Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Huangshan Tour

8D7N Huangshan Tour from 17-24 Nov 2017 by AirLink Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd that covered Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Shanghai, Jiaxing, Tunxi, Huangshan, Yiwu, and Xingchang … Weather during this period was cold and wet: about 5ºC to 12ºC. Living in the tropical country, we were uncomfortable with this cold weather. We were lucky that on the day of ascending to Huangshan, it was a fine but cold day.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos by courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

For a complete compilation of photos and descriptions of the trip, do CLICK HERE for KM Cheng Travel Journal (in 8 postings).
Group photos at Huangshan

Winter – November is the winter season; as expected, the weather was cold. But throughout the 8 days, there were 3 days of almost whole-day light drizzles. Taking photos was a big challenge trying not to wet the camera. On the cloudy or drizzle days, the sky was dark at 5:00 p.m., and the temperature dropped further in the evening. Against the cold or wet weather, the tour guide was still dutifully taking the group for touring in the outdoor (in the evening) by fullfiling the itinerary. 
Shanghai Bund ... Looking out from the top floor of Shanghai World Financial Center which is the 2nd tallest building in Shanghai (492m; 100 floors)

AirLink – that was the first time that I went for a holiday tour with this travel agent where their head office is located in Bandar Puteri, Puchong. The service by the tour guide in China was good; the hotel stay and the food were also good. With the cheaper tour fare, travel by this method required the group to undergo six compulsory and controlled-outlet shopping, of which the participating outlets actually sponsored part of the tour fares. Other than the permanent China tour guide (for the entire trip), there were three guest-starred tour guides with in-depth knowledge of a specific place or product who then joined us and then left. For each lunch and dinner, we have nine dishes of food (inclusive of a dish of soup). On the final evening before returning to Kuala Lumpur, we have 14 dishes of food for dinner!
Night cruise along Shanghai Bund area

At Huangshan

Three-layered Clouds – Travelled in the Air Asia flight, I was seated beside the window. While descending, I could see a sea of clouds below. After many seconds in the silky white clouds, to my surprise, the aeroplane was in between another layer of clouds below. With further descent, the aeroplane pierced through the second layer of clouds. Another big surprise: there was still the third layer of clouds below. Immediately emerging from the third layer of clouds, then the Hangzhou airport was in sight in misty weather condition. With the thick three-layered clouds blocking the sun, that could explain the day-long light drizzles.

Posted by KC Leong

Thursday, November 09, 2017

North Thailand Sunrise & Hiking (Part 4)

7D6N Northern Thailand Chiangrai /Chiangmai sunrise and hiking tour from 28 Oct to 3 Nov 2017 ... This final album contains photos of the rice terrace homestay (no electricity) with hill-tribe food, strolling through padi field; overnight at Mayflower Grande Hotel of Chiangmai, and returning home (Kuala Lumpur) the following day.

Do CLICK HERE to view Part 4 of the final photo album courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 Beautiful view ... drying of just harvested padi under the hot sun
 The simple homestay is fronting the vast padi field 
 Walking around the hill tribe areas ... (L) Wai Leng, Chin Tyen, Lana, Huey Ling, George Siew, Anthony, KC Leong
 Photos shoot with the golden yellow padi field as background
 Great view for sunset too 

 Breakfast with a good view ... Anthony actually slept there (outside the room) amid a peaceful and cold night
 What a scenic view ... blue sky, golden yellow padi field and sea of clouds
Picturesque rolling hills and farm lands

Do CLICK HERE to view all the four postings on Northern Thailand Sunrise and Hiking trip.

Posted by KC Leong

Wednesday, November 08, 2017

North Thailand Sunrise & Hiking (Part 3)

Northern Thailand Chiangrai/Chiangmai Sunrise and Hiking tour from 28 Oct to 3 Nov 2017 ... This album contains photos of hotspring, Maeya Waterfall, overnight at Ban Mae Klang Luang rice terrace homestay; Doi Inthanon National Park (view sunrise then hiking), visit the Great Holy Relics Pagoda Naphapholphumisiri.

Do CLICK HERE to view Part 3 of the photo album courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.
                At Doi Inthanon National Park sunrise viewing point
 At the hotspring ... the stream of hot water shot up high into the sky
 Maeya Waterfall ... we were lucky that it was just opened that day after having been closed for one week due to abundance of overflowing water
 Beautiful setting of rice (padi) fields
 7 ºC in the early hours of the morning; at the peak, we were told that it was 3 ºC
 Hiking up to the peak of Doi Inthanon National Park
 Standing at the highest spot in Thailand
 Visiting Great Holy Relics Pagoda Naphapholphumisiri
At the homestay overlooking the padi field in golden yellow ready for harvesting ... Huey Ling, Chin Tyen, Wai Leng, Lana.

Do CLICK HERE for Part 4

Do CLICK HERE to view all the four postings on Northern Thailand Sunrise and Hiking trip.

Posted by KC Leong

Tuesday, November 07, 2017

North Thailand Sunrise & Hiking (Part 2)

Northern Thailand Chiangrai/Chiangmai Sunrise and Hiking tour from 28 Oct to 3 Nov 2017 ... This album contains photos of Doi Pha Tang hill (sunset), Phu Chi Dao hill (sunrise); White Temple of Chiangrai, Singha Park and overnight at Nak Nakara Hotel of Chiangrai.

Do CLICK HERE to view Part 2 of the photo album courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.
At Phu Chi Dao hill for sunrise ... the round "yolk" of the sun only lasts for 30 seconds
 At Doi Pha Tang hill
 Lana posing for the sunset at Doi Pha Tang hill
 At Phu Chi Dao hill for sunrise; we encountered strong wind with misty weather that morning

 Windy and cold morning from 5am to 6:15 a.m... (back) Huey Ling, Lana, Wai Leng, Chin Tyen, KC Leong; (front) George Siew, Anthony
 Visiting White Temple of Chiangrai 
 The toilet in gold colour
Visiting Singha Park

Do CLICK HERE for Part 3

Do CLICK HERE to view all the four postings on Northern Thailand Sunrise and Hiking trip.

Posted by KC Leong

Monday, November 06, 2017

North Thailand Sunrise & Hiking (Part 1)

7D6N Northern Thailand Sunrise and Hiking Tour from 28 Oct to 3 Nov 2017 ... This album contains photos for Luk Phu Chi Fa Resort, sunrise at Phu Chi Fa Hill.

Do CLICK HERE to view Part 1 of the photo album, courtesy of yours truly, KC.
Sunrise at Phu Chi Fa hill at 6:15 a.m.
Team members (L): KC Leong, Chin Tyen, George Siew, Huey Ling, Wai Leng, Lana, Anthony

 Luk Phu Chi Fa Resort ... we stayed here for two nights
 At Phu Chi Fa hill ... The border between Thailand and Laos; the light below is from Laos 
 Sea of clouds below our feet
 On top of the world feeling ... Wai Leng, Lana and Huey Ling
It was cold at 5am while waiting for sunrise
 The sea of clouds viewed from the resort
 Superb view for the breakfast
 Campsite with a scenic view complete with toilet facility

Do CLICK HERE for Part 2

Do CLICK HERE to view all the four postings on Northern Thailand Sunrise and Hiking trip.

Posted by KC Leong