Venice - The city of canals and bridges

In December 2018, we were in Italy for a week for a family holiday. Italy has to be the choice, being the 'hottest' country in Europe in December. We are from the equator.  

The Swiss Alps - Quite magnificent 

Flying in from London via Ryan Air on a midday flight, we were treated to some spectacular bird's eye views. 

After the alpine planes (far upper left) I knew we were in Italy

Venice is probably the top tourist destination in Europe, but I was more attracted to the history and tradition. Venice was Europe's center of commerce, trade, arts, literature, architecture. In short, Venice was the richest city in Europe (and probably the world) in the 13th century. I would never forget my history text books, where I studied the Renaissance Period. Venice, was the at the heart of the Renaissance. 

Anyway, I was also aware that horrible floods will render the city inaccessible. There are no cars or taxis. But you would have guessed - there are water taxis. 

There was a horrible flood in November 2019:

https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2019/11/16/st-marks-closed-after-fresh-flood-hits-venice/1810372

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I booked AirBnb on the mainland, near the Venezia-Mestre Railway station. Venice central (old town) is a host of islands, and lagoons, with cobbled streets. It was not ideal to drag luggage bags and was not the easiest place to navigate. The simplest way is to stay on the mainland, and take a bus across the Ponte della Liberta into Venice for the day. The bus ride was pleasant, and we got off the bus at Roma Main Terminal on the island. 

The perks of visiting during off-season can never be understated, and is something I prefer. 

Winter in Venice, though having shorter day-time, you still get blue skies

The City of Shenzhen

In July 2019, I was working in Guangzhou, or Dongguan to be exact. During the weekend, I visited Shenzhen, the city at the door of Hong Kong. 

Shenzhen used to be a sleepy town, as compared to Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient. 

The commercial hub of modern China in a glance

Taking the renowned High-speed rail, I travelled from Dongguan Station to Shenzhen Station in 50 minutes. The distance is around 100km. This means, the average speed was around 200km/hr. We haven't considered the stops and deceleration along the way. 

Comfortable and orderly - My only comment is that some English signs could help

I suppose you don't find English signs in France too. 

Checked-in to a hotel called Idea Jar (青年锦囊) Hotel, which was full of books

With a China Simcard, you could register to become a member via WeChat, and your room price gets deducted from RMB 206 (USD 30) to RMB 170 (USD 24) per night. It was a small windowless room, with a bed, and PC (with a huge monitor and an expensive looking headphone). I reckon young people may rent a room to play computer games the whole night, without being monitored by their parents. Anyway, I stopped planning computer games since I went to college. I felt that there are more interesting out there. 

If you plan to travel around China, having a China simcard is truly useful, and yields lots of discounts. However, a foreigner can only purchase a 'tourist' simcard at the airport. Normal phone shops won't sell you a simcard if you are a foreigner. The downside is, you can't access all banned applications (e.g. Whatsapp) and websites (e.g. Gmail, Facebook). You could use these apps or websites if you are on data roaming. 

Visiting Bangalore, India

India was on my wishlist for a very long time. I jumped on the opportunity for a working trip in May 2019. It's true that visiting India in the middle of summer is an adventure itself. 

Flew through Chennai - The plains were flat and you could feel the heat

Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka state, in South India. It is famed for being a techie, young and vibrant cosmopolitan. Known as the Silicon Valley of India, it is at an elevation of 900m above sea-level. As I spoke to a few local staffs at the hotel balcony, they explained the implications of development. The weather has changed due to deforestation and global warming. Anyway, Bangalore is still one of the greenest, and has one of the mildest climate in South India. This was where the British first made camp and chose as a summer vacation spot.

 Today, it attracts people from all over the country

MNCs set up their headquarters in 'campuses' 

Xiamen Family Home-coming Trip (Part 2 of 2)

In Part 1, we visited the ancestorial village of Zhan Chu, and met up with our relatives:
https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2020/07/xiamen-family-home-coming-trip-part-1.html

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We continued our vacation by visiting one of the (must see) major tourist attraction in Xiamen - the romantic, classical and car-less island of Gulangyu (鼓浪屿). It was Day 3, we left early and took the ferry, with 美珍表姐, one of my cousins who took a day's off to be our local guide.

Studying the map on the ferry

Gulangyu is a UNESCO World Culture Heritage site since 2017 with strong western influence. Xiamen became a treaty port after the First Opium War in the 1800s. The international settlers came - British, French, Dutch, Japanese... Today Gulangyu, and has several nicknames - such as piano island, island of music, and has one of the 'cleanest air index' in China.

                                         Highest point on the island - 日光岩 (Sunlight Rock)

View of downtown Xiamen from Gulangyu's 日光岩 (Sunlight Rock)

A former mansion of a tycoon

To be back in your birthplace definitely motivates

Back on land, we visited the Nan Pu Tuo Temple (南普陀寺) and Xiamen University. Xiamen University though, is no longer free to the public, as it was back in 2012. I think it became too touristy and security was a concern.

Famous landmarks of Xiamen

Nothing better to end a long/tiring day with steamboat - Haidilao (海底捞) of course

Haidilao is arguably the most famous steamboat / hotpot of our time

Supper was 月华沙茶面 (literally means 'satay noodle') - A favourite of mine

Xiamen's main shopping street - Zhongsan Road (中山路)

The few days in Xiamen was really pleasant, and packed with action. I hope the kinship will continue for generations to come. My grandparents would be proud. It's a shame Grandma didn't see me become who I am today. I think she'd be proud of me.

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For the second leg of the vacation, I planned the itinerary to include Guangzhou (the capital of Guangdong province), a 5-hour high-speed train away. My maternal grandmother was from Guangdong province, so I suppose mom would also be happy to go to somewhere Cantonese-speaking. I split the 8-day trip into half. I reckon taking the high-speed rail would also be an interesting experience for everyone.

Off to Guangzhou

My work saw me going to Guangzhou, or more famously known as Canton three times in the past 2 years. Guangzhou airport has direct flight to Senai, an airport 20 minutes from home, so it was a convenient destination for the family.

Ah Feng, 姑姑 's grandson is currently based in Guangzhou. His mom (姑姑 's eldest daughter) and dad were there to help him manage his Alibaba online business

We had a pleasant stroll around Guangzhou city center. The city lived up to it's reputation as one of the trading capitals of the world. The skyline was quite spectacular. Guangzhou has always been the center of trade for China, having close proximity to Hong Kong. Politically, it was also the base for Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and revolutions were initiated there.

It was pleasant evening. The weather was perfect

Ah Feng has started making his mark, as compared to 8 years ago when I first met him. Like millions of Chinese youths, he rides the internet wave, and conducts online business/trading on clothes and apparels, leveraging on Alibaba's platform. It's a a potential rag-to-riches story in the making.

Today he rents this studio in the middle of town - We enjoyed the view

I was really pleased. He once told me his dream of traveling outside China. Hopefully, he will get his chance.

Guangzhou is nevertheless famed for its cuisine. Cantonese cuisine has influenced generations of chefs globally, especially in South East Asia. In fact, Cantonese is the official working language in the biggest Chinese restaurants kitchens in Malaysia. China is basically culturally divided into the North and South, with the Yang Tze (长江）as the marker. Cantonese normally embodies the best of Southern Chinese cuisine.

吴财记 Wantan noodles - One of the best I tasted

Unlike eating in Hong Kong, where there is a sense of urgency and stress to free up your seats for the next customer, we could enjoy our meals in Guangzhou.

A shop that sells herbal-chicken (We found chicken rather expensive in the city)

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I think the most meaningful trips are the ones with the family. As the parents age, and the children become more occupied with work / their own lives, times like these make life meaningful.

Looking at some 'printed' paintings (more of taking a rest)

COVID-19 will likely change the world of travel forever. I am not sure how many airlines could survice, with AirAsia 'qualified' as a PN17 status company. I am glad we made those wonderful trips. I suppose, when you feel like doing something, you should just do it, before it's too late. 

It's good to count our blessings, especially during trying times. 

PS: 3rd Great-uncle (小叔公), grandfather's youngest brother passed away a few days ago in Melaka, at a great age of 100. Ever since I could remember, without fail, we would visit him during Chinese New Year at his house in Bukit Baru, and then (in recent years) Malim Jaya. Being really fit, sharp and healthy even into his 90's, he would brew tea and treat us homemade cookies everytime we came. This year though, was different, as he fell ill and was bedridden. His demise marks an end of an era filled with history and tradition. It feels like the final chapter of this group of forefathers that left warring China for Malaya, in search of a better life. There isn't many who had witnessed WW2 and seen how the world has changed in the last century. It must have been a tiring yet fascinating adventure, having overcame all the hardships and struggles. He was a testament of the good/simple old days, and represented no-nonsense family values, hard work and frugality. I will always remember his nonchalant look, oozing class and confidence.