International flights into Switzerland usually arrive at either Geneva or Zurich airports. Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland. It is also a global city, a financial center, and a worldwide center for diplomacy. As I looked around I could pick out people from Japan, China, India, Italy, France, Germany and many other countries. Listening to them speak was a real treat … a melody of languages. Both of these airports are very convenient to traveling to Zermatt, Switzerland, a gateway to the Matterhorn. But don’t miss taking a little time to visit the azure blue lakes; Lake Geneva and Lake Lucerne with their castles. Then it’s on to the Matterhorn, Switzerland’s most famous mountain of 14,692 feet; the mountain that movies have been made about. It is located in the Penninie Alps on the border of Switzerland and Italy. In German “matte” means “meadow” and “horn” means “peak.” It is the tenth highest peak in Switzerland.
There were seven of us, four adults with three children, in our Honda Odyssey making our way towards the Swiss Alps. The morning was sunny with a few white billowy cumulus clouds making their way lazily across the wide expanse of blue. The road was very straight most of the time with a few curves intermingled. Looking out the window, we saw green fields dotted here and there with acres of yellow flowers that looked like sunflowers. The beauty took my breath away. It was so picturesque, just like in the travel magazines I had seen.
Off in the distance, I could see mountains rising up from the green plains we had been traveling through. At last I could see them … the Swiss Alps. This was the home of Heidi, my favorite childhood novel. I can still remember some of her adventures. Her grandfather lived here and cared for her in these wondrous mountains. The Heidi book is among the best known works of Swiss literature and well worth reading to your children.
As we drove into Zermatt, a beautiful, little tourist town at the foot of the Alps, we parked our car on the outskirts and walked from there. No cars or big tour buses allowed in the village. The train stops here and goes no further. This is one of the great ski and climbing centers in the world. This deep valley is nestled between two steep, sculptured mountains. The air is crisp and clean with an Alpine flavor. Summer flowers drape themselves from each building along the way. Its cobblestone streets and pathways take you back in time to a simpler way of life. It is beautiful. It is exhilarating. It is special to be here; to see this great mountain and walk the cobblestone streets of Zermatt.
The Matterhorn is truly a magnificent mountain. A dream comes true, just to be here.
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I was waiting at gate C 5 to board my flight. It was supposed to leave in 10 minutes. The announcement blared loudly over the airports’ PA system, “Flight 4659 will be delayed and will not be boarding for 30 minutes. We are sorry for the inconvenience.” I had a connecting flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. What if I missed it, I thought. What will I do?
In 30 minutes another announcement and another delay, this one said we would have another hour delay before boarding. Frustration started to set in. By the time I boarded and got on my way, I knew I would miss my connecting flight. We found out that are delay was caused by Air force I, It was landing at the San Francisco Airport and so they closed it down to all incoming flights. That was so exciting. Oh the joys of International travel.
I was on my way to Guangzhou, China via Hong Kong to look for new items for our business to sell. I was to meet a business associate in Hong Kong who would take me to our hotel that night or should I say in the middle of the night. We were to meet with a couple businesses the next morning and then catch a train on to Guangzhou.
When I finally got to Hong Kong, it was about 2 a.m. and my business associate was nowhere to be seen. I did not have a phone number to call him or an address of where to find him. All I could do is stand around and hope he came. I waited for over an hour before he showed up. Imagine being in a foreign country in the middle of the night not knowing anyone, where to go, or what to do. Not the best scenario, I would say.
I am glad to say all worked out. We did meet up, make it to our hotel, our meetings, and caught our train. Canton Fair here we come! Guangzhou used to be called Canton due to the Europeanized names being used by the English Colonies but has since been changed back to its Chinese name.
My trip was successful despite my frustrations with the airline. I saw some great places, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Yiwu and Shanghai. It is unbelievable the capabilities that the Chinese have in manufacturing goods. The industry of the Chinese people is amazing.
Have any of you had frustrations or stories of interest with your International travel? We would love to hear about them.
The scooters can cruise at break-neck speed. This matches the fast speed of Taipei’s whirly development. But why follow them when slowing down reveals China’s richest art and its cultural treasure trove? Tom Cockrem discovers even more.
The Chiang Kai-shek is a masterpiece. Its enormous five arched gateway, crowned with glared blue tiles, would befit an emperor’s palace. The trapezoidal main structure is similarly clowned. It recalls-perhaps on purpose – the uncluttered elegance of great monuments from antiquity, like the Mayan Chichen-Itza of Mexico and the Egyptian Pyramids. There entrance is flanked by two imperiously palatial red colonnaded halls; the National Theatre and the Opera House. This complex might be modern, but its inspiration is decidedly in the past.
Taipei is a city of the present. Its infrastructure tells you that, along with its fashions and its shops. Not much history ostensibly remains. We have to suffer pragmatism here-those awful white glazed building tiles that remind you all too often that you may need the comport room. Taipei’s history defiantly remains, enmeshed as it is with that of mainland China. It is embodied in the people. Their dress is ultra-chic, as are their technologies; and they ride their motor scooters at modern break-neck speeds. But that’s where new-age trappings start and end. The Taiwanese exhibit values that you associate with the exulted ancient East. High among these are politeness and respect. The young will stand up for their elders (and me with my cameras in) in trains. You will never be assailed by crude behavior anywhere or see people cross the street against the lights. Egalitarianism too seems well entranced. It poverty exists, even if it has escaped my eye.
A few years ago, a visitor would have all but despaired at the prospect of covering the highlights of Taipei without access to a car. Now there’s the MRT-Mass Rapid Transit. Opened in stages from 1996-and still not totally completed- the underground rail system challenges even its Singapore equivalent unit’s user-friendliness, reliability and speed. Using this and one or two short taxi hops, the best of the city can be covered in two leisurely days, and don’t forget the guarantee: you simply can’t get lost. The congenital Taipeiorens will see to that. If all directions somehow fail, you might, as I did, find yourself being personally escorted all the way to your front door.
Lijiang Ancient City: This city was built in the Southern Song Dynasty, some eight hundred years ago. Getting to this place is easy because of the its direct flights. Places to visit are Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Lugu Lake. The old town also has its own special culture know as the Dong Ba culture of the Naxi people. The Naxi people let the visitors of this beautiful place experience their culture.
Sanya: Sanya is locted on the southernmost part of the Hainan Province. Sanya is an area facing the South China Sea. It is said to be a real tropical paradise with endless sun, fun and lots of seafood. It is said to be the only truly tropical city in China. It is characterized by clear blue waters, white sand beaches, lush green mountains and palm trees which are abundant everywhere. For its visitors, it is a noted tourist resort with mountains, sea, river and city all in one place.
Yellow Mountain: Among all the notable mountains in China, the Yellow Mountain is considered to be the most popular. It is located in the south of Anhui province. Yellow Mountain can boast not only of its magnificent scenery but also its abundant habitat for resources and a great variety of zoological species. It is known for its uniquely-shaped pines, fantastic rock peaks, sea of clouds and hot springs.
Jiuzhaigou Valley: This valley has scenery and fables of dreamlike eloquence, or natural purities that are said to be equal to a fairyland. It is considered as another magical Chinese landscape. It has green lakes, multi-layered waterfalls, forests and snow-mountains, green and golden trees, lofty mountains and clear colorful waters that gives it a unique beauty.
Guilin: It has the most typical karst topography in the world. Its hills, waters, caves and rocks are beautifully mysterious. Guilin is known for its Li River cruise, extraordinary minority villages, terraced rice fields and limestone Karst Mountains. It is also considered as one of the world’s most beautiful places.
Gulangyu Island: Gulangyu Island is located in the Southwest part of Xiamen City and can be reached through a 5 minute steamship ride from the city. Gulangyu Island is noted for its delicate natural beauty, its ancient relics, and its varied architecture.
Great Wall: The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s greatest wonders. The Great Wall starts from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west. Various dynasties and warlords were responsible for building the interconnecting walls of the Great Wall for so many years.
If you are planning to take a trip to China, it would be wise to get a Chinese language course from Pimsleur Method to be able to get directions and talk with the Chinese people or sign up for our Language Newsletter and be entered into a drawing for a Pimsleur Basic Course … you could pick Chinese.