Images of China

Flying off to northern skies

About every four years, I would make an effort to visit my homeland in the Philippines. Last year I embarked on such a trip home. There are options for various airlines, dates and routes but I settled for an itinerary that included not just a stopover but also a little peek of China.

Sometime in mid-April I flew out of Brisbane to the northern hemisphere. We stopped in Guangzhou (near HongKong and Macau) but I only saw a glimpse of this city before flying out to Manila. I did stay overnight here. Thankfully I did not have to sleep on my feet.

In May I travelled back to China flying from Manila to Beijing via Xiamen.

Xiamen airport is the main air hub in eastern China.

 I spent a total of five days in Beijing. Obviously it takes a lot longer – more like five decades or at least five years, to see China – but hey, I can say I’ve been there.

On my first day in Beijing, I joined a group touring (on pushbikes) some hutongs with local guide Da Lin. In China bike helmets are optional.

Beijing is a hustling bustling metropolis with about 22 million people (almost the same population as all of Australia) and modernising at breakneck speed. However it has retained and preserved many of its ancient and traditional winding alleys and narrow back streets around the City. These inner city settlements are called hutongs. 

We cycled through these hutongs that have been the home for millennia to many of Beijing's residents. A hutong is a neighbourhood hub with shops, markets, temples and historic buildings. We got a glimpse into the traditional Chinese way of life and neighbourhood

Along our way we went past dancing and fishing in the streets of Beijing.

Many hutongs are slowly disappearing as development takes over. The view that the importance of heritage far outweighs perceived economic development seems to be dissipating. Tourism, though intrusive, may be the lifeblood of hutongs. We checked out a local market for fresh produce, and saw more of traditional Chinese cooking and ingredients.  I tried out some snacks.

Our bike tour took in many features of Beijing’s streets – the sounds and sights.

I saw pretty girls,
 and shampoos.

We dodged all sorts of traffic from a quiet narrow back alley -

to a nightmarish 20-lane expressway.

On the way we saw the rows of homes linked to each other on one or both sides of the street. 

We learned to distinguish the difference between the homes of the rich and the not-so.

At lunchtime we cycled to the family home of an elderly local chinese couple. The modest residence was set in a traditional hutong courtyard hidden from the outside world. Our hosts prepared traditional fare for our lunch. In China a meal is an event and our lunch in the private traditional kitchen consisted a feast. I don’t remember all the dishes in the mere two-hour 10-course ‘typical’ lunch I had, but I tried all the food.

After lunch we sat down for endless cups of tea, and for the first time I got a chance to play mah-jong. Being a ‘guest’ that day was worthwhile to experience the hospitality and part of the daily rituals of a Chinese family.

On our biking tour, we saw the bell tower and drum tower, originally built in 1272 and rebuilt in 1420. Come the evening at the conclusion of the bike tour, we dropped off our bicycles to near the drum tower.

Both the drum tower and the bell tower were intended for musical purposes.

They are both historical symbols of ancient Beijing.

scorpions on bamboo skewers, followed by beetles, sea horses and star fishes. - See more at: http://www.mailintalks.com/2012/02/27/china-travel-wangfujing-night-market-beijing-china/#sthash.8Ta7NYl9.dpuf

scorpions on bamboo skewers, followed by beetles, sea horses and star fishes. - See more at: http://www.mailintalks.com/2012/02/27/china-travel-wangfujing-night-market-beijing-china/#sthash.8Ta7NYl9.dpuf

A busy daytime thoroughfare in Beijing is Wangfujing Street. But at night the street is closed to vehicular traffic and transformed into a mall. It becomes a busy shopping centre and marketplace.

One evening I caught the subway to Wangfujing to see what all the fuss was about.

The Wangfujing night market offers a variety of snack foods - snakes, scorpions, beetles, sea horses, starfishes, centipedes, bugs, silkworms and other creepy crawlies.

scorpions on bamboo skewers, followed by beetles, sea horses and star fishes - See more at: http://www.mailintalks.com/2012/02/27/china-travel-wangfujing-night-market-beijing-china/#sthash.8Ta7NYl9.dpuf

I settled for some familiar fare.

Wangfujing has some interesting places. I got preoccupied one evening, walking around, minding my own business, staring at the bright neon lights, admiring the pretty women. 

A local girl had spotted me and suddenly she was there in front of me offering 'a cut price massage at a parlor not very far', she said. I did not know it at the time but she must have been checking me out. She even said I spoke good english. I don't know about that but I looked around and she seemed wary and alert. Then I realised the game she was playing,. I told her that the  'massage' is not what it's cracked up to be. She left me alone, but not after I moved towards the uniformed cops.

By nightfall I was weary, but content with the day, I strolled back to my hotel. 

I seem to be finding some harmony here in Beijing.

 In the next few days I saw a bit more of Beijing's popular tourist attractions.

The Temple of Heaven Park is one of Beijing's most popular parks.

The park was full of people of all ages, all taking part in traditional pastimes such as tai chi, dancing, exercising, laughing, playing games, hawking wares, etc. 

In one corner of the park we came to a mass of people singing. The blend of their voices was so magnificent. The singing was mesmerizing and I had my video on, panning left and right and recording for a few minutes. It was the most beautiful combination of human voices I ever heard, outside of the Igorot ayyeng. 

It was so stunning that it even stunned my audio visual video clip which turned out to be just a silent visual  movie – I had forgotten to record sound! 

Arrrggghh yes, but ahh nothing can take away the experience.

Check out these videos from youtube:

singing at the temple of heaven.

singing crowd in temple of heaven park

We soaked up the atmosphere. I wanted to join in the many activities or to just wander around the park, but our guide Che Li kept me in line.

The Temple of Heaven itself is a Taoist temple where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties prayed and offered sacrifices to heaven.

For lunch we ducked around to a corner eatery for some dumplings or noodles I don’t remember. We then jumped onto Beijing's efficient subway back to the heart of the city – to see the forbidden city.

The gate to the forbidden city is Tiananmen square, site of the 1989 protests.

Tiananmen Square is one of the largest public plazas in the world.

It covers an area of 44 hectares. 

.

Over the central arched gateway is the famous portrait of Mao.

This magnificent forbidden city complex with its many palaces and halls is the largest imperial palace ever built in the world. It has more than 800 buildings with over 9,000 rooms.

We spent most of the morning exploring the Forbidden City.

The pagoda in Jingshan Park. 

This is the best place to view the Forbidden City and the ancient heart of Beijing. 

After Jingshan Park, fellow tourist Joanie and guide Che Li dumped me, so I wandered back through to the immense Tiananmen square that is so special to the Chinese people.

In the evening I saw the ceremony of the changing of the guards.

That night I was dreaming of the great wall of China which I will get to see on the morrow.

I was tossing up between a bike, a rickshaw, a trike, or a hike.

My mind was abuzz with what wonders tomorrow will bring.

I visited a teahouse for maybe a coffee, tea or - she

will have some suggestions. 

I skirted around the these hard choices by asking Che Li.

Speaking of skirts, 

Bejing olympic park is on the city's outskirts.

I saw the bird's nest and water cube complexes.

And the underpants building.

My guide Wei Wei An, even got me to jump hoops. 

How high do you want me to jump I asked?

The day was getting dark as I walked back to my hotel, gazing around the streets, the sidewalks and the signs.

The lol hotel.

Xiamen is a sister city to Sunshine Coast in Queensland and Cebu in the Philippines. It's one of the busiest ports in the world. It is also an important centre for primary industries such as manufacturing, and boasts excellent road, rail, air and port infrastructure.

On departure day, our outbound plane got delayed due to another of Beijing's features - smog.

A smoggy day in China makes you wish you were someplace else, in sunny California - perhaps in L.A. 

Mt Glorious 22k mountain trail run 2012

22-kilometre 2012 Mt Glorious mountain trails race. Saturday, 4th February.

Mt Glorious on the northwest of Brisbane is a popular destination for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. A cool retreat in summer, the mountain has rainforests, walking trails, viewing spots, picnicking places, birdwatching and many other activities. Walkers and hikers are spoilt for choice with paths of varying grades: Maiala Park short walks with parking, picnic and toilet facilities, rainforest trails and tracks with loops and circuits and climbs to peaks and descents to creeks, and the odd swimming hole. I now know of two. I’ll have seen them and waded across them in a biathlon (aquathlon) today. There’s also the longer and steeper trails, used for fire management, forest ranging or for the occasional trail walk hike trek or even run. One such summer trail run is the 22-kilometre 2012 Mt Glorious mountain trails race.

Map of the route.

The final weeks of summer in Queensland are in February. It’s the best of times, and the worst of times – for running and hot weather.

The first Saturday of February was fairly typical. Temperate early morning with expected high humidity and mercury may be rising. The clouds in the sky seem uncertain on what to do, linger or go. I was uncertain also on my running battle armour. I gathered up the necessities: hydration pack, cap, watch, phone, energy bar, water bottle, camera, spare socks, footpads and shoes. It all appeared bulky and heavy, and that’s without sunscreen. I looked at what I can leave behind, maybe the tiny plastic bag for the mobile phone (in case of rain). Then I thought if some people can run barefoot, maybe I can run butt naked. But I feared getting sunburnt, and the ladies might burst out laughing. Wear a g-string perhaps. This conundrum was all too hard to fix so I just upped and went.

I drove to The Gap to catch the runners' chartered bus to Mt Glorious. I was expecting more runners than turned up. Others obviously decided to use private transport. The bus left at 06:05 up Waterworks Road towards Mt Nebo. I was looking forward to viewing parts of the D’Aguilar range national park on the drive up. However the bus turned left to Payne Road and I thought we’re taking the bumped-up Gap Creek Road on the edge of Mt Coot-tha. But the bus turned again and I realised finally that it was not suited to the narrower ascending and winding mountain roads and is taking the long way around, going anti-clockwise to Cedar Flats. So leaving The Gap, we go through the northwestern suburbs: Ashgrove, Bardon, Red Hill, Paddington, and Toowong. And then along the western freeway, Ipswich motorway, Warrego highway thence past Fernvale to Northbrook parkway, venue of the start line at the base of Northbrook mountain.

We arrived there around 07:15. The atmosphere was carnival-like, with a band of bagpipers and bright sunshine greeting the runners and their supporters. The entries are limited to 150 or 160, but there seemed to be twice that number. The wilderness had come to life right there on the side of that deserted mountain road.

The sun was up and smiling at the runners. I just hoped it did not get too warm.

There was no mist. The fuzz was from my camera.

The runners were sent off in three waves about five minutes apart. The faster runners were in the first group and soon the bagpipes called them to arms, or to legs, I mean to ass-emble. Each group was briefed separately just before the get go by the race director. Greg Waited patiently for the boys and girls to lend their ears.

And then the first wave of runners scooted off. The second and third groups followed soon after.

Just metres from the start line, we come to a crossing on a creek swollen from all the rain this wet summer. It was at least 5m wide with water up to knee deep and no way around. Runners had no choice but to wade across.

Once across the creek it was all steep hill climbing (about 450m ascent over 3.75km) to the top of Northbrook mountain.

The trail was tough and the tough runners got going– if only I was one, but I was just rough, and doing it the toughest. Like on many previous runs, I brought up the rear, guarding the runners from leeches and snakes, or was it just my imagination. I was actually avoiding getting trampled while ruing my sodden shoes.

From the hilltop on Mt Northbrook, the course flattened out and then we started descending down the long, winding, rolling zigzags towards England Creek. There were speed bumps (some were mole hills bigger than mountains) along the descent but I finally got to the creek at about the 10km mark.

From here it’s a mere 600m of climbing over 12km to the finish. This uphill battle is very daunting really. If only I had a car.

But wait I see a 4WD! This was at the watering station where I replenished my water bottle. A daddy and three young kids cheerfully and efficiently attended to the runners. The kids were having fun helping dad with the drinks and lollies. Good on you all.

The next 3km section of the trail along the creek was relatively moderate, but I was inclined (psyched, conditioned, brainwashed) to walk anything remotely resembling an uphill. I trudged on with my feet getting more and more uncomfortable with every step, as mud sweat and grit dumped on my shoes that were already damp from the start.

The next watering point near the 13km mark was a relief. The couple attending the water station offered encouragement and nice words to all: ...more than halfway there it’s all downhill from here, one more water stop, wonderful run in the rainforest... Where would running events be without volunteers? I cannot thank volunteers enough in words (especially when huffing and puffing) but it’s wonderful that they’re there.

Again I watered up. Then I took a breather, and changed my socks and footpads for the final 9km ascending leg of this journey. I counted about 20 runners go past as I rested up. They’re hardly sweating. All along the route runners had been passing me, on average one every 500m. I did pass one or two - at the water stops. 

The sun was peeking through the clouds again as I resumed battling up the mountain. A runner sprinting up the hill asked how far to go. I was almost dead and out of breath and did not really want to know how much more i had to endure. But I checked my watch and politely told him: another seven-odd kilometres.

I passed the last water stop at KP18, and then after what seemed like an eternity of torturous uphill hiking, I somehow got to the verge of the rainforest at the mountaintop. It felt like another world. The air was cooler and thinner. The thicker vegetation blocked off some more of the daylight, and jogging under the canopy with the dimming of the day, was like running in the evening with the darkening of the night. Surreal but so real.

Multiple choice:
a. the photographer's hands were shaky.
b. the reader needs glasses
c. both of the above

Soon the TRAQ red arrows at the stone-lined single track appeared and I entered the muddy winding trail. The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and less than a mile to go before i slip - out of the thick trees, to the sunny grassed clearing at the finish in Maiala park.

So I slowed down taking great care not to slip. Some of the best rainforests in Australia are right here in Mount Glorious with strangler figs, buttressed trees, stinging trees and large rainforest trees. However the rocks and protruding tree roots make the gloomy trail uneven in places. Treading cautiously, I hurried slowly through the wet sclerophyll and rainforest, past the western window, ducking under branch and overhanging vine, until I finally come out to bright sunshine at the finish line.

This was indeed a mountain trail, and for good reason. I think I finished just outside the estimated average finish time. Below-average for me, but then this was no ordinary run. This was tough as tough can get. The cloud cover did hover above all day, keeping the intermittent warm sunshine at bay. This helped my cause immensely because I usually just melt in the sun. And the shade provided by the canopy of the gums and then the sanctuary of the rainforest kept me from wilting.

The presentation to the winners happened well before I finished. But I enjoyed the lunch of sandwiches, fruits and other food goodies provided at the finish line. Well done to the RD Greg, TRAQ organisers, volunteers and everyone involved. Maybe next year, 100 of the runners should use the bus (mini-buses?) and the other 50-60 may use their cars. As the bus driver said 40-80 cars away from those mountain roads can only do good. Runners can just relax pre- and post race, with less damage to the road system, less risk of accident, less need for parking space, and good for the environment. See, increasing your running footprint, lessens your carbon footprint. Now I’d definitely do Mt Glorious again next year, but only if TRAQ can arrange for a beach and pool at the finish line :-).

 

My reading of the results:

• Average finishing time: 2:50:00. About 80 runners finished under this time.
• The bottom 60 finished in an average of 3:15:00. I am bracketed in this group. Makes my time look good.

Congratulations to the top placers, but as I like to say, the winners are all the participants...
The top 15 are:

Place	Class	AgeGroup	RaceNum	Firstname	Lastname	Clock
1	1M	20-29	82	Gerard	Balnaves	2:00:08
2	2M	40-49	203	David	Riach	2:01:30
3	3M	30-39	28	James	Bamber	2:02:01
4	4M	20-29	107	Daniel	Nunan	2:02:31
5	5M	20-29	11	Ben	Malby	2:09:45
6	6M	30-39	102	Artem	Golev	2:09:46
7	7M	20-29	87	Jim	Heaslop	2:09:47
8	8M	20-29	64	Josh	Magar	2:10:46
9	9M	20-29	216	Steve	Whiteman	2:11:32
10	10M	20-29	94	Henk	Morgans	2:17:31
11	11M	30-39	8	Terry	Verhaar	2:13:45
12	1F	40-49	205	Hubertien	Wichers	2:14:06
13	2F	30-39	24	Lucy	Blaber	2:16:56
14	12M	40-49	202	Nigel	Waddington	2:16:56
15	3F	20-29	70	Kirra	Balmanno	2:18:04

The longest parkrun

1. North Lakes

Lake Eden in North Lakes is home to various wildlife such as swans ducks turtles fish and birds.
It is also the venue of the North Lakes parkrun, the first of seven 5-kilometre runs that make up the inaugural longest parkrun in Australia. A few weeks ago, I tagged along with a couple of friends just to look around and take some photos. I remember joining a fun run in North Lakes before.

2. Sandgate

The open coast line of Moreton bay from Nudgee to Caboolture running through Shorncliffe Sandgate and Brighton is called Warra by the indigenous Turrbal people.

The Warra foreshore is home to the Sandgate parkrun, host of the second of seven parkruns. The breezy Sandgate foreshore is a popular venue for running, walking cycling, picnics and other recreational activities.

3. New Farm

New Farm parkrun was the first in Australia. It has been good for encouraging many people to take up running and improve their general health and well-being. So many have fallen into the joys of the running mistress.

4. Southbank

Southbank parklands in South Brisbane on the beautiful Brisbane river is third on the list of the longest parkrun.

I remember running in Southbank a couple of times before, and enjoyed the wonderful scenery while treading on the pathways abutting the river. 

5. Wynnum

Wynnum on Moreton bay.

This is also now the venue for the bayside twilight running festival, and of course the Wynnum parkrun.

6. Coomera

From the coast, the runners ran to the hills in Upper Coomera.

  Runners said that this was the most 'hilly' of the seven parkruns.

 I looked around.

 Maybe that hill was just their imagination?

7. Main Beach

For the seventh official final run the parkrunners went from the mountains back to the sea in Main Beach on the Gold Coast.

 Back in Upper Coomera, someone did a poll of people who were crazy. Three runners put their hands up.

These three mighty (or crazy) runners opted to go interstate for an eighth run in Kingscliffe NSW. Super effort that! And so too all the hundreds who took part in the longest parkrun. Good work to all who ran any number from one to eight plus runs.