I recently had the pleasure of attending the Otaki Kite Festival in New Zealand. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. The festival was held in a large open field, and the sky was filled with colorful kites of all shapes and sizes. It was truly a sight to behold. The atmosphere …
Category: Travel
Observing Waitangi Day in Wellington
Every year on February 6th, New Zealand marks the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi with a public holiday called “Waitangi Day”. The Treaty of Waitangi is often considered to be New Zealand’s founding document. In 1840, representatives of the British Crown and of Māori iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-tribes) entered into …
Tried Peking Duck for the First Time
“When in Rome do as the Romans do,” as they say. While in Beijing I had to give Peking duck a try to experience the local cuisine. The food was delicious. It was a little bit greasy, but that’s due to fat on the duck. They gave you sauces and vegetables you can try and …
Diplomacy in the Dragon’s Den: The U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China
In the bustling heart of Beijing, where ancient traditions meet modern innovation, the U.S. Embassy stands as a symbol of the complex and ever-evolving relationship between the United States and China. This diplomatic mission, one of the largest and most significant in the world, plays a crucial role in navigating the intricate web of diplomacy, …
Chinese War Training Personnel
As I was walking around and trying to get some photos at Tiananmen Square I, being a foreigner, was stopped by every security guard, policeman, volunteer security, and any other random security person. Obviously I don’t look asian and when they saw me coming I would get my documents ready because they were going to …
Tiananmen Square
I finally made it to Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing and at a time when the rest of the world is opening up, China has things locked down. This was as close as I could get and these are the clearest photos. That is due to all the security, umbrellas, vehicles and everything …
The Mausoleum of Mao Zedong
Across the street from Tiananmen Square is the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. This chapter is straight out of the dictatorship playbook to put a leader’s body to rest in a mausoleum. Mao was the leader of the Chinese Communist Party from 1935 until his death in 1976. He was part of the movement to abandon …