Xishan Mountain on a Beautiful Day!

 John and Linda with 8 wonderful, energetic and smart students heading for a 5 mile hike up Xishan Mountain (West Mountain)

A view of downtown Kunming from part way up.  The lake is called Dianchi Lake, one of the largest fresh water lakes in the country.  This view is just a tiny piece of it.

Along the way we met this gentleman who was sitting alone playing this stringed instrument.  He is part an ethnic minority called the Yi people noted for their colorful costumes and rhythmic dancing.

It took about 3 1/2 hours to meander up the mountain.  Seems like a new adventure awaited us at every turn.  Meeting people, seeing natural springs, sights of the city,  We saw some local wildlife.  A caterpillar and a snake.  We saved both from being run over by a bus.

Near the top we had a clear view of the whole Kunming plateau.  This one picture does not do the panorama justice.

For perspective, I took this picture in the same direction as the one above but with my zoom at 24X. You can see the detail of hundreds of apartment complexes and businesses.  Many many apartment high rises.

 Here we are at the pagoda near the top.

This picture of Linda and I was also taken at the Pagoda near the top.  An excellent view of the city and crystal clear blue skies after months of rainy season.  Just beautiful.

One of the students brought his guitar and we sang at different places along the way.  At times we had on-lookers who politely smiled, took pictures and waved.

Apartment, Flowers and Street Life

Some additional pics of our apartment, the students and street life

 Here is a nice picture of the flowers that always available here 12 months a year.  They call Kunming the City of Eternal Spring.

 Just before we left for Thailand the students bought us this beautiful arrangement since it was "Teachers Day" here.

Fun with the students and friends.  Singing and games is always a part of a get-together.

The following video was taken at Green Lake Park.  Many ethnic minorities gather on weeknights and weekends to dance to their own unique music.

Here are recent pictures from sites in Kunming, Bangkok and Chiang Mai that you might enjoy:

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•                                     Linda, Esther and Alice at Green Lake Park

A new high tech laser fountain at Green Lake Park.  Computer controlled fountains choreographed     with music and laser.  The lasers make a cinematic image on a screen of water.  Very cool!

                                Linda loves the girls.  Johanna, Alice, Esther, Eileen and Dorcas

A sidewalk "friend" that helps keep the peace.  Sort of a cross between "The Day Earth Stood Still" and "Star Wars"

It was fun to attend a wedding with some of the students

 Linda and me in downtown Bangkok.  This mall reminded me of Fashion Island in Newport   Beach

                       Well here we go.  Linda and me on an elephant in Chiang Mai, Thailand

                                Can elephants be taught to paint?  Check out the next picture.

Yes elephants can be taught to paint.  This is the finished product which was being sold for about $100