WARREN RODWELL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 http://www.mytb.org/Wocca 

 

WARREN RODWELL : an expatriate English - native - speaker, has regularly submitted written features / photographs for magazines, newspapers & online publications, as well as having moderated various internet forums. Warren has lived & travelled in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. For most of this century, he has been based in China. The travels below outline Warren's movements around the world.

 

 

 

 

OTHER WEBLINKS: (Copy & paste OR click)

 

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CHINA · Sep 08 - Aug 2009
WUXI, JIANGSU PROVINCE:

Warren holds a Foreigner Residence Permit for the Peoples Republic China. He teaches at Jiangnan University [ School of Business ], Wuxi in Jiangsu Province; about one (1) hour by fast train from Shanghai. Copy & paste the following link or click http://www.jiangnan.edu.cn for more details.

 

 

 

 

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JAPAN · August 08
Osaka (side trip)

CHINA · August 08

PHILIPPINES · July - Aug 08
Manila, Boracay, Iloilo, Cebu,
Bohol, Dumaguete, Siquijor

THAILAND · July 2008
Koh Chang & Bangkok

CAMBODIA · July 2008
Phnom Penh, Kep, Sihanoukville
Checking out the south coast ...


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CHINA · Sept 05 - July 08
CHENGDU, SICHUAN PROVINCE:

* Hometown of the giant panda.

 

 

 

 

 

Warren taught postgraduates at the University of Electronic Science & Technology of China (UESTC) http://www.uestc.edu.cn/web/english/about_uestc_e.aspx in Chengdu for 3 years. Mr Rodwell co-produced the book "Chengdu Sichuan China". He also contributed to & asssisted in a language advisory capacity to "GO WEST", a pioneering magazine for culture & nature, distributed through 5 star hotels.

LOCAL JAUNTS INCLUDE:

Mt Emei & Leshan Giant Buddha
Dead Sea of China, Daying County
Qingyanggong Taoist Temple, Chengdu
Sanxingdui(SHI)Ancient Cultural Ruins
Giant Panda Bear Breeding Research Centre
Linquanshi and Guangdeshi Temples, Suining

 

 

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LAOS · July 07 - August 07
Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Pakse, Vientiane, & Four Thousand Islands


MYANMAR (BURMA) · July 07
Assist Buddhist University

CHINA · June 07
KUNMING - Arrange visa

CHINA · May 07
SHANGHAI - Golden Week

CHINA · February 07
PANZHIHUA - Spring Festival

 

 

 

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EUROPE · June 06 - July 06
Germany,Switzerland,Austria,
Czech Republic and Poland

CHINA · Oct 05
CHONG QING:
Golden Week on the banks of the Yangtze River

CHINA · AUG 05
HONG KONG, YANGSHUO & XI'AN:

Flew back to Hong Kong in August 2005 & then  holidayed domestically in mainland China (Yangshuo & Xi'an).

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AUSTRALIA · Jul 05 - Aug 05
Warren returned to Australia after three years living in Asia. His family & friends are on both sides of the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 
HONG KONG · Jul 05 - Jul 05
Two month summer vacation and Warren flew in/out of mainland China to Hong Kong a couple of times. A chance to have a look around, taste some local cuisine, and so on.

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CHINA · May 04 - Jun 05
KUNMING & XISHUANGBANNA:

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Taught in the Foreign Languages Department, International Finance Department, and the International Business School of Yunnan University of Finance & Economics, a government university in Kunming. Also holidayed for a week in Xishuangbanna, close to the Laos / Myanmar borders.

 

 

 

 

PHILIPPINES · Jan 05 - Feb 05
MANILA:
Several days in Manila before beaching out for a couple of weeks at Puerto Galera (White Beach & Sabang). Back to Thailand for more quality beach time & the return flight to China.

THAILAND · Jan 05 - Feb 05
BANGKOK, KANCHANBURI & KOH CHANG:

 

Two months winter holidays. In Bangkok catching up with local friends, and organising flights to The Phils. On return to Thailand ... taking it easy at Kanchanaburi (River Kwai) inland, then over on beautiful Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand, close to the Cambodian border. Afterwards, I flew back to continue working & living in south west China

 

 

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CHINA · Oct 04 - Oct 04
DALI, LIJIANG & SHANGRI-LA;
The first day of October each year is National Day in China. A week-long holiday called "Golden Week" is observed. With a group of nine friends, I went on a domestic Chinese package tour of the north of Yunnan Province.

Sleeper train from Kunming to Dali. Erhai Lake by boat. Butterfly Well Park. Old Dali Town & Foreign Street. Bus from Dali to Lijiang Old Town and Square Market. Then on by minibus, past the first bend of the Yangtze River, to "Shangri-La" in the Tibetan Prefecture of Yunnan.The actual town is Zhongdian. Close by is Songzanlin Lamasery as well as Napa & Shudu Lakes. Yak rides are available.

Upon returning to Lijiang, there was Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Spruce Meadow and White Water River.All meals and hotels were included in the tour cost. We returned to Dali by bus then back to Kunming by overnight sleeper train. Sleeping berths can only be booked through travel agents.

 

 

THAILAND · Jun 04 - Jun 04
CHIANG MAI & PAI;
A visa run to northern Thailand for a week. A quick visit to the Chinese consulate in Chiang Mai, then up in the hills to peaceful Pai. A great place to hire a motorcycle and ride around the mountains.

MYANMAR · Apr 04 - Apr 04
MANDALAY & BAGAN:
A 28 day tourist visa for Myanmar (Burma) was arranged through the Myanmar consulate in the Camellia Hotel, Kunming in Yunnan Province, southern China.
It only took 1.5 hours to fly from Kunming to Mandalay, Myanmar. There's nothing exciting at all about Mandalay, unless you relish the thought of watching a wooden marionette (puppet) show.

 

 

 

 

After arranging a re-entry visa to China through the Chinese consulate in Mandalay, I took the express boat (11 hours) down the Ayeryarwaddy River to the world heritage site of Bagan (aka Pagan). When Marco Polo travelled through this part of the world, he was amazed by all the golden Buddhist stupa's. You can hire a bicycle to ride around the different parts of this town.There were quite a few retired European tourists in Myanmar.From Bagan, I flew back to Mandalay before returning to China.

 

 

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CHINA · Mar 04 - Mar 04
TIBET:
An overland four wheel drive tour from Kathmandu, Nepal to Lhasa, Tibet.

NEPAL · Feb 04 - Feb 04
LUMBINI:
A five hour local bus trip from Pokhara to the town of Bhairahawa, close to the Indian border. From Bhairahawa, another 45 minute local bus trip to the village of Lumbini; the exact birthplace of Lord Buddha in 623BC. A dusty village however the nearby Ashok and temples constructed by the various Buddhist countries, are really quite beautiful.

My Buddha Air flight from Bhairahawa to Kathmandu was diverted via Pokhara. This flight was above the clouds that hung below the peaks of Annapurna Ranges and the Himalayan Mountains.Mount Everest could also be seen.

 

 

 

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NEPAL · Feb 04 - Feb 04
POKHARA:
Kathmandu seems nice and funky enough until you get away from it. Then you can appreciate, the clean mountain air in the countryside, especially at Pokhara in the Himalayan Mountains.

Pokhara is a beautiful lakeside town. The bus up from Kathmandu takes about eight hours to cover the 210km journey. There are plenty of guest -houses to choose from in Pokhara.The highlights of Pokhara include the Mountain Museum, and tandem paragliding from 1,000 metres. Well worth the effort if floating in the clouds appeals to you.

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NEPAL · Jan 04 - Feb 04
KATHMANDU:
Nepal is heaven compared to India. Every thing is quite simple,friendly & relatively laid-back.You can purchase a 60 day tourist visa ($US30) on arrival at Kathmandu airport. There's usually a courtesy bus from one of the many guesthouses, waiting to meet planes. No need to organise anything in advance.It's possible to also purchase 5 month tourist visa's if you want stay much longer. I think they cost about $US80. Something worth noting is that foreigners cannot stay in Nepal more than 5 months in any one calendar year.

I stayed at the old, established Kathmandu Guesthouse in the heart of the Thamel tourist district. The rooms were a bit more expensive than other guesthouses however they were very comfortable. The Kathmandu Guesthouse is more like a hotel than a guesthouse. A big advantage is they accept major credit cards. There's not actually much to see in Kathmandu itself, but it is a good base to plan tours & just chill out on the rooftop restaurants.

 

 

 

 

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INDIA · Oct 03 - Feb 04
KOTTAYAM, BANGALORE, MYSORE & GOA:
At Kottayam (Kerala) & Bangalore (Karnataka) in the south of India, I taught (IELTS) English to post-graduate nurses. Most were Catholic and preparing to work in the USA & the UK.Whilst in India, I also visited Mysore, the "City of Palaces" near Bangalore. Mysore is really quite charming.

The beach at Goa on the west coast of India, facing the Arabian Sea, was my favourite place. The first time, I stayed at Calangute Beach for 5 days. The next was for 10 days. I really did not want to leave Goa. It was fantastic. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested.Multiple-entry six (6) month tourist visa's are available for India, irrespective of how long you want to stay. The cost of the visa varies according to your nationality.

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THAILAND · Sep 03 - Oct 03
BANGKOK:

In order to improve my foreign language teaching skills and options, I did six (6) weeks' private TEFL (Teach English Foreign Language) training in the Thai capital of Bangkok. During this period, I rented a small apartment in suburban Bangkok and made some lovely Thai friends. I even took weekly lessons in learning the Thai language. Thai's think it is polite to be late or not turn up at all for appointments or dates.

It was a nice change not to be involved in any tourist activities, as this was my fourth time in Thailand. Tourism is very well established in Thailand. Anyone new to Bangkok can just head straight to the Khao San Road backpacker area, and organise whatever flights or tours they like.

 

 

 

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CHINA · Dec 02 - Sep 03
NORTHERN CHINA:
I travelled by soft-sleeper train ($US100) from Hanoi, Vietnam to Beijing in December 2002. Winter is bitterly cold in northern China. The wind cuts like a knife. No matter how much wrapping you have on, it still gets through. The sights in & around Beijing included Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Great Wall & the Beijing Acrobatics.

I left Beijing & went by bus (8 hours) to windy, dusty, non-descript, Dongying in Shandong Province near the BoHai Sea. This city's claim-to-fame is its oilfield. I taught English as a foreign language to over one thousand Chinese high school students from December 2002 to September 2003. I was the only foreigner there.The immediate area (Bafenchang) was established by chain gang prisoners in the 1930's. Being in a fairly isolated provincial area, local folk thought at first that I must be Russian.

I also visited Lai Zhou, Linzi, Zibo & Qingdao in Shandong. Qingdao is a beautiful seaside place during summer.Winter is bitterly cold.

 

 

 

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CAMBODIA · Nov 02 - Dec 02
POIPET, BATTAMBANG, SIEM REAP, PNOM PENH, SIHANOUKVILLE:

VIETNAM · Nov 02 - Dec 02
SAIGON, HUE, HANOI, HALONG BAY & SAPA:

LAOS · Oct 02 - Nov 02
VIENTIANE, VENG VIENG & LUANG PRABANG:

THAILAND · Sep 02 - Oct 02
ISLANDS & BEACHES:

SINGAPORE · Aug 02 - Oct 02
SINGAPORE:

MALAYSIA · Aug 02 - Sep 02
MAINLAND EAST & WEST COASTS, AND SARAWAK :

INDONESIA · Jan 02 - May 02
LOMBOK, BALI, JAVA & SUMATRA:

 

 

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AUSTRALIA · Sep 91 - Dec 01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

 

Born in Sydney and grew up on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. I developed a love of the beach at a very young age. Have travelled around most parts of mainland Australia. The cities that I know best are Brisbane, Perth & Sydney.

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MALAYSIA · Oct 99 - Oct 99
PENANG:
Beach resort area. Great breakfasts, parasailing and night street market. Very conservative, soft-core Asia. Wonderful for families.

THAILAND · Jun 97 - Jun 97
BANGKOK, CHIANG RAI & CHIANG MAI

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NEW ZEALAND · Sep 91 - Sep 91
ENROUTE NEW ZEALAND - AUSTRALIA

USA · Sep 91 - Sep 91
ENROUTE LONDON - LOS ANGELES - AUCKLAND

 

 

 

ENGLAND · Dec 90 - Sep 91
EAST SUSSEX / KENT:

FRANCE · Aug 91 - Aug 91
ENROUTE ENGLAND TO SPAIN:

SPAIN · Aug 91 - Aug 91
BARCELONA & COSTA DEL SOL:

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NETHERLANDS · Feb 91 - Feb 91
DELFT, HOLLAND:

WALES · Jan 91 - Jan 91
NORTHERN WALES:

ITALY · Dec 90 - Dec 90
ROME:

ISRAEL · Oct 90 - Dec 90
TEL AVIV:

 

 

 

EGYPT · Nov 90 - Nov 90
CAIRO & THE SINAI:

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ENGLAND · Sep 90 - Oct 90
LONDON:

MALAYSIA · Sep 90 - Sep 90
ENROUTE AUSTRALIA - ENGLAND

TURKEY · Sep 90 - Sep 90
ENROUTE AUSTRALIA - ENGLAND:

SCOTLAND · Sep 90 - Sep 90
GLASGOW:

 

 

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AUSTRALIA · Jun 89 - Sep 90
WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

INDONESIA · Jun 89 - Jun 89
BALI:

AUSTRALIA ·
NEW SOUTH WALES / QUEENSLAND

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LINKS FOR CROSS-REFERENCE:

 

http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/16890/WORLD-TRAVEL-Travelogue-travel-blogs-and-reviews-19

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Chengdu, a modern international city of more than eleven million, has a long history dating back to 4500 BC, when the social and cultural exchange centre of the ancient Shu Kingdom was established. The discovery last century of the lost Sanxingdui site at Guanghan, about forty kilometres from Chengdu, is recognized as the most important archaeological find of Sichuan relics. The Sanxingdui Museum is regarded as one of the major historical museums in China. Positioned in the river-sided space northeast of the site and including auxiliary facilities, it covers approximately eighty thousand square metres, of which an area of seven thousand square metres serves as an exhibition centre for both scholars and tourists to study.

As a key traffic hinge in southwest China, the provincial capital city Chengdu is an easy place to enter Sichuan and neighbouring Tibet. The Sichuan-Tibet highway acts as a shortcut in and out. It had been the lifeline of material supply for Tibet prior to the construction of the Qinghai - Tibet railway. With a well-developed traffic network on land and in the air, Chengdu has long been an important inland transfer station. Shuangliu International Airport is seated in the central section of Shuanxi Plain; sixteen kilometres southwest of downtown Chengdu. Located at 30°34’47” N and 103°57’02’’E, the airport caters not only for domestic movement. The ever-increasing international flight destinations include Cambodia, Japan, Singapore, The Netherlands, and Thailand.

An often quoted Chinese saying is, “Once you come to Chengdu, you will not want to leave”. This can be attributed a lot to the enviable, relaxed lifestyle enjoyed by locals and foreigners in a recreational and unhurried tourist city, surrounded by many rivers such as the Funan and the Sha. Famous scenic spots such as Wuhou Temple and Du Fu Thatched Cottage enrich the cultural background of Chengdu. Not far away, Qingcheng Mountain and Snowy Mount Xiling act as summer resorts for the urbanites. World mixed cultural and natural sites, such as Jiuzhaigou Gullies, Leshan and Mount Emei, have been acknowledged by UNESCO as being of great heritage value and significance in relating miracles of the native people’s past and present.

Since moist subtropical Chengdu is located in a basin, high mountains can be seen just outside of the Chengdu Plain. There are lots of high mountains such as Qingcheng and Snowy Mountain Xiling, with many undeveloped primitive jungles. An interesting phenomenon presents itself here in that high mountains are less than 100 kilometres away from large cities. It has changed the common perception that high mountains and primitive jungle would be restricted to wild and uninhabited areas. The climate is warm, with plentiful rainfall and a clear distinction between the four seasons. The hottest weather is during July and August with monthly average temperatures between 25 and 35 degrees celsius. January is coldest with an average temperature of 5.6 degrees.

In the western mountain region, in a vertical line from the bottom to the mountain top, the temperature at the same time can be different by several degrees. Various climatic zones can be experienced such as - warm temperate, cold temperate, inferior frigid, and frigid. It is exactly these kinds of vertical heat change and weather conditions that attracts to Chengdu extremely abundant types of animals and plants. Thus, allowing people to view splendid sceneries of different climatic zones in many sightseeing spots for minimal travelling cost. For those wishing to see up-close the most loved and recognizable indigenous animal in the People’s Republic of China, the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding and Wolong Panda Reserve are easy enough to get to.

As the capital city, Chengdu occupies an important position in Sichuan containing most of the people. In 2004, the population in Chengdu totalled 10,596,900, next only to ChongQing, Shanghai and Beijing. The population comprised of 5,381,700 males and 5,215,200 females. According to the result of the fifth national census, the Han Nationality made up 99.46％ of the total population and the minority groups (including Tibetan, Yi and Qiang Nationality) accounted for 0.54％. The pace of life is slower than that in other cities. Chengdu women reputedly walk slowly to go shopping, while the men are known to live leisurely. They like to drink tea, play mahjong, or spend time chatting rather than worrying about any troubles.

The people from Suzhou once boasted proudly to Chengdu folk, “In the avenues of our city, you may see one beautiful lady when you walk only three steps.” Chengdu people answered at once, “You could see three beauties when you walk every step in Chengdu”. There is a saying that half of the fair beauties of China live in Sichuan, and half of Sichuan lives in Chengdu. Although this saying is a little exaggerated, you may be attracted by these fair beauties when wandering in the “City of Brocade”; no matter if it is the elegant youth or the elderly woman whose beauty is fading. At that time, you will know clearly the real reason why so many men come to Chengdu. It is supposedly because they have the good luck of seeing such great and plentiful beauty.

According to widespread sentiment, beauties in Chengdu, unlike the ladies from cultured families or the capable and experienced career female repatriates, are the most popular folk ladies. The moist land and less sunlight in Chengdu may be the best place for females. For this reason, Chengdu women seem to have obvious advantages in their appearance, figure and complexion. In terms of personality traits, the gentle temper of Chengdu women is considered just right, unlike the excessive effeminacy of ladies in the south or the “masculinity” of ladies in the north of China. Chengdu women possess a unique mild beauty. If you are fortunate enough to hear the talks of these three kinds of ladies, you may have much more vivid images of them.

Chengdu’s food cultures are very famous at home and abroad. There is a statement that “All good foods are found in Chengdu”. In recent years, Sichuan dishes have developed very fast. In addition to the Mapo Toufu, Long Dumpling, Han Steamed Bun, Dragon Dumpling with Meat Stuffing and other famous snacks, more popular dishes are being derived from the hot pot such as boiled kebabs, hot boiled dishes, and lengdanbei. Sichuan cuisine is one of the four famous local cuisines in China; the other 3 being Guangdong cuisine, Shandong cuisine, and Jiangshu cuisine. Tourists from any place can choose whatever they like from Sichuan dish menus. In preparing ingredients, Sichuan food cooks will try to balance strong spicy flavour with light flavour to suit accordingly.

If westerners prefer to indulge in more familiar activities, they should check out the areas close by Sichuan University and the American consulate. Well-patronized expat haunts on RenMin NanLu are - the Shamrock Bar, Carol’s Too, the Bookworm, and the Paulaner Bar at the Kempinski Hotel. Over along KeHua BeiLu, there is - Sabrina’s Country Store, Peter’s Tex-Mex Grill, and Grandma’s Kitchen; to name a few. At least ten hostels around town accommodate travellers just passing through. These places tend to change name and owners over time, so it is probably wise for anyone interested to browse the web for current details. 

 

Expatriate writer Warren Rodwell has been in China since 2002, and  teaches university postgraduates. Many of his feature stories, reviews and photographs have been published online or in hardcopy media form. Warren also narrates documentaries & administers various websites as part of his efforts to promote Chinese and ethnic cultures more globally. www.woccamedia.info

 

Content courtesy of our good friend Warren Rodwell  http://www.chinaexpat.com/city/chengdu-city

 

 

The Chengdu International Women's Club (CIWC) is a non-profit organization focused on enriching women's lives while living in Chengdu, China. CIWC offers a wide variety of regular social activities including monthly Luncheons, Coffee Mornings and Nights Out, as well as special events. There are also many groups within CIWC, including a Book Group, Crafter's Group, Tennis Club, and a Playgroup for those with young children.

 

Currently, Chengdu International Women’s Club has over 200 members and counting.  It consists of a diverse group of women from all over the globe, including the U.S., the United Kingdom, China, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, Philippines, Japan and others.  CIWC has an enthusiastic committee that oversees regular activities while continually developing new ones.

 

CIWC is a great way to make friends from around the world and exchange news and views about life in Chengdu.  Open to all women living in Chengdu, CIWC offers free subscription to its meinformationmbers.  If interested in joining the club or attending an event, check out the website at http://www.chengduiwc.com or email chengduiwc@gmail.com for more information.

 

 

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