mae29

Continue with the journey in Kashgar: The Crown Inn Hotel in a small town called Tashkorgan surrounded by snow-crowned mountains, with full wireless internet available!! The toilet facilities... It is a 2-storey hotel operates by Singaporean Surroundings....snow-capped mountains

Dear Brothers & sisters Thank you for your compliments! I guess my age & photo are no longer a secret after my house was featured in ST's column 'My Space' in May 2011. I am 51 years old as at Feb...and still getting older as days past by... The pictures were taken with my son's Sony Cybershot, and some shots were taken from my iphone!! Urumqi has about 40% muslim, and Kashgar has over 60% muslim community. In a later post, I will upload the pictures of the beautiful local Uygar people.

The drive to border between China and Pakistan, passing by Aoyitage primitive forest. Two days prior to our arrival, it was snowing in the mountain!! By the time we arrived at the border, the snow was already melted but there is still traces of small patches of snow everywhere!! Hmmmm....the smiles on my face say it all! I squad down to collect some snow, but the tour guide didn't capture my hand with the snow ball!! The border between China & Pakistan:

After spending a night in Urumqi, we flew to next destination - Kashgar or Kashi. This city is the most memorable as I had the chance to touch the snow for the first time, and I like the cold weather. We visited a local grand bazaar, a famous mosque. The next day, we drove to Tashkorgan on Pamire Plateau along Karakoram Highway with very beautiful mountain ranges along the way. Kashgar has the World's 2nd most beautiful range of snow cap mountains!

In Urumqi, we also visited the Redhill Park where the local people gather in the evening for leisure. A local Uygar woman with her daugther...both are very pretty! Visit to the Grand Bazzaire selling lots of handicraft knives, swords, herbs, local handicrafts, accessories, etc. Our first meal in Urumqi, muslim food (with grilled mutton in the centre plate)

It was a busy day at work today after a 15 days break!! Now, managed to find some time to upload those pictures taken during my journey to the Silk Route! We flew from Singapore to Beijing, and connect flight to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. The next morning, we visited the Tianshan Heavenly Lake. Temperature in Urumqi was around 28 degreesC, cool! Blue clear sky with snow cap mountains in the backround, beautiful indeed! Boat ride along the Heavenly Lake...fantastic feeling!

Hey Brother Wow.....thank you for the nice words which brighten me up today! I will be registering a company so that by 3 years time, I can claim accredition in the field of Chinese Metaphysics! Malays & Christians do not believe in Feng Shui right?

Dear Sis Thank you for your usual concern. I guess it is quite common for travellers to get stomach upset when holidaying in China. Most of the time, we ate at hotel but 2 of us are down with food poisoning. My schedule is really packed! I came home on Wednesday early morning. On Thursday morning, I went to see the GP for stomachache. In the afternoon, I went for a medical review at Mt E Medical Centre, followed by MRI scanning at Lucky Plaza Medical Centre. Friday was spent washing & cleaning the house!! Saturday whole day was spent at the seminar. Sunday - managed to sleep longer, spent time with my youngest son & my sister who came to stay with me (she sold her flat & now waiting for her new place to be ready 3 months later). Btw, both you and bro boyblunder are making me envy of your BIG living room!! Don't forget to invite me over!!

Dear Sister I missed you too, that's why I what'sapp you while I was in Tashkorgan visiting the border town. Hope to meet you soon, at any of bro & sis home when ready.

Dear Bro Our trip, to say my unbiased least, was successful in that we covered every item as planned. I myself enjoyed it very much and it was lovely travelling with all my friends. Of course there were a few hiccups along the way but we had to expect the unexpected. Murphy’s Law says – “If anything can go wrong, it will”. In any case, they all turned out well – lost person found (friend A), lost of breath in Tashkorgan recovered (friend B), lost luggage in Xi’an found (Mine!!), missing persons located in Terra Cotta grounds (friends A & B), confiscated medication in Beijing ?????? (friend B). We had on 2 occassions lost sights of our friends while visiting the scenic spot. There were just too many people (summer holiday) and everywhere is very crowded & can easily get lost in the crowd. The most unforgettable is the lost of my hand carry luggage which was recovered!! The careless driver left my handcarry bag behind in the carpark outside the airport in Xi'an. When we reached the hotel one hour later, I found my luggage was missing! The tour guide called the local police & the police post in Xi'an airport to help find my handcarry. 20 mins later, they called back & they found my luggage!!! I was overjoyed as I can't believe any lost item can be recovered in an open place with heavy human & traffic flow!! The handcarry contains the souvenirs I bought in 3 cities: Urumqi, Kashgar & Turpan, about $400 worth of items & my makeup kit, one day clothings & my medicine.

Dear Sister I am sure you had travelled far more places than me! At this age, it was my first time to touch the snow! When I told my elder son, he asked me to get out of the house in December, he wants me to go holiday in America during winter!! Let's see!

Hallo Bro Ko I like the set of chairs & table in the balcony!! The chairs look very comfy to sit & watch the surrounding outside. Btw, what do you see from that corner looking out? hmmmm......looks like durian party is taking shape hor??

Dear Brothers & Sisters I have returned home safely but down with stomach upset for few days already. Today, I'm attending Joey Yap's Wealth & Destiny seminar at Raffles City Convention Centre. Cheers!!

Hi, sis Adi We are now back to Crown Inn Hotel for lunch!! The scenary along the way to the border between China & Pakistan is really spectacular!! You know what? It is first time I saw snow! Feel it too!! The mountainous area is 4800m above sea level, and there is layer of thin snow along the sides of road!! Very beautiful indeed!! After lunch, we will be heading back to Kashgar.

hi, sister thx for the well wishes! I'm now in Kashgar, in a small town called Tashkorgan. We stayed in Crown Inn hotel & there is wireless service for guest! This morning we are heading to the border of Pakistan & China. Weather is freezing now ...around 15 degree C. Will share pictures with all!!

Dear Sisters & brothers I am in Changi Airport departure hall, using the internet kiosk to drop a line to inform you that I will be travelling to China for the Silk Route tour starting now to July 20th. Cheers Linda aka mae29

That buyer can keep the Arch door & hopefully he has a blog!! Then we can stop 'Laughing at Ko' Arch Door'. Kekeke

Sister May Don't say like that leh? You are still so much younger than me, and single! Unlike me, guy come to me get 3 free!!

Sister Lady_R Agree agree! If want to say old, , then I must go hiding already! I think I'm the oldest member here

Ya lor, I am mae29 but .....

Sisters here Thanks, thanks! I am indeed very happy and feel very proud that my children bring glory to our family! This is especially when others have been 'looking down' on them because they came from a broken family. I remembered my second son had to take time off and skipped lessons to fetch his late father after his chemo session. It was really a tough time for this 2nd son who had to juggle his time between his study and caring for his sick father during his first year. When you become parents, you will understand how I feel right now.

I know I know!!! The ARCH doors!

My tears dropped when my second son sent me the following message; MOM YOU CAN BE PROUD OF YOUR SON! GOT TOP CLASS HONOURS!!! He had checked his results using his student online portal & was filled with joy when he obtained 'BEng with Honours in Naval Architecture with Offshore Engineering'. He told me his hands were still shaking when he sent me the message. He is starting work at a shipyard on Monday, and with 1st Class honour, he can get a higher starting pay!!

Sister here, I will ask you for the receipe!! What seasoning you used to marinate the wings? Yellow Ginger?