America’s Cup & Marigot 美洲杯帆船赛与马里戈港
December 5, 2025
The ship anchored in Marigot, St. Martin,…..
当天邮轮停泊在圣马丁岛法属一侧的马里戈港。。。
December 5, 2025
The ship anchored in Marigot, St. Martin, a French overseas territory. St. Martin is unique in that the island is divided between French and Dutch jurisdictions. The French side is much smaller, quieter, and far less touristy than the Dutch side.
In the morning, we ventured out to visit Fort Louis and a small hillside church, enjoying peaceful views over Marigot Bay.
In the afternoon, Chenggang joined the “America’s Cup” 12-meter yacht racing tour in Philipsburg, on the Dutch side of the island. The traffic from the French side to the Dutch side was unexpectedly heavy—bumper to bumper the entire way. What should have been a 20-minute drive took nearly an hour. The contrast between the two sides was striking: the Dutch side is much more developed and popular with cruise tourism. Today alone, four cruise ships were docked in Philipsburg, while the French side typically only receives eight to ten ships in an entire year.
After arriving at the port, we were transferred by boat to two authentic 12-meter–class America’s Cup racing yachts, the same type used in the classic America’s Cup competitions. We were divided into two teams, one for each yacht. Once out on the open water, the race began. Under the guidance of three professional crew members on each boat, most of us actively participated as working crew. Chenggang was assigned the role of prime grinder, turning the winch handles to control the sail sheets and provide power during maneuvers.
For over an hour, we sailed hard and raced head-to-head across the bay. The experience was thrilling, physically demanding, and incredibly fun. In the final minute, the yacht leaned at a dramatic angle, and a rush of seawater splashed over our side, drenching us up to the waist. It was, without question, one of the best excursions we had in the Caribbean.
2025年12月5日
当天邮轮停泊在圣马丁岛法属一侧的马里戈港（Marigot）。圣马丁岛十分特别，整个岛屿一分为二，分别由法国和荷兰管辖。相比之下，法属一侧面积更小、节奏更慢，也远没有荷属一侧那么商业化和游客密集。
上午我们外出自由行，游览了路易斯堡（Fort Louis）以及附近的一座小教堂。沿途安静祥和，在城堡上俯瞰马里戈湾，景色十分迷人。
下午，Connie留在船上，Chenggang一个人加入船上组织的活动， 前往荷属一侧的菲利普斯堡（Philipsburg），参加著名的“美洲杯”12 米级帆船竞速体验项目。然而，从法属区前往荷属区的路况出乎意料地拥堵，全程几乎是车挨着车、寸步难行。原本只需 20 分钟 的车程，花了将近 一个小时。两边的反差非常明显：荷属一侧明显更加繁华、热闹，也更受邮轮游客欢迎。当天菲利普斯堡港口停靠了 4 艘邮轮，而法属一侧全年通常也就只有 8 到 10 艘邮轮靠港。
抵达港口后，我们先乘接驳船前往海面上的两艘真正的 12 米级美洲杯竞赛用帆船——这正是当年经典美洲杯比赛所使用的同类型赛艇。我们被分成两组，分别登上两艘赛船。驶入外海后，真正的比赛正式开始。在每艘船上 3 位专业船员 的指挥下，大部分游客都以“船员”的身份亲自参与操作。Chenggang 被安排担任主力摇绞盘手（Prime Grinder），负责高速摇动绞盘，控制帆索，为船只在转向和加速时提供强大动力。
整整一个多小时，我们在海面上激烈对抗、你追我赶，过程既紧张又充满乐趣。在最后一分钟，帆船突然大幅倾斜，我们这一侧瞬间被一阵海水拍打上来，海水直溅到腰间，整个人都被彻底浸湿了。这次体验既刺激又难忘，毫无疑问，这是我们整个加勒比行程中最精彩、最棒的一次岸上活动之一。
San Juan, Puerto Rico 圣胡安，波多黎各
December 4, 2025
Our ship docked in San Juan today……
今天邮轮停靠在圣胡安，。。。
December 4, 2025
Our ship docked in San Juan today.
Since this was our second visit, we decided to venture outside the city and signed up for a rainforest excursion to El Yunque National Forest. We first spent about 45 minutes at the visitor center exploring several exhibits and seeing Puerto Rico’s native parrots in an enclosure. Then we climbed the observation tower for a panoramic view of the forest.
However, the actual hiking was quite limited—only about a 15-minute walk down to a river and then back up. We did experience classic rainforest weather, with rain coming and going throughout the visit. Overall, we felt the tour was not really worth the money.
After returning to the ship for lunch, we headed out again to stroll around Old San Juan. Since we had already visited before, and we weren’t interested in shopping for souvenirs or stopping for food and drinks, there wasn’t much left for us to do this time. So, we decided to head back to the ship earlier than planned.
Before returning to the ship, we made a special stop to take a look at the superyacht belonging to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, which happened to be docked right next to our cruise ship. The yacht, reportedly worth around $500 million, was indeed an impressive sight. Still, as the saying goes, poverty limits our imagination — it was hard for us to truly grasp the sense of value behind such an extreme level of luxury.
Tonight’s dinner was at Osteria d’Ovidio, an Italian restaurant whose menu was redesigned by the youngest chef ever awarded three Michelin stars, Massimiliano Alajmo. The restaurant offered three tasting menus, one of which was Le Calandre, inspired by Alajmo’s flagship restaurant in Rubano, Italy. We chose this tasting menu, which featured eight courses—two appetizers, two pasta dishes, two main courses, and two desserts. Every dish was exquisite, making it the finest Italian cuisine we have ever experienced.
2025年12月4日
今天邮轮停靠在圣胡安，这是我们第二次来这里。城里主要的景点上次都看过，所以这次我们报名参加了前往艾尔云克国家雨林（El Yunque National Forest）的徒步之旅。不过，实际的“徒步”相当有限, 只是沿着小路向下步行大约15分钟到河边，再原路返回。我们在游客中心停留了大约45分钟，参观了一些展览，还看到了被圈养的波多黎各鹦鹉。期间也体验到了典型的热带雨林天气，阵雨时来时去。总体来说，我们觉得这次行程性价比并不高。
回船吃过午餐后，我们再次外出，去老圣胡安城区随意走走。该看的上次都已经看了，不打算买纪念品、不去酒吧吃吃喝喝的话，其实可做的事情并不多。去年初来的时候街上到处都是圣诞节的装饰，很漂亮。这次装饰还没开始，感觉就要逊色一些。
回船前，我们还特意去看了一眼正好停在我们邮轮旁边的亚马逊创始人杰夫·贝佐斯的超级游艇。这艘价值5亿美元（500M)的游艇本身确实气派非凡，但贫穷限制了我们的想象力，我们实在难以真正体会这种超奢华的价值感。
今晚的晚餐是在意大利餐厅 Osteria d’Ovidio 享用的。最新的菜单由最年轻获得 米其林三星 的主厨——马西米利亚诺·阿拉伊莫（Massimiliano Alajmo） 重新设计的。菜单刚改，我们还没有尝试过。餐厅提供三套品尝菜单，其中一套是源自他位于意大利鲁巴诺（Rubano）旗舰餐厅的 Le Calandre 品鉴菜单。我们选择了这一套八道式菜单，包括两道前菜、两道意面、两道主菜和两道甜点。每一道菜都精致出众，毫无疑问是我们迄今为止品尝过的 最佳意大利料理。这也是今天的最大亮点。
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 多米尼加共和国 · 圣多明各
December 3, 2025
Yesterday was a sea day……
昨天是海上行，。。。
December 3, 2025
Yesterday was a sea day. In the morning, we visited the bridge and learned about maritime navigation and ship operations, which was quite interesting. In the afternoon, we attended a lecture, took a dance class, and watched a closeup magic show. In the evening, we dined at the Waterside restaurant and enjoyed caviar, oysters, and lobster—luxurious and delicious. A busy and enjoyable day at sea passed by quickly.
As the ship sailed into the mouth of the Ozama River, it docked on the opposite bank, facing the historic old city.
Today, we participated in a guided tour to the famous Three Eyes Caves (Los Tres Ojos) and the Taino House. Along the way, we made a photo stop at the Faro de Colón (Columbus Lighthouse) before heading to the caves. Inside the caverns, deep-blue lakes shimmered beautifully under the natural light. Unfortunately, the high humidity made the experience slightly uncomfortable, but the scenery was still impressive.
Next, we visited Casa del Cordón, where we learned about the Taíno civilization, the island’s native indigenous people. The museum was well-designed and very informative, offering valuable insight into the early history of the Caribbean.
Then we walked through theColumbus Plaza to go back to our bus. On the way to the terminal, we made a photo stop in front of the Presidential Palace.
After the tour, we returned to the ship for lunch before heading out again on our own in the afternoon. The port authority conveniently provided a free shuttle from the terminal to the Zona Colonial, which made getting into the historic district easy.
We strolled leisurely along Calle Las Damas and visited the Pantheon of the Fatherland. Then we toured Fortaleza Ozama, the oldest fort in the Americas. In the middle of our visit, the weather suddenly changed and heavy rain poured down. We started to worry about making it back to the ship before departure. Fortunately, just as the locals had confidently told us, the rain stopped after about 15 minutes. Our worries proved unnecessary.
We continued our walk through the old city and visited the oldest cathedral in the Americas before it was time to hop back on the shuttle to the ship. Santo Domingo is rich in history and truly a city of many “firsts” in the Americas.
Dinner was at Waterside, where we enjoyed caviar and lobster—a luxurious and delicious ending to a full and memorable day.
2025年12月3日
昨天是海上行，上午我们参观了驾驶舱，了解了航海导航和船舶运行的相关知识，有点意思。下午听了一场讲座并且上了堂跳舞课，还看了一场短距离魔术表演。晚上在Waterside餐厅用餐，享用了鱼子酱，生𧐢和龙虾，奢华又美味，忙碌的海上行一天就很快过去了。
今天早上邮轮来到了多米尼加共和国 的圣多明各。它停靠在奥萨马河里，正对着历史悠久的老城。
上午， 我们参加了邮轮组织的观光游，前往著名的三眼洞（Los Tres Ojos）和泰诺人故居（Taino House）。途中先在哥伦布灯塔（Faro de Colón / Columbus Lighthouse)边短暂停留拍照，然后前往洞穴景区。洞穴内天然形成的深蓝色湖水在自然光的映照下熠熠生辉。洞内湿度较高，让人略感不适，整体景色显得一般。
接着我们参观了科尔东之家（Casa del Cordón），在这里深入了解了泰诺文明——加勒比海地区最早的原住民文化。博物馆设计精美，内容详实，为我们提供了关于加勒比早期历史非常宝贵的知识。
游览结束后，我们先返回船上享用午餐，下午又下船自由行。邮轮和港口管理部门为游客提供了从码头直达殖民区（Zona Colonial）的免费接驳车，前往老城十分方便。
我们沿着历史悠久的达玛斯大街（Calle Las Damas）悠闲漫步，参观了祖国先贤祠（Pantheon of the Fatherland），随后又游览了奥萨马要塞（Fortaleza Ozama）——这是美洲最古老的堡垒。在参观城堡途中，天气突变，大雨倾盆而下，我们开始担心是否能按时赶回邮轮。城堡的工作人员非常友善，告诉我们不会超过30分钟雨就会停，且撑着伞送我们到城堡门口。果然大约十几分钟后雨就停了，我们的担心也随之烟消云散。
我们继续在老城区漫步，参观了美洲最古老的天天主教教堂，随后搭乘接驳车返回邮轮。圣多明各历史底蕴深厚，是真正拥有许多“美洲第一”
Ocho Rios, Jamaica 牙买加 · 奥乔里奥斯
December 1, 2025
Today we joined a ship-organized tour to visit……
今天早上我们的船来到了牙买加的奥乔里奥斯。。。
December 1, 2025
Today we joined a ship-organized tour to visit the Blue Hole and its cascading waterfalls. What we didn’t expect was just how immersive the experience would be. Instead of simply admiring the scenery, we found ourselves climbing up the waterfalls, plunging into crystal-clear natural pools, and soaring through the air on a rope swing. It was an exhilarating and unforgettable adventure.
After the tour, we returned to the area near the cruise terminal to stroll around and catch a glimpse of everyday life in Jamaica.
To cap off such an action-packed day, we treated ourselves to a celebratory dinner at Beef Bar, sharing a massive ribeye steak as a well-earned reward for the day’s adventures.
2025年12月1日
今天早上我们的船来到了牙买加的奥乔里奥斯。原来的行程应该是停靠在牙买加的Montego Bay, 因为前些天的飓风，Montego Bay受损非常严重，所以临时改停奥乔里奥斯。今天我们参加了邮轮组织的岸上游，前往著名的蓝洞（Blue Hole）和瀑布群。原本以为只是轻松观景，没想到却远远超出了预期。我们不仅沿着瀑布一路向上攀爬，还纵身跃入清澈见底的天然水潭，更体验了荡着绳索飞跃水面的刺激瞬间，整个过程惊险又畅快，堪称一次难忘的探险之旅。
行程结束后，我们回到码头附近随意走走，简单感受了一下牙买加当地的风情。
为了犒劳这充满挑战的一天，晚上我们来到 Beef Bar 享用晚餐，分享了一大块厚切肋眼牛排，作为今天冒险而完美的收官。
George Town, Cayman Island 乔治敦，开曼群岛
November 30, 2025
A sea day was filled with great food, warm weather and interesting lectures……
海上航行日过得非常充实，有美味的食物、温暖的天气，还有精彩有趣的讲座。。。
November 30, 2025
A sea day was filled with great food, warm weather and interesting lectures.
After a day at sea, the ship dropped anchor just before 9 o’clock this morning, and we were tendered ashore. Today we went our separate ways—Chenggang joined a kayaking and snorkeling tour, while Connie headed to Seven Mile Beach on her own.
The kayaking tour began at Mollie’s Beach Club, about a 15-minute drive from the tender port. Because two groups from the ship were participating, Chenggang’s group relaxed on the beach first, soaking in the beauty of the Caribbean Sea. Then they set off on their adventure, kayaking across the water to another beach about a mile away. From there, they swam out to a dead coral reef known locally as the “Cemetery Reefs.” Unfortunately, the snorkeling was quite disappointing, with only a few small fish to be seen.
Meanwhile, Connie took a public bus to Seven Mile Beach. Widely regarded as one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean, it did not disappoint. She enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the long stretch of soft white sand, fully embracing the relaxed island atmosphere.
After a quick late lunch, we set out to explore downtown George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands. Interestingly, since it was Sunday, all the shops were closed—but the streets were filled with a parade of luxury cars, which was quite a sight to behold.
Dinner was at Umi Uma, a Nobu restaurant on board, and as always, it did not disappoint.
Overall, despite its fame as a tax haven, both George Town and the Cayman Islands felt surprisingly low-key and did not leave us with a strong impression of great wealth.
2025年11月30日
海上航行日过得非常充实，有美味的食物、温暖的天气，还有精彩有趣的讲座。
在海上航行一天之后，邮轮在今天上午九点前便抛锚停泊，我们乘坐接驳艇上岸。今天我们各自分头行动——成刚参加了皮划艇和浮潜之旅，而佩民则独自前往著名的七英里海滩。
皮划艇行程从 Mollie’s Beach Club 开始，距离接驳码头大约15分钟车程。由于当天有两组邮轮客人同时参加，成刚所在的小组先在沙滩上休息，静静欣赏加勒比海迷人的海景，随后划着皮划艇前往一英里外的另一处海滩。接着，他们又游到一处已经死亡的珊瑚礁，当地人称之为“珊瑚公墓（Cemetery Reefs）”。遗憾的是，这次浮潜体验相当令人失望，只看到零星几条小鱼。
与此同时，佩民乘坐公共巴士前往七英里海滩。这里被公认为加勒比地区最美的海滩之一，果然名不虚传。她沿着绵延洁白的沙滩悠闲地散步，尽情享受轻松惬意的海岛风光。之后她又坐公共巴士回到码头，一个人在码头附近走了一圈才回船。
简单吃过一顿晚午餐后，我们前往开曼群岛的首府——乔治敦市区。由于是周日，几乎所有商店都关门歇业。但码头边的街道上停了一辆辆造型奢华的名车，大喇叭放着震耳的音乐，一场豪车巡游正在进行，令人印象深刻。
晚餐在船上我们最喜欢的Umi Uma 餐厅享用，这家 Nobu 日本餐厅，一如既往地令人满意。
总体而言，虽然开曼群岛以“避税天堂”闻名于世，但无论是乔治敦还是整座岛屿，都给我们一种意外低调的感觉，并没有留下特别富裕奢华的强烈印象。
Embarkation on Crystal Serenity 重登水晶邮轮 “水晶安宁号”
November 27–28, 2025
On Thanksgiving Day, we woke up at 3:30 a.m. ……
感恩节当天，我们凌晨 3:30 起床。。。
November 27–28, 2025
On Thanksgiving Day, we woke up at 3:30 a.m. and were picked up by an Uber driver at 4:10 a.m. Just 25 minutes later, we cleared airport security without any wait—remarkably smooth for a holiday morning. We enjoyed a light breakfast at the Delta Sky Club before boarding our early morning flight to Atlanta.
The airports were noticeably less crowded than expected. After lunch at the Delta Sky Club in Atlanta, we boarded our connecting flight to Fort Lauderdale.
Upon arrival, we checked in at the Pier Sixty-Six Resort, part of AMEX’s Fine Hotels & Resorts collection. Using our AMEX Platinum Card perks, we received $300 off the room rate, complimentary breakfast, and a $100 dining credit. The hotel, located beside the marina, was both beautiful and comfortable. We enjoyed a delightful Thanksgiving dinner at Sotogrande—the food was excellent.
The next morning, the breakfast buffet was not as extensive as we had anticipated, but the quality was outstanding. After breakfast, we took a leisurely walk around the marina, admiring the impressive lineup of gleaming super yachts.
Around noon, we checked out of the hotel and headed to the cruise terminal to embark on Crystal Serenity. The embarkation process was smooth and efficient, with no delays. Shortly afterward, we were settled into our cabin—the very same one we had stayed in during our 2020 World Cruise, which brought back many fond memories.
Lunch was at Beefbar.
And dinner at Waterside. Both meals were delicious and set a wonderful tone for the voyage ahead.
At 9:30 p.m., we attended a variety show featuring the ship’s resident performers. Since we had sailed on Crystal several times before, much of the performance was familiar, but it was still highly enjoyable and a pleasant way to end the day.
2025年11月27–28日
感恩节当天，我们凌晨 3:30 起床，4:10 由 Uber 司机接送前往机场。仅仅 25 分钟 后，我们就顺利通过了安检，几乎没有排队。随后在达美航空贵宾休息室（Delta Sky Club） 简单吃了点早餐，搭乘清晨六点的航班飞往亚特兰大。
这一天的机场出奇地安静，人流比想象中少了许多。在亚特兰大转机期间，我们又在达美贵宾室享用了午餐，随后登机飞往弗罗里达的劳德代尔堡（Fort Lauderdale）。
抵达后，我们入住了 六十六码头度假酒店（Pier Sixty-Six Resort），这是 AMEX 精选酒店（Fine Hotels & Resorts） 成员之一。凭借 AMEX 白金卡的福利，我们享受了房费立减 300 美元、双人免费早餐以及 100 美元酒店餐饮消费额度。酒店紧邻游艇码头，环境优美，住得非常舒适。晚上我们在 酒店的Sotogrande 餐厅享用了感恩节晚餐，菜品精致可口，十分令人满意。
第二天早餐的自助种类比我们预期的稍微少了一些，但食材品质非常高。用餐后，我们在码头一带悠闲散步，欣赏一艘艘停泊在港湾中的闪亮超级游艇，蔚为壮观。
中午我们办理退房手续，随后前往邮轮码头，正式登上水晶邮轮“水晶安宁号”（Crystal Serenity）。登船过程非常顺畅，没有任何延误。不久之后，我们就进入了自己的舱房——正是我们2020 年环球邮轮旅行时住过的那一间，顿时勾起了许多美好的回忆。
午餐我们选择了 Beefbar 牛排馆，晚餐则安排在 Waterside 主餐厅，两餐都非常美味，为这次航程开了一个好头。
每次上船之后，最重要的一件事就是到船顶那个固定的位置拍照留念。
晚上 9:30，我们前往剧场观看由船上驻场演员带来的综合表演秀。由于此前已多次乘坐水晶邮轮，节目内容并不新鲜，但整体依然精彩，作为登船第一天的收尾，依旧令人愉悦。
Luoyang — Longmen Grottoes and “Phoenix Dance of the Divine Capital” 洛阳——龙门石窟与《凤舞神都》
October 15, 2025
The high-speed train from Yinchuan to Shanghai would have taken more than ten hours, ……
我们很喜欢在中国坐高铁，干净，舒适且很方便。。。
October 15, 2025
The high-speed train from Yinchuan to Shanghai would have taken more than ten hours, which felt a bit too long for us. So, we decided to break the journey into two segments and spend a night in Luoyang (洛阳).
After a four hour ride, we arrived in Luoyang and checked into a hotel. In the afternoon, we visited the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that began during the Northern Wei Dynasty and expanded over several centuries. The site contains more than 2,300 caves and over 100,000 Buddha statues, representing the pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist stone carving and artistry. The scenic area was quite busy with tourists, but we climbed up and down the stairs to admire the highlights and appreciate the scale and beauty of the carvings. Unlike the grottoes in Dunhuang, which were mostly sponsored by private patrons, most of the Longmen carvings were commissioned by the state. After exploring both sides of the river, we took a Didi ride back to our hotel.
After a short rest, we went to the Sui-Tang Grand Canal Cultural Park (隋唐历史文化公园) to watch the large-scale outdoor performance “Phoenix Dance of the Divine Capital” (凤舞神都), which tells the story of Empress Wu Zetian (武则天) — the only female emperor in Chinese history. The open-air show was spectacular, and the weather was perfect, making the experience even more enjoyable. Before the performance, we stopped by a small street café for beef noodles (牛肉面) and roujiamo (肉夹馍) — both were simple but tasty.
The next day, we visited the Luoyang Museum, an impressive world-class museum where we learned a great deal about the city’s long and rich history. In the afternoon, we boarded the train back to Shanghai, enjoying some salted duck we ordered on board.
Thus ended our eight-day journey across China’s great northwest, a trip filled with culture, history, and unforgettable memories — a truly satisfying conclusion.
洛阳——龙门石窟与《凤舞神都》
2025年10月15日
我们很喜欢在中国坐高铁，干净，舒适且很方便。从银川到上海的高铁需十多个小时，我们觉得时间太长，便决定在中途的洛阳停留一晚。
经过四个半小时的车程，我们抵达洛阳并入住酒店。下午前往参观著名的龙门石窟（Longmen Grottoes）——一处联合国教科文组织世界文化遗产。石窟始建于北魏时期，历经数个朝代扩建，现有洞窟两千三百余个、佛像十万余尊，被誉为中国石刻艺术与佛教艺术的巅峰。景区内游客众多，我们沿着石阶上下攀行，仔细欣赏各个主要洞窟的造像，感叹其规模与精美。与之前由民间供养人建造的敦煌石窟不同，龙门石窟的主要造像多由朝廷主持开凿。不过石窟内外的佛像损坏严重，主要是自然侵蚀，人为盗凿和战争破坏所造成。
游览了伊河两岸的景点后，乘滴滴返回酒店稍作休息，接下来我们前往隋唐历史文化公园观看大型户外演出——《凤舞神都》。节目以中国历史上唯一的女皇武则天为主线，场面宏大、灯光绚丽，天气也恰到好处，让我们观赏得格外尽兴。演出前，我们在街边一家小餐馆用餐，点了牛肉面和肉夹馍，味道都很不错。
第二天早上我们参观了洛阳博物馆。这是一座内容非常丰富、陈列精美的世界级博物馆，让我们对洛阳厚重的历史有了更深入的了解。因为时间有限，我们只能匆匆看一遍。下午我们乘高铁返回上海，在车上直接点了南京站的外卖盐水鸭作为晚餐。
至此，我们的八天大西北之行画上了圆满的句号——一次充实而愉快的旅程。
Giant Buddha Temple, Western Xia Dynasty 大佛寺，西夏王陵
October 13-14, 2025
After spending the night in Zhangye,……
在张掖住了一晚，第二天早晨我们参观了大佛寺。。。
October 13-14, 2025
After spending the night in Zhangye, we visited the Giant Buddha Temple (大佛寺 Dàfó Sì) in the morning. Originally built during the Western Xia Dynasty, the temple houses an enormous reclining Buddha—about 35 meters long—which is the largest indoor clay reclining Buddha in China.
After that, we headed to the high-speed rail station and took a train to Yinchuan. On board, we first bought the braised pork clay-pot rice offered on the train for lunch, but it was quite disappointing—almost all white rice but little meat. Fortunately, we discovered that nowadays in China you can order food delivery on high-speed trains, which is brought directly to your seat when the train stops at a station. Of course, this service is available only at some of the larger stations, and the choice of vendors is limited. We ordered two roujiamo from a shop at Lanzhou West Station. Just a few minutes after the train departed, a crew member arrived at our seats carrying the takeout bags. The roujiamo were hot and delicious—this service is truly fantastic.
After arriving in Yinchuan and checking into our hotel, we had dinner at a restaurant next to the hotel, where we enjoyed the best yóuxiāng flatbread and traditional aged yogurt we’d had.
The next day, we first visited an aunt who, together with her husband, had moved to China’s northwest and devoted her entire life to helping build a university there more than 65 years ago. We shared lunch together, and our thoughtful cousin chose a restaurant featuring southern Chinese flavors; the authentic dishes were no less impressive than those in Shanghai.
In the afternoon, we visited the Western Xia Tombs, often referred to as the “Pyramids of the East.” We had known very little about the history and culture of the Western Xia beforehand, so starting with the Western Xia Museum gave us a foundational understanding of this dynasty, which emerged after breaking away from the Song dynasty, and deepened our appreciation for its unique contributions to Chinese civilization. We then took a shuttle bus to visit the tombs themselves. Although a light drizzle accompanied our visit to Tomb No. 3, the experience still felt thoroughly worthwhile.
Yinchuan is clean and orderly, with modern, well-designed architecture. For dinner, we enjoyed local specialty barbecue—very authentic and delicious. The only regret was that our stay was too short; we didn’t even have time to visit the banks of the Yellow River. That will have to wait until our next visit.
大佛寺，西夏王陵
2025年10月13-14日
在张掖住了一晚，第二天早晨我们参观了大佛寺（Giant Buddha Temple）。这座寺庙最早建于西夏时期，寺内供奉着一尊长约35米的巨大卧佛，是中国最大的室内泥塑卧佛，气势宏伟，令人叹为观止。
随后我们前往高铁站，坐火车前往银川。在火车上首先买了车上提供的腊肉煲仔饭作为午餐，很失望，几乎全是白米饭。幸运的是，我们发现如今中国在高铁上都可以订外卖，到站时会送上火车。当然只是一些稍大的火车站提供这项服务，并且店家也是很有限的。我们从兰州西站的一家肉夹馍店订了二份肉夹馍，火车离开兰州西站没几分钟，乘务员便拎着外卖袋送到我们的坐位，热乎乎的肉夹馍非常好吃，这个服务真的是超级棒。
抵达银川，入住酒店之后，在酒店旁的一家餐馆就餐。吃到了最好吃的油香饼和老酸奶。
第二天，我们首先拜访了从上海去大西北扎根办学工作一辈子的阿姨，姨父一家并且与他们共聚午餐。周到的表弟特地选了家南方口味的饭店，地道美食不比上海差。下午参观了被誉为“东方金字塔”的西夏王陵（Western Xia Tombs）。原本对西夏的历史与文化知之甚少，先参观西夏博物馆的展览，让我们初步了解这个从宋朝分裂出来的王朝，并对其在中华文明中的独特贡献有了新的认识与敬意。然后坐接驳车去看王陵，虽然参观三号陵时天公不作美，细雨纷纷，但这次行程依然让人觉得不虚此行。
银川市区干净整洁，城市建筑现代大方。晚餐吃了当地的特色烧烤，十分地道，美味可口。唯一的遗憾是停留时间太短，连黄河边都没能去看看——只能留待下次再访了。
Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest and Rainbow Mountains 金塔胡杨林与七彩丹霞
October 12 2025
Our driver recommended that we visit the Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest,……
今天原定的计划是离开嘉峪关,。。。
October 12 2025
Our driver recommended that we visit the Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest（金塔胡杨林), another magnificent desert oasis along the Hexi Corridor, just as the autumn colors were reaching their peak. Although it was not part of our original itinerary and required an extra 100-kilometer detour from Jiayuguan Pass, we gladly agreed to pay the additional cost for the chance to experience it.
After being dropped off at the entrance, we boarded the park shuttle and got off at the third stop—the main Euphratica Forest area. As sunlight streamed through layers of golden leaves, we followed a winding boardwalk deep into the grove. The Populus euphratica trees stood tall and proud, their gnarled trunks and radiant canopies forming a dazzling contrast against the endless blue sky. We admired the various distinct shapes of their leaves, each glimmering in the warm afternoon light.
Next, we took another shuttle to the observation tower and paid ¥20 to ride the elevator to the top. From there, a sweeping panorama of the golden forest unfolded beneath us, with a distant view of a solar-power tower shimmering in the desert.
Finally, we arrived at the main lake. The still water mirrored the golden trees so perfectly that the entire scene felt dreamlike and ethereal. While many visitors gathered by the lakeshore for photos, we wandered farther into the quieter parts of the forest and launched our DJI drone to capture aerial footage of ourselves walking beneath the glowing canopy. The golden hues, tranquil reflections, and vast desert backdrop created a truly magical and unforgettable experience.
After spending about three hours exploring the park, we drove 200 kilometers to Zhangye National Geopark（张掖国家地质公园）, also known as the Rainbow Mountains（七彩丹霞）. We entered the park in the late afternoon, when the low sun illuminated the hills in their most vivid hues. The shuttle bus took us to several viewing platforms, each requiring a short walk and offering breathtaking panoramic vistas. The landscape was spectacular—layers of red, orange, yellow, and white sandstone rippled across the terrain like waves of color painted by nature herself.
Our final stop was the Seven-Color Terrace（七彩观景台）, where the crowds gathered to witness the sunset. As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the hills blazed in fiery shades of gold and crimson, casting a surreal glow over the landscape. We had just ten precious minutes to savor the view before the light faded behind the mountains.
That evening, we stayed overnight in Zhangye and enjoyed a hearty dinner of 手抓羊肉 (hand-pulled mutton)—tender, flavorful, and perfectly satisfying after a long and rewarding day of travel.
2025年10月12日
今天原定的计划是离开嘉峪关，前往下一站张掖国家地质公园，但司机建议我们应该去金塔胡杨林（Jinta Populus Euphratica Forest）看看，那是河西走廊上又一处壮丽的沙漠绿洲，而现在正值胡杨林的金秋盛景。虽然这并不在原定行程中，还需从嘉峪关额外绕行一百多公里，但机会难得，为了能亲眼目睹这片秋色，我们欣然决定支付额外费用前往。
抵达景区入口后，我们换乘景区摆渡车。景区很大，而我们时间有限，只能挑几个点下车。首先我们来到原始胡杨林站，阳光透过层层金黄的树叶洒落下来，我们沿着曲折的木栈道深入林中。成片的原始胡杨树形态各异。我们边走边细细观察胡杨叶——圆的、椭圆的、长条的、三角的、心形的——每一片都在阳光下闪耀着金色光泽。
接着我们乘景区摆渡车前往胡杨塔，每人花二十元乘电梯登顶。俯瞰之下，整片金色林海尽收眼底，远处的发电塔在沙漠中闪烁着耀眼的白光。
最后一站是胡杨湖，也是整个景区最漂亮的地方。湖面如镜般平静，将金黄的树林倒映得如梦似幻。游客们纷纷在湖畔拍照留念，而我们则走向林中较为宁静的区域，放飞 DJI 无人机，从空中记录我们漫步林间、欣赏秋色的画面。那一刻令人陶醉，成为此行最难忘的回忆之一。
在林中流连忘返了三个多小时后，我们驱车两百多公里前往张掖国家地质公园（Zhangye National Geopark），也就是著名的七彩丹霞（Rainbow Mountains）。抵达时已近黄昏，低斜的阳光将山体的色彩渲染得格外浓烈。景区总共有四个观景台，风景各异。景区巴士载着游客穿梭于各个观景台之间，每一处观景台都需步行一小段路，上许多台阶，登高后皆可俯瞰令人震撼的地貌全景。那起伏的山峦，层叠的红、橙、黄、白相间，如同大自然挥洒的调色板，瑰丽无比。
最后一个观景台是人气最旺的七彩观景台（Seven-Color Terrace）。夕阳缓缓西沉，丹霞山体在金红色的余晖中熠熠生辉，宛如燃烧的彩霞，梦幻又永恒。当我们赶到时，仅有十几分钟的时间欣赏这绝美一幕，随后夕阳便隐没在远山之后。
夜幕降临，我们留宿张掖。晚餐在酒店附近的一家餐馆点了当地特色菜——手抓羊肉（hand-pulled mutton）。鲜嫩多汁、香气四溢。正好为这充实而难忘的一天画上完美的句号。
Yulin Grottoes, Jiayuguan Pass, and the Hanging Great Wall 榆林窟、嘉峪关与悬壁长城
October 11, 2025
On the morning of the third day, after checking out of the hotel,……
第三天早晨，我们退房后，。。。
October 11, 2025
On the morning of the third day, after checking out of the hotel, our driver arrived on time to pick us up and we set off for the day’s itinerary. Our first stop was the Yulin Grottoes, about a little over two hours away by car. Along the way, we made brief stops at two large-scale sculptures—Han Emperor’s Mighty Presence and Son of the Earth—to take photos and admire these grand and striking works of art rising from the Gobi Desert.
Nestled in a deep, narrow canyon surrounded by wind-carved cliffs and sparse desert vegetation, Yulin felt serene and contemplative, a striking contrast to the often-crowded Mogao Caves. The vivid murals and statues inside the caves, preserved in near-original condition, reflected the same Buddhist devotion seen in Dunhuang but with a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. We thoroughly enjoyed this tranquil visit.
After leaving Yulin, we drove about three hours to Jiayuguan Pass (嘉峪关), known as the “First and Greatest Pass under Heaven” (天下第一雄关)—the western terminus of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. The scenic area was well maintained and offered sweeping views of the desert landscape.
What impressed us most, however, was the nearby Hanging Great Wall (悬壁长城), dramatically built along the steep cliffs north of the pass. We eagerly climbed to the top, standing at the symbolic end of the Ming Great Wall, and marveled at the breathtaking views stretching endlessly toward the west.
During the long hours on the road, the driver shared many stories from his life. He told us about his previous assignment as a driver for the “800 Li of Flowing Sands” (八百流沙) — a grueling 400-kilometer desert ultramarathon. Before picking us up, he had just completed that job. The first-place runner, an American, finished the entire 400 km in only 69 hours, with almost no sleep. In fact, sleeping more than two hours was considered a violation of race rules. For that event, he was assigned to drive a professional photographer who followed one of the competitors throughout the race.
That evening, we stayed overnight in Jiayuguan and enjoyed a hearty hot pot dinner featuring tender lamb and beef—rich, flavorful, and the perfect way to end a long day of adventure.
2025年10月11日
第三天早晨，我们退房后，司机准时来酒店接我们，开始当天的行程。第一站是榆林窟，大约二个多小时的路程，途中我们在《汉帝雄风》和《大地之子》两座大型雕塑前短暂停留，拍照留念，欣赏这些戈壁滩上宏伟壮观 的艺术作品。
榆林窟位于一条幽深狭长的峡谷中，四周环绕着被大风雕刻的陡峭岩壁与稀疏的沙漠。这是我们此次旅程中参观的第三处石窟群，却同样令人难忘。与游客众多的莫高窟相比，这里格外宁静而庄重，令人自然生出一份敬意。因为地势环境的原因，这里许多洞窟内的壁画与彩塑保存完好，色彩依然鲜艳明丽，展现出千年前人们的信仰与艺术追求。
离开榆林后，我们驱车约三小时前往嘉峪关。来到“天下第一雄关”的嘉峪关景区，是明长城的最西端。景区修复良好，我们还赶上了练兵，杂技和各种舞蹈表演。而更令我们印象深刻的，则是位于嘉峪关北侧的悬壁长城。它依山势而建，蜿蜒于陡峭的崖壁之间。我们沿着石阶一路攀登至顶端，站在明长城的尽头，心中涌起一种难以言喻的激动与敬畏。
我们的包车司机在行车途中常常会与我们分享他的许多人生经历。而今天我们前前后后在戈壁滩上开车有三百多公里， 在漫长的行车途中，司机讲途了他刚刚完成的工作——为“八百流沙”这一极限耐力赛事担任司机。这是一场横跨沙漠的400公里超级马拉松，距离几乎是正常全马的十倍，但八百流沙的赛道要艰巨得多，跑者需穿越戈壁、沙漠和荒野。而我们今天沿途开过的一些地方正是这场比赛路线的一部分。第一名选手是一位美国人，仅用69小时便跑完全程，几乎没怎么睡觉。据说，睡觉超过两小时就会被视为违规。我们的司机在这次比赛中被分配为一位随行拍摄选手的专业摄影师开车。去年夏天在欧洲走勃朗峰时我们听说了超级勃朗峰跑步比赛(UTMB)，这次又听说了戈壁滩上的八百流沙超长距离极限赛，我们十分钦佩这些参赛者超凡的毅力。
当晚我们留宿嘉峪关，在当地餐馆享用了地道的羊肉、牛肉火锅。大西北的羊肉的确好吃，没有一点膻味。鲜嫩的肉片在滚烫的汤底中翻涌，香气扑鼻，又是充实而精彩的一天。
Buddhist Cave, Han Great Wall and etc 千佛石窟、汉长城及其他
October 10, 2025
Our driver came to pick us up for the second day of the tour……
October 10, 2025
Our driver came to pick us up for the second day of the tour. The hotel breakfast offered a wide variety of options and was quite decent.
The first destination was Western Thousand Buddha Caves (西千佛洞), located on the opposite side of the mountain from the Mogao Caves. The site contains sixteen caves in total, and our Chinese-only guided tour took us to see four of them. Though smaller and less ornate than Mogao, these caves had far fewer visitors, allowing us to enjoy the visit in peace and take in the art and atmosphere. We tried to absorb all we could about the history, the murals, and the people who created them more than a thousand years ago.
Afterward, we drove about 160 kilometers to Yadan National Geologic Park (雅丹地质公园), near the border between Gansu and Xinjiang. Inside the park, the shuttle bus made several stops for photos and short walks. The scenery was spectacular—vast and wind-sculpted—reminding us of the landscapes in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, which we were already familiar with.
Next, we continued to the Yumen Pass (玉门关) Scenic Park, which includes three major historical sites: the Small Square Castle (小方盘城), the Large Square Castle (大方盘城), and the Han Great Wall (汉长城). We were surprised to find that the park identifies Yumen Pass with the so-called Small Square Castle, a name originally given by two foreign explorers in the early twentieth century.
A shuttle took us to the Han Great Wall and the Large Square Castle, which lie at opposite ends of the park. It was astonishing to see portions of the Han-era Great Wall still standing after more than two thousand years—preserved by the dry desert climate and minimal human interference.
Our final stop of the day was Yang Pass (阳关). As one tourist in the park remarked, almost everything there, except for a pile of earth believed to be the remains of an ancient beacon tower (烽火台), is newly rebuilt. Yet it still felt surreal to walk along the Ancient Yangguan Avenue (阳关大道), imagining caravans and travelers setting out westward on the Silk Road.
On the way to the scenic area, we could see from a distance a dazzling solar power tower rising from the desert—China’s first 100-megawatt-class solar thermal power station in Dunhuang. Beyond it, across the vast and boundless Gobi, rows of photovoltaic panels stretched endlessly, wind turbines spun steadily in the breeze, and high-voltage transmission towers and communication lines crisscrossed the landscape, forming a magnificent panorama of modern energy development.
For dinner, we went to a restaurant recommended by our driver and ordered beef and wild chive dumplings, stir-fried elm samara shoots, and a dish called Hu-yang menbing (胡杨焖饼). At first, we assumed the name had something to do with mutton, but later learned that it was actually Hu-yang menbing, named after the desert poplar (hu-yang) wood that was traditionally used as fuel to bake the flatbread—though this primitive method is no longer used today.
Menbing can be served with a variety of toppings. Locals usually pair it with lamb, but beef, chicken, or pork ribs are also common. We chose a small portion of pork-rib hu-yang menbing. It was rich and flavorful, but even the “small” portion was far too generous for the two of us. We were completely full after finishing barely half of it.
It was a long, fascinating day—each stop offered so much history to absorb that by evening, our minds were full and our hearts deeply moved.
2025年10月10日
今天一早，司机来酒店接我们，开始当天漫长的行程。第一站是西千佛洞，它位于莫高窟所在山体的另一侧。在党河一边的洞窟共有十六个，我们随中文讲解团参观了其中四个。虽然规模和装饰远不如莫高窟宏大精美，但游客寥寥无几，使得参观过程格外安静从容。我们仔细聆听讲解，努力去了解当年开凿这些洞窟的人们及其信仰世界。
随后我们驱车约160公里前往雅丹地质公园，靠近甘肃与新疆的交界地带。进入景区后，换乘观光车，在多个观景点下车拍照、短暂步行。广阔无垠的雅丹地貌在风蚀作用下形成奇特的地形，景色壮丽而荒凉，与我们居住地附近—美国的亚利桑那州、科罗拉多州和犹他州的荒漠景观，颇有几分相似。
接着我们前往玉门关景区。园内主要有三处重要遗迹：小方盘城、大方盘城和汉长城。景区将玉门关遗址命名为“小方盘城”，这一称呼源自二十世纪初两位外国探险家的命名方式，而不是直接称为玉门关。
然后乘坐观光车带我们前往位于景区两端的汉长城遗址和大方盘城。看到两千多年前修筑的汉代长城依然屹立在戈壁滩上，我们感到无比震撼——这全得益于干燥的气候和几乎没有人为破坏的环境。
当天的最后一站是阳关。正如一位游客所说，除了那个古老的烽火台遗迹外，景区里的建筑几乎都是后人重建的。然而，当我们踏上阳关大道时，仍然感到一丝不真实的震撼，仿佛能看见昔日的使者与商旅从这里踏上通往西域的漫漫征途。
在前往景区的路上，远远就能看到一座闪耀夺目的光热发电塔——这正是国内首座100兆瓦级的敦煌光热发电站。除了光热发电外，放眼那无边无际的戈壁滩，光伏电板整齐铺展，风力发电机迎风旋转，高压输电塔与通信电缆纵横交织，构成了一幅壮观的现代能源画卷。
晚餐我们去了司机推荐的一家餐馆，点了沙葱牛肉水饺，风味炒榆钱和胡羊焖饼。原本以为“胡羊焖饼”与羊肉有关，后来才弄明白，其实应为“胡杨焖饼”——最初是用胡杨木生火烙制的饼，如今当然已不再采用这种原始做法。焖饼可以搭配多种底菜，当地人以羊肉为主，但也可以是牛肉、鸡肉或猪排。我们点的是小份排骨胡杨焖饼，味道香浓可口，只是小份对我们俩来说份量也还是太大，吃了一半就已经饱到吃不下了。
这一天的行程漫长而充实，每一处遗迹都蕴含着丰富的历史信息，让人目不暇接、回味无穷。
Mogao Caves and Mingsha Mountain 莫高窟与鸣沙山月牙泉
October 9, 2025
We had booked a four-day private car with a driver through Ctrip.com……
我们在携程上预订了为期四天的包车游。。。
October 9, 2025
We had booked a four-day private car with a driver through Ctrip.com. Our first day’s itinerary included the Mogao Caves (莫高窟) in the morning and Mingsha Mountain (鸣沙山) in the afternoon.
At 7:50 a.m., the driver’s wife picked us up from the hotel, as our tour for the Mogao Caves was scheduled at 8:30 a.m. For foreign passport holders, tickets must be purchased via Trip.com, with an additional ¥20 service fee for non-Chinese guided tours. Initially, we queued up for the regular Chinese-language tour, but the line was extremely long since most of the standard tickets were sold out. Eventually, we decided to wait for the English-language tour — and it turned out to be a wise choice.
Our small group consisted of only four people, compared with the usual 15–20 in the Chinese groups. The intimate setting allowed us to fully appreciate the artistic details and historical atmosphere. In total, we visited eight caves, each one a masterpiece of Buddhist murals and sculptures, radiating an aura of serenity and devotion. Later, we visited three additional caves that featured giant Buddha statues, open to visitors who couldn’t get regular tour tickets.
After the cave visit, our driver picked us up and drove us to the Mingsha Mountain Scenic Area, famous for its vast golden dunes. At the entrance, we bought protective sand shoes — successfully bargaining the price down to ¥8 each. The mountain is made up of fine, soft sand that glows under the desert sun, while at its base lies the picturesque Crescent Moon Lake (月牙泉), a natural spring surrounded by dunes.
Camel riding is one of the park’s signature attractions, but we preferred to hike — our favorite way to explore nature. To help visitors climb, the park had set up two long wooden ladders across the steep slopes. We first tried to ascend directly on the sand but soon switched to the ladders, which, though easier, still demanded effort.
Reaching the summit was immensely rewarding — the panoramic desert views under the afternoon light were stunning.
We stayed until nightfall as more visitors gathered on the dunes. At 8 p.m., an extraordinary scene unfolded — a massive open-air singalong began, with thousands of people sitting on the sand, waving glow sticks and phone lights. Lyrics were projected onto the dune itself, turning the desert into a giant karaoke stage. Locals told us that during peak season, as many as 10,000 people join this nightly singing event.
As songs echoed across the sands, we slowly descended the hill under the soft desert breeze, where our driver awaited us at the exit.
The driver dropped us off at the night market again for another taste of local cuisine. It was a full and unforgettable day — a perfect blend of art, history, and the magic of Dunhuang’s desert landscape.
莫高窟与鸣沙山月牙泉
2025年10月9日
我们在携程上预订了为期四天的包车游。第一天的安排是上午参观莫高窟，下午游览鸣沙山月牙泉。
早上七点五十分，司机的妻子准时到酒店接我们，因为我们的莫高窟参观票是八点半的场次。外国护照游客必须通过 Trip.com 购票，并额外支付二十元的服务费，以安排非中文讲解的团队。当天的正常票全部售罄，景区里的游客特别多，排着长队进入参观。起初我们排在中文团的长队中，后来决定等待英文讲解团，事实证明这是一个明智的选择。
我们的英文团只有四个人，而中文团通常有十五至二十人。这样的小团体让我们能更专注地欣赏壁画和雕塑的细节。我们共参观了八个洞窟，每一座都令人叹为观止：精美的壁画、庄严的佛像、巧妙的结构，无不展现出古代艺术的辉煌与宗教虔诚的力量。随后，我们又参观了三个大型佛像洞窟，这些是为没有买到普通票的游客开放的。
参观结束后，司机在出口接上我们，驱车前往鸣沙山月牙泉景区。在入口处，我们以八元的议价价买到了防沙鞋套。鸣沙山由细腻的黄沙组成，远望金光闪闪，山脚下的月牙泉清泉环沙而成，犹如沙漠中的一弯碧玉。骑骆驼是这里最受欢迎的活动之一，但我们更喜欢徒步登山。景区在沙丘上铺设了两条登山梯，以便游客攀登。我们一开始尝试直接踩沙上坡，几分钟后便放弃，改用木梯。即便如此，登顶依然颇为吃力。然而，当我们站在山顶，俯瞰连绵起伏的沙丘与夕阳映照下的湖水，所有的辛苦都变得值得。
我们一直待到夜幕降临。八点整，一场盛大的“沙漠卡拉OK”在山脚展开——上千人坐在沙地上，挥舞着荧光棒或手机灯，齐声高唱。歌词被投影在沙丘上，气氛热烈而震撼。据说在旅游旺季，参加者多达一万人。
伴随着歌声和夜风，我们缓缓从沙丘上走下，司机早已在出口等候。那一天的行程充实而难忘，既有艺术与历史的洗礼，又有自然与人文的融合，完美展现了敦煌的独特魅力。
Arrival at Dunhuang 抵达敦煌
October 8, 2025
We had long dreamed of exploring China’s vast northwest,……
我们早已向往中国西北的辽阔风光，。。。
October 8, 2025
We had long dreamed of exploring China’s vast northwest, and at last, the dream came true. Escaping Shanghai’s lingering October heat and humidity, we boarded a direct four-hour flight to Dunhuang on the final day of the National Day “Golden Week.” The plane was full, but the flight was smooth, and soon we stepped into the crisp, dry air of a Dunhuang autumn.
At the airport, our driver—booked through Ctrip—was already waiting for us. On the way to the hotel, she enthusiastically introduced local sights and even offered us a discount for the tickets for the evening’s show Again See Dunhuang (又见敦煌).
After settling into our hotel, we ventured out for dinner. Our first taste of northwestern cuisine—shacong scrambled eggs (沙葱炒鸡蛋) and beef dumplings (牛肉水饺)—was delightful, both dishes flavorful and hearty.
That evening, we attended the 8 p.m. show. It lasted about 90 minutes, the first hour featuring immersive performances where the audience followed actors through several themed stages that told ancient Silk Road stories. In the final half hour, everyone took seats in a theater for the grand finale. The production was unique in concept and scale, though it leaned more on spectacle than artistic depth.
After the show, we strolled through the bustling Dunhuang Night Market—advertised as one of the best in China. The lively stalls, glowing lanterns, and aromas of grilled skewers filled the air. We sampled a shacong beef pie (沙葱牛肉饼), juicy and flavorful, a perfect late-night snack.
Satisfied and tired, we returned to our hotel to rest, ready for the next day’s long-awaited visit to the Mogao Caves and the Singing Sands of Mingsha Mountain.
2025年10月8日
我们早已向往中国西北的辽阔风光，这次终于梦想成真。躲避上海十月初依然闷热潮湿的天气，我们在国庆“黄金周”的最后一天，搭乘了直飞敦煌的航班。四个小时后抵达敦煌，走出机场时，迎面而来的秋风清爽宜人，令人心情顿时舒畅。
机场出口处，提前在携程预订的司机已经等候我们多时，在去酒店路上，我们从她那里购买了当晚的演出票——《又见敦煌》。
入住酒店稍作休息后，我们便外出用餐。第一次品尝当地美食：沙葱炒鸡蛋和牛肉水饺，味道都十分出色，鲜香浓郁，颇具西北风味。
晚上八点，我们前往观看《又见敦煌》。这是一场融合了敦煌壁画、丝绸之路文化和佛教艺术的现代舞台艺术演出，整场演出约九十分钟，前一个小时观众需跟随演员穿梭于多个舞台，敦煌莫高窟文物遗失的情节重现眼前。最后三十分钟则在剧场中落座观赏舞台表演，观众仿佛亲历古丝绸之路的传奇故事。演出形式新颖，规模宏大，虽然艺术表现略显平淡，但依然别具特色。
演出结束后，我们前往热闹非凡的敦煌夜市——据说是全国最有名的夜市之一。摊位林立、灯火通明、香气四溢，我们品尝了沙葱牛肉饼，外酥内嫩、汁多味美，令人回味无穷。
饱餐一顿后，我们回到酒店休息，为明天期待已久的莫高窟与鸣沙山之行养精蓄锐。
Kaohsiung, Taitung 高雄, 台东
September 21, 2025
In the morning, we took a short 5-minute ferry to Ciji Island (旗津岛)……
September 21, 2025
In the morning, we took a short 5-minute ferry to Ciji Island (旗津岛) in Kaohsiung for a brief walk along the beach and through the old town. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any proper breakfast spots or coffee shops in the area. Instead, we stopped by a 7-Eleven and picked up a banana, a tea egg, and a rice triangle for a simple breakfast.
After a quick look around, we returned and strolled through the Pier-2 Art Center district, a former warehouse zone now transformed into a creative hub with art installations and boutique shops. Most shops did not open until 10 a.m., and with the scorching heat becoming unbearable, we soon decided to head back to the hotel.
Following a short rest, we checked out and boarded the train to Taitung. Just over an hour later, we arrived, greeted by strong winds — the sign of an approaching super typhoon in the forecast. Despite the weather, we still ventured out by bus to Xiaoyeliu Geopark (小野柳地质公园). However, due to the typhoon warning, all beach access was blocked. We could only admire the unique rock formations from a distance before returning to the city.
In the evening, we took another bus to Tiehua Village (铁花村音乐集市). Every night, local musicians perform on stage, surrounded by art booths that showcase indigenous culture, crafts, creative goods, specialty and foods. With the typhoon looming, the crowd was thin, yet the setting remained atmospheric and beautiful.
After dinner nearby, we took the bus back to the hotel. Tomorrow, we would board the northbound train once again to Taipei, completing our around-the-island journey.
September 22, 2025
At 6:00 a.m., we checked out of the hotel and headed to the train station to board a northbound train to Taipei. Light rain had already begun to fall when we left the hotel. We repeatedly checked the status of both the train and our flight, and only felt a bit relieved after the train finally departed.
The train traveled north along Taiwan’s east coast for more than four hours, passing through places such as Hualien. While on the train, we received typhoon disaster alerts reporting mudslides and large-scale landslides in the Hualien area.
After arriving safely in Taipei, we transferred to the airport MRT and headed to Taoyuan Airport. While waiting to board, we noticed that some flights had already been canceled. It wasn’t until we were finally seated on the plane bound for Shanghai that we truly let out a sigh of relief—our round-island journey had come to a smooth conclusion.
After returning to Shanghai and watching the news, we learned that the powerful typhoon “Haikasa” had severely battered Taiwan, with September 22 being the worst day. Once again, we felt fortunate to have escaped unharmed and narrowly avoided disaster.
高雄, 台东
2025年9月21-22日
高雄的清晨很安静，我们坐地铁来到海边再搭乘5分钟的渡轮前往旗津岛 (Ciji Island)，在沙滩与老街间短暂散步。遗憾的是，岛上几乎没有像样的早餐店或咖啡馆。最后我们只好走进 7-Eleven，买了香蕉、茶叶蛋和饭团当作简单的早餐。
稍作停留后，我们回到市区，漫步于驳二艺术特区 (Pier-2 Art Center)。这里原本是仓库区，如今被改造为创意园区，布满艺术装置与文创小店。不过几乎所有商店要到上午十点才会开门，再加上天气实在是炎热难耐，我们只逛了一小会儿便决定返回旅馆。
休息片刻后，我们退房，登上火车前往下一站台东。二个多小时后抵达时，迎面而来的是强劲的海风——气象预报说超强台风“桦加沙”（Ragasa)正逼近。尽管如此，我们还是搭公交去了小野柳地质公园。然而由于台风警报，园区海滩已全面封闭，只能远远欣赏奇特的岩石地貌，随后便返回旅馆。
傍晚，我们再次搭公交前往台东市里的铁花村音乐集市 (Tiehua Village)。这里每晚都有音乐人在舞台上表演，周围是许多艺术摊位，展示着原住民文化、手工艺品、创意作品、以及特色小吃。由于台风将至，一些摊位也已收摊。游客不多，但整体氛围依旧十分迷人。
在附近餐厅用过晚餐后，我们搭车返回。旅馆的大门已用木板和沙袋封住，再次让我们认识到台风将至，且会来势凶猛。心里有些不安，不知明天是否能顺利离开。
第二天临晨6点（9月22号）我们退房然后前往火车站，搭乘北上的列车前往台北。我们离开旅馆时，已经开始飘起小雨。我们反复确认火车及飞机航班的情况，直到火车开启之后才稍微放宽点心。火车沿着东海岸北上4个多小时，沿途经过花莲等地。在火车上我们收到台风灾害警报，花莲地区泥石流及大规模坍塌。
顺利到达台北，再换乘机场快线到桃园机场。候机时有看到一些航班已被取消。当我们终于坐上飞往上海的飞机时才真正舒了口气，这段环岛之旅顺利结束。
回到上海看新闻，这次超强台风“桦加沙”重创台湾，而22号正是最严重的一天。再次庆幸我们有惊无险，逃过一劫。
Sunrise at Alishan and Giant Tree Trail 阿里山日出与巨木群步道
September 20, 2025
We woke up before 4 a.m. to catch the Alishan–Zhushan train for sunrise viewing……
我们在凌晨四点前起床，。。。
September 20, 2025
We woke up before 4 a.m. to catch the Alishan–Zhushan train for sunrise viewing. At 4:50 a.m., in complete darkness, five fully packed cars slowly climbed toward Zhushan Station. There were two main observation platforms—360 and another nearby—and we chose the 360 platform. The weather could not have been better. As dawn broke, the sky lit up with a stunning palette of colors. Yet the sunrise itself was less dramatic; the sun rose from behind a mountain ridge, so by the time it appeared, it was already high above the horizon.
After sunrise, we warmed ourselves with hot tea at a nearby teahouse, enjoying its peaceful setting. Then we followed the pathway downhill into town for the complimentary breakfast included with our accommodation. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the poorest breakfasts we have ever had—labeled as “Western and Chinese style,” but the only “Western” part was coffee and square white bread, while the “Chinese” part was plain rice porridge, salted eggs, and cabbage. Service was equally lackluster. We wished they hadn’t offered breakfast at all, so we could have chosen our own, but options in town were scarce.
After breakfast, we packed, checked out early, and stored our luggage at the hotel before heading out to explore the Giant Sacred Tree group. The boardwalk through the ancient forest was pleasant and satisfying, especially with the perfect weather and fewer tourists around. Suddenly, we heard enchanting music echoing through the trees. Following the sound, we discovered an outdoor amphitheater in front of a massive sacred tree, where a group of young musicians were rehearsing on handpans—an instrument invented in Switzerland in 2000. The meditative tones resonated beautifully in the forest, creating a surreal experience. They were preparing for a concert later that afternoon; we wished we had time to stay for it.
After visiting the key scenic spots, we boarded the narrow-gauge train back to Alishan Station. Our host then dropped us at the bus stop for the two-hour ride back to Chiayi. The first hour was a wild journey—endless sharp curves with hardly a straight stretch of road—leaving us quite motion-sick.
From Chiayi, we continued by train to Kaohsiung. That evening, we visited the Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市). The air was hot and humid, and we found ourselves with little appetite. We sampled stir-fried clams and the famous “big sausage wrapped around small sausage,” then left the market early to return to our hotel and rest.
Although the Alishan Recreation Area offers some of the best-designed walking paths—built both to protect the environment and to ensure comfort for visitors—the overall service in the park felt underwhelming. At night, the town turns quiet and almost deserted, a sharp contrast to the lively atmosphere we often encountered in European mountain destinations. In Europe, the natural parks remain pristine, yet once you return to town, modern amenities and warm hospitality make the stay comfortable. Alishan, by contrast, preserves its untouched beauty in the forest, but the town itself still lacks that same level of service and convenience.
2025年9月20日
我们在凌晨四点前起床，乘坐阿里山–祝山的小火车去看日出。凌晨四点五十分，天还漆黑一片，满载游客的五节车厢缓缓爬升至祝山车站。那里有两个主要观景平台——360度观景台和祝山观日景台，我们选择了360度观景台。据说前几天山顶上一直被雾笼罩，今天我们很幸运，清早的天气再好不过了。黎明时分，天空被渲染成一幅绚丽的色彩画卷。然而日出本身却并不壮观，太阳从山脊后升起，当我们看见它时，它已经高挂在天际。
看完日出后，我们在附近的茶屋喝了热茶，静静享受宁静的氛围。随后沿着小径下行回到小镇，去吃旅馆提供的免费早餐，是在镇上的一家餐厅，这是我们吃过最差的早餐之一。虽然名义上是“中西式早餐”，所谓“西式”只有咖啡和白切片面包，“中式”则是白粥，咸鸭蛋和白菜。服务就更不用说了，完全就没有。只可惜镇上几乎也没有其它选择。
早餐后，我们收拾行李，提前退房并寄存好行李，然后出发去看巨木群。在古老森林中的木栈道修建的非常好，天气晴朗、游客稀少，行走在那里令人心旷神怡。突然，我们听到悠扬的音乐声在林中回荡。循声而去，来到一棵参天巨树前的露天小剧场，一群年轻的音乐家盘腿而坐正在演奏手碟——一种由瑞士音乐人于2000年发明的乐器。那冥想般的音色在森林间回荡，营造出一种超现实的氛围。他们正为下午的音乐会排练，我们真希望能留下来聆听。
Alishan Forest Train 阿里山森林小火车
September 19, 2025
After breakfast, we called an Uber to Chiayi Station and boarded Express 5 at 10 a.m……
早餐后，我们叫了Uber 前往嘉义火车站，。。。
September 19, 2025
After breakfast, we called an Uber to Chiayi Station and boarded Express 5 at 10 a.m. The ticket for the nearly five-hour ride — climbing from 30 meters above sea level to 2,300 meters — cost about $25, including admission to Alishan National Park.
To our surprise, we were the only two passengers in our carriage. The train had four cars, and the other three seemed reasonably full, but ours was completely empty. We never quite figured out why — perhaps they intentionally left some seats unsold.
The train departed on time, but about 45 minutes into the journey it came to a halt. We were informed that the power head at the back needed to be replaced with a different unit. After a delay of 45 minutes, the train resumed its climb. What an unexpected twist to start the trip.
The Alishan Forest Railway is more than 100 years old, originally built by the Japanese during their occupation to haul lumber out of the Alishan mountains. The narrow-gauge line snakes through lush forests, over 40 tunnels and countless bridges. Along the way, the weather shifted constantly — hot and humid at first, then foggy, rainy, and always with the train swaying left and right as it climbed.
The train made a 30-minute stop at Fenqihu (奮起湖), shorter than the scheduled one hour. There we sampled the famous railway bento box before re-boarding. Despite the earlier delay, the train impressively pulled into Alishan Station on time.
At the station, the hotel receptionist was waiting to pick us up, and just five minutes later we were settled into our room. The sky was overcast, but our excitement to see Alishan wasn’t dampened. We boarded the park shuttle (about $2 per person) to 沼口车站. As soon as we got off the bus, however, the rain poured down. Luckily, we could wait inside a covered rest area.
When the sky finally grew dim and the rain eased a little, we decided we couldn’t wait any longer. We headed down the trail toward the Sisters Ponds (姊妹潭). Unfortunately, it wasn’t much fun walking through the dark forest, even on the man-made paths. Soon the rainfall picked up again, and when we spotted a shuttle waiting for a tour group, we abandoned the hike and hopped on board back to the town.
The center of the Alishan tourist area turned out to be small and outdated. Few restaurants were open for dinner, and the one we chose served only mediocre food with cash-only payment and service that was even less appealing.
The rest of the evening was spent drying our shoes and hoping the weather would be kinder to us the next day.
2025年9月19日
早餐后，我们叫了Uber 前往嘉义火车站，搭乘上午十点的阿里山森林小火车。这趟从海拔 30 米一路攀升到 2300 米的近五小时车程，票价约 25 美元，还包含阿里山国家森林游乐区的门票。
小火车一票难求，之前为买票我们花了不少精力。而令我们非常意外的是，全车共有四节小车厢，其他三节都基本满座，唯独我们这节空荡荡的，整节车厢只有我们两位乘客。记得昨天早上抢票时没几分钟就说全部售磬了，也许铁路公司刻意保留了几个座位不出售吧。
列车准时发车，但刚开出约45分钟后就突然停下。工作人员通知我们，后方的动力机组需要更换。经过半个多小时的等待，列车才再次启动，继续缓缓爬升。这真是出乎意料的插曲。
阿里山森林铁路已有百年历史，由日本殖民时期所建，用于运送阿里山的木材。窄轨小火车蜿蜒穿梭在郁郁葱葱的森林之中，沿途经过40多条隧道和无数座桥梁。天气也在不断变化——一会儿闷热潮湿，一会儿起雾或下雨，而列车始终在左右摇晃中艰难爬坡。
途中列车在奋起湖停靠，本应有一小时在那里休息逛老街，却只停了半小时。我们抓紧时间品尝了著名的铁路便当。虽然旅程一开始有延误，但列车最后还是准点抵达阿里山车站，令人惊讶。
到站后，旅馆的接待人员已在等候。五分钟车程后，我们便入住了。天空依旧阴沉，但我们游园的兴致不减，立刻搭乘园区接驳车（每人新台币 60 元）前往 沼口车站。没想到刚一下车，雨就倾盆而下，好在附近有遮蔽的休息区可以暂避。
天色渐暗，雨势稍缓，我们不愿再等，便冒雨走上通往姐妹潭的步道。黑黝黝的森林里行走并没有太多乐趣，哪怕是人工修建的木栈道也有积水。很快雨又大了起来，雨衣防水鞋都不管用。正巧看到一辆接送旅行团的接驳车，我们便果断跳上车，结束行程，返回小镇。
阿里山游客中心一带的商业区并不大，略显陈旧。晚餐选择很有限，最后随便找了一家网上评论还算好的餐馆点了三道菜，不仅只能付现金，味道非常一般，服务更是糟糕。
当晚的主题，就是努力把湿透的鞋子烘干，并期待第二天会有更好的天气。
Chiayi 嘉义
September 17-18, 2025
Just a few days after returning from South America,……
刚从南美回来没几天，。。。
September 17-18, 2025
Just a few days after returning from South America, we boarded a Delta flight once again to travel back home to visit our aging parents. During our layover in Seattle, we stopped by the Delta One Lounge, a business-class lounge that Delta opened about two months ago. There are only four of these lounges in the entire United States. Over the years, we’ve traveled all over the world and visited countless airport lounges, but this time the Delta One Lounge truly stood out—both the service and the food offerings were top-notch.
On our way to Shanghai, we stopped in Taipei for a few days. Delta one meals on the plane were also decent. Since we had already visited the capital several times in recent years, we skipped the city itself and headed straight to Chiayi by high-speed rail.
Arrival at Taoyuan Airport was smooth—within 30 minutes of landing, we were already on the airport express to Taoyuan HSR Station. From there we boarded the high-speed train to Chiayi. The Chiayi High Speed Rail Station (HSR) is located in Taibao, about 15 km away from the old Chiayi Train Station in the city center, which was a bit confusing at first. Our hotel was close to the HSR station, so the previous night we simply took an Uber there.
This morning, we got up early and logged in right at 6 a.m. to try our luck at booking tickets for the Alishan Forest Railway. The line, which had been out of service for 15 years, had only reopened last year, making tickets extremely competitive—especially since we had just one day available. Luckily, four tickets were still available when we logged in, but within minutes all were gone.
After breakfast at the hotel, we walked across the street to visit the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum. Unlike the Taipei main museum, this branch is housed in striking modern architecture surrounded by vast landscaped grounds, designed not only for cultural exhibitions but also for leisure and community use. We had first learned of its existence three years ago at the Taipei museum, where we were told the famous Jadeite Cabbage had been moved south. Excited to finally see it, we were disappointed to discover it was on loan to Prague—missed again! Even so, the exhibitions were impressive, though—as always in such museums—far too much to fully take in during a single visit.
From the museum, we caught the free shuttle bus into Chiayi city. The nearly empty bus felt like our private ride. At the historic Chiayi Railway Station, we picked up our Alishan paper tickets and also purchased return bus tickets from the mountain.
Next, we headed for lunch at Smartfish, a seafood restaurant widely recommended. The walk there was unpleasant under the hot, humid weather and lingering sewage smells, but luckily the restaurant wasn’t too far. After a short wait for a table, we managed to try their signature dish. While tasty, it was a bit too fatty for our liking, and we decided not to return to this area again for the night market.
After lunch, we called an Uber to Hinoki Village, a collection of Japanese colonial-era wooden houses now repurposed as shops. The buildings were beautifully maintained and decorated, but the commercial focus didn’t interest us much.
After a short stroll in the village, we returned by shuttle bus to the museum and wandered the park grounds and had coffee break in the museum cafe.
Rain began to fall, so we headed back to our hotel for a rest. Dinner was the hotel buffet, which turned out to be diverse and high quality, with sushi and sashimi among the highlights. Later in the evening, we returned to the museum park to enjoy the lighted fountain shows. With only 10–20 other visitors around, the atmosphere was peaceful, and the rotating themed performances every 15 minutes were a delightful surprise—an unexpectedly charming way to end the day.
台湾故宫南院 · 嘉义
2025年9月17-18日
刚从南美回来没几天，再次坐上达美航空（Delta)回国去看望年迈的父母。在西雅图转机时去了Delta One Lounge, 这是达美航空大概二月前新开的商务贵宾室，全美只有4家。这些年满世界跑，去过无数的贵宾室，但这次的Delta one无论是服务态度还是里面提供的餐饮都是一流的。
前往上海的途中，我们先在台湾停留几天。由于近几年已经多次造访台北，这次便跳过台北，直接搭乘高铁前往嘉义。抵达桃园机场非常顺利——落地不到 30 分钟，我们就已经搭上机场捷运前往桃园高铁站。随后转乘高铁南下到嘉义。嘉义高铁站位于太保市，距离嘉义市区的旧火车站-嘉义站约 15 公里。我们的酒店离高铁站不远，昨晚我们直接叫了 Uber 前往入住。
今天一早，我们6 点准时上线抢购阿里山森林小火车的车票。这条铁路停运了 15 年，去年才重新开通，因此车票异常抢手，尤其是我们只有一天的时间可以上山。这次来台湾前的近二周时间我们一直试图上网买票，但总也买不到。但我们发现一个规律，很多时候在行程前一天网上会出来几张票。所以今天早上5点多就做好准备，等小火车网络系统6点开始运营时二人同时抢。很幸运当我们登入时还有四张余票，赶紧入手，几分钟后便全部售罄。
在酒店吃了丰盛的早餐后，我们走到酒店对面的故宫南院参观。与台北的故宫不同，南院以现代建筑和广阔的园林为特色，不仅是文化展览的场所，也兼具休闲和社区功能。三年前我们在台北故宫时没看到著名的翠玉白菜，当时被告知是在故宫南院展出。这次原本满心期待终于能亲眼一睹，结果发现它又被外借到捷克布拉格去展览——我们再次错过了！南院馆内的展品比台北故宫要少很多，但依然令人印象深刻。只是内容浩瀚，让人难以在短时间内完全消化。
之后我们从故宫南院搭乘免费的接驳巴士前往嘉义市区。车上几乎没有其他乘客，感觉就像包车一般。在嘉义旧火车站，我们取到了明天的阿里山森林小火车的打印车票，并且买好了后天回程的巴士票。
接着我们前往当地极负盛名的鱼头餐厅——林聪明砂锅鱼头（Smartfish）。顶着闷热潮湿的天气，加上空气中难闻的下水道味道，虽然餐厅不算太远，但走过去的过程颇为难熬。餐厅不大，生意兴隆，必须拿号在店外等。好在餐厅几乎只卖鱼头汤，客人周转还比较快，我们只等了一会儿就入座。招牌砂锅鱼头味道确实不错，但油腻感稍重。嘉义的天气和环境让我们我们当下决定不再为了夜市而再回到这一带。
午餐后，我们叫了 Uber 前往桧意森活村。这里保存了一批日治时期的木造建筑，如今被改造成各式小商店。虽然建筑维护得很好，装饰精美，但以商业为主的氛围并不特别吸引我们，所以只停留片刻便离开。随后再次搭乘接驳巴士回到故宫南院，在园区里散步，享受清幽环境，并且在南院里的小咖啡馆享用了咖啡和冰淇淋。
天色渐暗且开始下雨，我们便回酒店休息。晚餐选择了酒店自助餐，种类丰富，品质也很高，寿司和生鱼片尤为出色。饭后，我们再次走到故宫南院，欣赏夜间的灯光水舞表演。喷泉每 15 分钟一场，主题各异，现场只有十几位游客，氛围宁静而舒适。绕着湖走一圈，遍走遍看灯光表演，不同的角度有着不同的感受，很精彩。
Charleston, SC
September 4–8, 2025
After one day of rest at home in Phoenix following our two-week trip to Argentina and Brazil,……
September 4–8, 2025
After one day of rest at home in Phoenix following our two-week trip to Argentina and Brazil, I flew to Charleston, South Carolina to meet my son, Cody, for a birthday getaway. We met at the airport, rented a car, and drove to our hotel in Mount Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston. Shortly after settling in, we headed to nearby Shem Creek and enjoyed our first seafood meal at Saltwater Cowboys. As the sun set, the creek shimmered beautifully in the evening light.
On September 5, we drove into historic downtown Charleston and spent the morning strolling through the charming streets. The surrounding plantations were stunning. For lunch, we stopped at Fleet Landing by the water. Both the Fried Green Tomato Stack and the Charleston Shrimp & Grits were unique and delicious. Afterward, we walked along the Waterfront Park, enjoying the breeze and the views.
For Cody’s birthday dinner, we had our eyes on one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Charleston—Chubby Fish. The restaurant opens at 5 p.m., takes no reservations, but allows you to put your name down for later seatings. We arrived at 4 p.m. and joined the already-forming line. When the doors opened at 5, we were lucky enough to secure seats for the 6:45 p.m. second seating. With more than an hour to spare, we walked to The Darling Oyster Bar nearby and enjoyed 16 oysters—some costing only $1 each.
We returned to Chubby Fish for the main celebration. The food did not disappoint: the caviar sandwich, shrimp tempura served on top of bone marrow, and tuna toast were all excellent. The biggest surprise came at the end, when the waitress handed us a $0.01 bill and told us Cody’s sister had called ahead and taken care of the entire meal. It was such a thoughtful, loving gesture—a perfect end to what must have been one of Cody’s best birthday celebrations.
On September 6, we set out for Bulls Island. We boarded a scenic 30-minute ferry ride that wound through tidal creeks before reaching the island in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Once ashore, we walked through lush jungle trails and explored Boneyard Beach. Along the way, we searched for sand dollars and collected beautiful shells. The sun was scorching, but we had a wonderful time. On the ferry back, we were greeted by playful dolphins swimming alongside the boat.
Back in the city, we enjoyed baked oysters before heading to a popular local spot for classic Southern BBQ.
On September 7, we visited Cypress Gardens and rowed a boat across the quiet pond, surrounded by hauntingly beautiful cypress trees—a peaceful and memorable experience. For lunch, we tried a local restaurant and enjoyed another round of shrimp and grits.
In the afternoon, we toured Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. We took a plantation tour to learn about the family’s history and wandered through the lush estate. Halfway through, a sudden downpour drenched us, but it added a bit of adventure to the day.
For our final dinner, we returned once more to Shem Creek and enjoyed a delicious seafood meal at Shem Creek Crab House.
On September 8, after breakfast, we returned the car and headed to the airport. Our father-and-son birthday trip came to an end—an unforgettable time filled with great food, nature, and cherished memories together.
Botanic Garden & Going Home 植物园与回家了
September 2, 2025
Today marked the final day of our,……
今天是我们布宜诺斯艾利斯、。。。
September 2, 2025
Today marked the final day of our, Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls and Rio journey. Since our flight was not until the evening, we still had a full day to explore. Believe it or not, during the entire trip we had never sat down for a proper breakfast in a restaurant. We decided to change that this morning and stopped by a local spot on the way to the Rio Botanical Garden. The western-style breakfast was filling, though not particularly Brazilian in flavor.
At the Botanical Garden, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the marvelous and biodiverse grounds. Lush greenery surrounded us, jackfruit hung from the trees, and playful monkeys caught much of our attention. We lingered there longer than expected, soaking up the peaceful atmosphere, and had a delightful lunch right inside the garden before wrapping up our visit.
In the afternoon, it was time to head to the airport. We spent a couple of comfortable hours at the Priority Pass Lounge before boarding our overnight flight. By morning, we landed in Atlanta, where we checked into the Delta Sky Club with our travel companions while waiting for our connecting flight to Phoenix. In the lounge, we improvised a little birthday cake and even sang a birthday song for one of our friends—a cheerful and heartfelt way to close the journey.
What a fitting end to this trip: beautiful gardens, shared laughter, and memories to carry home.
二零二五年九月二日
今天是我们布宜诺斯艾利斯、伊瓜苏瀑布和里约热内卢之旅的最后一天。由于航班在晚上才起飞，我们依然有大半天的时间可以探索。在整个旅程中，我们还没在餐厅里正式吃过早餐。于是今天早上，我们决定打破惯例，在前往里约植物园的路上，在一家当地餐馆享用了一顿早餐。虽然是西式风味，分量充足，但并没有多少巴西特色。
在植物园里，郁郁葱葱的绿意环绕四周，树上挂满了菠萝蜜，而顽皮的小猴子更是吸引了大家的目光。我们悠闲地漫步在充满奇妙与生物多样性的园区中。最后还在园区内的餐厅享用了一顿惬意的午餐，才依依不舍地离开。
回到住处打包收拾行李，预定的出租车准时来接我们前往机场。在候机的几个小时里，我们在 Priority Pass 贵宾休息室里舒适地度过。在飞机上好好睡了一觉，夜航班清晨抵达亚特兰大，我们和同行伙伴们一起进入达美航空Sky Club，在那里等待转机前往凤凰城。在休息室里，得知今天正好是其中一位朋友的生日，我们搞了一份小小的生日蛋糕，还为朋友唱起了生日歌——温馨而欢乐的时光，让我们的四国之行有一个完美的结局。同时为我们自己还能像以前一样在外折腾而欣慰。
Christ the Redeemer 基督像
September 1, 2025
Christ the Redeemer is the most iconic landmark in Rio de Janeiro. …...
基督像是里约热内卢最具代表性的地标。。。
September 1, 2025
Christ the Redeemer is the most iconic landmark in Rio de Janeiro. There are two main ways to reach the site: by funicular or by van. While riding the funicular would have been our preferred choice, it requires a 40-minute walk from the nearest metro station through unfamiliar streets. To avoid the extra walk, we opted for the official van service that picked us up directly at Botafogo Metro Station. After a short ride, we transferred to another van that carried us up the mountain to the monument.
Unfortunately, the weather was not very cooperative today. Clouds covered the sky and light rain came and went. At first, the statue was completely hidden in mist. But as luck has often been with us on this trip, the rain suddenly stopped and the clouds drifted away. Christ the Redeemer appeared dramatically before the cheering crowd—only to vanish again a few minutes later back into the mist, a truly mysterious sight.
After a short stroll through the small park at the summit, we descended by van back to the metro station and took the train to the city center for lunch at Café Colombo. Two days earlier we had seen long lines there, but this time we walked in without waiting. As Rio’s oldest café, it impressed us with its grand architecture and elegant interior. The food and drinks were satisfying, and the lively atmosphere was heightened by several birthday celebrations taking place around us.
In the afternoon we headed to the Museum of Tomorrow, where we spent a couple of hours exploring its creative exhibitions. The futuristic architecture of the building itself was a highlight. Plus, it was free for elders like us. Afterwards, we took an Uber to Ipanema and strolled along the beach, sipping fresh coconuts and soaking up the vibrant seaside vibe before dinner.
For our final meal in Rio, we wanted to show consideration for one of our travel companions who is vegetarian. She had graciously joined us at many meat-heavy restaurants throughout the trip, so we chose a vegan restaurant for the evening. It turned out to be an excellent choice—not just for her, but for everyone. The dishes were delicious and full of flavor.
Although the day began with rain, it ended as yet another memorable travel day filled with iconic scenery, rich culture, and great food.
二零二五年九月一日
基督像是里约热内卢最具代表性的地标。前往山顶有两种方式：乘坐登山小火车或开车。我们本来更想搭乘小火车，但从最近的地铁站走过去需要40分钟，而且路不熟。为了避免额外的步行，我们选择了官方面包车服务，在博塔弗戈 (Botafogo) 地铁站直接上车。短途行驶后，我们换乘另一辆面包车，才最终抵达山顶的纪念碑。
今天的天气并不太配合, 早上起来天空就一直布满乌云，时不时还飘着小雨。当我们到达山顶时，起初雕像完全隐没在浓雾之中。但幸运一如既往地伴随着我们的旅程，几分钟后雨突然停了，云层慢慢散开。基督像在欢呼的人群面前戏剧般地显现出来——不到一分钟又神秘地重新消失在雾气之中，场面奇妙而震撼。大家都不愿离开，眼看着基督像就这样云里雾里的忽隐忽现，那种感觉真的是很神奇。功夫不负有心人，我们居然等到被蓝天白云衬托着基督像。
在山顶待了近一小时后，我们乘面包车下山回到地铁站，再搭地铁前往市中心，在科伦布咖啡馆（Café Colombo) 用午餐。两天前我们路过时，这里排着长长的队等开门。今天我们运气好，竟能直接入座，并且正好还是六个人的大桌。作为里约最古老的咖啡馆，它以宏伟的建筑和华丽的内部装饰闻名，令人印象深刻。餐点和饮品也颇为可口，而热闹的气氛更因多场生日聚会而显得格外喜庆。
下午，我们前往明日博物馆 (Museum of Tomorrow)，花了两个小时参观创意十足的展览。未来感十足的建筑本身就是一大亮点，而且对我们这样的“长者”还是免费入场。之后我们叫了 Uber 去到伊帕内玛 (Ipanema)，沿着海滩散步，一边喝着新鲜的椰子水，一边感受充满活力的海边氛围。
在里约的最后一顿晚餐，我们特别为同行的一位素食伙伴挑选了一家素食店。从阿根廷到巴西，一路以来她都毫无怨言地陪我们大家在以肉食为主的饭店用餐，因此今晚我们大家决定陪她一起吃素食。结果证明这一选择非常明智——不仅仅是她，我们每一位都觉得菜肴非常美味可口，是一次很不错的体验。