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September 22, 2005
Macau and Thailand pictures are posted
I have finally finished uploading pictures from the August trip to Asia. (Note that it is NOT necessary to sign-in at ofoto to view the pictures.) In addition to (1) Beijing, (2) Shanghai, and (3) Hong Kong here are (4) the Macau Special Administrative Region of China, (5) Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle of Thailand, and (6) The Oriental Hotel, Bangkok.
1. Beijing (Peking), People’s Republic of China
Link to pictures. Beijing is a hot, unhuman, oversized monument to the world’s most dangerous political philosophy: Communism. Beijing’s saving graces include the tranquil Summer Palace, a nighttime stroll through Tiananmen Square (pic below), easy access to the Great Wall, and a cheap “Underground Dragon” subway system.
2. Shanghai, China
Link to Pictures. It is said that if Beijing is the big, rough, hairy dude of China, then Shanghai is China’s soft, affectionate lady. That pretty much sums it up; most of our group found that Shanghai had far better food, nightlife, shopping, and general livability. Whereas Beijing has destroyed almost all of the historic hutong (residential alleyways), Shanghai is an intriguing mix of architectural styles from the traditional to colonial to modern (such as Jin Mao Tower, the world’s fourth-tallest building). A new Wal-Mart provides shopping joy for Chinese and Westerner alike.
3. Hong Kong, SAR, China
Link to pictures. Hong Kong is perhaps one of the world’s most unique cities, along with perhaps Paris and New York. As for Paris, everywhere has a Paris of something or another. Tromsø, Norway, is “Paris of the North,” Shanghai is “Paris of the Far East,” and St. Petersburg is “Paris of Russia.” Hong Kong is the same way: e.g. Dubai is “Hong Kong of the Middle East.” The city is thoroughly Chinese; despite being a British colony for 150 years, Hong Kong is a predictor of what will happen when capitalism spreads to all of China. Festooned with Times-Square-like neon signs, with one of the densest populations on Earth, Hong Kong is a voracious consumer of Westernism, yet the city’s population is clearly Chinese. There are certain British sensibilities that are oh-so-comforting, like a double-decker trolley and bus system and the Peninsula Hotel. With cheap air connections from the US (as low as $600 round trip), Hong Kong should be on every world traveler’s list. If you don’t plan to make it there soon, at least browse the Peninsula photo gallery.
4. Macau, SAR, China
Link to pictures. Macau is a 450-year-old former Portugese trading outpost about an hour from Hong Kong. It was the first European settlement in the Far East, and like Hong Kong, it was handed back to the Chinese in the late 1990s. The economy is driven almost entirely by tourism and gaming, both of which are expanding rapidly. John, Claudia, and I spent the afternoon in Macau on August 27.
5. Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle of northern Thailand
Link to pictures. Chiang Mai is the old capital of the Lanna kingdom in Thailand. It used to be a favorite backpacker hangout--they were drawn by its inexpensive prices ($1.50 for a cab from the airport), easy transit connections, and colorful old temples. Today, the Four Seasons and others have moved in, and the city is more worth visiting for $1.50/hr spa treatments than anything else.
6. The Oriental Hotel, Bangkok
Link to pictures. The Oriental (homepage) is Bangkok's most famous hotel and one of the best in the world. (The Zagat Survey says #3 best outside the US.) It's low season, and the Oriental had some great deals. I live-blogged the experience here. The indulgence was totally worth it. Have a look at the pictures, some of which are borrowed from the Oriental.
Posted by adrianjo at September 22, 2005 03:03 PM