“Christmas” decorations outside a mall in Hong Kong
December in Kowloon Park!
Kowloon Park
Kowloon Park in Hong Kong SAR. The Ribbon sculpture.
Practicing Kung Fu in Kowloon Park.
Vincent and Winnie's dinner guests. So lucky to be included.
THE place to be when visiting Hong Kong SAR! Who knew?
Vincent Law and his fiancees Winnie were generous to include me at their holiday dinner.
Me and Vincent at dinner.
The night never ended when Kenneth (right) insisted we visit the new bar at the Peninsula - Salon de Ning. Oh those Ning Slings!
Star Ferry runs between Kowloon and various location on on Hong Kong Island. A ferry worked taking a break.
We enjoyed a walk about about Hong Kong island. Beautiful outdoor space. Often used by hired help on Sundays to meet their families for a picnic.
Foot massage anyone? After late night shopping at the Temple Market in Kowloon, what better way to end the evening? Tim, me and Sean.
Alex our Hong Kong guide (l) andn Qi Yi (r) our national representative, leader and translator. The trip would not have been the same without Qi!
Tim Burcham (middle) with AFP Hong Kong Chapter members. Friends Vincent Law and William Wu to Tim's left.
Lunch in Hong Kong left to rightVincent Law, Sean Carter, Alex, Richard Martin, me, Qi Yi, Mark Skipper
Darwin Chen shared his perspective on philanthropy in China and HKSAR.
David Obedzinski presents Darwin Chen with commemorative Philanthropy stamps.
First night in Hong Kong SAR. On the Avenue of the Stats with Hong Kong Island behind us. Left to right. Shaun Lynch, Vivian Smith, Sean Carter, Janella Franklin, me, TIm Burcham, Ronald Nelson and Richard Martin.
Cliff (l) and Tim discuss fundraising at the Hong Kong Council for Social Services.
Tim Burcham presents certificate to Christine Fang, CEO of Hong Kong Council of Social Services.
Meeting with Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation. Left to right.Hela Law, Executive Director; James Chen, Chairman; Tim Burcham and Christine from HKCSS.
Left to RightAnne Halvorson, Janella Franklin, Richard Martin, Tim Burcham, Sean Carter, Rachel Stack, Mark SkipperVisiting Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island
Janella at the top of Victoria's Peak. Hong Kong Island.
Sean at the top of Victoria's Peak Hong Kong Island.
Arrival at Beijing Airport. Left to right.Janella Franklin, Kathy Rubado, Barbara Talisman, Sean Carter, Julia Marlowe
Liu Na, Vice ChairmanBeijing Red Cross
On the left, Ren Ruihong, Beijing Red Cross Foundation. On her right a member of the Blue Sky Rescue Team.
Tim Burcham with staff and volunteers from the Beijing Red Cross Foundation and Blue Sky Rescue Team.We learned these groups were formed shortly after the Sichuan earthquake. The Beijing Red Cross is a government agency. The Foundation and BSRT are not.
The delegation with Beijng Red Cross, Foundation and BSRT representatives.
We visited with representatives of the White Dove Society. The students volunteer in schools and coordinate volunteer activities around Beijing. They coordinate to a point with the China Youth Development Foundation.
The bicycles of Beijing on campus. Not used as much as before, cars have taken over much of transportation in Beijing. But on campus it is affordable transportation.
Students from the White Dove Society shared with us their volunteer work and programs. They work with corporations to raise money to support their work.
Tim Burcham, near, and Qi facilitate our discussion with the White Dove Society.
We met with the White Dove Society representatives around a large conference table. Conversation and jasmine tea was plentiful.
We walked through campus to the White Dove Society office to exchange gifts.
All present and accounted for after meeting with the students at Beijing Normal University.
Our meeting with the China Youth Development Foundation. They build schools in rural China and raise money from corporations and individuals to support their work. They also receive government money and rebuilt schools in Sichuan within 6 days of the earthquake.
The Cube at Olympic Park.
The Bird's Nest was much bigger than it looked on TV!
Our representative in Beijing, Bruce, is carrying our flag through Tiananmen Square toward the Forbidden City. It was the first day of the Winter Solstice. Windy, cold, freezing! But worth seeing.
Outside the Forbidden City.
Most of the Forbidden City has been kept in its original condition. (600 years old!)
Dragon Turtle guarding the city.
One of many thrones used by emperors when in Beijing.
These carved animals are placed on important temples throughout Beijing to ward off evil.
The Forbidden City is built of wood. These urns are placed throughout the compound to fight fires.
The garden in the Forbidden City.
We were given a tour of the Beijing Planning and Exhibition Hall (Museum). Every curator should visit this museum.
This bronze takes up an entire wall at the Beijing Planning and Exhibition Hall. It shows the layout of the city of Beijing. Gold in the center is the Forbidden City - at the center of course.
The museum reflects Beijings past, present and future plans. This is the floor with a continuous photograph of the streets of Beijing.
One of the exhibits is a huge 3D map of current Beijing. This is the famous Central Chinese Television headquarters building. We past it almost every day on our way....
We participated in a traditional tea ceremony.
We learned about various teas, how to brew and enjoy them.
We climbed the Great Wall at Jiayuguan. This is the western portion of the Wall and closests to Beijing, about a 45 minute drive. It was a beautiful day, cool and crisp but good for climbing.
Climbers left to right.Standing - Rachel Stack, Vivian Smith, Stanton Cadow, Sean Carter, Tim Burcham, Sherry Dahl, David ObedzinskiSitting Karen Fitzpatrick, Alma Jane Shepard
Think of it as a two hour step class. Up and down. Parts of the wall have been restored to accomodate tourists. However, steps and ground is not even and steps can been 1in or 6inches tall. Imagine the Mongols coming on large horses to attack. Although some say the guards on the wall were more at risk from animals than Mongols.
