This is travel beyond the norm!
I mostly travel alone. I have for five decades. How many women get to say that? There are stories, lots of good stories. Of course, there have been missteps, some scrapes, and a few tears. However, in the big risk-benefit payoff of life, where is it said better than Desiderata: "Despite the sham, drudgery and broken dreams - the world is still a beautiful place.”
Here is the world as I have seen it. What does it look like to you?
Shichahai Shadow Art Hotel
24 Songshu Street, Xicheng District, West/Central Beijing
This hotel is a calm in the middle of a concrete storm. Besides learning art in the form of shadow puppetry, you can also take part in other activities like making Chinese dumplings.
The hotel is clean and the beds are very comfortable. The staff all speak English and are super helpful & friendly.
If you are travelling on the cheap, however, this hotel is not for you. To me, it was worth every penny.
The only little trick is finding the place. The hotel is located down an obscure alleyway. (Alleys are called hutongs in Chinese; lots of hutongs in Beijing) Keep reminding yourself: The sweetest fruit is furthest on the vine.
Most Recent Travels
South Coast of Newfoundland
This was an excursion. Most places that you want to reach are isolated and accessible only by ferry.
Every little town had its challenges either to reach, to find places to stay, to find public places to eat, however, the landscape beauty, the unequalled hospitality and the serenity made this trip one of the best I have ever taken.
The most charming place to stay was Gillett’s Motel in Burgeo. A lovely couple who had purchased the hotel in 2020 having spent most of their lives in Alberta, were returning home. Comfortable beds, fabulous breakfast, and kindly manners made this place a home away from home.
Burgeo is famous for the Sandbanks Provincial Park where you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in Newfoundland & Labrador. The town is located on the South West coast, approximately 150km off the Trans Canada highway. Well worth the detour.