Merry Christmas and Thank You

With very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported this blog in 2011. Please keep clicking in in 2012.

An Intoduction to Dalian

Introduction and History

Dalian is the second largest city in North East China. As well as being an important port, it is also a major destination for Chinese tourists. Located at the Southern tip of the Liaodong peninsular, and in its own sub-peninsular, it boasts a natural coastline dotted with fine beaches. Dating from 1898, Dalian’s development stems from colonial occupation by Russia, and subsequently Japan.  China regained control in the 1950s. With less emphasis on heavy industry and a combination of parks and green hills, Dailian is considered to be a more pleasant city to visit and live in than many Chinese cities of comparable size. Dalian is divided into 4 main districts: Zhongshan (financial/commercial), Xigang (government), Shahekou (residential), and Ganjingzi (universities + airport)

Population:       6 million                                                                                Currency:    Chinese Yuan

Visa Requirements:      Multi-entry visa required if visiting more than one Chinese port           

 Likely Weather (April)    15 degrees  (High)     

Local Food: Seafood, pancakes, dumplings           

Shopping: Jade sculptures, shadow boxes, calligraphy scrolls, Peking opera masks

 Health   Currently no compulsory inoculations, consult your GP for advice

Language   Mandarin                  Distance from Port to Town: Depends on berth, but                                                                                                                    close with possible shuttle bus

Easy Transport Options Taxi/ local buses/tourist bus/tram

Link to site about tourist bus
http://www.chinatouronline.com/china-travel/dalian/dalian-transportation/dalian-bus.html

Suggested places of interest

Squares, especially Xinghai Square in Shahekou District (largest square in Asia), Russian Street, Forest Zoo (pandas),Beaches, Laodong Garden with Reach Sightseeing Tower (20 min drive from Dalian)

IMPORTANT

Expect to haggle in smaller shops and at market stalls.

When ordering seafood, you might want to avoid seaslugs and fisheads

Take great care when crossing the roads...cars will NOT stop for you. China has the greatest number of road fatalities in the WORLD 

Useful Links
http://www.itourbeijing.com/china-tour/dalian-port/

Link to printable map
http://maps.yahoo.com/print?business=&location=Dalian%2C%201160%20Liaoning&lat=38.92115575246808&lon=121.62517547607422&width=&height=399px&zoom=14&radius=1902&start=1&count=&pm=location&highways=&tolls=&mvt=m&trf=0&conf=1&unit=m&tl=38.93447656102069%2C121.56500816345215&br=38.90783244260865%2C121.65289878845215&ml=38.94381%2C121.576523&q1=Dalian%2C%201160%20Liaoning&q2=&startLat=38.94381&startLon=121.576523

An Introduction to Singapore

Introduction and History

Singapore is an island city state in Southeast Asia. There are two bridges which connect it to the mainland of Malasia. Singapore became a British trading colony in 1918 through a deal struck by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. Briefly surrendering to the Japanese in 1942, Singapore was returned to the British in 1945, and self-rule followed in 1955. Full independence from Malaya was granted in 1965. It is now the second most highly populated principality in the world (Monaco is first) and has grown into a highly prosperous country combining impressive modern skyscrapers with traditional influences.

Population:  Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian                                 Currency:     Singapore Dollar

Visa Requirements:      None for UK           

 Likely Weather (April)             30 deg C (day) 24 deg (night) Humid, occasional rain

Local Food   Chinese/Malay         Webcam Link    http://www.marina-bay.sg/webcam.html 

Health   Currently no compulsory inoculations, consult your GP for advice

Language   Mandarin/English            Distance from Port to Town: Minimal

Easy Transport Options Taxi/metro/bumboat/walking

Suggested places of interest

Riverside (Museums, theatres), Orchard Road (shopping), Chinatown, Little India

IMPORTANT

Not allowed in Singapore: Handcuffs, feeding pigeons and monkeys, Malaysian newspapers, homosexual activity, chewing gum, strong painkillers or sedatives without prior permission, non-locally sold cigarettes (local cigarettes are stamped SDPC)

Drug trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty

Useful Links  http://www.cruisedirect.com/departureport/dp_singapore.php

Link to printable map http://uk.maps.yahoo.com/print?mvt=m&ioride=uk&tp=1&stx=&fcat=&frat=&clat=1.29378&clon=103.853256&mag=4&zoom=15&trf=0&radius=1.74768&&q1=singapore&bminlat=1.2684662763665193&bminlon=103.81626297326659&bmaxlat=1.319093471054767&bmaxlon=103.89024902673338&v3=0

December 2011 to April 2012

During the next four months, I will be researching all the ports of call on our magical journey, and posting the results on this blog. I hope the information is useful. The first entry will be Singapore.
Claire