![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/B01_IMG_0524-1038x576.jpg "The Bean")
Chicago has not quite lived up to its name as Windy City: It was less windy than New York. However, it was not really warmer. Still, I had a nice time in Chicago. Continue reading Chicago, the real(ly not that) Windy City
Category Archives: Travel Diary
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01_IMG_9832-1038x576.jpg "Downtown New York")
New York, the Windy City?
I have spent the past three days in New York – only three days, one is inclined to say: For the number of sights in the Big Apple, this is not much indeed. Additionally, the weather was not ideal: Even though it was better than the weather forecast led me to believe (just half a day of rain instead of all three), there was an icy wind blowing almost all the time.
Nonetheless, I got to see what I wanted: As this trip was my seventh stay in the city, I did not have to try to visit everything again, but could instead focus on the new sights and old favourites – and this is just what I have done. Continue reading New York, the Windy City?
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/P4080193-1038x576.jpg "Venezia")
Business Trip to Venice
I spent the past week on a business trip in Venice: I attended the Connectathon 2017, a "connectivity marathon" for testing the interoperability of health information systems
. As I extended my stay by a day, I also had the chance to see a bit of the city. Continue reading Business Trip to Venice
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161026_161533.jpg "Hong Kong Harbour")
Hikeable Hong Kong
Hongkong is a true cultural melting pot: With its skyscrapers, it resembles an American city, and the doubledecker busses remind me of London. At the same time, the Chinese-Asian influence is very well noticable – and in the hinterland there are some great hiking opportunities. Continue reading Hikeable Hong Kong
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2790-1038x576.jpg "Longji Rice Terraces")
Rice terraces as high as skyscrapers
Today, we hiked the Longji rice terraces. I expected a rather leisurely stroll through the rice fields, with some undulations – but that was maybe too naïve. Instead, we had to climb some more stairs. Continue reading Rice terraces as high as skyscrapers
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2725-1038x576.jpg "Li River")
The surreal mountains of Yangshuo
The karst hills of Yanshuo are indeed extraordinary – I have never seen anything like it. The numerous hills are dotting the landscape, in seemingly endless rows, one after the other. We have explored this region by bike and on some short hikes. Continue reading The surreal mountains of Yangshuo
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2584-1038x576.jpg "Terrakotta Warriors")
The First Emperor’s Army
Today, we visited the Terracotta Army – a must-see on any trip through China. Continue reading The First Emperor’s Army
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161019_135640-1038x576.jpg "Plank Road in the Sky")
The (allegedly) most dangerous hike in the world
Today, a cycling tour on the Xi’an city wall was actually on our itinerary. However, one member of our group proposed to go hiking at Hua Shan instead. This proposal was greeted with some enthusiasm, and so seven people (of our group of nine) ended up spending their day on the mountain instead of the city. I was one of these seven. Continue reading The (allegedly) most dangerous hike in the world
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2407-1038x576.jpg "Shaolin Temple")
The Skilful Shaolin Monks and the Magnificent Song Shan
We spent the last one-and-a-half days at the Shaolin Temple, learning a bit about its history (and Kung Fu), as well as enjoying the beautiful Song Shan mountain. Continue reading The Skilful Shaolin Monks and the Magnificent Song Shan
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2376-1038x576.jpg "Fengxian Cave")
The Buddhas of the Longmen Caves
Today, we visited the Longmen Caves. Out of the walls of these caves (and the surrounding cliffs), more than one hundred thousand (!) Buddha statues have been carved in the time of the Northern Wei dynasty (some 1,300 to 1,500 years ago).