They appeared like little spaceships from the future, floating along the Huangpu River, lighting the night sky. We watched in wonder and puzzlement from our table in the Crystal Symphony Dining Room. Was there a holiday we didn’t know about, or were these decked-out vessels a routine sighting on a Friday night in Shanghai? The … Read More
China
Shanghai Part I: Overnight to Xi’an & The Terra-Cotta Warriors
It’s a two-hour flight from coastal Shanghai to Xi’an, the capital of China’s Shaanxi Province. With plans to be docked in Shanghai Harbor for three days, Herb and I had enough time for an overnight trip to see Xi’an’s famous Terra-Cotta Warriors and still do some sightseeing in Shanghai. The Crystal Symphony’s excursion to Xi’an … Read More
Dalian, China: Not Quite Ready for Prime Time Touring
Our cruise on the Crystal Symphony from Hong Kong to Beijing was packed with famous and fascinating places – a trip of a lifetime, as people often say. The final stop before disembarking in Beijing, however, was a bit of a mystery. Dalian, China – a financial center and seaport in northeastern Liaoning Province and … Read More
Taking A Break: Tea & Coffee Shops Around the World
“Would you like an adventure now, or would you like to have your tea first?” ~J.M. Barrie, The Adventures of Peter Pan Finding a special café for taking a break between sightseeing outings is a great way to discover some local flavor while getting ready for the next stop. Sometimes it’s a place that I simply … Read More