It is very hard to show pictures of the Tomb because they are all underground.
At the entrance, you walk down about 100 feet of stairs, and then opens up into a series of large vaults.
In these vaults are the various items buried with the Emperor.
Back above ground, one is treated with a great view of the surrounding country side.
Looking Out
Looking Out – Detail 1
Looking Out – Detail 2
Lunch in a ‘tourist trap’
Lunch in the upstairs portion of the building.
A tour bus of Chinese tourists came in toward the end of the meal.
Shopping around the International Store.
The Great Wall of China
The drive north-west of Beijing/Peking
There is some beautiful mountains that you drive through to get to the wall. I just kept looking out the window in the amazement of nature.
I was also amazed to see portions of the wall traversing the tops of the mountains. Here was this extremely rugged terrain, and on top of it all, this stone wall!!
Simply put, AMAZING!!
Robert did have a problem with the tickets because of his nationality.
Merchants selling picture books, buttons, and table cloths all along the wall!!
The higher I walked, the more and more I was amazed.
The Wall just stretches as far as the eye can see.
Great Wall Tower
The Great Wall 01
The Great Wall 02
Walking up some stairs
The Great Wall 03
The Great Wall 04
The Great Wall 05
The Great Wall 06
Drive back to Beijing
I saw a small fire in the under brush that no one seemed to care about. I did not see anyone tending the flames!!
20261001 – Update – Many years have passed since I wrote my nightly notes there in our motel room in Hong Kong. Years later, back in the States, I posted them here to this site.
I have added and updated content and technical aspects under the hood.
It’s also been a few years since I’ve updated this website, so please bare with me.
Note – All images are quick, low-res scans from slide film on a flatbed scanner. One of these days, I’ll re-scan at hi-res the better ones. As they say, ‘Content is King’, so…
View from the Hotel Balcony
This was my first real view of Hong Kong, and it was amazing. There were so many sights that were new to me, and processing them was difficult as I jumped from one thing to the next.
Main Assignment for the Day:
– Get my Visa into China
Walking around Hong Kong
I was overwhelmed as I walked around.
Interesting Building 02Between BuildingsClose-Up on the Bank of China
Cable Car to the top of Mt. Victoria
We took a very steep cable car ride to the top of Mt. Victoria, where we walked around the top.
The view from on top of Mt. Victoria 02
At one point, you can see the other side of Hong Kong.
The view from on top of Mt. Victoria
We then took a taxi from the top, all the way down, and into Kowloon, where dad was getting new glasses.
At one point, I remember crossing a bridge, and seeing a big banner sign saying in English “Real Chinese Food”, and it struck me as very odd in such a location.
Looking over Hong Kong
Walking around Kowloon
I had a “Fast Food” Chinese meal!
Dad and I walked along the water front.
Looking back at Hong KongSide of a MuseumMuseum SignHydro Foil
Took the Star Ferry back to Hong Kong
Star Ferry
Sat on the Motel porch and watched the life before me
The Museum from Hong KongConstruction 01Construction 02
On the way to dinner, I saw forests of apartment buildings!!
I have been to New York city numerous times, especially since my companies headquarters was located there, and my father was born and raised there too.
But the was something different about how the builds where built that reminded me more of a forest then a collection or group of building. I was also told, that area was one of the most densely populated places in the world.
Dinner on the Floating Restaurants
These were the restaurants features in one of the James Bond 007 movies.
Sitting in the Emperor’s chair
While waiting for our table, a Chinese man, very eager to try his English with me, started with several small words, and then a simple phrase, and then “I’m a SEX MACHINE!“
Trying not to laugh right in his face was one of the hardest things I things, I’ve ever done!