sissabagrama

22 hours ago, gretschwhtfalcon said:

 

We did Jewels with Viking, brushed our teeth, left our mouths open in shower, never had any problem.

Rosethorn 40 you rock!!! We leave for the two prong Viking France's Finest in 99 days, and yesterday, finding your posts was just perfect.! Now we know so much more what to expect and see! We even quickly added the side trip to Fregere (probably spelled wrong, but headed to shower and school, too late to check!) You took so much time to let others know what it was like, both the plaudits and the concerns! We've been gifted to have been on the China, Russia, and Grand European Viking trips. All 5 star amazing. Thank you, thank you for taking the time to share so much!:hearteyes:

Viking Emerald - China 2013

Viking Grand Euro 2015

Viking Tzars of Russia 2016

Your posts was WONDERFUL! We leave in 100 days for the two cruises connected in France. We can't wait and now feel so much more aware of what we will enjoy!! Good job!

Thanks for the info ruthlynn. I will be on the great fabric hunt but also wish to purchase a few things. The picture I have in my brain is full of all the Made in China junk I see here in the US. Not anything I would want to purchase. Nice to hear you did find some nice items.

We bought similar to what you've heard. But our favorites are the 2 silk embroidedered made to order jackets on the Ship - watched them being made, they fit like a glove, and the sandlewood fans from Yuyan gardens in Shanghai - but also at Beijing airport, almost same price.

I keep reading about people referring to optional excursions. Especially concerning the Imperial Jewels, what exactly are the optional excursions and what is their cost? I asked Viking but they said I would be told when we got to the ship. Being a planner, I like to know things beforehand.

Also, I have never seen anyone mention eating utensils. Do you need to be able to use chopsticks or are forks and spoons provided at most meals?

We found the Xi'an Tang Dynasty show fantastic, a don't miss. We heard the now separated Opera is worth seeing. Other than that we didn't need more - the tour is amazing!

As we've talked with our new friends from our April 4 Imperial Jewels tour, I have heard and agreed with a thought I think I should share. Our home visit in a hutong via rickshaws was wonderful. The older woman and her niece were informative, gracious and welcoming. The niece continues her family's craft of painting inside glass bottles. She's been featured in the 2008 Olympics Artisans booklet. Many of us bought one or more of her works, starting with a very tiny perfume type bottle at $22.

Later, on the Emerald, the artist there with his bottles was a much higher level of artist, and prices were better for better works.

Still, that said, buying something from the young niece was memorable and shouldn't be discarded, but I think it's worth noting to future travelers that for larger, higher level art in this craft, you will find it on the ship - made to order with bottle and design choice. Just an FYI.

BSK sounds like it's the experience of a lifetime. I'm traveling solo and the website says that it's a 4 person minimum. It also says that there is a lunch option. Is anyone familiar with that?

 

Xiexie

Check out their website again, lunch options are for the cooking school offerings and fill very quickly. My husband and I got reservations for a Thursday night (not listed as possible, but it was . . .) Apr. 4th. We didn't make it into the kitchen table group, but we had a simply fantastic time - you can join the kitchen group throughout the cooking, but our table of guests from the UK, Belgium and Wisconsin (us) had so much fun, we seldom bothered with it after the first parts. Just eating and enjoying new company was over the top. We had the Wine and Dine 300 RMB pkg, it was $48.50 pp including wonderful wines and jasmine tea! I put a review on Tripadvisor.com, there are many there to look through.

We'll start out at the Westin Financial Street in Beijing. We're flying out of San Francisco on 6/1. What about your group? Aren't you excited? This is ALL we can talk about. LOL!! I'm trying to convince my sister that we'll be ok venturing out on our own that first day in Bejing, that we have to entertain ourselves, but this is her first trip overseas and she's a little nervous. She said if we meet up with a few others in our group she & her husband might consider it. Fingers crossed. I told her if you've used one subway...you've used them all. We'll be fine. :)

The subway is a bit of a hike from your hotel, you may want to try a taxi either to the subway or to wherever you want to go, they are very cheap, most fares run about $4. Viking will have a sheet in your room with tour-on-your-own suggestions, and the concierge will help arrange a half or full day guide and/or driver for you. You can always call Black Sesame Kitchen when you get there to see if they have a cancellation that night - well worth it, email them now, too, if interested: reservations@blacksesamekitchen.com

We found that taking an afternoon nap was a good idea that first day, since once the tour starts the following morning, the first 3-4 days are very full and physically tiring. Plus you'll be tired from the long trip there.

You are going to love every moment.

It was incredible. Wonderful. Everything. We loved meeting Justmesk. We LOVED Black Sesame Kitchen, had lots of help getting there from Ritz Carlton people, kudus to Chef Nathan Brown who makes sure everyone is warmly welcomed and helped (great food here, amazing start to the trip). BSK was a highlight, as was walking the hutong area around it before dining.

Jin was our guide - outstanding, funny, a graduate level 4 credit course in Chinese history, ecomony, poltitics and family living given by him enlighted us, tickled our funny bones, and broadened our understandings. What a guy.

All elements of the trip were so well orchestrated (with the exception of the Peking Duck dinner, still not working well, it seems - we didn't go, but nobody was happy with it). The hotels, meals, the ship - all outstanding. And the 'sights' of China visited - awe inspiring. A once in a lifetime experience, with all the hand-holding and guidance needed to make it easy and safe. Viking does it VERY well.

We are considering a Viking Imperial Jewels of China cruise in 2014 - Shanghai to Beijing. Any advice as to best time of year to travel (weather)? And what direction would be best if we want to do the two night extension in Shanghai? This would be our first river cruise and first visit to China. Thanks!

Having just returned from the Beijing to Shanghai trip - we are glad we did it that direction - the big walks and longest days are in Beijing, so good to do it at first. Going down river worked well. It was amazing. Incredible. Extraordinary. So well done. Be sure to do it.

OHare flt to Beijing now an hour delayed , plane taken out of service and new one coming. OK with us to have OK plane.

I usually only travel with carry ons and wish I could have figured out how to do it with China but with about 4 different climates we needed about 4 layering pieces! We almost froze to death in Tienanmen Square and then were sweating at the pagoda on the Yangtze then back to freezing and on and on! It was great while VRC was in charge of our luggage but then we had the business trip portion of our trip and we had to deal with reality :( But anyway, be ready to relax during the flights--you don't have to worry about a thing once you hit China--VRC takes care of EVERYTHING! Go and have fun and let us know how it was on your return! :D

Will Do! I do feel just excited and relaxed and trusting. This forum has so helped preparation. Thanks to you and all.

Because I am bound and determined NOT to check any luggage.

 

The hard one to pack for is DH because his stuff is so much bigger but we do it by depending on local laundry. We take 3 bottoms each and five or six tops, one warm layer (usually by wearing it on to the plane) plus our goretex rain coats. Two pairs of comfortable walking shoes each--wear one, pack one. Our wardrobe needs are minimal.

 

We don't pack a lot of extras like luggage scales, duct tape and some of the other items that I have seen on people's 'must travel with' lists.

 

When in doubt, leave it out. I'm tired of dealing with more luggage than I can handle and I have learned that I can manage quite easily with less. Everything I pack gets used.

 

But, as I said, we did have to buy a suitcase to get home from China because we bought a whole lot more than we had room for. My bad!

My brother in law is like that - if it doesn't fit in a carry-on, you must not need it. He was also practically born in penny loafers and khakis, so you're never sure how many changes he's made . . . I'm not disclosing what we're taking, but we do have 2 large check-ons, average size, and 2 carry-ons. We are glad VRC does the luggage moving, so the only wait is for checked bags back in Chicago on return, and by then, who cares, have to do customs and immigration anyway. Oh, and one lg case has plenty of room for purchases :)

We're on our way to the airport in a few hours! SOOOOO excited.

When we went, no liquids were allowed in carryons on the intra-China flights. They did not always check for them, but that was the official policy.

 

I do not know what the official policy is currently.

Help! We're in final packing, were suitcase sizes and weights a problem for anyone?

You're welcome...bu keqi. I can send you that photo electronically or make a few different ones with different scenes and/or words you want...only takes a couple of minutes for me to do. Something to keep in mind is the classroom size in China is double or triple a US classroom. We visited a first grade class of 48 and a fourth grade class of 73 during our visits to the schools.

We had the children we interacted with write their names, then we added the pinyin when we superimposed it on the photo. We also did this for all our guides and other people we add contact with.

 

Help!!! Yes, send me a couple more, if you can, and I'll add my groups' names so that more than one kid can get postcard from one of my group. I'll make sure I have 72, and then share them with whatever other Viking guests come along, so every kid gets one in the class we visit. Sound OK?

I enjoyed your very positive review including the Opera! Just a slight clarification about the phrase the children spoke. The Chinese refer to foreigners as DaBizi...Big Noses, but the guide told the children to call you "foreigner." Wai-outside, Gou-Country, Ren-people...outside country people or foreigners;) A few in our groups took exception to being called "Big Noses.":eek:

 

Looking for something to share with the children. Here is a spreadsheet I created to use at the school with useful words/phrase for your travels:

Another item I created are photo cards with our grandchildren photos and names on them:

A generic one to present to the class...

For under $20 and some time on a computer you can give the class you visit something personal and unique. Include an e-mail address on the back if the children of China want to communicate with you or your youngsters. We gave them to the few children we interacted with and left the rest for the teacher to hand out to avoid chaos.Those kids in China will cherish them forever. I create a photo card with the English and Chinese name of each student for the classrooms I volunteer in when I talk to them about China. The students who were in 1st grade in 2009 still have those photo cards today.

The cards include Fengshui and YinYang...phoenix and dragon for eternal marriage,(as the children say "eeewww") YinYang of delicate and bold lettering, the Yin of a girl and the Yang of a boy. Mountains, river, rocks, and trees needed for good Fengshui where you live.

I sent over 200 information packages to travelers last season... E-mail me at mc4nu@aol.com if you would like the information I have gathered.

 

Off subject...the Chairman of China, XiJinLing's, wife, Peng Liyuan, used to be a singer. Her CDs are no longer available for sale in China because performers are considered to beneath the position of the Chairman's wife. China used to have 9 levels of social hierarchy with engineers/teachers at the top and singers/actors at number 9. They have a daughter that attends Harvard, the norm for Communist Party officials in China. Children are educated in the US and remain here.

is a link to her singing "My Motherland"...don't worry it is subtitled in Chinese if you can't understand the lyrics.

Thank you for your ideas and lovely cards - I took the Friendship generic and printed off 24 on photo glossy paper - they are lovely, then I had my second, third and fifth grade students (I'm a Reading Specialist, so see small groups for support) write ni hao, and wo tiao - with the name on the backs, our kids take one third of year of Chinese language and culture from Yu Lao Shi, their Chinese teacher. I added address labels with the name of our school, state, and my school email address in case there is a way or desire to get in touch with me/our school. I also have photos of each group with their first names, so the Chinese students can match their card's writer with a picture. I promised my students pictures of the Chinese students in return (just general photos we take). My students are very excited for me, as one put it, "Wow, you like have to go all around the world to get to CHINA!! (or dig for a long, long time).

Thank you for your idea and your print.

Irons were few and far between--on the ship they have pressing service and the hotels are 5* so they expect you to have their laundry/dry-cleaning service do your work. The hotels were VERY expensive, the ship less so--we had a few things laundered on board--not too expensive and beautifully done. I got lucky and walked into our local department store when they had a ton of shirts on sale for 75% off--they were trendy and no-iron--I got three for $20! I had a few others and brought easy-care pants and so was good. You are right about the information allowing us to just enjoy--we were so prepared didn't have to think about a thing when we got there--and VRC takes really good care of its guests--I just sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed! (Lots of walking, early wake-ups, etc. but everything we put into it ourselves was worth it for the return on investment!).

You give such great information! Thanks so much. It seems like just last week you were looking forward to going,and asking last minute questions, now you're back and we're going week from tomorrow.

Just left my international little travel iron up at our cottage, meant to bring it and forgot! Ah well.

The kids I sat with were fascinated with my Chinese lesson sheet from the Emerald--translated characters, pinyin, English, pictures on my cell phone of my blond haired, blue-eyed 4 year old grandson, and pictures of my 14 pound white cat! I would think pictures of your kids holding signs in Mandarin with the pinyin and English translations would be great and wouldn't break the fairness protocol. We had 3rd graders and one of my guys was a grubby little thing with a runny nose but could he speak pretty fluent English--I told him he would be premier of China one day--they just "elected" the next premier at the National Congress in Beijing while we were there--we were on Tienanmen Square the opening day of the Congress--lots of security. One of the people in another group had 4th grade boys and they couldn't speak a word of English (or maybe they were being shy--our guide showed us that the girls are much more outgoing than the boys). BTW the WHOLE village (there are 3 schools so it could be a different village you see and you could still be the first or almost first group of the year) turned out to watch our buses arrive. Many were grandparents holding up their little ones for us to see and for them to see us. Below is a link to a picture of a little one brought out to greet us. You are going to LOVE the school visit. Two of our new friends from the ship didn't particularly care for kids and came for the opportunity to see a more rural aspect of China and even they were charmed by the visit. The Chinese call us Waigouren--big noses because we have a bridge to our nose and our guide had the kids touch our noses and call us waigouren--very cute! Viking has donated a beautiful playground to the school, paved the yard so it's not muddy, and put in western-style restrooms for the Viking River Cruise visitors. Pictures below: our bus arrives, little boy and Grandma, Girl (an example that girls tend not to be shy), a very shy third grade boy, and again the shy guy--we thought he was going to cry!

What great information - thanks for sharing so much! You bet I'll try to get our Chinese teacher, Hai Yu, to help me get a few photos to share. The phone is the perfect idea!

Change of subject, but did you have to iron anything? Were irons in rooms aboard?

Isn't it amazing how all this information helps prepare so you can make the most of every moment? Good thing you didn't 'catch' the particular little guy bug making his nose run! Having 40+ little people visit my resource room every week - full of coughs, sneezes, and runny everything makes me feel immune, but not necessarily to another country's bugs.

I'm SO glad you had such a good time!

sissabagrama, during our trip last Oct. nver used an eastern toilet. Always managed to find a western toilet---even on the bus ride from the boat to Shanghai--used tthe handicapped one. Really was going to get a portable urinal. but felt the cost wasn't worth it, plus it was not unobtrusive. My knees do not like bending, like they did even 10 yrs. ago. This was an incredible trip. Please say hello to Janos if you are on the Emerald. Enjoy!!!!! Pat

Thank you, pacmom, ! I did actually just purchase a few 'day packs' of disposable cones. It will relieve any anxiety I have! But will look forward to not needing them! The place I found had 9 for $4.95, so pretty reasonable, small to carry, and throw away. I'll save them for those moments at the lake if not used in China! We will say hello to Janos - we'll look for him, as we will be on the Emerald in just over a week! Scream in excitement! What fun it's been to look forward to, with all the fun of the input of all the great people who add to the forum.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/482050_4650701185288_795534460_n.jpg Me with "my" third graders at one of the 3 Viking River Schools. What an experience :)

Love your 'class'! I'm leaving my classes -I'm a Reading Specialist in an elementary school in Wisconsin, so do the Imperial Jewels Apr 4 trip. I know 'treats' are put together for later fair handout, but is there anything my first through 4th graders could send that would be good? Our students take Mandarin lessons 1/3 of the year, getting exposure to Spanish and German the other thirds. Thanks for any ideas or insights!

Sorry I should have explained that although in top physical shape--I work out every day and x2 days a week with a personal trainer--I have bad knees--so though I can do a squat at the gym I didn't want to do this in an unstable environment--so only get the devices if you need them--Turtles is right, lots of women had no trouble at all. I shared mine with an elderly woman in our group and she was grateful for the share!

http://p-standingup.com/

Thanks, I, too think of myself as in great shape, and not too elderly, I can drop lift my four year old and 18 month old grandchildren two ten hour days a week, but knees can act up! So, I'm looking for a 'little' insurance/security if available! Thanks again.

Sounds great, we leave in ten days. Please explain the personal U device and where to find it??

Kohola, You are definitely correct about using the words making a world of difference. I am a French teacher (or was--retired) and even with your great Chinese language document and the link from VRC and other websites I had given up any chance of learning a word of this complicated language (we only had 2 months to get ready as we booked our 3/5 cruise on 12/29 as my husband had an unexpected business tie-in and we wanted to take advantage). I tried and tried, listened to the words, took the Chinese lessons on board the Emerald and found out that my effort DID make a difference! On the ship and off. When I tried my ni haos, xiexie, ni hao mas, etc. I was told it was "perfect." When we visited my husband's office one of the women who works for him told me I could turn my tongue like a Chinese (rising/lowering tone), and when I was eating lunch alone at the hotel in Ningbo (three hours south of Shanghai where my husband's business has an office) I was constantly surrounded by the staff wanting to speak to me and when I went to breakfast the next day everyone knew my name and my likes--my husband's business associates couldn't believe it. So practice, practice, practice--even if you don't think you are making any progress (I sure didn't) what you try to say will make you so well appreciated as you are trying to communicate in the language of the country--most people don't--a few of us in our group said hello, how are you, thank you, etc. everytime we got on off a bus, had a guide, shopped or visited--many never did. BTW our favorite excursion was the school visit like so many others have said. We were the first to visit since November and the whole town turned out to wave and welcome us. Mothers lined up with their babies, the little 3rd grade boys with whom I sat spoke absolutely incredible English--it was so rewarding. I will write a short cruise review in the next couple of days--most everything has been covered but a few updates--just got home and severely jetlagged :) Small price to pay for an incredible journey. Chinese lesson link from VRC http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/email/China_language_bnd.aspx?refsrcprg=email&contid=1137822084&ep_rid=1777431805&itn=13CH-VADCW&lid=31_60_BND&eml=

Get L-Lingo, $14.95 on iPad or phone, or $9.95 for one month on computer - very well done - I'm a Reading Specialist - all native speakers, absolutely great format to quickly learn cadence and basic vocab. I'm SO impressed.

Xiexie to everyone who answered my concern about my trip documents. I'll rest easy until May!

 

Kohola, also xiexie for the additional Chinese phrases. I'm going to write all of them down so I can use them a lot. Our mothers were right about the magic words - "please" and "thank you". They work in any language. I hope they will be able to understand my southern-accented Chinese. :)

 

Here are the links that Viking has sent so far:

 

http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/email/China_language_bnd.aspx?refsrcprg=email&contid=1415199064&ep_rid=557134065&itn=13CH-VAUWC&lid=31_60_BND&eml=

 

http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/email/China_panda_bnd.aspx?refsrcprg=email&contid=1415199064&ep_rid=557134065&itn=13CH-VAUWC&lid=61_90_BND&eml=

 

http://www.longitudebooks.com/find/d/10849/r/VK?refsrcprg=email&contid=1415199064

 

The first two are video links and the last one is to a reading and travel guide.

 

I am SO excited about this trip. When I was a kid, I used to try digging a hole to China, but it was way too hard and it seemed like it would take forever. Who'da thunk that a 16 hour plane ride would take me there?!?

 

Zaijian

My friend, Booby (Yup, her Dad called her Buns because her diaper dropped and she complained, so he called her Boobs, and she didn't care at 2). I didn't know a difference till in 6th grade and having moved away from my bestest friend - anyway, we dug to China in our back yard sandbox, and cut our fingers on a 'crab'! (rusty metal pipe). We were SO impressed. Thanks, ala Bob Hope, for the memory!.

Getting there was harder than getting back! We stayed in R-C Financial District and the other hotel being used was Westin Financial. At 6:30 the cabs do not want to take you outside of that district. They make 10Y just when the fare steps into the cab so they prefer to pick up several fares rather than drive all the way to Black Sesame hutong. It was only 26Y to get there and a loooonnngg drive--you can see the dilemma. At 10 they are looking for fares. We shared with another couple staying at Westin. Personally I would contact my hotel and find out how much a private car would cost. Believe me if it's not too much (and that depends on what you consider to be too much) the experience at BSK is WORTH it! We sat next to the marketing director of Chanel Paris and her husband, there was a director of the world bank in the Phillipines and his wife who is head of the asian version in Beijing, and on and on. Michelle who manages is a Chinese-New Zealander--the food was EXCELLENT and the conversation sparkling! Beer and wine flowed like a river (and we probably didn't need it being so jet lagged but it made the use of chopsticks a lot easier LOL).

Thank you for that BSKitchen info, we will definitely use your information. We are SO excited to add that dinner to starting our trip, also hoping jet lag lets us acutally enjoy it. We were thinking of taking a taxi at 4 or 4:30 so that we could find BSK and then walk around a bit enjoying the area. A private car with pick up sounds not so bad! we will check into that price! Great info, thanks.