Hostel Review: Lianlian Templeside Hutong Guesthouse

During my trip to Beijing, part of my wonderful stay was in this wonderful guesthouse aka hostel. A guesthouse run by a family with two young and friendly English speaking receptionist, the Lianlian Templeside Hutong Guesthouse is highly recommended for backpackers and seasoned traveler. Starting from about USD 10 per night for mixed dorm bedroom, it's one of the most affordable guesthouse I've ever been. Do not expect breakfast to be included but you can order some continental breakfast. The cleanliness is perfect.

As you entered the guesthouse, you will experience the feeling of staying in an ancient Chinese area. Let's take a look more on the photos below.

The entrance to the Hostel


One of the roommate in the mixed dorm I stayed


The hutong of An Ping which the hostel is situated at


and here we go..
inside the hostel, fancy those decorations of red lanterns, bamboo chairs and the oriental experience




a rooftop area for relaxation and tea drinking activity


Under a shady tree with overlooking old rooftops..priceless experience

Well I'm not going to elaborate on the rooms as it's not some kind of old mattresses and bed..it's of normal bed but it's very comfortable and gave you a good night sleep. Besides wifi and internet services are also provided free of charge with 24 hours security. Very affordable travel packages could be planned and prepared by them.

I would like to give this hostel a rating of 4.5 out of 5 as the location is a little far from the subway station of (Xisi or Fuchengmen) of approximately 15 minutes walk plus looking for the location..it might be a little complicated for non Chinese speaking tourist, but it's a good experience to get to know more about the roads and streets of Beijing. Anyway, this hostel is actually situated in the middle of the city. To make reservations, you could visit the Hostelworld website.

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Giant Bird's Nest of China

It's a been a while since the last posting..and yea..this time it's a post from my first trip to Beijing, China. On this first posting I will be posting on the Olympic Stadium aka the Bird's Nest. Located at the Olympic Green subway station the stadium cost $ 423 million. The design originated from the study of Chinese ceramics, steel beams were implemented to hide the retractable rooftop and thus given the name Bird's nest. Ai Weiwei was the artistic consultant of the project. The cost of the ticket to enter the stadium is 50 yuan (approx. RM25). Let's get to the photos below!

HDR Night View Shot of the Bird's Nest Stadium 

That's the Olympic Stadium from afar

That's me with the stadium and water cube behind

Close-up of the bird's nest stadium with difficult architecture

Close-up of the bird's nest stadium with difficult architecture

The Five Friendly Mascots of Beijing Olympics, Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, Nini

The interior of the stadium..it's hugeee and vast

3/4 panoramic shot of the stadium

Dual color seating of red and white

Up-close in the dusk

That's the water cube during the windy night

The Olympic tower with the five rings symbol

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Of Cherry Blossoms and Sakuras

6th time in Japan, 5th time in Tokyo, 1st time experiencing Spring season aka Sakura season..but a lil not so lucky as I did not get to experience the full bloom as I had to go back to Penang earlier due to Cheng Beng (Qing Ming) and research + teachings. Nevertheless I believe that I will have the real chance again next year..Weathers are weird, in some parts it snowed in Spring and early blooming of Sakuras although it snowed. (Warmer temperatures are needed for Sakura to bloom)

Anyway let's enjoy some of the sakuras that I got to spectate.

Just glad to have noticed the first bloom of Sakura in the University of Tokyo (Toudai).

At a closer shot

and here's some more at the Ueno Park..thanx to my friend, Siew Fong who brought me there..

that's some of the Sakura Trees ..no blooming yet for this one


And here you could see some buds already started to open up.imagine when it's full bloom..blissful right?


Here are some sakuras, half bloom


finally spotted some






Closer shots for you


Beautiful pink sakuras


White Sakuras

that's all for now..will be posting on the landscapes of the University of Tokyo in the next post...Be sure to keep track of it. :D Any questions or queries, could be forwarded to my email

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Part 2: The Kruger National Park

hoho! Finally I'm back after my very first spring in Japan..and now the conclusion of the Kruger National Park. This post will be more on landscapes and some 'fine' animals as well. For the first version please visit the Part 1 Kruger National Park.

And now the concluding photos..please enjoy them :D

The Head office of the National Park inside...

CLICK TO ENLARGE..I LOVE THIS ONE

2 deers crossing the road


Hippos resting by the lake..and oh yea..together with the crocs..
CLICK TO ENLARGE...


and The CROCs are resting by themselves here..guess most of them are freaked-off the hippos


Stork searching for some fishes..


And here we are..some huge family of baboons conquering the road


A mum and its young..cute eh


And I think this guy's the boss..


This guy's late


Some monkeys hanging around the tree

and here we are..some long neck giraffes...


Busy eating some leaves


aww..it's hiding its head


and finally we get to see it's loongggg neck..click to enlarge :D

WELL THAT'S ALL FOR NOW...WILL BE POSTING ON SOMETHING ELSE SOON..SEE YA!

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The Kruger National Park

I'm back! It's been few weeks since I've updated on my blog..well this time will be on the long awaited Kruger National Park Series. It is one of the largest in the African Continent extending from about 350km North to South and 60km from East to West. That's 1/4 of Peninsular Malaysia..imagine the vast area. The Kruger National Park is situated on the Eastern side of South African and it covers Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces while bordering with Zimbabwe on the North and Mozambique on the East. As the area is huge, the park is diverse wild life as well as floras and other ecosystems. These include the "Big 5" which are the elephants, lions, cheetahs, buffalos and rhinoceros. I have the chance to catch 4 out of the 5 (I missed out the Cheetahs as they are very hard to get sighted.)
Well enough of stories, pictures paint more words. For extra information google 'Kruger National Park'

Love the silhouette


It was very early in the morning, at a temperature of about zero degrees and we're at the one of the main gates of Kruger National ParK

General landscapes of the National Park

First catch! Deer species sighted


Monkeys playing around in the morning


Elephants SPOTTED!

A 'BULL' elephant (very old aka veteran elephant) showing its ass..could you see the long tusk?


Another group of elephants showing their asses..wth??


No more asses..this time spotted the mother and the calf..lovely isn't it? The calf looks like its smiling at us :D


And some adult elephants around.eating some plants?


2 Buffalos showing their asses again..come on..look at the main road! Another big 5 spotted!


Next BIRDS!

Birdlovers..mind telling me what species is that?

Hornbills...remember Zazu of the Lion King series? That's the African Hornbills


The fearless blue chested bird...why are they fearless??


They dare to get near humans..could you see that in Malaysia? even the tamest doves aka merpati would flew away at that distance.


And now let me introduce Pumba..


Pumba running alone..where's Timon? oh well he got captured in here


Impala spotted



Looks and sounds like an 'open' dam..


That's me as a proof I was there with Orpen Dam as the background..



Deers crossing the road..





And a zebra as well..this fella's late for appointment

We managed to drive up to the top of a hill of about 700m above sea level and here what we could see....



The plains are SUPER BLOODY HUGE...it's VAST as far as the eye can see..of you could click on this picture and take a closer look..the small vegetations on the ground are actually huge grown-up trees..if you can successfully imagine it..well done..otherwise come over to visit the Kruger National Park..you will feel the greatness of this Pride Lands..




and the final part of the 2 part postings...

Lucky sightings of the Lions..


Two lioness with their prey, Zebra..could be that Zebra just now..


Waiting for the Lion King to have its zebra meal


A closer look


and finally get to capture it's sharp teeth while it's yawning..luckily not roaring..

Well that's all for now..will be trying my best to upload the part 2 before I head to Tokyo again for Spring Sakura Season..hopeso!

zzzENDzzz

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