I went yesterday and processing was easy, but apparently the office of printing passports is closed because of covid now and they are not sure when I can get my new passport. There is a good chance I will need to use an emergency passport that is only good for one year while I wait for my new passport to arrive. My advice would be to either call (8628) 85583992 to contact the general consulate or email them at amcitchengdu@state.gov for the most reliable information available. Furthermore, if you are looking for a place to stay the night when you go, expect most foreigner friendly hotels to turn you down. Even if you go to the local police station, get a document saying it is OK to stay there, and going back with the stamped document, having the police call and talk to them, they will still say no with a bunch of inaccurate excuses that conflict each other, leading to an immeasurable amount of frustration. However, Sandals Guesthouse, 拖板鞋客栈,about 3.5 KM from the consulate and quite cozy will be cool and reasonable, so go ahead and book there.
Homebrewed beer just outside of Kunming
Posted byThat's a suspicious looking potted plant in the sixth photo.......Good article, I'll have to make my way there sooner or later.
Bear attacks increasing in northeast Yunnan
Posted byYou obviously know little to nothing about the Asian Black Bear, so let me fill you in, Matt from Georgia.
The Asian Black Bear is not only found in Zhaotong, but in many parts of Asia, including, but not limited to, the Indian Subcontinent, Taiwan, Korea, northeastern China, the Russian far east and the Honshū and Shikoku islands of Japan. While being similar to the Brown Bears that you Georgians can relate to, the Asian Black Bear interestingly is more lightly built with slender limbs. While being naturally diurnal, (not relating to one's bathroom habits) in places populated by humans they tend to be more nocturnal. Most importantly, they are characterized by the white V-shape on their chest.
Read more books, Matt from Georgia, and you might be able to learn more about this and other mammals native to Yunnan Province.
Yunnan's alcoholic green fairy
Posted byI think in coordnation with this story, GoKM should have a special 杨林肥酒 night at a nightspot of their choice. I think it could go well.....and end horribly.
Getting Away: Tiger Leaping Gorge
Posted byyour best bet would probably be to start from the qiaotou side and do the 26 bends in the beginning...it is a tough hike, but what would probably be best for your mum is to let her hop on a horse until you get to the top. From there it is pretty level and not too tough. Then depending on your pace, you could stay at the tea horse guesthouse which is the first one you will come across, or the halfway house, which is probably around 30-60 minutes from tea horse depending on your pace. both guesthouses have amazing scenery to be viewed from your hotel room
Li Ping fundraiser
Posted byAlso, big thanks to you Colin, as well as everyone else involved and who attended to make an event that wont be forgotten anytime soon. I would also like to send thanks to Foca Loca art studio for their time, and although the event being stopped by 'the man' cut our auction short, all paintings will be available for purchase at slice of heaven, with all proceeds going to Liping.
Furthermore, I hope that yesterdays festival is just the tip of the iceberg with these sort of art/music/charity events. If anyone has any ideas or any interest in volunteering to help plan these events in the future, send me an email at seanweatherall@yahoo.com and we can start planning to the next big event. Thanks Kunming for being awesome.