All posts tagged: outdoors
Hot Chocolate Days
Today is one of those “Hot Chocolate Days,” one of those days when it’s better to stay inside and snuggle up in a soft blanket and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. I did enjoy my cup of hot chocolate this afternoon, but only after I wrapped up my camera into a plastic bag and took a stroll out in the rain. Got lots of pictures taken, though the rain just about stopped when I stepped outside. Will have to hope for a little more rain these days, to get some actual rain pics. At least the rain has finally started after a really dry winter and an also much too try spring!
Tennis Tournament
I told you about the tennis tournament last weekend, and finally I got you some of the pictures we took at the event.
Around Town: To the Rape Fields
April is certainly the season for the oilseed rape to be in bloom here. So, some of us love to take our bikes out (or rent bikes), to go for rides into the fields behind the school. Being amidst the bright yellow flowers surely makes me happy, every time a get a chance to get out!
Spring Blossoms
I couldn’t help myself! I had to get out and capture the beauty of spring yet again!
Golden Spring
Can you tell I love spring? We had the most glorious weather over the weekend (though maybe a bit chilly at times), so I couldn’t help myself. I had to get my camera out yet once more. And I truly had a golden time …
Saturday Feature: Tree Planting Day
Spring has arrived. And every year in early spring the Chinese people (at least in this area) celebrate a special event: Tree Planting Day. Special ceremonies take place, and regularly, the foreign faculty of our university is invited to participate in the activities. Our university has its own tree planting day, which took place yesterday. I joined some of my students who participated – each equipped with their wash bowl (for watering), and was surprised at the number of students who had showed up for the occasion. Hundreds of them crowded the place, eager to contribute their “good deed of the year,” making me wonder how – with all those people – they’d still be able to plant the trees. I was more amazed to see how smooth things unfolded as groups of students gathered around to plant their trees. Fortunately, there was a whole forest of trees waiting to be planted, so there was plenty of opportunities to do some digging. And now, our campus has a new forest in the backyard!
Places To Go: Mt. Jigongshan (Xinyang)
Not far from Xinyang, about 40 km south of the city, Mt. Jigongshan is located. Jigongshan literally means “Rooster Mountain.” It’s been said that looking at the peak, it gives the impression of a crying rooster, and that’s how the mountain got its name. With its peak rising about 814m above sea level, Jigongshan borders in a transitional region between the subtropical and the warm moderate zone, making it an ideal getaway for summer. The constant cooling breeze has made Rooster Mountain such a comfortable place to be in the heat of summer, that it was discovered as a perfect summer resort early in the last century already. Such illustrious people as Sun Yat-sen (the first president of the Republic of China), Chiang Kai-shek and other former high ranking government officials have sought refuge on this mountain. As a result, there are a number of villas and lodgings in various architectural styles which were built on top of the mountain and can be visited today. Some of the buildings have even been turned into museums …
Places to Go: Nan Wan Lake (Xinyang)
West of the city of Xinyang, the Nan Wan Reservoir spreads about 20 miles wide and 50 miles long – a beautiful nature retreat. Surrounded by mountains and woods, and strewn with countless little islands, Nan Wan has much to offer to the visitor – cruises on the lake, cultural insights into the traditions of tea drinking – after all, Xinyang is famous for its tea – and for those who love to get out into nature, the lake is a perfect escape. The most popular pastime for visitors is the cruise to different islands: the bird island, monkey island and the tea island. Each island in itself has its own attractions. The bird island is spanned with a large canopy holding quite a variety of birds, local and foreign. The monkey island hosts dozens of “wild” monkeys, and the tea island with its beautifully landscaped gardens, tea plantations and pagodas has its own charms. Visitors can stroll all over the island and watch tea drinking ceremonies performed in one of the exhibition centers.
