Due to the shutdown of Google+ in April 2019, some of the photos linked from my blog will be broken.
Anyway, I have not posted here since having children...
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Monday, October 07, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Monday, June 04, 2012
Les Catacombes - the catacombs of Paris
The headline figure is that the bones of 6 million people are housed in tunnels beneath Paris.
But the how and why are interesting too.
Originally the tunnels were formed by stone quarrying beneath the city of Paris. Much of the stone found in Parisian buildings were originally from here. Eventually there was concern as parts of the city above collapsed into the quarry on a few occasions. The quarry was abandoned.
There were great demands on church cemeteries for people seeking burial within their grounds. As this was a great source of income for the church, there was a practice of exhuming bones and reusing the burial plots. Eventually even the space for storing the bones was exhausted.
Furthermore, the constant burial and decomposition of bodies within city limits caused a health hazzard as ground water was contaminated.
Burial within city limits was banned and the land was reclaimed by placing the bones in the catacombs.
You can read more at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catacombs_of_Paris
But the how and why are interesting too.
Originally the tunnels were formed by stone quarrying beneath the city of Paris. Much of the stone found in Parisian buildings were originally from here. Eventually there was concern as parts of the city above collapsed into the quarry on a few occasions. The quarry was abandoned.
There were great demands on church cemeteries for people seeking burial within their grounds. As this was a great source of income for the church, there was a practice of exhuming bones and reusing the burial plots. Eventually even the space for storing the bones was exhausted.
Furthermore, the constant burial and decomposition of bodies within city limits caused a health hazzard as ground water was contaminated.
Burial within city limits was banned and the land was reclaimed by placing the bones in the catacombs.
You can read more at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catacombs_of_Paris
 |
| See gallery Les Catacombes |
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
In my opinion the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence is the most enjoyable museum in Hong Kong. It combines war time relics with history, great views, and gentle hiking. Original battlements, tunnels, armaments, and war time stories provide a level of immersion.
Hong Kong was defended by the British during WWII but fell into the hands of the Japanese on Christmas Day in 1941 for three years and 8 months.
The indoor museum is easily accessible and modern, while the outdoor exhibits are suitable for those seeking a bit of adventure.
Hong Kong was defended by the British during WWII but fell into the hands of the Japanese on Christmas Day in 1941 for three years and 8 months.
The indoor museum is easily accessible and modern, while the outdoor exhibits are suitable for those seeking a bit of adventure.
| See gallery Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence |
Friday, October 28, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Shanghai - October 2011
I visited Shanghai for 4 days. While I did write a detailed itinerary I'm not going to share it because Shanghai is relatively easy to get around in. A 25 RMB (US$ 4) taxi ride will get you half-way across the city, although if you don't speak any Mandarin / Shanghainese you will get along fine with the Metro trains. All the stations have English signage.
Also note, when using Google Maps, the road map and the satellite imagery are misaligned (as will be your placemarks) due to Chinese government restrictions. For English translations "Road" and "Lu" are equivalent, and so are "People's" and "Renmin", also "Nanjing", "NJ" and "Nanking", and "Zhong" means "Middle". You will find many inconsistencies between phonetic, literal, and popular translations of place names.
Here is a rundown of the places I visited (prices in RMB):
People's (Renmin) Park area
The park itself is not spectacular, and for those looking for fresh air, you will find lots of smokers. Around the park edges are the Shanghai Art Museum 上海美術舘 and Shanghai Museum. Both close at about 4 or 5pm.
When we went to the Shanghai Art Museum it was free entry but most of the museum was closed. I don't know if this was due to a lack of funds or some renovation. A small room showcased works by Chinese artists, and an upper gallery had an exhibition of some contemporary foreign artists.
To the South of the park is People's Square and the Shanghai Museum which is more modern and extensive. It has several floors divided into several themes, as well as a visiting exhibition. You will find calligraphy, paintings, furniture, ceramics, fabrics, sculpture, reconstructed scenes, and antiques among other things.
Also in the area is MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) Shanghai which we didn't visit because it was showing an exhibition of Pixar Animation.
East of People's Park is a shopping area.
Raffles City 來福士廣場 is a modern style mall. In fact, there are many of the same chains stores for fashion you will find in Hong Kong. It strikes me that Shanghai people don't really need to go to Hong Kong for shopping.
Nanjing East Road area
NJ East Road is quite long, but the pedestrian only section starts from the East side of People's park on Xizang Zhong Lu.
Yong’an (Wing On) Department Store has a long history of operation and sells some traditional retail products and food stuffs.
The Double Happiness shop 紅雙喜 sells some Chinese sporting goods as well as the competition standard ping pong balls and badminton shuttle cocks.
There is a dwindling Expo souvenir shop selling items leftover from the 2010 Shanghai Expo.
The Scissors Shop 張小泉刀剪總店 sells locally produced traditional scissors and knives. Perhaps interesting only for a look unless you want to spend some serious cash.
Yes, there is an Apple Store.
Additionally you will find some fashion chain stores such as GAP, GAP Kids, ZARA, Uniqlo, and the local chain called 'Me & City'.
The Bund Area
The Bund is the famous waterfront area with historic buildings using Western architecture. This area is mostly for sightseeing although I guess you can get some fine dining and fancy drinks.
If you continue East from Nanjing East Road you will reach The Bund. You will pass the Peace Hotel, which is where Christian Bale sent morse code by torch light which 'started' the Japanese invasion of Shanghai in the Spielberg 80's movie classic "Empire of the Sun".
It is now 2013 October: I was going the write about the different areas in Shanghai but now two years have passed and it has escaped my memory how to organize this post.
The album is here.
Also note, when using Google Maps, the road map and the satellite imagery are misaligned (as will be your placemarks) due to Chinese government restrictions. For English translations "Road" and "Lu" are equivalent, and so are "People's" and "Renmin", also "Nanjing", "NJ" and "Nanking", and "Zhong" means "Middle". You will find many inconsistencies between phonetic, literal, and popular translations of place names.
Here is a rundown of the places I visited (prices in RMB):
People's (Renmin) Park area
The park itself is not spectacular, and for those looking for fresh air, you will find lots of smokers. Around the park edges are the Shanghai Art Museum 上海美術舘 and Shanghai Museum. Both close at about 4 or 5pm.
When we went to the Shanghai Art Museum it was free entry but most of the museum was closed. I don't know if this was due to a lack of funds or some renovation. A small room showcased works by Chinese artists, and an upper gallery had an exhibition of some contemporary foreign artists.
To the South of the park is People's Square and the Shanghai Museum which is more modern and extensive. It has several floors divided into several themes, as well as a visiting exhibition. You will find calligraphy, paintings, furniture, ceramics, fabrics, sculpture, reconstructed scenes, and antiques among other things.
Also in the area is MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) Shanghai which we didn't visit because it was showing an exhibition of Pixar Animation.
East of People's Park is a shopping area.
Raffles City 來福士廣場 is a modern style mall. In fact, there are many of the same chains stores for fashion you will find in Hong Kong. It strikes me that Shanghai people don't really need to go to Hong Kong for shopping.
Nanjing East Road area
NJ East Road is quite long, but the pedestrian only section starts from the East side of People's park on Xizang Zhong Lu.
Yong’an (Wing On) Department Store has a long history of operation and sells some traditional retail products and food stuffs.
The Double Happiness shop 紅雙喜 sells some Chinese sporting goods as well as the competition standard ping pong balls and badminton shuttle cocks.
There is a dwindling Expo souvenir shop selling items leftover from the 2010 Shanghai Expo.
The Scissors Shop 張小泉刀剪總店 sells locally produced traditional scissors and knives. Perhaps interesting only for a look unless you want to spend some serious cash.
Yes, there is an Apple Store.
Additionally you will find some fashion chain stores such as GAP, GAP Kids, ZARA, Uniqlo, and the local chain called 'Me & City'.
The Bund Area
The Bund is the famous waterfront area with historic buildings using Western architecture. This area is mostly for sightseeing although I guess you can get some fine dining and fancy drinks.
If you continue East from Nanjing East Road you will reach The Bund. You will pass the Peace Hotel, which is where Christian Bale sent morse code by torch light which 'started' the Japanese invasion of Shanghai in the Spielberg 80's movie classic "Empire of the Sun".
It is now 2013 October: I was going the write about the different areas in Shanghai but now two years have passed and it has escaped my memory how to organize this post.
The album is here.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Hung Lau (Red House)
I visited Hung Lau in Tuen Mun district where Dr. Sun Yat-sen made his base of operations in Hong Kong and plotted the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and creation of Taiwan.
According to Wikipedia:
"In 1901, a Hong Kong merchant, who met Dr. Sun Yat-sen and joined Revive China Society in 1895, provided his farm to the Society as the seret base. The farm then provided secrecy and sustainance due to its large size and the location. Here coups in Guangzhou and Wuhan were planned."
The area is a little off the beaten track and littered with debris. While of some significance to historians, it doesn't seem too much attention has been paid to this site by Hong Kong.
According to Wikipedia:
"In 1901, a Hong Kong merchant, who met Dr. Sun Yat-sen and joined Revive China Society in 1895, provided his farm to the Society as the seret base. The farm then provided secrecy and sustainance due to its large size and the location. Here coups in Guangzhou and Wuhan were planned."
| See gallery Hung Lau - Red House |
The area is a little off the beaten track and littered with debris. While of some significance to historians, it doesn't seem too much attention has been paid to this site by Hong Kong.
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