Wai Yen's Travelogue: October 2007

Thursday, October 18, 2007

San Francisco, USA - Fisherman's Wharf

Date: 4th July 2005

Fact: Known for its historic waterfront, delicious seafood, spectacular sights and unique shopping, Fisherman’s Wharf offers a wide array of things to do for everyone. Our fabulous location in the 'City by the Bay', puts you within minutes of the Maritime Museum, Alcatraz, Coit Tower and everyone’s favorite, the world famous San Francisco Cable Car lines. Fisherman’s Wharf offers some of the most incredible views of the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and the cityscape.

More info: http://www.fishermanswharf.org/

San Francisco, USA - Lombard Street

Date: 4th July 2005

Fact: Lombard Street is an east-west street in San Francisco, California. It is famous for having a steep, one-block section that consists of tight hairpin turns.

San Francisco, USA - Sausalito

Date: 4th July 2005

Location: Sausalito is a city in the San Francisco Bay Area situated in Marin County, California, United States.
Fact: Sausalito is a charming waterfront community that lies across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Because of its Mediterranean flair and breathtaking views, it is often compared to the French Riviera.

San Francisco, USA - Around The City

Date: 4th July 2005

San Francisco, USA - The Golden Gate Bridge

Date: 4th July 2005

Fact: The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening into the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. It connects the city of San Francisco on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County as part of US Highway 101 and California State Highway 1. The Golden Gate Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world when it was completed in 1937 and has become an internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco and the United States. It is currently the second longest suspension bridge by span in the United States after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York City.

San Francisco, USA - 17-Mile Drive, Monterey

Date: 3rd July 2005

Location: 17 Mile Drive at Monterey, California [ 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 ]

Fact: This is one of the many beautiful California Beaches that stretch approximately 1000 miles along California. There is an entrance fee of USD8/- per car. There are approximately 20 stops along the well marked route, each with a landmark of interest and paved parking for your vehicle. From the trademark Lone Cypress tree to the Restless Sea, Seal Rock to Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill, if the names of these places don't evoke emotion to the active imagination, the sights, sounds and smells should do the trick.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Beijing, China - Tiananmen Square

Date: 20th September 2007

Fact: Tiananmen Square is the large plaza near the center of Beijing, China, named after the Tiananmen (literally, Gate of Heavenly Peace) which sits to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City. It has great cultural significance as a symbol because it was the site of several key events in Chinese history. Outside of China, the square is widely known for the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. The square is 880 metres (2887 feet) south to north and 500 metres (1640 feet) east to west, a total area of 440,000 square metres (108.7 acres), which makes it the largest open-urban square in the world.

More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square

Beijing, China - Tiananmen Gate

Beijing, China - Tiananmen Gate #1

Date: 20th September 2007

Fact: Tiananmen Gate, or the Gate of Heavenly Peace, bounds the northern end of Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing. It was first built in 1417 during the Ming Emperor Yongle’s reign as the principal entrance leading to the Forbidden City. At that time the gate was named Chengtianmen, but the wooden structure burned down in 1457 and was reerected in 1651 and renamed Tiananmen.

The gate stands 34 meters (112ft) high, has red stone walls, a wooden roof and contains five arched passages leading through its white marble base. The gate is surrounded by a moat, the Golden Water River, which was formed to guard the Imperial Palace. Five white marble bridges cross the river and lead to the passages of the gate. Ornamental marble and columns and stone lions decorate the front of the gate.

Beijing, China - The People

Beijing, China - Big Bell Temple Museum #2

Date: 18th September 2007

Location: 31 Beisanhuan West Road, Hai Dian DistrictTel: 62550843 Open Time: 8:30~16:30

Beijing, China - Big Bell Temple Museum #1

Date: 18th September 2007

Fact: The Big Bell Temple was built in the Qing Dynasty (AD 1733), covering an area of 30,000 square metres. It is the only museum in China specialized in the collection, exhibition, study and exploitation of ancient bells and data on such bells and the dissemination of ancient bell culture. When the Yongle Bell is struck for the New Year, the Spring Festival or other great occasions, the deep and powerful sound reverberates far and near, echoing the good wishes of the people of Beijing.