We Are This Close

Rotary has been a great factor in helping End Polio, Jesse Tam and District leaders and club presidents were invited to a special event held at the Gates Foundation Visitor Center.  We are very fortunate to have the support and matching grants to help eradicate polio from Bill and Melinda Gates through their foundation.  Just one drop can change the life of a child and  family with the polio vaccination.  Just One Drop and "We Are This Close" to wiping out polio with a few more countries to continue the work.

A social evening with our Rotarian friends and leaders helping to kickoff the polio challenge. A networking and fun way to support others who are less fortunate than ourselves.  

Displays inside the foundation and what it represents, continuing to help humanity with clean water, micro-funding, vaccinations, education, and so much more.

 Rotary at the Gates Foundation night to help End Polio Kickoff event in Seattle, Jesse Tam 

Gates Foundation Projects - Make The Difference

Shanghai on the Bund Jesse Tam

The Rotary Friendship trip with Jesse Tam brings us to Shanghai, one of the largest cosmopolitan cities. A financial and container port gateway city with a vibrant population of 24.15 million (2013).  Here, we spent 3 days absorbing the futuristic skyscrapers, history, culture and the enchanting sparkling colored lights at night. If you love shopping, this city is considered a shopper's paradise on Nanjing Road. You can take a short trip to Wuxi where the factories are located for more bargain hunting or tailor a custom item.  

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The night lights on the Huangpu River on The Bund in Shanghai. We visited Shanghai Urban Planning Education Center, Yu Garden, the World Expo 2010 site, Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, French Concession, shopping and a meeting with the Shanghai Rotary Club.

View of the Cruise Terminal

The Oriental Pearl Tower view from the boat along the river. The Highlight of our  evening in Shanghai concluded with the river cruise on The Bund. We were thrilled cruising the river, similar to visiting New York or Vegas for the first time.

Oriental Pearl Tower and City Skylight, Jesse 

Jesse and the guys taking a break, resting and warming up inside the boat. A spectacular brisk  evening filled with festive music and lights. Rotary fellowship as we concluded our journey. The cruise was approximately an hour in length.

Buildings along The Bund

Boat on the River - Cruising on The Bund

Another Boat on River

Shanghai or Las Vegas?  You would never imagine this type of views and towers if you've never traveled to China or other large cosmopolitan cities! Truly an eye awaking experience. The fast, faster and fastest pace city.  Shanghai buildings and towers in the background viewed from our river cruise along The Bund.

Shanghai or Las Vegas 

A quick evening stroll and trip to one of the largest outdoor shopping area,  Nanjing Road.  No, this is not Disneyland or the Disney Trolley.  Really, it's the trolley you can ride when you are tired from your shopping or food sample marathon.  All Aboard on the shopping of a lifetime!  Choo, choo.....

We visited several other cities by bus which is a short day trip. We traveled to Suzhou, Wuxi and Nanjing.  Some of the places we visited were the Fresh Water Pearl Farm,  demonstration of how to select pearls and their life cycle. Silk Factory from silkworm to the finished product. Confucian Temple was a large night market filled with food and shopping in Nanjing.  Lingering Garden, another breath taking garden, music and classic performers. West Lake was a beautiful lake lined with  cherry blossoms, a boat ride on the lake, blooming spring flowers and peacocks.

Dragon Well Tea Farm. We learned how the leaves were selected for harvest, roasted, separated, into various grades. An afternoon sampling tea, away from the bustling city life. 

If you decide to venture to Shanghai, here's a tip and reminder. Shanghai has two airports, first one is the local Hongqiao Airport and the second is the Pudong International Airport. Check the abbreviations and the correct airport for your departures.  It is very easy to be confused and go to the wrong airport. Remind the taxi driver of your destination.

Thanks for visiting Tam, Jesse

Xian the Silk Road

Our visit to Xian with Rotarian Jesse Tam. The city is more than 3,000 years old and was the capital for 1,000 years ruled by 13 dynasties and 73 emperors - Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang.  Xian is the starting point of the Silk Road and the home of the Terracotta Army. So much history and sights to see with limited time, this is definitely a must visit in China. 

 The  group at the Wild Goose Pagoda. We had fun at the Drum Tower, visiting the historical City Walls, participating in the Drums Ceremony, sampling Xian's famous dumpling, tea houses and the cultural performances of China. The excavation site is still an on going process as they continue to find more remains for many years to come.  It is similar to several football fields  with thousands of well preserved statues. 

Inside the Terracotta Army Excavation Site

Terra Cotta Army each warrior is unique

Culture

Xian - famous dumpling making

Amazing Sights Beijing to Xian

All aboard to see the great sights and places of Asia. You can't imagine how much there is to see in  Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing  Xian. It's a vast country to discover, different landscapes and lifestyles to learn. We tasted new food and the open street markets. Jesse Tam lead one group and a few climbed the steeper side of the Great Wall. The steps were steep but what a great experience and excitement.  These are a few of the sights our group visited.


View from The Great Wall

Forbidden City

Hangzhou - Cherry Blossom at West Lake

Nanjing - River Banks




Happy travels from Seattle to Beijing - Xian.  Scenes and friendship from afar

Thanks for reading, stay in touch Jesse Tam. Creating leaders from tomorrow.

Jesse Tam Rotary Friendship- Beijing

Our group arrived at Beijing Capital Airport with Rotarian Jesse Tam. We departed from Seattle International to Beijing Capital International. Immigration, customs, luggage, security. We are finally in China, "pinch me" said Ginny. I've always dreamed about seeing The Great Wall and the first time to experience traveling with such a large group.  It'll be fun experiencing the night markets when we don't know the language or read the words.      http://jessetam.com/

Forbidden City

A very crowded day at the Forbidden City. Our next stop, Beijing Rotary Club reception and attending the Rotary members and their club meeting.  We were welcomed with a special program by the club president.