| ASIA for TOURISTS: We will post our recent landscape pictures here: (We use little pocket cameras for these photos.) |
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| 7/21-26/12 Tibetan Highlands: We flew into Xining, China and birded the national parks towards Datong and then the area around Quinghai Hu (Lake). Afterwards, we crossed the mountains to Caka (Tsaka) where it had a much drier clime (with different birds). While Xining is a growing and bustling metropolis, much of the area we passed through had just tiny villages if not only a herdman's tent with his yaks. Some places were quite isolated though the road is new, running all the way to Lhasa. We were forced to stop the car for goats, sheep, and yaks - and crazy drivers passing. We saw numerous accidents! The people were very kind and helpful and also very curious about us. When we came across residents, many individuals were selling mushrooms and honey along the road. The scenery was stunning, the wild flowers covered the hills like colorful shawls, and the weather was mostly glorious. The rapeseed fields - that only flower for a few weeks - checker-boarded the lowlands (that would still be above 3000m) and it was a grand time to visit. We were thrilled to experience it! |
| 7/14,15/12 Singapore and back in Shanghai: A trip out to Sungei Bulah Nature Park (1 pic) was followed by a stop at the Chinese and Japanese Gardens which were actually quite productive birdwise. Pulau Ubin Island (a 10 minute boat ride from Changi) was most rewarding in its wildness and variety of birds! |
| 8/11/12 Xiaoyangkou, (near Nantong), China: 3 hours north of Shanghai is a great shorebird mudflat area. The migrants were chowing down crabs. Unfortunately, building is rampant with the promise of more in the future. It was interesting to see folks racing ahead of the incoming tides with net sacks full of clams. Also, water buffalo and wetlands at Chomging Island and sunset in Shanghai. |
