Ancient City Xian & The Terracotta Warriors

In February we took a short break to head over to China to see the Terracotta Warriors in Xian. We booked a three day private tour with China Culture Center.

We travelled with our Australian friends Tracy and David. After flying to Beijing we caught a train over night to Xian. Not my idea but everyone else thought it would be fun. Me? Well I thought if you have been on one train then you have been on them all.

Finding the train station was an adventure in its self. The Beijing West Railway station was huge and very busy but wanting to make sure we arrived in plenty of time meant we had a lot of waiting to do. We decided to sit and have some soup and explore the local shops. We couldn't get over some of the names for the alcoholic drinks and decided to purchase some to consume on our journey. Another thing that surprised use was you could buy "Duck in a bag", which was roasted duck and it was sold everywhere. Our little song we made up was,

"Duck in a bag, duck in a bag all I want is duck in a bag" .

The train was interesting as we had to share the four bed compartment with an extra person as we couldn't book the whole compartment to ourselves so we had a very quiet Chinese man sharing with us, I was happy that it was for only one night. Tracy and David had to share with a young girl and a cadaverous Chinese man we nicked name "Uncle Ho".

After a restless night we arrived in Xian and found our tour guide "Steve" easily enough waiting for us at the exit.

We headed to the Mecure Hotel to freshen up and breakfast before we started our sightseeing.

Our first stop was a tour of the Xian City Wall. This wall is the most complete city wall that has survived in China to date.

It would of been nice to ride bikes around the city wall if the weather had been hotter and time permitted. Unfortunately this was not to be.

We then travelled out of the city and stopped off for lunch at a local restaurant were we had a range of dishes which were all very nice.

After lunch we ventured to explored the Terracotta Warrior Site.

On arrival we had to go through the main gate then travel by electric buggy to the site where we got to see the many different buildings and finally see the Terracotta Warriors. The main building was impressive and seeing all the soldiers was breath taking. It’s hard to imagine a farmer had discovered this site many years ago by just digging up the area for farming.

The complex was bigger than what I expected and it was really great to have our tour guild Steve telling us about the site. After spending a number of hours exploring and viewing the Terracotta Warriors we drove back to the hotel and ventured out for dinner which wasn't that yummy.

The next day, 24th April was Paige's birthday and at breakfast we had cake and sang happy birthday, Steve had surprised Paige with a cake.

After breakfast it was another day filled with history. Our first stop was at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, then onto the Small Wild goose Pagoda which is a temple said to have been built to house and protect Buddhist Scriptures collected in India by a Chinese monk.

For lunch we visited a local restaurant where we ate some yummy dumplings. It was amazing how many shapes the dumplings were made into.

After lunch we headed to visit the Great Mosque and walk through the Muslim Market. This two locations were sadly very uninspiring.

The rest of the afternoon we spent at the lesser known Terracotta Army of Hanyangling which is nicked named "Nude Figures of Warriors". These are located in the village of Zhanijianan. The Nude warriors were much smaller than the Terracotta Warriors and they were originally clothed which now has rotted away hence the name.

After exploring the inside of centre we headed back to the car and onto the airport for our flight back to Beijing.

We stayed overnight in Beijing and explored the unusual night food market. The market was lined with…… all I can say was bugs and creepy crawlies and I couldn’t understand why anyone would eat the “food” items. We did try some fruit kebabs which were very nice.

The trip was well worth doing especially sharing the experience with friends. I am so happy that we finally got to see the terracotta Warriors.

Beijing West Railway Station

Road way near railway station

Man making noodles for soups

Bernadette and Paige enjoying some noodle soup

Food snacks for sale

Waiting area at train station

Room on train

Paige on her train bed

Tracy and Bernadette on the train

Ben about to sample some of the local drink

Whats in a name for a product

Train arrival at the station

Xian

Paige and Ben walking to the car in Xian

Paige at the Xian City Wall

Part of the Xian City Wall

Along the Xian City Wall

David, Tracy, Bernadette, Paige and Ben on the Xian City Wall

Part of one of the buildings at the Xian City Wall

Lunch stop

Our lunch

Travelling to the building housing the Terracotta Warriors

The out side of the building of the Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors

Ben, Bernadette, Paige, David and Tracy

 

 

Paige's birthday cake

Steve the tour guide and Paige

Bernadette Ben and Paige in hotel

Tracy and Paige

Paige and Bernadette striking large bell

Lady painting inside of glass balls

One of the dumplings

One of the dumplings

In the market

Inside the display

Still to be unearthed

Nude Warriors

Display

Paige eating a fruit kebab

Food stalls in the night market

Different bugs for eating

A local having his snack

Circus Mongolia Khadgaa

Paige and I were lucky enough to visit the performers from the Circus Mongolia Khadgaa back stage while they were about to perform at a show here in UB. Our friend Undra who we have know since last time we where in Mongolia arranged for us to visit. Undra's husband is in the circus group so it was such a thrill to meet all the people from the circus.

The Circus Mongolia was founded and initially named "Clown Studio" by the initiative of Khadgaa in 1997. Since 1980, Khadgaa has started to learn circus arts and has taught in the State Circus Mongolia. Khadgga established the Circus Mongolia by gathering the talented circus artists so he could promote the Mongolian circus arts through out the world. The shows incorporates the customs of Mongolia with a combination of national music, national costumes, dancing and acting all rolled into the one performances.

I have seen many shows around the world and this performance was just mind blowing, these circus performers are amazing in what to do. It was something I will never forget made even more special in meeting these people back stage.

Undra and Paige

A little girl we met and Paige

The men warming up

Bernadette and Paige with the performers

Paige with one of the performers

Who said men dont wear makeup

Snow Skiing Lession

Last week we decided to visit the ski fields not far from UB. After tobogganing for a while we decided that we would have a ski lesson. Having learnt many years ago I decided to tag a long with Ben and Paige for a refresher.

Paige did really well only falling a couple of times and the same with Ben being their first lesson. By the end of the day they where skiing one of the runs. My biggest problem I found was getting off the ski lift. We all had a fun day out and enjoyed the hot chocolates at the end. I think we will come back again.

Paige ready for her lesson

To get from the bottom to the top of learners section

Paige having her lesson

Ben trying to keep warm

Ben, Paige & Bernadette

Trip to Prague, Czech Republic

Over the Christmas period we took a trip to Prague. We were hoping for a white Christmas but it wasnt meant to be. 

Our time in Prague was wonderful exploring a new city we hadn't been to before, eating some different food and taking in all the history on offer.

We arrived in Prague on the 21st of December with a trouble free couple of flights from UB and Moscow. 

We decided to stay in the old part of Prague which was in the main square. The hotel was called the Grand Hotel Praha which was right across from the clock tower. The staff were very nice and the hotel its self was a collection of building joined together which meant climbing a number of stairs to get to our room.

We arrived in early afternoon so that evening we explored the square where the Christmas markets where being held, between the hords of tourists and the locals the atmosphere was quite festive. Many foods where for sale and I must say very yummy. There was a very large Christmas tree and at night was lit up and very pretty looking. 

The time difference of six hours between Prague and UB sure played a big part on our trip, we seemed to be in bed quite early and the fact that in Prague it got dark around 5pm didnt help.

Our hotel room

Our bathroom

Horse and carriage

Day two after a wonderful breakfast we made an early start and we explored the city. Firstly we walked over the Charles bridge which at 8.30am was quite empty. There were many monuments on the bridge and the first one dates back to 1657. The view on either side was what you would find on post cards.

We then visited the Prague Castle where we joined the line to pay respects to the recently departed ex president who was the first post communism president. We found many things closed due to the death of this president so our day was spend wondering taking in the views and exploring the streets.
The weather was quite mild nothing compared to Mongolia so it was a nice change.

A picture post card moment

Ben and Paige on Charles Bridge

Prague Castle

People light candles for the ex presidents passing

Day three was spent walking around the town again and doing a spot of shopping. Seeing it was my birthday after shopping we stopped off for coffee and cake to mark my 41 years. Instead of having on big birthday cake I chose three slices of different pieces of cake and got to sample all three first. I must say every bite was very yummy.

Crowds gather on the hour to view the clock tower

A bride and groom near outside the clock tower

One thing on Paige's list was to ride in a horse and carraige so after many hours of nagging from Paige we went for a ride. It was nice sit back and enjoy the ride viewing a number of buildings we hadnt seen before. 

Paige enjoying the carriage ride

Ben and Bernadette on carriage ride

Town square at night in old part of town

Ham cooking over hot cols

Traditional donuts

Day four was Christmas Day were we started off the morning opening presents and having a long breakfast at the hotel. Due to the past couple of days most tourist places where closed so Christmas Day we were able to book a tour out of the city centre and into the country side of Prague to a place called Kutna Hora.

Our tour consisted of visiting The Sedlec Ossuary (Church of Bones) which was built in the 1400's, Church of St Barbara - Gothic church which is an Unesco world heritage site.  St Barbara is the patron saint of miners (amoung others) and which was highly appropriate for a town whose wealth was based entirely upon its silver mines. The Italian Court where they used to make all the money from silver and walking part of Kutna Hora township.

The Sedlec Ossuary

Inside the Sedlec Ossuary

Inside the SedlecOssuary

Church of St Barbara

Picture of St Barbara

Day five was our last day in Prague so we spent it wondering around and found there was an increase in the tourist numbers. We visited the Powder tower which had a display of amour the views of the city was worth climbing the stairs.

Inside of the Powder Tower

First level of the Powder Tower

Paige and Bernadette climbing down the stairs in the Powder Tower

Prague was a lovely city which had a lot of history to take in. We enjoyed our visit and the season of Christmas sure did make the city centre look pretty with all the decorations. Ben did like the beer which was very cheap to buy. I think the food I would rate as hardy and the people friendly. 

An enjoyable time had by all.

New and old trams on the street of Prague

Paige In The School Production

As a part of Paige's afternoon activities she decided that she wanted to take part in the school production of Alice in Wonderland. For weeks before hand she would attend practise after school and at home as she learnt all the songs, not to mention me as well while Paige sang along.

Paige's part was to play one of the flowers in the garden and with her two whole minutes on stage I think she played her part very well.

The production was very well done and to have a large amount of children on stage must have taken some very good creative skills on the part of the teachers.

I think next year Paige would like to do the school production it will all depend what the production will be.



Paige is in the back ground with the yellow flowers on her head

 Paige on stage near the microphone

Paige with a couple of her friends from the production

The Zaisan Memorial

Looking up at the Zaisan Memorial

  Ben and Paige on the stairs

We decided to visit the Zaisan Memorial which isn't very far from where we live. When we where here last time the area of Zaisan didn't have many building around but now the are has become very built up.

The Zaisan Memorial (Mongolian: Зайсан) is a memorial south of the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar that honours Soviet soldiers killed in World War II. Located on a hill south of the city, the memorial features a circular memorial painting that depicts scenes of friendship between the peoples of the USSR and Mongolia. The mural depicts scenes such as Soviet support for Mongolia's independence declaration in 1921, the defeat of the Japanese Kwantung Army by the Soviets at Khalhkin Gol on the Mongolian border in 1939, victory over Nazi Germany and peacetime achievements such as Soviet space flights.

When you walk up the large number of stairs you are rewarded with a panoramic view of the entire city of Ulaanbaatar in the valley below, as well as the Tuul River flowing past the city.

In 2003, a tank memorial, which previously had been located on a crossroads between Zaisan and the city centre, was moved to the foot of the hill. It features a Soviet tank from a brigade paid for by the Mongolian people. The tank memorial includes a map showing the route the brigade took from Moscow in 1943 to its participation in the fall of Berlin in 1945.

Zaisan is a popular meeting point for school outings and graduation festivities and now many of the expats like to live here as many of the new apartments that have gone up are a lot bigger in size then the inner city apartments.

Many people think the air is cleaner in this area but I believe it isn't as it all depends which way the wind is blowing on any day.

View from the top

Bernadette & Paige at the top of the memorial

Paige in the middle of the memorial