigan which I got from SM Mall of Asia. The gray scarf was also from Terranova and the thick trench coat I wore all five Beijing days is from Esprit. I was wearing black leather work-boots and my favorite brown leather bag which carried most of my things including my Nikon camera which was really heavy.

We paid an entrance fee at the Meridian Gate of 30 RMB each and went inside the gates. There I did my Travel dance video using my late iPod Touch where the remaining photos of the Forbidden City trip was in. Oh my I miss my iPod :( So we went on and on and visited two more gate until we decided to get back to the front  and go back home for dinner.

The place is so beautiful and that time of the day where the sun is starting to set. The shadows were full and the faint gleam of the sun makes the beautiful reds, beiges and browns glow like it was the Ancient times. I feel like I am on the actual set of Chinese Movies set on olden times during the days of the Dynasties.

Daddy very cold on a bridge leading to another gate inside the Forbidden City

Coming to Beijing was really a dream! Well, everything about the places I travel is always a dream but there at Beijing, it was extra special. Seeing the country where my Ancestors once were at living and fighting for their lives to survive is just awesome to think. While I was there, the magic was so alive that even I was just a quarter Chinese, I feel so connected to that place even if I don't speak the language nor I look like them much. It was a connection that only me and Beijing can ever explain, something that I will treasure for a lifetime!

Some people say, those who have been there, that Beijing people are not that friendly or even at times, rude. But for me, I did not have my share of those Beijing people because each and every Beijing local I talked to, bought to, were nice and warm. They may not be as friendly as the Filipinos, as refined as the Japanese, or as warm as the Thais, a lot of them were nice. They may not smile at you usually or even look at you, it was the product of their daily battles in life which made them stronger and wiser as they are today!

Never Stop Looking Back,

Stevenson

This post is part of Our World Tuesday, Travel Tuesday, and Betty's My Corner of the World.

Mosaics from 10 Favorite Cities

Day 35 of the Philippine's Enhanced Community Quarantine and as a home buddy, I don't really mind staying at home that much. But time to time, my mind does wander on its own and just this morning, it went far as the cities I have visited in the past decade. I have been blessed to have traveled to a total of 22 countries and territories since 2011, all of it for vacation and pleasure because I never got the chance to be sent by my company to another country for training or meetings of any kind. With that I believe that anybody can achieve their dreams, it's just a question of how much they wanted and how willing they are to make them a reality.

As a citizen of a developing country, it's quite hard for me to travel a lot not just because of our proximity to the world but also because of certain factors such as visa regulations and the power of my passport which is not so high in the passport rankings. But I really have my eyes and my mind fixed on my dream destinations ever since I was a child so there was no choice but to visit these places, it was just a matter of time. I still have a lot on my list including countries in my dream continent South America, and Africa, and of course who wouldn't want to see Australia and New Zealand? 

I may be locked inside my room right now but can you join me as we travel all the way to my favorite cities in the world that I have been to? All the photographs that you will be seeing are taken by me. I'll take you to a beautiful world where there is no need for passports and visas just us and these mosaic memories. I'll be counting down the top 10 cities in the order leading towards my most favorite! hope you guys enjoy it, the way I enjoyed going back through my old files.

Paris

From top left, clockwise: Seine River Cruise; Hôtel De Ville; Champs-Élysées; Tour Eiffel from Montparnasse; Late Night Wine at Chatelet

10th - I may have visited this city at a wrong time (December Greve happened from start to end of my trip) but the lights and the views of this city never failed. Plus I got to reunite with my two high school friends who are now living their lives in the French Capital.

Beijing

From left, clockwise: Sidewalk to Tianenmen; Mutianyu Great Wall; Temple of Heaven; Cute boy at a local Beijing Restaurant; Forbidden City.

9th - Beijing was my first city in the People's Republic of China. I did this trip last 2013 with my Dad and cousin Judy. It was also my first winter and it was an amazing experience for me. What I love about Beijing aside from its ancient wonders is the delicious food I was able to taste.

Brussels

From Left: Grand Place; Church of Our Lady of Finistère; Place des Martyrs; Manneken Pis

8th - A layover in Brussels for just 6 hours did not stop me from exploring this tiny heart of Europe. I took the bus and went to the city center, had a waffle and a stroll around the beautiful landmarks of old Brussels. The place was packed but it's grandeur was enough for everyone to share.

Seattle

From top, clockwise: Seattle Skyline from Alki; View from Public Library; Dancing Couple at Pike Place Market

7th - There's something about Seattle that no matter how crowded some attractions were that summer of 2015, there's this unexplained peace and quiet that I felt which was something I only feel from home. Seeing Seattle through my friends from school Paula and Kuya Bailey was a big reason why I wanted to see this city again soon!

Rome

From top left, clockwise: Orange Garden; San Giovanni in Laterano; Via dell'Olmata; Piazza del Popollo, Colosseum

6th - Another dream come true which was a leg on my European trip last Winter. What better way to see the glory of Roma than with family. I was blessed to have my cousin Carmina adopt me for a week in Rome where I also spent Christmas for the very first time away from home. It was beautiful, Rome truly is!

Kyoto

From top left, clockwise: Japanese couple at Gion; A young boy alone to school; Soba condiments at Honnke Owariya; Fushimi Inari Taisha; Shiba Inu at Arashiyama

5th - This old capital of the Japanese empire surely will charm you with a dense amount of sights, sounds, and tastes! It's hard to choose these shots because I have a lot more to share about this beautiful city! Another unforgettable trip with my favorite cousins in the whole world!

San Francisco

From top left, clockwise: Transamerica; Golden Gate Bridge; Emporio Armani Building; Westfield

4th - Truly one of the most colorful and cultured cities I have ever been to, San Francisco boasts of its melting pot of cultures not just about different nationalities but on all points of views! My brother lives in the Bay Area so I spent 3 months around this beautiful city. Truly one of my favorites, and the best for for me on cities in the USA so far.

Prague

Form top left, clockwise: Vltava River; Charles Bridge; Astronomical Clock; John the Baptist at Maltézské Square; Tourist at John Nepomocene Marker

3rd - This has been one of the biggest dream come trues for me. Prague was amazing both in my mind and in person. It was a great trip with my cousin Carmina and seeing it in winter gives is a cool and quiet light but my cousin said seeing it in Autumn gives it a golden filter! Someday again, hopefully.

Bangkok

From top left, clockwise: Jim Thompson House; Monk on a Train; High Schooler at Sky Train; Kind Lady and my breakfast at Hua Lamphong; Rama VIII Bridge.

2nd - Yes, Bangkok really did outplace all those grand and beautiful European cities. The main reason why it has a special place in my heart is the Thai people. Thai people have been the kindest and nicest and most polite people I have ever encountered in my travels. I always get mistaken to be Thai but once I speak they always say "Ohhhh! Philippine!". Food is amazing, Transport is a breeze - Oh I love Bangkok, I'll be heading back very soon!

***drumroll please***

Amsterdam

From top left, clockwise: Swans near Centraal; Rozengracht Bridge; Boats at Oosterdok; Hotel Kooyk near Leidesplein

From Paris, I took a long journey to the Flixbus station due to the greve, seated at a very skimpy seat, arrived at a very dark morning, but all of those en route to a city which will become my most favorite of all! I was alone in Amsterdam the whole two full days but never did I felt lonely. The beautiful winter views, the smiles of the locals, their laid-back bike rides to work at 11 am gives this little city its charm for me. Two days was short especially I only got to see one museum (Anne Frank of course) but a big piece of my heart was left there and hopefully I can get reunited with in time.

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That was a fun 3 hours to prepare all these photos, write this post, and ride on the dream train to memory lane. It's hard to choose just ten out of all those beautiful places that has their own flavor and filter to the views I have in mind. I always feel blessed to have been to all these amazing points on earth and with all my heart, praying to see more of the world and meet many more people.

Blogging has enabled me to know a lot of amazing people around the world and I hope someday aside from the views and landscapes of their cities, I can see them as well in person and greet them with all my happiness and gratefulness. 

How about you? What are your favorite cities that you have been to and why? What places would you recommend me to visit someday? Hope you had fun on my mini tour across 10 cities, I sure did!

Never Stop Travelling!

Stevenson

The Ming Tombs at Winter

Youngster me at the Ming Tombs

Let me give you a visual tour of the Ming Tombs in Beijing. A UNESCO World heritage site, the Ming Dynasty Tombs are a collection of tombs or mausoleums built by the emperors of China during the Ming dynasty. though the first Ming tomb is built on the ancient Chinese capital of Nanjing, most of the tombs can be found in Beijing  which is collectively known as the Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty. 

Beijing Winter Skies

Winter Fogs and Branches

The walkway to the Tomb's Entrance

My father enjoying the cold (and dry) Beijing Winter

Tower at the Dingling Tomb

Ornate Items on the Tomb Complex

Early morning photo of me at the Tower.

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This post is part of Skywatch Friday that features different views of the sky around the world. Visit Skywatch and go on tour around the globe seeing sunrises, sunsets and so much more than the sky that you know at http://skyley.blogspot.in/

Food Trippin' Asia

For most of us, our travel lists are made up of sightseeing, souvenir shopping, and even trying out extreme sports. But one thing we all have in common on our lists is Food. Whether it's tasting the most exotic delicacies on the city streets, to sit down dinners at Michelin star fine dine restaurants, food really mirrors not just the county's taste but also it gives our taste buds a glimpse of the story of a nation's culture.

Across Asia, here are a few of my favorite and truly remarkable dishes that I have tried on my Asian expeditions. Let me share you some of them here.

1. Pad Thai (Thailand)

Street hawker at Bangkok

Probably the most famous dish of Siam, Pad Thai is something you can enjoy anytime of the day. We tried this delicious noodle dish on the streets of Nighttime Bangkok. Stir Fried on flat iron griddle, Pad Thai is best enjoyed hot off the grill. It has a variety of ingredients including eggs, shrimp, pork, chicken, lime juice, sugar, and a special rice noodle or as they call it lo mein noodles.

Bangkok Style Pad Thai

Just on the street, we chose this hawker stall that sells Pad Thai during our second night in the city. I observed how it's being prepared and cooked and the chef's hands are just so fast I literally can't catch up with the small ingredients at that very moment.But what I love about Pad Thai is how you season it with condiments. I put a lot of chili and crushed peanuts on top of mine. It was good! I can still remember myself telling my cousin that Pad Thai is a good reason to go back to Thailand.

2. Lemon Breaded Pork (China)

Lemon Breaded Pork

This perfect fusion of sweet, sour, and tangy tastes left a remarkable mark to our Beijing experience. The pork was completely covered with crispy batter and then deep fried to its perfect consistensy while maintaining its tenderness inside its coat. 

It was winter when we traveled around the majestic city and instead of water for drinks, hot soya milk were given for free to dine-in customers. We never missed their take on tomato soup where fresh tomatoes are mashed and pureed to make a hot soup. Served in flamed warmers, the soup is warm throughout your meal under the freezing cold of the outside chill.

My dad and our Hot Tomato Soup - Beijing Style

Dining in the heart of Beijing was sort of a challenge for us to be honest. There were no Menus written in English. Good thing the owner of the restaurant near Red Lantern House, where we stayed were very nice and accommodating to us. We cannot speak in Mandarin and he cannot speak in English so we relied on sign language and animal sounds to distinguish the kind of meat these dishes are made of.

3. Hainanese Chicken Rice (Singapore)

Singapore's Famous Chicken Rice

Originally from the Chinese island of Hainan, the Chicken Rice is a dish made up of two main parts, the chicken and the rice. HAHAHA But as funny as how literal its name is, this dish is so tasty! The secret to this is exfoliating the chicken with coarse salt which then creates this silky and smooth skin once it has been cooked, while keeping the meat tender and tasty.

Bugis Hainanese Chicken Rice

Although the sign reads "Bugis Hainanese Chicken Rice" this very store I enjoyed this dish is located at the bottom of the Singapore Flyer, South East Asia's largest Ferris wheel attraction. Just for 5 Singapore Dollars (Php 180.00) you can enjoy this delectable dish. As simple as it sounds and looks like, pairing it with its special peanut sauce (My Favorite) is just an adventure at your table.

4. Yakitori (Japan)

One of Japan's most famous street food is the Yakitori (Japanese for grilled chicken). Grilled over hot charcoal on little skewers called kushi, these are usually seasoned with salt or sometimes their special sauces.

Plain Salted Chicken Yakitori

Before, I thought Yakitori is just made up of thigh fillet pieces but there did I knew that Yakitori can be prepared using boned chicken, chicken intestines, and even ground chicken to name a few.

Me in front of Toritake, Tokyo

My cousin Carmina took me to this famous Yakitori place just a block away from the iconic Shibuya Junction. The place is small and cute but patrons line up just to be seated inside the cozy area. We were lucky enough to go straight right away since we were just a party of two and it was a weekday when we visited. Aside from Yakitori, Ate Carmina also ordered a tofu dish, an onigiri dish with salmon roe, and two bottles of sake. It was amazing!

5. Beef Lok Lak

Cambodia's Beef Lok Lak

Prepared with a sauce usually made up of lime juice, salt, and pepper, Beef Lok Lak is a stir fried beef dish famous in Cambodia. It is usually served with rice and this one (from Golden Coconut at Siem Reap) with fried egg on top. 

It is a mixture of salty, savory, sweet, sour, and spicy! What else can you look for in a dish. As crazy as it sounds, the fusion of all these tastes gives it a perfect combination that will leave you wanting a second serving at your table. 

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Never Stop Eating Dreaming!

Steve

Osu Shopping District, Nagoya, Japan