Because that is where the airport is, any travel to Sri Lanka begins and ends in Negombo. And that is such a splendid thing because Negombo is so interesting and welcoming and quintessentially Sri Lankan. It is a timeless fishing town full of tourists who appreciate this exotic land of spices and gems, beer and beaches, coconut and curry. Your world can be completely transformed … Continue reading Negombo Where Sri Lanka Begins and Ends
Sri Lanka is sensational – vibrantly green and lush countryside, intriguing villages and cities, endlessly appealing food and fabrics, kind and welcoming people. I need some Sri Lanka time each year. It’s been a dream since my first trip to Sri Lanka – to circumnavigate the island nation. Not by boat – that would be someone else’s dream. I am driving, and my dear friend … Continue reading Circumnavigating Sri Lanka
I expected Chongqing to be pretty dramatic – after all, it is a city where the metro goes right through a building high on a hillside, where buildings like the Hongya Cave complex cascading down the steep incline have lifts that open at ground level floor 1 on one side and ground level floor 17 on the other, where the local super-spicy hot pot … Continue reading Chongqing – City of Contrasts
Planning for Kunming, I made sure to include “the usual” – the things I try to do in every city: a day trip outside the city to the stone forest, a walking tour of Green Lake and Yuantong Temple inside the city, and a foodie experience. But in Kunming, there was a BONUS – unusual experiences that were surprising, stunning and shocking – in a good way! Even more… I found … Continue reading Doing The Usual and Unusual in Kunming
When I think of Kunming, the first thing that comes to my mind is the food! Yes, the fall weather is glorious in Kunming – brilliant blue skies, golden aspen trees, piles of pumpkins, fresh mountain air. Yes, the people of Kunming are special – more open, calm and welcoming than in many parts of China. I really enjoyed both the usual and unusual experiences … Continue reading Incredible Edibles in Kunming
If you’ve read any books by Pearl Buck or Han Suyin – my two favorite authors writing about China – you have imagined what old village life was like in China, but you can also experience it for yourself. Throughout China, I find “ancient villages” or “old river towns” – often preserved or enhanced for tourist and heritage purposes, although people still live in most of … Continue reading 10 “Best” Ancient Towns in China 2018
I see a lot and I do a lot when I am in China because I plan a lot!!! I travel solo, I am a female aged over 65, I speak only a tiny amount of Chinese, I am not afraid to ask for help, I am endlessly curious, I travel on a fairly tight budget, I go to China each year as a Visiting … Continue reading #kcbarker Chinadventure Planning
I was dazzled and often speechless. Working at USTC in 2012, I was included in a bus trip off to see the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hongchun and Xidi against the backdrop of Huangshan – an iconic mountain resort. I took some of my favorite China photos there. You’ll see why. Life revolved around this placid pond. Down the side streets were shops selling … Continue reading Hongchun Ancient Village – First and Best
D is for Delicious, Delightful Dali – a premier ancient town in Yunnan. I spent only 3 days in and around Dali – just enough to see the highlights and not enough to dally in Dali. This is what greeted me after a day of travel by train from Kunming! And it just got better and better. This Chongsheng Temple, with three iconic pagodas, is … Continue reading Not Enough Days in Dali
