Carl's Travel Stories (10 Stories)

Stone Forest in Kunming, Yunnan

Date: 2008-04-08 ; Tags: Stone Forest

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Karst formations are formed when rock, typically limestone, is dissolved away by water, creating distinct shapes out of the stone. About 80 miles southeast of Kunming, the capital city of Yunan, an abundance of these formations can be found. The limestone cliffs are collectively known as the Stone Forest, or Shilin. Almost three hundred million years ago, the Stone Forest lay under water. The r

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Monks at Wu Tai Shan Mountain

Date: 2008-04-08 ; Tags: Wu Tai Shan Mountain

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In China, there are four sacred mountains in Buddhism. The mountains are homes for Bodhisattvas. Bodhisattvas, according to Buddhist tradition, are enlightened individuals who refrain from attaining complete nirvana, in order to watch over the rest of us. They remain earthbound, helping others gain the boons of enlightenment. Wu Tai Shan is one of the four sacred mountains, situated

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Models & Motorcycles

Date: 2008-04-06 ; Tags: Living in Beijing

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A few years ago, in the wee hours of the morning near the Liangma River in Beijing, I was chomping down on a skewer of grilled chicken bought from a vendor on the street, just outside the Kunlun hotel. I was still a student at the time and had spent most of the night dancing my heart out in the Kunlun's swanky nightclub. As a student, this was an unusual choice for me. I was more used

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