China building islands in the South China Sea

BBC News has a very interesting story about the ongoing territory disputes China and its neighbors are involved in. Rupert Wingfield-Hayes travels to the disputed area on a Filipino fishing boat to get some of the first photos and videos of China’s ambitious plans: Other countries that claim large chunks of the South China Sea …

Entertaining moments

– Stray fluffy cats bounding through the snow in park surounding the Temple of Heaven – A “Star-Rated Toilet” – The giant bag of mandarin oranges I was given for my 10 yuan bill (about $1.40). – Realizing that google maps business locations on maps are really more of a it-might-be-on-this-block suggestion. The actual location …

Windy, snowy Beijing

It was clear, sunny, and brutal with the wind chill. The snow yesterday meant blocked roads today, and no trip to the wall. The snowfall yesterday was the most Beijing had seen in 60 years. After a breakfast of champions – buozi (steamed buns with pork) – we headed over to the square and forbidden …