Tibet development

We have been planning to go to Tibet in beginning of May but now we have to cancel due to the recent development in Tibet. We are quite disappointed as we now have to find another location to go. The time is already fixed, it will be on the labour day week.

Nevertheles, we are quite astonished with the local media publication about Tibet. The story about the Great Firewall of China is not an urban legend, it is true indeed. In fact, after living in China for almost a year (yes, that long already!), we are quite used to the firewall. Most of the time, sites like wikipedia, bbc, blogspot are closed in China. From time to time, the Government also closed Flickr and Youtube. It's just depending on the current events going on about China in the international world.

But it is quite surprising that the Shanghai Daily and China Daily have been following up closely about the development of Tibet crisis. Of course as Tibet is at the moment closed for foreigners, we can only rely on the official reports given by the government.

I have found some pictures released in SINA.com, a local news similar like CNN. More photos of current Tibet situation can be found here.













UPDATE 29.03.2008: China has recently opened to foreign newspapers to send their representatives to Tibet to do close cover-up of the current situation after the riot. Also China Daily annouces today that 15 foreign diplomats are scheduled to visit Tibet in short term.

Tibet Trip from my friend

I know I have to write about this before I forget again. I have a very poor time management lately!

Anyway, sometimes I am amazed how small the world can be. We met an old friend accidentally through the internet. He is a Dutch guy who used to work for our old company in Indonesia and then transfered to Beijing. Later he decided to marry a chinese lady and settled down here in Shanghai. We met through his blog and were invited to his company party.

He told us that he will fly north to Tibet for the labour day week and stay there for 3 weeks. He will bike from Lhasa to Kathmandu together with 3 other persons, among them is a cameraman who will document the trip. Yes, Lhasa to Kathmandu by bicycle! In total is 1200 km and altitude of more than 3500 m above sea level! Unbelievable! I am really excited to see how the trip goes! This is really an adrenalin adventure that I have to lift my hat for! As for me, let alone 1200 km biking at 3500 m, I am still not sure if I can do the Inca Trip in Peru and I do really want to see the Manchu Picchu!

For those who wants to follow his journey, you can check his blog