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.  

http://jessetam.com/about/

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.

China Tour

Day 1 [Apr. 1] Seattle – Beijing

Fly to Beijing China from Seattle

Day 2 [Apr. 2] Beijing

Provided Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Arrive Beijing, the capital city of China. Tour guide will

greet you at the airport in arrival hall and take you to your

deluxe hotel for a night’s rest

Day 3 [Apr. 3] Beijing

Provided Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After breakfast, city tour starts with a visit to the

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City. In the afternoon, the

tour continues with a visit to the Temple of Heaven and

an evening of fine dining of famous Peking Roast Duck

Day 4 [Apr. 4] Beijing

Provided Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

The highlight today is going to Hebei Langfang to visit

couple school and have friendship luncheon meeting with

Hebei Education Department, after lunch, visit couple

local schools to update China Education system. Back

to Beijing, walk along the New Qianmen St. and have

an outside view of the beautiful Bird’s Nest and Water

Cube up close. After dinner, cap off the day by attending

a superb performance of Chinese Acrobatic Show.

Day 5 [Apr. 5] Beijing – Xian

Provided Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

In the morning, we will take you to the Astonish Great

Wall then follow by a Joint meeting luncheon with

Rotary Club of Beijing. After the luncheon, visit to the Silk

Carpet Shop and then a quick dinner before transfer to

airport for a late night flight to Xian.

Day 6 [Apr. 6] Xian

Provided Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Today we will visit the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum;

sightseeing life-sized defending army to the first emperor

of China, Qin Shi Huang. Visit an Art Ceramics Factory

before we enjoy the special local Imperial Dumpling

Banquet Dinner in the evening and also the Traditional

Tang Dynasty Singing and Dancing Show.

Day 7 [Apr. 7] Xian – Shanghai

Provided Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Visit the Shanxi Provincial Historical Museum in the

morning. Enjoy a local special noodle lunch and watch

Noodle Making demonstration. After lunch, visit the

Ancient City Wall, follow by the visit to Big Wild Goose

Pagoda, the symbol of the city. Catch the night flight

again to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai and escort to the

hotel.

Day 8 [Apr. 8] Shanghai – Suzhou

Provided Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Tour Nanjing Rd People’s Square and Shanghai Urban

Planning Education Center in the morning and tour

the Yuyuan Garden in the afternoon. Private Coach to

Suzhou in the evening and enjoy a luxurious dinner

Day 9 [Apr. 9] Suzhou – Wuxi – Nanjing

Provided Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Tour the Lingering Garden in the morning. Then pay a

visit to the No.1 Silk Factory where workers will reveal

the mystery of natural silk. After lunch, private coach to

Wuxi, visit the Taihu Lake and the Fresh Water Pearl

Farm. After dinner, private coach to NanJing; served as

the capital of 6 dynasties in China.

Day 10 [Apr. 10] Nanjing – Hangzhou

Provided Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Visit Dr. Sun Yat–Sen’s Mausoleum. Tour Nanjing,

Yangtze River Bridge follow by tour to Confucian Temple

then lunch. After lunch, private coach to Hangzhou.

Day 11 [Apr. 11] Hangzhou – Shanghai

Provided Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Hangzhou is well known for its tea products, Dragon Well

Tea, and the West Lake. We will take a cruise on West

Lake follow by a tea presentation. Private coach back

to Shanghai after lunch. In the evening, dinner cruise at

Putong River

Day 12 [Apr. 12] Shanghai

Provided Meals: Breakfast

Today, you have a whole day to explore Shanghai by

yourself; visit the site of World Expo 2010 or the Shanghai

Bazaar. Private coach will transfer you to Rotary Club of

Shanghai’s Dinner meeting around 5pm.

Day 13 [Apr. 13] Shanghai

Private coach will transfer you to airport in the morning

to board flight back to Seattle

China Visa Application:  visa required