Way to go, Mr. Verne, we salute you!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7321116.stm
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Far East Travels, Part the Second
Yours truly accompanied by his trusty Jeeves arrived at the dawn of
summer at a city called Jiamusi in Heilongjiang province, the most
Northern and Eastern province in China.
Jeeves had studied a little Mandarin Chinese before the voyage, and thus
he soon managed to locate suitable accommodation for a gentleman.
During the old days, before us Britons came along bugging the Dragon,
this goose shaped province was used as a place to expel imperial
officials who had the misfortune to fall out of the grace of the
emperor; One might even think of the region as the Chinese version of
Siberia - and according to the natives, the winter really is almost
as frosty as on the Russian side of the border.
But I must take their word for it, since during my visit the temperature
was most agreeable at low twenties.
I was quite pleased with Jeeves' performance for arranging
such comfortable logging. Later on old J. disclosed that his
well deserved sleep was on and off disturbed by in-hotel phone calls
from professional ladies offering nocturnal delights. Needles to say,
Jeeves' wholesome moral sentiment gave him no opportunity to
condescend to any such seedy relations.
As the rising sun greeted us beyond the Pacific, it was time to get
acquainted with locale life and culture. The natives seemed to be
somewhat curious about the pale skinned foreigner, but nevertheless no
uncomfortable contact ensued.
In spite the natives attesting their home town being small and remote,
the streets were to the contrary quite lively and audible all the day long.
As to our hosts, they were always very hospitable. Whenever a meal was
served, a large round rotating table was stacked with an impressive
variety of delicious dishes.
Yours truly is ashamed to admit, that his culinary expertise failed on
numerous occasions to recognise the contents of dishes. Albeit
not always being quite aware of what I was sampling, I assure you the
old taste buds were very well tickled with the bewildering flavours
of the exotic delicacies.
After these delightful experiences it was very difficult to imagine,
that a mere forty years ago, approximately 30 million unfortunate souls
died of starvation during the worst famine experienced in human history.
Our hosts were kind to arrange a jaunt to the province countryside to
explore some Northern flora. Wandering around hilly nature reserves was a
most welcome undertaking after all the sitting around; after all, the
heart of an explorer yearns to the yonder.
Maj. Coastnail inspecting
the properties of a local bamboo
forest for use of Her Majesty's Navy
But after a few days honest countryside sightseeing, I instructed
Jeeves to arrange a train ticket to the Imperial City.
Many big red dots were neatly arranged
in a row along sight-lines, during a
mapping excercise
Arriving at Beijing, I must confess, that the local emperors certainly
knew how to show off their might. During the start of Qing Dynasty an
estimated 9000 eunuchs served in the forbidden city. According to my
calculations every single day for 25 year a poor chap had to depart
himself of his family jewelry as to gather up the required staffing
for the forbidden city.
Quite a splendid place to visit, allthought I must alert dear
Wensworth, that he will not be able to locate any of his http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,,1993358,00.html favourite
refreshments within the bounds of the Forbidden City anymore.
I can relate many more juicy details at the club, or one-on-one over a good whisky. Meanwhile, upwards and onwards, fellow explorers!
Maj. Coastnail, Esq; Society Anglo-Sino Relationship Coordinator
summer at a city called Jiamusi in Heilongjiang province, the most
Northern and Eastern province in China.
Jeeves had studied a little Mandarin Chinese before the voyage, and thus
he soon managed to locate suitable accommodation for a gentleman.
During the old days, before us Britons came along bugging the Dragon,
this goose shaped province was used as a place to expel imperial
officials who had the misfortune to fall out of the grace of the
emperor; One might even think of the region as the Chinese version of
Siberia - and according to the natives, the winter really is almost
as frosty as on the Russian side of the border.
But I must take their word for it, since during my visit the temperature
was most agreeable at low twenties.
I was quite pleased with Jeeves' performance for arranging
such comfortable logging. Later on old J. disclosed that his
well deserved sleep was on and off disturbed by in-hotel phone calls
from professional ladies offering nocturnal delights. Needles to say,
Jeeves' wholesome moral sentiment gave him no opportunity to
condescend to any such seedy relations.
As the rising sun greeted us beyond the Pacific, it was time to get
acquainted with locale life and culture. The natives seemed to be
somewhat curious about the pale skinned foreigner, but nevertheless no
uncomfortable contact ensued.
In spite the natives attesting their home town being small and remote,
the streets were to the contrary quite lively and audible all the day long.
As to our hosts, they were always very hospitable. Whenever a meal was
served, a large round rotating table was stacked with an impressive
variety of delicious dishes.
Yours truly is ashamed to admit, that his culinary expertise failed on
numerous occasions to recognise the contents of dishes. Albeit
not always being quite aware of what I was sampling, I assure you the
old taste buds were very well tickled with the bewildering flavours
of the exotic delicacies.
After these delightful experiences it was very difficult to imagine,
that a mere forty years ago, approximately 30 million unfortunate souls
died of starvation during the worst famine experienced in human history.
Our hosts were kind to arrange a jaunt to the province countryside to
explore some Northern flora. Wandering around hilly nature reserves was a
most welcome undertaking after all the sitting around; after all, the
heart of an explorer yearns to the yonder.
Maj. Coastnail inspectingthe properties of a local bamboo
forest for use of Her Majesty's Navy
Jeeves to arrange a train ticket to the Imperial City.
Many big red dots were neatly arrangedin a row along sight-lines, during a
mapping excercise
knew how to show off their might. During the start of Qing Dynasty an
estimated 9000 eunuchs served in the forbidden city. According to my
calculations every single day for 25 year a poor chap had to depart
himself of his family jewelry as to gather up the required staffing
for the forbidden city.
Quite a splendid place to visit, allthought I must alert dear
Wensworth, that he will not be able to locate any of his http://www.guardian.co.uk
refreshments within the bounds of the Forbidden City anymore.
I can relate many more juicy details at the club, or one-on-one over a good whisky. Meanwhile, upwards and onwards, fellow explorers!
Maj. Coastnail, Esq; Society Anglo-Sino Relationship Coordinator
Monday, March 10, 2008
Hitting the Slopes
Goode tidings again!
The Society here, to report on the new Co-Operation between the good folks at Google (information gathering and storage) and Nokia (rubber boots & cable etc).
Using one of the Nokia gadgets, one can record, and view, the ground one has covered, and also share said information with friends. Below is a Graphick Interpretation of a recent ski-trip, over-layed onto a Satellite Image.
Mount Tahco, March MMVIII
The Society here, to report on the new Co-Operation between the good folks at Google (information gathering and storage) and Nokia (rubber boots & cable etc).
Using one of the Nokia gadgets, one can record, and view, the ground one has covered, and also share said information with friends. Below is a Graphick Interpretation of a recent ski-trip, over-layed onto a Satellite Image.
Mount Tahco, March MMVIIIVery handy for various explorations & exploits, one must say! No more need to consult Jeeves for current or previous (after one too many G&T or such) where-abouts. The White Areas of the Earth, and one's memory, are getting smaller and smaller!
We'll keep you updated.
Meanwhile, godspeed & good luck.
Paddlewick, Society Technical Advisor, Esq.
We'll keep you updated.
Meanwhile, godspeed & good luck.
Paddlewick, Society Technical Advisor, Esq.
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