Chamber Of Ten Thousand Flowers

Bring ‘em on

克莱夫 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:10:00 +0000

Actually I’m not sure if China is preparing for a sports event, i.e. running around in circles, jumping over obstacles, throwing things, generally fooling around and having a good time, or about to go to war. Reading websites such as the China Daily [CD] and the Shanghai Daily [SD] you might be excused for believing the latter and that China is under threat of imminent attack.

“Missile launchers have been assigned to the Bird’s Nest National Stadium. Any perceived threats to Games venues from the air will be shot down.” in this bulletin.

“The Navy will ensure security at sea as the coastal city of Qingdao hosts sailing events.
Special task forces have also been trained to deal with nuclear or biochemical attacks.”

Nothing is being left to chance; land sea, air, nuclear, biological or chemical attacks have all been planned for and will be dealt with summarily. There is obviously a very powerful enemy afoot.

Sniffer dog patrols are out on duty as far way as Anhui province. Road security is stepped up, as shown in this bulletin, and in the Shanghai Daily report referenced above -

“From the beginning of next week every vehicle coming to Beijing will undergo a security check.

Hundreds of check points will be set up at the road entrances to Beijing, ring roads and downtown to ensure a safe Olympic Games.

Each vehicle entering the capital during the Games will be checked electronically and by sniffer dogs.

Bus passengers traveling to Beijing will have their ID cards and belongings checked from July 20.

If just one passenger fails to show a valid ID card, the bus and all its passengers will be refused entry to the city.”

The government has taken its fight against terror overseas and set up a cooperating body, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation [SCO] with neighbouring countries – Russia, Kazahkstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The first thing to notice about them is that they are all pretty dodgy regimes and all have little or no regard for basic human rights; not exactly the sort of freedom-loving partners most western governments would want to line up with.

If all this were just for show then why fuss over it, but the PRC government seems to be taking its own propaganda very seriously indeed – one might almost be lead to think it actually believes it – and these measures could cause a lot of hassle for any visitors to Beijing. Just take the last statement in the SD report regarding the possibility of a passengers being refused entry because one ID card/passport doesn’t look quite right. A whole busload of people brassed off in one fell swoop. That’s efficiency for you. There is more than ample scope for rubbing people up the wrong way and knowing the government’s enthusiasm and skill in these areas it is more than likely there will be a few toes trodden on in the coming weeks. But the most exciting little gem is the promise of a reward for anyone who provides information “about a planned terrorist attack, possible sabotage by an illegal organization, such as the Falun Gong, murder of Olympic-related personnel or foreigners, or some other major crimes“ [notice how the scope widens with each phrase] see CD again. The bulletin says “The tip-off must include accurate and detailed information“, but offering money on this scale [a minimum of 10,000 yuan and a maximum of 500,000 yuan] may be just a little too tempting. Here is an ideal opportunity to settle old scores with anyone you dislike and line your pocket at the same time. Let’s see how many ‘denouncements’ are made this summer and how many victims of this scheme end up behind bars as terrorists.

This question has been asked before but it needs to asked again, and again, and again until we have a real answer, otherwise how can we take China’s War on Terror seriously. What evidence, beyond the political rhetoric, is available to show that “’the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism” [Mr Chen's words] really do exist in China? None, so far. Maybe one day the government will surprise us by showing police records, photographs and paraphernalia relating to these incidents, but until then we must reserve judgment. Just one more little question; according to the governments own reports, most of these alleged gangs are armed, principally, with knives, so are anti-aircraft missiles, naval deployments and one of the biggest land army mobilisations that has been seen for years [there are as many personnel tied up with this operation as the USA deployed in Iraq] really justified?

Welcome to Beijing 2008.

a2b - Crotos, to Zhangye

克莱夫 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:14:35 +0000

Another posting from Crotos in one week! Written by Vasilios Mesitides and posted on 2008.7.10.

The narrative begins at Tung Huang [Dunhuang] with their visit to the Mogao caves, murals and carvings. [days 126-7] There is small problem with a cycle lock - key is missing – so it must be cut open, which apparently only takes a few seconds. How secure was that lock?

On the highway they come across a few examples of Chinglish roadsigns – the effort to tidy up translated signs, menus, etc during the last few years only covered Beijing and the other Olympic venues – which give some amusement “Do Not Drive Tiredly”, sensible enough advice even if not perfectly expressed, and “Do Drunken Driving”, perhaps meaning “No Drunken Driving”.

At Jiayuguan they meet a group of French cyclists, mentioned in the last Crotos posting; all 102 of them! What we didn’t learn last time is that they are accompanied by several large trucks carrying showers, cooking facilities, satellite TV and other odds and ends. The group all ride together in pelotons, wearing the same jersey and they have been doing this since Paris. Does this uniformity sound slightly Chinese?

After Jiayuguan Danae’s sickness returns and she spends a day in the van while Maciej, the Polish co-driver rides for the day [so they haven't lost their minivan]. Gradually the desert scenery is replaced by a greener landscape in the form of the afforestation plantations in Gansu.

“Even though not fully recuperated Danae ventures ahead on her bike again! Two nice campsites by water canals –this time without any flooding – gradually mark the end of the sand and the increase of fertile areas. Gansu province has made a significant effort to get rid of the desert by planting millions of trees and creating a highly sophisticated irrigation system. (days 132-133) “

Finally they end up in Zhangye, a small [by Chinese standards] city ‘in the middle of nowhere’ where they are struck by its modernity, neatness and cleanliness - and by the messages on hoardings, TV and everywhere else.

“Their television channels insist on portraying consumer and western influenced role models. It is strange to see so many ads for diets and slim-down products in a country where people have traditionally had healthy attitudes and diets. Perhaps we are experiencing a new trend due to globalization. At the same time communist ideas are present throughout: lots of propaganda that touches the common man through music, theater and the media: images of the recent earthquake disaster in Sichuan are constantly projected along with melodies sung by choirs and members of the public emphasizing the central role – the courage and self-sacrifice - that police and the military have had during the rescue efforts (day 134).”

Probably more of the propaganda to come in future weeks. Much more.

Links to other related posts are listed on the Crotos - BaltiCCycle page.

a2b - Accor Beijing, from Lh@sa onwards

克莱夫 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:54:18 +0000

There are no more entries on the blog but there are six postings on the Express Bank, shown below, most recent first.

明早到西宁（6月 9日）

发布时间: 2008-07-09 22:30 发布者: 雅京行点击 15 评论 0

正坐车往西宁，昨天到的格尔木，大概明天早上到，准备从西宁开始认真骑了，现在在车上，明天找网吧选些照片发上来——阳健颖…

萨迦古镇（6月 9日）

发布时间: 2008-07-09 21:41 发布者: 雅京行点击 12 评论 0

今天已到萨迦古镇，到拉萨后可能坐火车赶上戴维汇合——刘佳…

今天到沱沱河（7月 6日）

发布时间: 2008-07-07 20:54 发布者: 雅京行点击 23 评论 0

今天到沱沱河，骑了93公里，感觉身体不行了。。。都骑的很累，明天准备骑150公里…

明早到唐古拉山口

发布时间: 2008-07-04 21:17 发布者: 雅京行点击 28 评论 0

“我们明天早上到唐古拉山口，骑到雁石坪，准备骑到格尔木再搭车到西宁继续骑”——阳健颖…

我到吉隆（7月 3日）

发布时间: 2008-07-04 21:15 发布者: 雅京行点击 31 评论 0

“我在吉隆明天或者后天到老定日，岗嘎”——刘佳…

今日到达拉萨（7月 1日）

发布时间: 2008-07-04 21:15 发布者: 雅京行点击 24 评论 0

今日到达拉萨，准备在拉萨待两天。刘佳在后面几百公里处。老莫已经到达尼泊尔，他打算多玩几天。…

. . and Babel Fish translations of them.

Tomorrow morning to Xining (on June 9)

Issues the time: 2008-07-09 22:30 Promulgator: Elegant Beijing line Clicks 7 comments 0

Is going by car toward Xining, Golmud which yesterday arrived, will prepare from Xining to start in the morning probably tomorrow to ride earnestly, now on the vehicle, will look for the Internet bar to choose a picture tomorrow to send - - positive healthy Ying…

Sa’gya old town (on June 9)

Issues the time: 2008-07-09 21:41 Promulgator: Elegant Beijing line Clicks 7 comments 0

Today already to the Sa’gya old town, after Lhasa possibly rides the train to catch up with David to converge - - Liu Jia…

Today to Tuotuohe (on July 6)

Issues the time: 2008-07-07 20:54 Promulgator: Elegant Beijing line Clicks 22 comments 0

Today arrives at Tuotuohe, has ridden 93 kilometers, felt that the body is not good. . . Rides is very tired, tomorrow will prepare to ride 150 kilometers…

Tomorrow morning to the Tanggula shankou

Issues the time: 2008-07-04 21:17 Promulgator: Elegant Beijing line Clicks 26 comments 0

“we to the Tanggula shankou, will ride the yenshihp’ing in the morning tomorrow, the preparation ride to Golmud travel by vehicle again to Xining continue to ride” - - positive healthy Ying…

I to Kirong (on July 3)

Issues the time: 2008-07-04 21:15 Promulgator: Elegant Beijing line Clicks 29 comments 0

“I tomorrow or day after tomorrow to will always decide in Kirong the date, the hillock loud snapping sound” - - Liu Jia…

Today arrives at Lhasa (on July 1)

Issues the time: 2008-07-04 21:15 Promulgator: Elegant Beijing line Clicks 24 comments 0

Today arrives at Lh@sa, prepares to treat for two days in Lh@sa. Liu Jia in the following several hundred kilometers place. Old not already arrived at Nepal, he planned that plays for several days.

The gist of it is that Liu Jia, who separated from the group in India to visit Mumbai, is still a few hundred kilometres behind everyone else, somewhere approaching Lhasa, but is planning to catch a train in Lh@sa and rendezvous with the others further on.

For some peculiar reason Liu Jia is referred to as ‘Old’ and he refers to Chen Ke as ‘David’.

The remainder of the group rested in Lhasa for two days and are now in Xining, not far from the eastern Qinghai-Gansu border, a distance of 1200 kilometres. This would be a creditable ride, over many mountain passes and in one week, but at least half of it has been covered by motor vehicle, which takes some of the shine off it. A look at this page gives the distances between towns and cities on this route - but four or five hundred kilometres of mountainous riding is a reasonable achievement.

Links to other related posts can be found on the Accor Beijing page.

a2b - Crotos, across the Taklamakan and beyond.

克莱夫 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:58:37 +0000

We have two blog postings this week, one from Carlotta and the other from Vasilios and Danae. One thing to note is that the group appears to have divided into small sub-groups and even a few sub-sub-groups. This is just speculation but possibly they have given up their support vehicle as they couldn’t bring the original one across the border into China and were compelled to hire another and a Chinese driver [all extra expense].

Date of posting: 2008.7.9 11:38 - Carlotta tells of her experience of travelling through Turpan and the effect of the heat; as they go downwards into the Turpan Basin the temperature goes up even more, into the mid-40s and beyond; apparently two people, Bob and Scott [?], left her group because of the ill-effects. Then onward through oasis villages until they reach the mountains when the scenery changes – although the sandstorms do not. One interesting nocturnal episode occurred while camping near some livestock, a tractor appeared during the night and some of the sheep were taken away, probably stolen. Cattle and sheep rustling lives on! Eventually she reaches Anxi for a one day stop and takes a bus to Tun Huang to visit the ancient caves of Mogao and see some paintings and carvings. At Jiaquan they stay in a 5-star hotel and the group shares one room for 16 euros each; sounds expensive. Here they meet a young man from Germany you has studied photography in Beijing for the last 2 years but is now walking home to Germany – I wonder how long he intends to take over that. At this point they are behind the rest of the group and so at a roadside cafe near Zhangye they hitch a lift with a truck driver and cover the next 70 kilometres in just over one hour. Here they stay for another two days, resting eating and taking in the local music. At Shandan, the next stop, they meet a group of French cyclists travelling to Beijing. The French group have a Chinese guide with them who is able to assist in finding a suitable hotel for them and then somewhere for sampling the local dishes. At Wuwei during the evening meal they are approached by a number of local people who invite them to eat [and drink] more. Everything ends at about midnight with everyone happily inebriated. Late rise the next morning and others from the group arrive in the afternoon. On to Anyuan, at about 2,2200 metres altitude, where they stay the night with a local family whose daughter speaks some English. The following day they are invited to go to the local school to meet the pupils and teachers – how many more times will this happen?

Another two days riding gets them to Lanzhou, Gansu.

Date of posting: 8.7.2008 - Vasilios and Danae – after Kuqa life on the road returns to normal and the couple consider catching a train to Xi’an and making up the miles in a more pleasant part of China

“The following days are not any different than the previous ones. Constant headwind while riding on the outskirts of Taklamakan desert with occasional oasis towns that serve as truck stops – restaurants, mechanics, sparse hotels. The endless monotonous road and the high temperatures have affected most of us… We have been thinking about changing our route by taking a train to Xian and cycling the same distance in a greener part of China thus leaving the group behind “

However, they decide to press on and cover the gap of nothingness between themselves and Hami as fast as possible. The problems, include constant headwind, sandstorms and poor food. Even the fruit is not up to standard.

“Even the local fruit doesn’t seem to taste as good as the ones we have been used to in Greece. While eating a melon Vasilios comments to a fellow cyclist : “that’s the worst you can get in Greece. If you buy a watermelon such as this one from a merchant you can rightfully smash it on his head. You should definitely visit Greece.” One has to wonder whether the taste of fruit is as bland as we think or perhaps this is how we feel in general due to the monotony in our surroundings.”

Somewhere beyond Hami the treeline and shade appear and they meet up with Janice and Doug [from the USA] and share “one of the crappiest guesthouses, in a room full of cigarette butts and foul smell that almost keeps you awake at night (day 123).”

And then to Anxi.

Links to other related posts are listed on the Crotos - BaltiCCycle page.

May you live in interesting times

克莱夫 — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:39:43 +0000

The PRC government is making an effort to systematically clear out foreigners residing and working in China, particularly those in Beijing. That the clear-out is widespread is not disputed and no one with a non-Chinese skin is safe no matter how long they have lived in China and no matter what they are there for. For any government to expel illegal immigrants is not unreasonable; there are expatriates living in China with no visa, expired visas or inappropriate visas, so they should not be too surprised when the PSB comes knocking on their door, but this goes much further. The rules regarding the issue of visas have been changed drastically and extensions to existing visas and residency permits are becoming very hard to obtain. Read through almost any blog written by an expatriate in China and you’ll soon get a feel of the problem. What is not so easy to ascertain is why this is happening.

The process started, in a low key way, some time last year when the PRC government began rounding up and deporting evangelists and missionaries [foreign evangelists are illegal in China], as reported on several websites, click here for one of them. Then early this year foreign students in Beijing were told they would have to vacate their quarters during the summer months. At the time a few people thought this a little odd, while others, myself included, felt there was probably a rational explanation somewhere and this was nothing to fuss about. During the Spring the process was extended to illegal migrant workers from neighbouring countries such as North Korea. Several of these ended up in the UK as asylum seekers as they dared not return to face Kim Jong-Il’s regime; several passed through the reception centre not far from where I live. Since then the net has spread and no one seems to be beyond its reach.

As work ['Z'] and business ['F''] visas have expired renewal has been denied or the application process made so long and tortuous people have given up and gone away. When ‘Z’ visas have been issued they have been limited to single entry only. Travel visas ['L'], which once were available in a variety of formats have been reduced to one type only, 30 days, single entry. The days of multiple entry visas are over for now. One very odd rule of thumb has emerged, no one born after 1984 has been granted renewal of a ‘Z’ visa. So if you are a tourist and just wish to make one visit of 2 or 3 weeks this summer, no problem, but if you require anything else be prepared for a long wait and possible disappointment.

If it were just the ne’er-do-wells, who occasionally land up in China, who were affected I would have no qualms and might even applaud the government but this simply isn’t the case. This report on the Cup Of Cha weblog gives a general outline of the picture and this, this and this report from Simpson’s Paradox details the departure of, first, two of the blogger’s friends and not long after, her boyfriend’s sudden departure which will be followed soon by her own. Another well-known blogger has had to return to his home country to go through the visa application process, to the amusement of one or two of the commenters, as detailed in this report on The Opposite End Of China blog. A 71 year old man who who has been running his own company in China for several years has had to leave at short notice, as reported on the Wall Street Journal. And this report on the TIME magazine website outlines the problem and details a few more cases. Root around on the web long enough and you will accumulate a list as long as your arm of expulsion stories.

Another clearing out process has been taking place which doesn’t involve foreigners but could be equally relevant to this question. Dissenters and other trouble makers have been locked up, petty dissenters, petitioners and other undesirables who were a regular feature of the Beijing streets have been moved as far away from tourist areas as possible. This has all been part of the campaign to tidy up the streets and make them more agreeable for western eyes. Walk along any city centre street in Beijing and how many beggars do you see? See Ben’s Blog.

One of the effects, which I find hard to believe was intended, has been a downturn in international tourist traffic. Bookings this year are lower than for the same period last year and even for the month of August itself the figures are not good – see this report on the Economist website.

As to why this has happened we can only theorise. The official reason is ’security’. Whether this makes any sense or not doesn’t seem to matter as the Chinese authorities are determined to put on a show of strength, as shown on this China Daily report. Some of the measures shown are ideal for TV/Photo-ops but not a lot use for dealing with real terrorism or civil disturbances. In previous months the PLA and police have been hard at work undertaking training exercises and now it all comes to fruition in the form of a massive mobilisation and a string of spectacular displays of Chinese strength and prowess. Click on to any Chinese media website [e.g. Xinhua, QQ news] and you will see propaganda photos showing the PSB, PLA, PLAN and almost anyone else who wears a government uniform, going through their paces valiantly defending the motherland and fighting off the evils of the outside world. The PRC government claims to be fighting insurgents in the far west province of Xinjiang in the form of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement [ETIM] which in turn is claimed to be linked to Al’Qaeda. While resentment against the governing Han people does exist amongst the Uygur people of Xinjiang no-one seems to know if ETIM itself genuinely exists. Early this year Xinhua reported a raid on an ETIM gang in Urumqi – click here – and during the spring an airline hi-jacking/sabotage incident was reported – click here. A search on the internet will produce alternative reports of the same incidents but in not one of them is there one item evidence, photographic or otherwise, cited or referred to to prove that these incidents occurred. Even the Xinhua reports themselves, usually published some time after each incident, are devoid of any reference to evidence that the incidents took place. One incident was purported to have taken place in a residential neighbourhood and was said to have resulted in several deaths, but none of the neighbours knew anything of it. All of which calls into question just how real terrorism in China is. Even if it were real, in what way does expelling foreign residents make the Olympic games any more safe? Or is it, as some suggest, just an excuse for a continuing crackdown on anyone the authorities don’t like?

But back to the expulsions. If security is not the real reason for this, what is? Millions of tourists are expected to arrive in Beijing during the Games and along with them will be thousands of news reporters. The authorities want them all to see China at its best and to this end they have been beevering away for several years preparing the infrastructure, the amenities, environment and the people. Over all these elements the government has some degree of control and the authorities have good reason to feel reasonably confident about the preparations, e.g. the people have been put through many re-education programmes, such as how to queue in a civilised manner, how to not spit, how to clap harmoniously, etc, but the one thing the government cannot control is the foreign population [said by some to be around quarter of a million in Beijing]. To speak to a native Beijinger [北京公民] a reporter will probably need an interpreter, and the native Beijinger will probably already know what he must [and not] say to foreign reporters. To speak to a foreign resident would not be quite so irksome - and finding foreigners is remarkably easy, just stand in the high street of any large city and see how easy it is to spot the laowai amongst the surrounding sea of jet black hair and tanned faces - and if the questions were to become too probing who knows what might be said and then reported? Could there be a risk here? So, to present the world with a picture of an unflawed harmonious society the way ahead is to make sure that the only people available on the streets are re-educated natives and first time tourists, that way there will be no embarrassing stories to deal with.

北京欢迎您

Beijing welcomes you.

a2b - Accor Beijing, a partial recap plus the latest news

克莱夫 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:59:15 +0000

Quite a substantial change has occurred on the Accor Beijing website. A number of postings have appeared on the Forum which were not visible before; posting dates span from mid-June to the present– there has been a persistent page not available message for some time – and the weblog has come back to life with entries covering dates from April up to the middle of June, but the dates of posting are in June. Some of these may have been entered by Yang Jie, the rider who returned to China some time back, but others have been made by the team members which suggests they have reached a large city in which the internet is available and in which they are able to find their way around.

On the Forum are four entries from someone who uses the Yahoo name amomo66 – I suspect this is Mo Hanyi as the journey described is solo and begins in Pakistan. For most of his time in Pakistan he was escorted by the police and, judging by the narrative and one of the photos, that he took a lift in the back of at least one of the vehicles – see here. Another entry describes his experiences at the Pakistan Indian border, where he is ordered back to Lahore. He eventually crosses by train. Two points which remain unexplained are why he separated from the rest of the group and how did he find his way from Pakistan to India ahead of everyone else.

One forum entry, post dated 2008.6.16, covers Yang Jie’s departure from the tour. This gives details of his return journey from Erzincan to Istanbul [Turkey] but doesn’t say why he had to leave – click here for the entry and apply Google-analytics for a translation.

“Because of personal reasons I have already forced the end of April from Turkey in the eastern city of Istanbul Erzizan return home. “ - is the opening line [Google translated].

The journey through Iran, as reported on the Express Bank entries, was a mixture of cycling and bus rides but the weblog makes no mention of travelling by bus. The same applies to Pakistan which was mixture of cycling, bus and train journeys and the same in India. Here is an entry, posted on the 2008.6.15, covering part of the journey from part of Turkey to Tehran, Iraq, back in April. Unfortunately it is just a list of dates with occasional place-names and gives little indication as to how the tour is progressing.

One piece of insight is given in a weblog entry for ‘India ZTS’, posted 2008.6.15 and describes the group’s encounters with the Pakistan – India border. They must go back to Lahore to catch a bus but on returning to Lahore they find they do not have enough money between them to get tickets for themselves, bicycles and luggage. This is the Google translation of the passage.

“老板支我去找小老板。小老板很小气，我跟他磨了半天，他见我赖着不走的样子，就打了个电话。电话那头很爽快的全免了我们的行李费用。后来又见到大老板。原来大老板事先误会我们是日本人。当搞清楚状况后，当即免了 1200 卢比的行李费用。中国和巴基斯坦的友谊又见一斑。”

“To return to Lahore, ride the bus and found that all our money together, not enough and the cost of a bike, so I go to the boss representations. I look for small employers with the boss. Owner of a small-small, I wear a long time with him, he Laizhuobuzou I see the look on Dale Ge telephone. Tel character of the very readily free our baggage costs. Later to see big bosses. The original owner prior misunderstanding we are Japanese. When the clear position, immediately free the 1,200 rupees baggage costs. The friendship between China and Pakistan see also evident.” [now translate the translation ]

Unfortunately the translation does not explain how they made up for the shortage of money.

Two entries on the weblog, posted 2008.6.15, are written by Li Xiaoya and describe the journey of herself and Yang Jianying from Delhi, India, to the India-Nepal border. One little gem which comes to light at the border is a mysterious transit fee -100 rupees each – which they must pay to cross. They plead that they have no money and on declaring they are students are allowed through free. Click here then translate with Google-analytics. Is this an official charge, or someone making something extra on the side?

And finally back to the latest Express Bank entries -

Date of posting 2008.6.30

“昨天到的日喀则，今天在这修整了一天，明天出发，准备到江孜，江孜是电影红河谷的拍摄地”——阳健颖

On the 28^th I went to Xigaze [Shigatse]and I expect to go to Gyangze Hong Hegu [Rikaze] on the 30th. - Yang Jianying

Date of posting 2008.6.30

“今天没到江孜，到白郎了，自从到高原上来了后每天大家都只能骑个50，60公里了，都骑不动了。”——阳健颖

The Google translation for this entry is indecipherable to me but the gist of the message is that he did not go to Gyangze, as planned.

Date of posting 2008.6.30

今日雅京行到达浪卡子，预计7月1日可抵达到拉萨。由于长途跋涉高原，道路极其恶劣，海拔起伏较大，再次部分路段搭车。

The Google translation for this entry is almost equally confusing. There is a mention of someone arriving in Beijing, there is a comment on how bad the roads are, a mention of bus usage but the most important part of the message is that they expect to be in Lh@sa on the 1^st July.

Now that they are near ground they feel more comfortable with, possibly we shall hear of some actual cycling in the coming weeks.

Links to other related posts can be found on the Accor Beijing page.

Lent’s new gallery

克莱夫 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:45:29 +0000

Click here to go straight to Joachim Lent’s new geotagged photogallery, with an array of pics which will take you all the way from Olympia to Kashgar.

Here’s some really important health information - especially good at this time of the year!

克莱夫 — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:10:39 +0000

Q: I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it…don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruit and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism for delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Sheep are a good source of field grass (leafy green vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily intake of vegetable products.

Q: Is beer or wine bad for me?

A: Look, it goes back to the earlier point about fruits and vegetables. As we all know, scientists divide everything in the world into three categories: animal, mineral, and vegetable. We all know that beer and wine are not animal or mineral, so that only leaves one thing, right? My advice: Have a burger and a beer and enjoy your vegetables.

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body, and you have body fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: ‘No Pain…Great’.

Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?

A: You’re not listening. These days foods are fried in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: What’s the secret to healthy eating?

A: Thicker gravy.

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO …… Cocoa beans .. another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. Now go and have a biscuit……..flour comes from wheat, which is a veggie!

Finally; if swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Oh, and one more thing… “When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt.”

Global warming, the evidence.

克莱夫 — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:41:33 +0000

Here is the ultimate, irrefutable proof of global warming.

a2b - Accor Beijing, into the Himalayas

克莱夫 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:07:56 +0000

Just two postings on the Express Bank of the Accor Beijing website; I guess this is because internet access is not available and signals from portable devices will be weak or non-existent. The first post announces the group’s entry into Tib@t and the second one gives an indication of their progress.

Date of posting 2008-06-19 17:37

今天已进入中国樟木口岸。

On the 18^th they reached Zhangmu, the first town inside the Tib@t border.

Date of posting 2008.6.26 22:25

我们到定日了，这几天信号不好，在樟木因为圣火到拉萨，关卡不让过，待了两天，大概八九天后到拉萨。”——阳建颖

Posting on the 26^th is by Yang Jianying and announces that he/they[?] have arrived at Tingri/Dingri/Dhingri/定日 – choose your own spelling – and that he expects to take another 9 days to reach Lh@sa. Yang Jiangying and Li Xiaoya separated from the main group in Iran to fly to Delhi - but there is no indication if he is speaking of himself, the two of them or the re-united group. However, this means he has taken 1 week to travel from the border to Tingri and, if his forecast is correct, then he will have just over one month to complete the ride across China.

Links to other related posts can be found on the Accor Beijing page