Day 4 Train to Suzhou

Tour Itinerary: Step aboard a Chinese train for the ride to the walled city Marco Polo called "the Venice of the East." Its quiet. sublimely beautiful bridges and canals do conjure up visions of the explorer's distant homeland. Check into the Suzhou Hotel. This afternoon there may be time to visit the incomparable Garden Of the Master of the Fishing Net, perhaps, even the Embroidery Research Institute where novices in the art create masterpieces in a rainbow of woven silks and threads. Tonight, enjoy a music and opera performance. Travel to Suzhou by train and upon arrival check into your hotel. Sightseeing features: Garden of the Master of Fishing Net, the Embroidery Research Institute. Tonight enjoy a music and opera performance.

Sightseeing in Shanghai started at am. Non-stop till 10:30 pm. Put suitcases in the hall for pick-up at 11:30 pm. Wake up call at 5:15 am. On the bus at 6:15 am. Train to Suzhou left at 7:35 am.

Absolutely beautiful train ride from Shanghai to Suzhou.

Ancient Chinese proverb: In heaven there is paradise, on earth, there is Suzhou..

Population 700,000 with 500,000 bicycles. Ancient Chinese proverb: "In heaven there is Paradise, on earth, there is Suzhou." Marco Polo said this was the Venice of the East.

There are 200 gardens, 35 canals and 168 bridges. Gardens are a product of Taoism - "everything and everybody is created equal".

We toured the National Embroidery Institute where they do the famous double-sided embroidery. Silk thread on silk cloth - exquisite works of art. I have a peacock on my mantle. There were 500 workers, 85% are ladies. They work 5.5 days, 50 hours a week and get a 15 minute break every 2 hours. Average income is $150 (US) a month.

We saw Tiger Hill - built in 961 AD. Burial place of King Wu (490 BC)

It is a Chinese custom to adorn the entrance to a new restaurant.

Typical dining experience: 10 people to a table. They bring many plates of food. Selecting eels from a tank for our dinner. A favorite question was "What is this?" May learned to not tell us what it was until after we ate it.

We rode on the Grand Canal to Wuxi. The canal is 1400 years old. It is the world's oldest, longest, man-made waterway. It was open to navigation in 486 BC. It crosses/connects the five biggest rivers in China. One fifth of the industrial goods in China are transported on the canal. Cement boats are very common. Cruise on the Grand Canal to Wuxi. Cruise took 1.5 hours.

We had spectacular vista from our hotel room.

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Day 5 Cruise Suzhou to Wuxi (GRAND CANAL CRUISE)

Tour Itinerary : Originally built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618 A.D.) this canal remains the oldest and longest in the world. Enjoy a close-up view Of the waterside life as you cruise along its waters to Wuxi. A room at the hospitable Hubin Hotel awaits you. You will cruise along the Grand Canal to Wuxi. Check into your hotel.

"Wu" means without, "Xi" means without Tin - They ran out of tin in the city. Our tour guide here was the translator for Nixon! He was an intellectual at the university so he was put in a forced labor camp for 1.5 years during the cultural revolution. He was persecuted by the "gang of four". Reagan invited two people for dinner during his visit to China.

Wuxi produces 3 million pieces of porcelain a year. We toured a factory where each person makes 100 pieces a month and makes 200 Yuan ($35 US) a month.

We saw a fresh water oyster opened. The production of fresh water pearls is down to a science here. They draw membrane from breeding oysters and plant it (inoculate it) in another oyster. There are water surface and fishnet breeding areas - the lower the oyster in the water, the darker the pearls. Pearls grow a minimum of 3 years, maximum 15 years. They eat pearl powder for health.

Wuxi is was of Shanghai, the the Taihu Lake on the sourth and the Yangze River (fresh water) on the north. It is in the Jiangsu Province. It is known as the pearl on the Taihu Lake. It has a history of 3000 years, and area of 4650 square km. Population of 4.5 million. It is one of fifteen economic centers.

The West Garden. 11 acres. Ming Dynasty 500 arhats are guarding it. Each one has a different expression that seems to change as you move.

The Garden of the Master of the Fishing Net. Built 700 years ago. The smallest and oldest garden.

Me in the Humble Administrators garden.

The garden is a product of Taoism "everything and everybody is created equal."

Everything in the garden expertly shows "view interrupt" and "view framing" Xihui Park is a beautiful 2.5 acre garden. The Emperor loved this garden so much that there is a duplicate of it Beijing. 400 year old dragon pagoda. A temple is a building for worship. A pagoda is where they store the sutra (scriptures). Pagoda is always an odd number high (5,7,9). Monks live in the pagoda and they NEVER go in pairs. They are single. If there is an even number together, the pagoda will fall down.

Cruise on the Grand Canal from Suzhou to Wuxi was1.5 hours.

The Grand Canal to ride from Wuxi to Hangzhou was 5 hours. It was about 75 degrees. Lunch on the boat. A 20-minute massage was $3 U.S. dollars.

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Day 6, 7 Hangzhou

Tour Itinerary Day 6: Leave the exquisite gardens and mulberry covered hills of this silk producing town behind fora cruise along the nearby island dusted Lake Tai. An air-conditioned coach transports you to Hangzhou where you check into the Friendship Hotel. Cruise the Lake Tai Hu then travel by motorcoach to Hangzhou. Check into your hotel.

Tour Itinerary Day 7: Yet another ancient water-city This one was built along the shores Of the famous West Lake (where we invite you to enjoy a leisurely cruise) and has attracted the likes of everyone from poets and painters to the great Kublai Khan himself. You'll also explore the 4th century Ling Yin Monastery and Tea Plantation. Sightseeing features: Cruise on the West Lake, visit Ling Yin Monastery and Tea Plantation.

It is written that those who have not seen West Lake, cannot even imagine such loveliness to exist. The foreign currency, the Yuan, has a drawing of the "3 pools mirroring the moon" on West Lake. The mid-lake pavilion was made 400 years ago. They drained the lake, made it deeper and added 3 new islands.

The Laughing Buddha is carved into "Fly Mountain" where the Lingyin Temple is located. It is believed that Buddism came to China via India. The mountain is so named because it looks like a mountain in India and it 'flew here'. There are 344 buddhas carved into the mountain - a sight to see. The Laughing Buddha represents Taoism - "Take everything easy, let things happen naturally." It is a huge carving in the side of the mountain. You must always smile when you are in the presence of the Laughing Buddha.

We toured a Tea Garden. There are 10 types and 16 grades of tea. A tea bush can grow 100 years. Black tea is fermented green tea. Green tea is tossed in 80 degree pot until ready. Use the leaves to make 3 cups: the first cup is fragrant, the second is for taste, and the third is both.

Silk

We visited the Hangzhou Silk Printing and Dyeing Complex

The sign says:

Located at the southern terminal of the Grand Canal and 5 kilometres to the West Lake which is known as "the heaven on earth", Hangzhou Silk Printing and Dyeing Complex, founded in 1956, is now the largest of its kind in China. There are more than 5000 employees and following branches: reeling ,weaving, printing, dyeing as well as HSPDC fashion company. With advanced world levels of the 1990s, most of its main production equipments were imported from developed countries such as Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Japan, etc. Its gross fixed assets are worth 90.18 million RMBY and the net value is 61.21 million RMBY.

Every year it turns out more than 140 tons of raw silk, 12 million metres of various kinds of silk fabrics and 46 million metres of printed and dyed silk piece goods (printing, degumming, dyeing), and 700,000 sets of garments, which are rich in variety and superior in quality. More than 1000 new kinds of products and new designs with world popular colours are developed every year. The products not only satisfy unfading domestic market but also go abroad to Europe, American, Southeast Asia, Hongkong and many other coutries and regions. The annual sales are over 20 million RMBY. The complex has the export power of sole operation and creates more than 18 million US dollars of foreign currencies per year.  

In 2025, 90 million RMBY is 12.5 million USD

There are 120 silk factories in Hangzhou. We saw silk processing in Suzhou and Hangzhou

According to Confucian text, the discovery of silk production dates to about 2700 BCE, although archaeological records point to silk cultivation as early as the Yangshao period (5000 to 3000 BCE).

The process of silk production is known as sericulture.

There are five crops of cocoons: Spring (the best), Summer, and 3 in autumn. Each crop has the following stages of production:

1. The female silkmoth lays 300 to 500 eggs.

2. The silkmoth eggs hatch to form larvae or caterpillars, known as silkworms. We saw live worms!p style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 0.2in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana;"> 3. The larvae feed on mulberry leaves. The worm eats 50 mulberry leaves and they grow and moult to about 2 inches long and 2 inches fat.

4. After the 4th moult after about 35 days, the silkworm extrudes a silk fiber and forms a cocoon. The silkworm spins approximately one mile (1,760 yards) of filament and completely encloses itself in a cocoon in about two or three days.

55. The cocoons are boiled which degums it and it kills the silkworm pupa. Dead pupa is used to make soap, medicine, etc. Some are kept to metamorphose into moths to breed the next generation of caterpillars. Note: See the article below about a more ethical Ahimsa silk process.

6. Find the outside end of the silk filament.then wind it onto a reel. One cocoon contains approximately 1,000 yards of good silk filament. The silk at this stage is known as raw silk. p style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 0.2in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-top: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.1in; background: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana;"> 77. 3 to 10 to 48 filaments are combined to form a single silk thread. The thread is wound onto spools which are used in a loom or weaving machine to make the fabrik.  

 This picture shows cocoons soaking in hot water. The lady is putting each cocoon on the machine that unwraps/unravels the filment from the cocoon and winds it onto reels.

Here is another picture of unwrapping the cocoons and winding the filment onto a reel./blockquote>

 

Each cocoon yields 1200 meters of silk filament. 10 silk filaments are reeled together to make one thread. It takes 1000 cocoons for enough silk for one long sleeve blouse.

Heavier silk is better quality.

We saw silk looms, dyeing, weaving, printing, drying, ironing, then finally ready to sell at ~ $12 US dollars a yard.

 

Reels of silk

Remove reels of silk from the machine

 

Reels of silk

Winding the reels onto spools. The reels are rewound onto spools

A loom weaving machine that uses the pattern boards to incorporate the design into the silk fabrik.

Quality control on the silk fabrik

 

 

Dyeing the silk

 

 

 

Machine printing. It is called "Digital printing" now (see modern picture below). 

 

Manual printing. I took this photo in 1993. I wonder if manual printing is still done anywhere.

 

This picture show modern pringting (sic) machines. 

How Is Silk Made? The Ethical Dilemma of Its Origins | Discover Magazine https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/silk-making-is-an-ancient-practice-that-presents-an-ethical-dilemma

By Ryan Egglestone Nov 28, 2023 9:00 AM

Silk production methods go back thousands of years, but why are they deemed an ethical concern? Also, how is silk made and where does it come from?

Silk is a fabric like no other. Historically, its unmatched beauty, durability, and comfort was prized by the ranks of nobility.   Roman and Arabian aristocrats in particular. The rarity of the fabric made it all the more precious. For more than a thousand years, how silk was produced remained a well-guarded secret kept by ancient China, reluctant to let its monopoly go. The fabric was one of the most valued commodities that traveled westward along the vast network known as the Silk Road. In that era, silk was worth as much as its weight in gold and was sometimes used as a form of currency. What is it about silk that has captivated humanity for thousands of years, making it a still-sought-after status symbol today?

Where Does Silk Come From?

Unlike cotton or hemp, which are made from plant fibers, silk is a protein fiber made from the saliva of silkworms, a small insect scientifically known as the Bombyx mori moth. Early in a silkworm life cycle, it can spin silk in one unbroken single thread from spinnerets on its head to create a cocoon, a protective covering for itself as it is transformed into a moth.

How Was Silk Made?

The process of harvesting these cocoons for silk is called sericulture, and has existed for thousands of years. Essentially, farmers create an artificial environment for the moths to lay their eggs on special paper, where they will hatch and become larvae. Next, they are fed a steady diet of mulberry leaves, and after roughly 35 days of growing and multiplying in size, they are ready to make their cocoon. Once their cocoon is complete, the sericulture process traditionally includes killing the silkworm by boiling or steaming it alive. This boiling step also blunts a natural chemical substance known as sericin, which otherwise would cause the cocoons to harden, resulting in a fabric that as not as soft. This is followed by reeling, where cocoons are unraveled and become one continuous string that can stretch up to hundreds of yards long. Multiple long silk strands are then entwined to create silk thread. Eventually, that silk thread is woven into a fabric for commercial use.

How Is Silk Made Now?

Today, the process of harvesting the eggs, rearing silkworms, and killing them in their cocoons happens continuously to keep up with the demand for silk. Domesticated Bombyx mori moths, through selective breeding, have lost their ability to fly and have atrophied wings. As a result, silk-farming practices have been criticized in recent years, and animal rights groups such as PETA have called for a ban on silk.

Are Silkworms Killed to Make Silk?

Yes, silkworms are typically killed in the process of making traditional silk. Some estimates say that producing 1 pound of silk requires approximately 2,000 to 3,000 silkworms to be killed.

Is Silk Vegan?

No, silk is generally not considered vegan. Veganism avoids using animal products and byproducts, particularly those that involve harm to animals, and traditional silk is not aligned with vegan principles.

Can Silk Be Made Ethically?

In some silk-producing countries, such as China, the boiled silkworms are eaten after cocoon harvesting. Although eating silkworms means less bio waste and provides some nutritional value, only a small percentage of the fabric industry's silkworms are actually consumed. However, insect-eating could become more commonplace sometime in the future, as global demand for sustainable animal-based food increases.

Is Ahimsa Silk Ethical?

Beyond that, there is another way to harvest silk without harming or killing silkworms. This method was developed in India, and it produces what's known as ahimsa silk. Sometimes it is referred to as ethical silk, peace silk, or cruelty-free silk. Although ahimsa silk production includes many of the traditional sericulture practices, harvesting does not involve killing the worms are allowed to hatch from their cocoon, or sometimes the cocoons are cut open, and the pupae are tipped out.

Why Is Peace Silk More Expensive?

If allowed to hatch, the pupae spend an extra 7-10 days in the cocoon, which starts to harden. This tends to result in lower silk yields and threads that are broken into multiple strands, which makes for a rougher fabric. Since ahimsa silk is more difficult to produce, it tends to be more expensive than its conventionally farmed counterpart. Yet, it is gaining popularity and is seen as a viable alternative in the fashion industry.

Why Is Silk Still So Desirable?

In the meantime, some fashion labels have ditched silk, but demand for the luxurious fabric has not completely dissolved. One of the reasons silk is prized is its ability to seemingly change colors and shades when viewed in different lighting. This is thanks to its fibroin proteins, the triangularly shaped molecules found in the material. The molecular structure causes light to refract at unique angles, giving silk its unmistakable sheen and eye-catching appearance. Silk also holds great potential in the biomedical field. Because it is  strong and antimicrobial, silk has a long history in medicine. Recently, it has even been explored for its potential in skin regeneration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Silk

What Is Silk Made Of?

Silk is a natural protein fiber primarily composed of fibroin. It is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons, the most notable being the mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori.

What Is Silk?

Silk is a luxurious and highly prized natural fiber known for its sheen, softness, and strength. Historically associated with wealth and elegance, silk is produced by the larvae of specific moths, mainly the mulberry silkworm. The unique properties of silk, including its insulating capacity and hypoallergenic nature, make it a sought-after material in the textile industry.

What Is Made of Silk? Silk is used to create a wide range of products, highlighting its versatility and luxury. Common items made from silk include clothing like dresses, shirts, ties, and scarves. Additionally, silk is used in home furnishings, such as bedding, curtains, and upholstery, as well as in some types of surgical sutures and parachutes due to its strength and biocompatibility.

How Silk Is Made?

The process of making silk begins with silkworms, which spin cocoons around themselves. These cocoons are then carefully unraveled to extract long silk threads, which are subsequently treated, dyed, and woven into fabric. This labor-intensive process contributes to the exclusivity and high cost of silk products.

This article was originally published on Jan. 12, 2021 and has since been updated by the Discover staff. Read

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Day 8, 9, 10 Fly to Beijing

Tour Itinerary Day 8: It's impossible to even begin to introduce the wonders of Beijing, capital of China, in a sentence or two. Suffice it to say, it exceeds all expectations. You'll be staying here at the International Swissotel. Fly to Beijing. Check into your hotel .

Tour Itinerary Day 9: Even to set eves on China's emperors was a crime punishable by death. so just try and imagine living in their Forbidden City an incredible maze of lavishly decorated palaces, pavilions, gardens, massive halls and courtyards. Then imagine joining a procession to the Temple of Heaven. constructed on a mere acres of park and sleeping in the Summer Palace. Exchange impressions with Other friends at tonight's special Peking Duck Dinner party. Sightseeing features: Tien An Men Square, Forbidden City and Imperial Palace. Summer Palace. Peking duck dinner this evening.  

Tour Itinerary Day 10: Look out for skateboarders as you walk along the stupendous Great Wall. As if that experience weren't enough, you'll also visit the world's most celebrated necropolis, the Ming Tombs, before returning to the city for dinner and later, a fascinating cultural show. Full day tour of Great Wall and Ming Tombs. After dinner, a cultural show.

 

The capital of the Peoples Republic of China. The mandarin pronunciation of this city is "Peking". It gets 1.5 million tourists a day. Mostly Japanese, then American, then European.

We visited a Cloisonne factory. This is copper body and wire inlaid in enamel. "Chingtai Blue" originated from this process.

Tian'anmen Square is the world's largest plaza and the arena for democratic masses. The square is 98 acres (of concrete). It can accommodate a rally of one million. The square is truly majestic and solemn. It is lined with monumental public buildings and the front of the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace was the permanent residence of the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is the largest and most complete extant group of ancient Chinese architecture. You can stand in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, and the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Make sure you see the 9-dragon wall. Only the emperor could use the number nine and the color yellow.

The Ming Tombs is a burial sight for 13 of the Ming Emporors. The first tomb was built in 1409. The dragon and phoenix (a female dragon) gate is the entrance to the approach that is lined with magnificently carved stone and marble sacred animals and figures. The stele resting on the tortoise back represents longevity.

The soul-stirring Great Wall is 7300 km of a solid military defense project with superior technical levels of architecture. Up to 50 feet high and wide enough for six horses to walk side by side. You need to see it to experience it.

The Summer Palace, I believe is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Do not miss this spectacular sight. You can walk along a half mile outdoor corridor and see 8000 unique paintings - it leads to a take-your-breath-away Marble boat (Qingyan Fang). See the stage with three layers of trap doors and where Empress Dowager Cixi eat a 124 course meal.

The Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) is a consummate expression of the philosophy that architecture is "music in space." There are 3 levels of altars. Earth is lowest, then human, then heaven. The emperor is the intermediary between earth and heaven. There are 50,000 blue tiles in the beautiful structure.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution Dec 8, 2015 article by Edward Wong:

Beijing issues first red alert over air pollution. Residents brace for "airposcalypse".

Air quality index is above 200 for more than 72 hours. Ranges above 200 are "very unhealthy" 301-500 is "hazardous". Beijing reading 7pm was 253.

Schools are required to close 7am to noon, cars barred from the city on alternate days.

The West has called President Alexander Lukashenko the "last dictator in Europe."

"Every election has held since becoming president in 1994 has been condemned by the West as undemocratic.

 

 

 

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Day 11, 12 Fly to Xian

Tour Itinerary Day 11: Known as Chang'an in its 1 year reign as the capital of old China, this city's historical and archeological treasures rival only those of Beijing itself. After checking into the Lee Garden Hotel, we hope there will be time to tour the Tang built Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall. Fly to Xian and transfer to your hotel. Sightseeing features: Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the city wall.

Tour Itinerary Day 12: They were in the midst of digging a well. It must have been the shock of a lifetime for the peasants in 1974 who discovered Emperor Qin's buried army of 8,000 terra Cotta soldiers. Also on today's agenda.

visit to the Imperial Spa Resort, Huaqing Hot Springs, as well as a stop at the 6,000 year old Neolithic Banpo Village Museum. Sightseeing features: Morning, view the terra cotta army and visit Banpo Neolithic Museum.

 

This is where you can see thousands of life-sized terra-cotta warriors, no two alike, unearthed in the mausoleum of emperor Qin Shi Huang. It covers over 20,00 square miles. They stand in battle formation guarding the tomb. A typical warrior is 1.8 meters high and 150 kgs.

Pit 1 - Discovered in March 1974 when a local farmer was digging a well. Contains 6000 warriors, 40 war chariots. Pit 2 - Discovered May 1976. Contains 89 war chariots, 356 chariot horses, 116 saddles horses, 900 warriors

 

 

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Day 13, 14 Fly to Guilin

Tour Itinerary Day 13 : Today, you'll fly in for a trip to Reed Flute Cave and Fu Bo Hill in the romantic city of Guilin. Accommodations have been arranged for you at the tranquil Riverside Resort Hotel. Sightseeing include: Reed Flute Cave and Fu Bo Hill.

Tour Itinerary Day 14: Enjoy the close-up view from the decks Of our cruise boat as you cruise along the Li River and float past Guilin's fabulous mist covered mountains and cliffs. Get back on your feet for an expedition into the tiny town of Yangshuo before returning to your hotel. Sightseeing include: Li river cruise and Yangshuo.

 

A landscape of jutting, mist-caressed peaks marching in ghostly procession beside the lazy Li River. This is where scenes from the movie "Joy Luck Club" were filmed. Do not miss a cruise down the Li River - a highlight of my trip that I will never forget.

 

 

After the cruise, visit the Reed Flute Caves - they are far more spectacular than Carl's Bad Caverns or Ruby Falls Cave in the U.S.

 

 

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Day 15 Train to Guangzhou

Tour Itinerary: Wing on to Guangzhou and enjoy a city tour if time permits. Later, take a train to Hong Kong. Check into the New World Kowloon Hotel or the Royal Pacific Hotel and Towers. Fly to Guangzhou and travel by train to Hong Kong . Upon your arrival in Hong Kong you will be transferred to your hotel.

Formerly "Canton." The Sun Yatsen Memorial was far bigger than the Fox theater in Atlanta and you could clearly hear someone speaking on the stage if you were sitting in a rear balcony seat.

 

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Day 16, 17 HONG KONG

Tour Itinerary Day 16: Once seen and absolutely never forgotten, Hong Kong offers a neon-lit spectacle of life that sets the pulses racing. And a good thing, too, because the city itself never seem to stop. Our tour features highlights such as Stanley Market, the floating community of Aberdeen and a cable car ride up toVictoria Peak for a panoramic view of the spectacular view and its harbor. American breakfast in the hotel. sightseeing features: Repulse Bay, Stanley Market Aberdeen, Wanchai and cable car ride up to Victoria Peak.  

Tour Itinerary Day 17: When it comes to highlights, there is one so significant that few, if any, visitor can resist. It's called shopping. Hong Kong is open for business seven days a week. So we invite you to take advantage of today and search for souvenirs and bargains. Should you tire of it, relax aboard the Star Ferry or feast on some of the superb sidewalk cuisine the city's famous for. American breakfast in the hotel. Free day at your leisure.

 

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Day 18, 19, 20 Fly to Singapore

Tour Itinerary: Your value-packed vacation in the Far East comes to a dramatic close as you step aboard Northwest's 747 jetliner for the flight "home" to Seattle. American breakfast in the hotel. Departure transfer for your return flight on board Northwest Airlines t 747 jetliner. You will cross the International Date Line and arrive on the same day.

Hong Kong

Before it was given back to England. Where do I start with this city. I didn't have a good experience here. I wouldn't go back. It was worth seeing at least once in a life time though. Take the Peak Tram up to Victoria peak, see Repulse Bay, Stanley Market, Aberdeen. A cemetery plot here 3' by 5' is $50,000 US dollars. A country club membership is about the same cost.

Singapore

A beautifully clean immaculate country. Chewing gum is prohibited. We took the cable car across the harbor to visit Sentosa.

 

 

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Day 21, 22, 23 Fly to Bangkok, Thailand

Tour Itinerary: Your value-packed vacation in the Far East comes to a dramatic close as you step aboard Northwest's 747 jetliner for the flight "home" to Seattle.

 

Bangkok, Thailand

My grandparents lived here in 1960's! What a treat to visit the exact same temples where they were 30 years ago. My picturees match their slides! I acquired some rice paper charcoal rubbings that my grandmother made on the side of the temple walls. You can't even touch the temples now!

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keo - a massive complex of sumptuous palaces. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha dates to 1464 and is embellished in a flamboyant style with painted murals, inlaid mother-of-pearl, and a liberal amount of gold leaf. No other Wat (temple) is so ornate. It is mystical, majestic, and awesome. I'll always remember the elaborate richness of the Wat Phra Keo.

The Wat Arun, the "Temple of the Dawn" is also inspiring. It has the steepest steps I've ever climbed up to the central prang for a view of the Chao Phraya River. It is covered in mosaics of broken Chinese porcelain.

The Vimarn Mek Palace is the world's largest teak building an worth seeing.

Road traffic was horrendous - there are no rules. We rode in a tuk-tuk (like a golf cart), saw the royal barges. Skip the Klongs of Bangkok Tour. They take you to gift shops along the canals.

Though never officially recognized by Guinness -- contrary to wide claims -- it is safe to say Bangkok has the longest place name in the world. The city moniker stretches out to this name: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

About the river from the book: Hungry Ghosts by John Dolan Chao Phraya, muscling its way through the city like a slothful blue-brown lava flow. It carries with it sediments of the alluvial plain through which it has passes on ite long journey to the sea, hence the colour. Sprinkled with week and rainbow spirits of leadked oit, the river nevertheless has a kind of graniloquence, continuing on its way like it doesn't care what anyone thinks.

 

 

 

I was awake for 50 hours for my trip home - I was glad to get back in the US, back is the US, back in the USA!

 

 

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Day 24 Fly Bangkok to Home in Atlanta

Tour Itinerary: Your value-packed vacation in the Far East comes to a dramatic close as you step aboard Northwest's 747 jetliner for the flight "home" to Seattle.

I think I ran of paper after the Teakwood Mansion tour.

The guide said that not all tours go there. I'm glad we did. The entire place was made out of teak wood. No nails, just wood pegs to hold it together. We had to take off our shoes and store all our stuff (purse, camera, everything) in a locker to tour the place. Evidently, some tourist stole something so they're taking any chances That tour was over around 12:30. The bus dropped everyone else off at some tourist shop, then took May and I back the hotel. May walked over to MacDonalds to get lunch. I ate my rolls from breakfast this morning, took a shower. The trip home ordeal begins.

3 pm and 3 pm and We are both packed and ready to begin the trek home.

May is doing OK, and I was still taking my Contac cold pilis. I bought the cold pills in Bangkok. I was so relieved that I bought 2 packs of four pills each. When I got back to the hotel opened up the cartons (they weren't sealed, the pills were sealed in bubble packs) and one pill was missing. Those jerks! I was so happy to find the correct pills that I forgot to check what I bought before leaving the store. Just goes to show that anyone will try rip you OFF whenever they can.

 

 

3:30 We were picked up at the hotel.

Traffic was OK, By that I mean that we never got to a full stop in a traffic jam. What crazy drivers.

I took opportunity to ask the tour guide about klongs floating market tour. What a rip off! We didn't see any 'floating markets'. There was only some people in boats who tried sell us over priced umbrellas and hats.  The guide admitted to me that there are no floating markets. My sister even warned me that it was a farce and she took the tour 3 years ago. They are still deceiving tourists. It was qood to see the klongs (canals) and the life of the people on the canal, but rot the Floating markets. So if ever go to Bangkok, do not take the 'floating markets' tour.  4:30 We arrive at the Bangkok airport

Check luggage, pay 200 Baht departure tax. Boarding at 5:20 pm for the 4.5 hour flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong.

10 pm Arrive Hong Kong

 We did not pick up our bags because we did not want to exit the concourse and pay the 150 HK$ departure tax. Note: It is 120 in 2025.

Our next plane leaves at 9 am so we planned to stay in the international concourse all night.. We brought water bottles, jackets and long pants and tried to sleep on the benches. There was a lots of people doing the same thing. We found a great secluded spot at the very end of all the gates. I think I got an hour or two of sleep.

6 am I am up and go to the bathroom to wash my face etc. That felt good.

7:20 am the Northwest counter opened.

 We decided that I would go out with the Northwest person to find where Cathay Pacific stored our bags for the night. Then only I would have to pay the 150 HK$ departure tax again. We got the bags, then I had to take the bags through customs. Mays suitcase was locked so the Northwest guy had to run back up the concourse to find May to get her suitcase combination. Time, it was a wasting. We finally got through that. The Northwest guy took May's bag and checked it through to Indianapolis. I could not check my bag yet because I had find and combine our left luggage.

8:20 (and the plane leaves at 9).

I found the left luggage counter, paid 470 HK dollars for leaving our stuff there a week ( what a ripoff) , found room 238 (the Cathay Pacific lost and Found). They couldn't locate Mays 'confiscated item' and I was running out of time. I left then ran to the Northwest check in counter. I started to divide our combined stuff in the bag but decided that was a futile effort and I had a plane to catch. I had to change some money 70.00 US dollars, but rate went down from 7.7 to 7.3 since that last time we were in Hong Kong so I had to do 5 more dollars. I ahead and paid the 150 HK$ departure tax, checked my bag, grabbed the two totes and ran to departure. I ran in front of a bunch of people, got my passport stamped again. I had no time to spare.

8:58 (and the plane leaves at 9).

I ran all the way to end gate with one minute to spare. May was starting get a little nervous, with reason. I was the very last person on the airplane. I was dead tired and sweating hot. I don't want to ever do that again. We should have never left that bag for the week. I think we should have checked it through to Singapore etc. anyway.

9 am Now the worst airplane flight of my life begins.

Since I cheeked in so late, I was in the back of the plane. The smoking section began in the row behind me. I consoled myself by saying that was fine with me because I was finally on the way home, and this was the short portion of the flight (Hong Kong to Narita) I also knew I was going to survive the flight because they were showing a movie that I hadn't seen yet (Leap of Faith). Well, it got worse there. Four people ahead of me were smoking. I didn't say anything because I had plenty of air blowing it away from me. when they served the meal, the stewardess told they couldn't smoke. good. After the meal the movie started.

About half was through the movie the Japanese couple next to me ( I was the aisle seat, they had the middle and window seat) bought some duty free cigarettes, but they only wanted to pay the lower price that the airport was charging and they wanted to pay in Yen. ASSHOLES. The arguing went on for 40 minutes straight of shouting, money flying around, cartons of cigarettes and calculators being thrown back and forth. They kept bringing around more stewards who could speak Japanese try to understand the Japanese curse words that the guy next to me was shouting out. At one point there was six people in the aisle trying to reason with these Japanese assholes. I was trapped in my seat by the duty free cart in the aisle. I was trying to watch the movie and concentrate on that so I get upset. I constantly had to push away the people and hands etc that blocked my view of the movie.

Well, I couldn't take it any more and I got very mad. The stress from the whole trip, no sleep the night before, and these jerks finally got I couldn't stand shouting and smoke any more and broke down and yelled (in English) for everyone to shut up. I was in tears by this time. They realized I needed to get out and moved the cart so I could go back to the bathroom and compose myself. I got my tote bag, took something out, then I slammed it down on my seat. It hit the arm of the asshole next to me. good. I stayed in the bathroom 20 minutes before I could face them again.

When the flight was over, May waited for me to walk up to where her seat was. I told every single steward and stewardess that this was by far the worst flight I had ever been on in my life. May was regretting having waited for me at this point. I told her to just pretend she didn't know me. We got to the front of the plane and I said it again

THis is the worst flight etc. The captain of the plane was getting off about then too, and he heard me say it. He even asked "are you the person that was stuck in the middle of all the commotion?" So word of the arguing made it's way all up to the captain! I let. him know that it was an awful flight. At that moment I hated the Japanese people. I told May that if I saw that couple in the airport, she needed to pretend not to know me cause I was going to tell them off. I didn't see them.

We found our way to the gate for our flight from Narita to Detriot. AMERICANS! It was so nice to see Americans. I bought a large glass of beer which really helped my mood.

4:30 pm We left Narita Tokyo, Japan on Thursday June 24. Fly 12 hours and arrive Detroit on June 24

The 12 hour flight to the states was yuk. I was in a center seat. They have the flight timed pretty good. First you get a drink (water or OJ), then a meal, a movie, another drink, another movie, another drink, about 5 hours to sleep, chocolates, another drink, then they wake everybody up with breakfast. The airplane flight crossed the international date line, and arrived at Michigan USA at about 3:30 pm on Thursday June 24. We filled out customs forms. I bought $350 worth. We picked up our suitcase, zipped through customs without stopping, took the shuttle the domestic terminal, bought an ice cream cone, then found our gates for home and said goodbye.

5 am I a5 am I am finally on a little plane bound for Atlanta.

I arrive in Atlanta around 8:15 pm.

Got my suitcase, filed a claim for Northwest to repair damage, took the airport shuttle, then taxi HOME.

 

It's so nice to back in the USA. I can drink water the tap! I was up for 58 hours.... sleep finally What a trip. What an experience.

 

Hallo, hallo. Ore dollar, one dollar, hallo, hallo....  

 

 

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