More from Qufu, birthplace of Confucius

This was the grand opening of what appeared to be a sort of liposuction clinic



Worshipping at the tomb of Confucius

The entranceway to the home of Confucius

Taking not a selfie but a photo of her ice cream cone

Qufu, birthplace of Confucius

Qufu is southeast of Beijing, about 2 hours and 20 minutes via the high-speed train.

Due to past violence, for example the infamous Rape of Nanjing, to this day many Chinese dislike the Japanese.

Lijiang, southwest China

Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Center, is, understandably, hugely popular with Chinese tourists. It's about an 8-hour train ride northwest of Kunming (Yunnan Province).

Dali, southwestern China

Many people consider Dali to be China's hippie town.

Kunming -- Spring City

Kunming is a wonderful city in Yunnan Province (southwestern China).

Niagra Falls

Such a huge contrast between the simple, natural beauty of the falls and the carnival-like atmosphere of downtown Niagra Falls. We had a hotel room with a view overlooking the falls (as opposed to the Burger King Frankenstein), which was especially great at night when they were lit up in a rainbow of colors.

Chiang Mai -- Thailand's fantastic north

We took an overnight train from the Bangkok area (Ayuthaya) to Chiang Mai, located in northern Thailand near the Myanmar border. This is a great town full of cafes, good restaurants, markets, museums, Buddhist temples.




An early-morning Buddhist offering set up outside a Chiang Mai bar


I took this photo at Chiang Mai's Museum of World Insects & Natural Wonders, run by a researcher of malaria and his wife (an entomologist).





Buddhist monks preparing for the 3-day Chiang Mai Flower Festival