OldJJman Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Greeting from Beijing!! Unlike Dave, I'm not a writer, so I won't write too much. I do have a tendency to take a lot of pictures, but won't subject you to looking at all of them. I will also try not to get my ugly mug into any of them. Sound good? OK. On to the pics: Day 1 - Culture Day Ming Tombs and Great Wall of China Day 2 - Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park Day 2 - Culture Stuff - Tien'anmen Square and the Forbidden City Day 2 - Last bit of culture stuff Day 3 - Beijing Sun Park Day 4 - Happy Valley Beijing Day 5 - Flight to Guangzhou, Nanhu Amusement park and "BONUS" park Day 6 - Chimelong Paradise Day 7 - Mysterious Island. Day 7 - Pearl Land Day 7 - Bonus credits!! Day 8 - Happy Valley Shenzhen, Honey Lake & Donghu Day 9 - Hong Kong and Ocean Park Day 10 - Ferry to Macau and Macau Tower Day 11 - Hong Kong Disneyland I'll end this part with Robb and his "Green Tea Fanta". Whatever. Look!! We have a "Kentucky Fried Canine" right around the corner! Our rooms had a view of the Brijing Tower. It has an incredible lighting package at night. Unfortunately, the observation level is only open from 8am-5pm. So no pics. As per usual, Elissa sticks us Int'l peeps in hotels where we're told we may only see 5 stars at night. For Joey, it was BEER!! First order of business: FOOD! There is no escaping it!! The TPR goody bags arrived safe and sound. As did Rich's CHECKED luggage! Okey Dokey. This was the awesome mural that greeted us on the way down to baggage claim. I swear. No matter where we go in the world, there is always an "Angry Robb" statue to be found. As always, Elissa's planning is perfect! We're here in between the Olympics and the Paralympics. The Beijing airport was pretty cool, and very modernized. Unlike that craphole we left from, LAX. Now why would you spend $11 to see a crappy movie in a theatre, when on KAL, you have an awesome VOD library, you can spend $1600+ to see the same crappy movie - on a 7 inch screen!! We're in the air. Only 11.5 more hours to go! Of course, if you're old, they stick you in the last damn row of the plane. Another tip - If you fly to the Asian countries, fly Korean Air! These people rock! TPR tipsaver #1 - never pay full price for a child. Make sure you can fit them into an overhead compartment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillerman1 Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Nice pics there Jeff. Looks you guys are already having a blast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mike Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 I can't believe Rich is still wearing that vest thing. Have fun Jeff! Peace, Big Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Hey, always good to see another perspective on a trip. Will be interesting to see more of this one as time wears on. Thank you for taking time out of the business to put it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tömmioh Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 ^ Absolutely. I'm intrigued by the Fanta bottle, or the content really, as I'm collecting different flavours, I have 23 (no light/diet versions), enough off-topic. By the way, which time did the plane leave LAX, I know it looks like morning-around 5, I'm just interested as the time difference between L.A. and Beijing is what 15 hours? Nice pics Jeff, hope you have a great trip, looking forward for more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerBlackWings Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 ...while the bulk of the pics are awesome, they are lacking material... Hi JJ, I see you lurking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldJJman Posted September 2, 2008 Author Share Posted September 2, 2008 Tommi - We left LAX on a 12:30 flight. It was about 12 hours to Seoul, a 2 hour layover, and then about 1.5 hours to Beijing. Day 1 - Culture Day Yes, you read that right, culture. A totally new and strange concept to TPR, and it's readers. Well, let's see what's transpired. Early morning found a few of us wandering around at 5am. The air is clean, and the hotel, definitely cool! Only to be greeted by huksters selling all kinds of crap! (Wait till you see Robb's video!!) More later. ...finally reaching the end! and walked... and walked... So we walked. (Culture my A$$) At least it's Robb approved. This was some sort on famous walkway that emperors made a yearly ritual of walking. Yep. Security check. This is the ancient gateway to the valley where 13 of the 16 emperors from the Ming Dynasty were buried. We are here! This was a cool roundabout we went through. On the way to the Ming Tombs, we passed by the Olympic Veladrome. $11,500 Seriously!! Solid jade. Yours for only $5000! First stop of the day: a jade factory. I love how they can't even afford to enclose this silly building! Evidently, they had some major sporting event here recently. It was odd to see this whole bridge covered with the colorful flags. On the way to our first stop of "culture", we saw some interesting buildings! While waiting for the bus, KT looks into a future career as a veterinarian. If you know what Rich had for breakfast, goody for you! The sun dawning on a perfect day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldJJman Posted September 2, 2008 Author Share Posted September 2, 2008 So after walking a bit, we hopped back on the bus and headed for the tomb of the 3rd emperor of China. IIRC, it's the only one actually open to the public. You can see some of the other tombs in the pics. Let's get cultured! Last building. (This PTR is being interrupted by TPR Pizza Hut TAKEOVER!!) More later Gold ingots from another tomb. (Evidently, the tomb we were at has never been, and will never be excavated) Doesn't this make you believe that Robb was an emperor in the Ming Dynasty in a previous life?? Second to last building. (YAY!) Ornate ceiling. This is our awesome tour guide for Beijing, Frank. He's showing us where we've been, and where we're going. Some building in the middle. The actual entrance. I wonder when they actually figured this out. No caption needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldJJman Posted September 2, 2008 Author Share Posted September 2, 2008 Pizza Hut in Beijing was AWESOME!! Anywho, to continue... If you've read this far, Thank You. JJ Day 2 and some (gasp) coasters coming up soon. Even the "Great Wall of China" is not as big of an attraction as KT!! Strengthing US and Chinese relations! Needless to say, it was pretty damn cool!! Hi There!! What you lookin' at??? It got pretty steep for her. KT wanted to do it on her own! The real thing. I am feeling kinda blue and distorted. Kinda like the Chinese version of the "Escalator Ride" at Parque Espana. Being TPR, there was no way we were going to walk up there! So, we opted for the "Alpine Train". Once at Bod-a-ling, you have to walk past this bear exhibit to get to the Great Wall. NOT! Evidently, that is part of a secondary wall built to protect Beijing. THERE IT IS!! Aparently, their never-finished castle is still bigger than Disneyland's. We passed an amusement park that never was completed. Apparently, they ran out of funds and just left it sitting there. Time to hit the road to see the Great Wall of China at a place called Bod-a-ling. Instead of doing the usual inlays in copper, this one is inlaid in gold. They look pretty cool when finished. Time for a quick stop where "Ming" vases were made, and then lunch. These vases are damn inticate! The wall went all around this hill where the emperor is buried (with all of his gazillions of dollars worth of gold, etc... This is the great wall of 3 Ming Tomb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moose Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 ^No, thankyou for posting these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gutterflower Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Hey Jeff. Thanks for the awesome update. Some great pics. I cant believe they never finished that park on the way up to the Wall. I always wondered what became of it. I have a photo of that place when I went past in 2003. looks like they made some progress but never even got any rides in. The same unfinished park from Jeffs Update. just 5 years earlier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastinmiller Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Great pics Jeff, surely it is better in person than the pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcio Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Wow, KT is more famous than the Great Wall of China! Great pictures, Jeff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy T. Koepp Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Jeff! Awesome TR so far. I love the culture thing. I never knew they were included in a TPR trip. I might consider going on one since they are finaly getting a little fancy schmancy with the whole site seeing thing. I got a Joke for ya! What is the age difference between The Great wall and Jeff? The Great Wall can be seen from space. Get it! Cause you both are basically the same age, but it can be seen from space. From space damn it! SPACE! Great TR. I look forward to seeing more! Guy "Ask Joey what schmancy means. It's yiddish. He'll know." Koepp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rastuso Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Can you buy that jade with Yen, and return it, saying you paid in Euro? That's a hell of a difference. Nice pics. Buildings are similar to what I saw in Asia, although I'd assume the bricks at the temples are a lot older. -RO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loefet Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 ^ They use the ¥ symbol for the Chinese Yuan. Not only for the Japanese Yen. Looks like the China trip is awesome, and please give me more pictures of Kirsten!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Good to hear that you're still alive in China, Jeff. I've always wanted to visit the Great Wall. By the way, how much was that pizza in American dollars--more or less than at Charles de Gaulle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rct3man777 Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Wow, wish I was in china right now, that's beautiful! And also...well... On one of those pictures, I think I see "Angry Robb" in Kidtum's face! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyBo Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Great stuff so far Jeff. It always amazes me how many damn pictures you take but then nearly all of them are so damn amazing. Hopefully you did your signature "panoramic shot" with the Great Wall that you can stitch together later. Those are always great to look at. How was that hike for a smoker? Jimmy "Jeff is old" Bo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KerryB Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Jeff, I'm enjoying the TR, thank you for taking the time to keep adding to it! I really am glad to see the culture stop. I'm enough of a nerd that I would like to see some of the big attractions at a foreign destination. (and the jade factory...a little bit of shopping would have had to be done...just a little jade penguin...or some other trinket!) To think that Kidtums has already walked on the Great Wall at her age...fantastic! I love that she has fans around the world! I'm looking forward to the rest of your report. Have fun! KerryB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 ^No, thankyou for posting these. Ditto. Awesome work, Jeff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillerman1 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 These are amazing pics Jeff. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldJJman Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 Hopefully you did your signature "panoramic shot" with the Great Wall that you can stitch together later. I did. I've done a few of various things so far. Of course, a couple of the wall. I'll probably do quite a few over the trip. But, I won't be posting them till sometime after I get home on the 17th. (Besides, I KNOW I wouldn't have finished this one by then anyway! How was that hike for a smoker? No effort. No effect. Didn't bother me at all. (Except that I couldn't smoke on the wall!!) JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldJJman Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 OK. We're now in Guangzhou after flying in from Beijing earlier today. But, I have yet to do "Day 1" pictures, so I'm gonna try and get some of that done. We started out at Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park. After getting our brains and bodies severly bashed on the fake SLC, we ended up doing a bit more culture. We visited Tien'amen square, and the walked (again) the length of the Forbidden City. (Too bad they let us in. That was a lot more walking!!) Our day ended touring a Gov't run silk factory, complete with a fashion show! OK. So some culture may be good. I have no idea how far I'll get. But, we're doing different hotels every day for the next 4 days, so I'll get to it when I can. On to the pics: Robb's POV will teach you new curse words, yet again!! More to come. While in pain, no one can put on a fake smile like Elissa can! Apparently, that's "Batman". Well themed. Still sucks! Oh CRAP!! This turn is gonna hurt! Notice the nice rounded corners! Time for their newest coaster: Spinning Batman. It was very well done. This was the entrance to the new kids area. NERD SHOT! (Call me a plagiarist. whatever.) We've moved along to "Roller Coaster". Whoopee!! Next up was "Spinning Mouse". NOT! It was down all day. Something about missing a part. Oh goody! Elissa was devastated. Chinese Top Scan rip-off. Some of the credit whores were a bit slowewr today. For the lifthill and "Worm" POV enthusiasts. Since the torture device was not open yet, we hit the "Worm Coaster" It looks like your ordinary painful SLC, but the Chinese have managed to make you pay money to use their torture device. Alright. Two coasters down, eight to go. To get to the rest of the park, you had to go across this bridge. First they almost shoot you off the end of the track, and then go so slow through the inversion that you almost fall out. Fun times! This coaster was kind of unique in that you went forward first, so that your first inversion would be going backwards. It's technical name was "A Circle Reciprocal Coaster". Also known as a shuttle loop. Next up, the Feng Shen Coaster. Apparently, the complete name didn't fit on the marquee. Evidently, Chinese miners wore ties, smoked pipes, and had hot chicks to support them. This is Bob and myself. Bob is the "Hoffman Girl's" father. Either thank him, or fear him! First up was the aptly named "Mine Coaster" Cool! We been magically transported back to Epcot. No Butterflies. Ok. Nice map. Other than it was out of proportion and rotated 90 degrees making it strange in the beginning. The entrance to Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldJJman Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 More pics. Standard swinging ship. Sorry, but culture will have to wait for another update! Thanks for looking!! JJ If you can theme a frisbee to a tornado, it might look as stupid as this. Complete with a Hummer on top. Indian BOOBS! Two reversers, a big drop and... The "Jones Adventure" Chute-the-chutes ride had elephants... Oh, what I would have given to be on a real Vekoma SLC right now!! Nice carousel. It did have some extensive themeing though. Notice the woman washing her clothes behind the final dip. "Crazy Mouse" was their new for 2005 coaster. Yeah. Right. It's an all kind of messed up mouse! Next up: Space Trip. No surprise here. Another castle bigger than Disneyland's. Umm.. Um... Speechless. Poseidon? We never found the show! Best themed Top Spin ever!! Hey! That's a pretty good idea! Maybe Universal could do something like this! A Chinese skyscraper, and a "Big Ben", which was just themeing. What a waste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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