Chengs' World-Wide Odyssey
In and around World
Many years ago, when Karsten and Stephanie were still very young, we decided that it would be important to travel with them in order to give them a world view that was much larger than the Canadian backyard they were growing up in. We believed that the exposure to different cultures and different situations would teach them more about themselves, about the world and about God than they would ever learn in even the best school we could enroll them in. Travelling together in foreign lands would also, hopefully, provide us with a common history that would bind us together with a story that would beome "our story". We also hoped that together as a family we might be able to share with others some of the blessings and privileges that we take so for granted. We hoped to use our efforts and resources to bless others who have less than we. We figured that the best time to take such a trip would be when our children wire in their early teens - old enough to allow the trip to make a lasting impact, young enough that they would still happily follow us around the globe. When we started thinking about such a trip it seemed so far in the future...but suddenly, the kids ARE in their early teens and it is time to go!
Hence, we have planned an itinerary (sort of), we have got our shots (Ouch!), and we are packing our bags (travel light is the motto!). The Chengs' World-Wide Odyssey is about to begin!
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler The Cheng Family
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1
The Blessings Fund
What is the Blessings Fund?
- It is NOT money to be used to send the Chengs ona crazy trip around the wo... Continue reading »
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Chengs' Itinerary
This will be our itinerary for the next 10-1/2 months:
- Jun 19, 2006 - Flying from Vancouver to London
- Jun 20 - 23, 2006 - Tourin... Continue reading »
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First Stop - London
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
London, England
We’ve’walked ‘til we’ve dropped’ for two days in London now. It hardly seems possible that we... Continue reading »
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Trip from London to Bath
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Bradford – on Avon
After four full days in London, we feel ready to pack our bags and go on to our next adventure... Continue reading »
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Stephanie's Musings on the Cotswolds
June 28, 2006
Visiting the Cotswolds is a new and historical experience, especially if your mom turns your nice quiet trip into an audio radi... Continue reading »
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Left is Right - Driving in the UK (by David)
June 20 - July 2, 2006
“Left is right!” exclaimed my navigator Stephanie from the backseat as we circled the roundabout in our rented car. Th... Continue reading »
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Historical York by Karsten
June 30, 2006
York
Do you like history? Are you the type of person that likes to know everything about history? Do you like seeing med... Continue reading »
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From Paris with Love
July 3, 2006
Paris
We haven’t been able to update our blog for some time because of lack of internet availability. It really is not as... Continue reading »
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Paris to Normandy
July 7, 2006
Normandy, France
Here we are with only 3 days left in France and it is time to capture some of our thoughts and impression... Continue reading »
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Sleepless in Chartres
It seems like a long time since we have updated our journal. A week goes by quickly in Canada. One looks back at a week and wonders where the time... Continue reading »
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11
"Drum Bun" (meaning Good Journey) in Romania
We have been in Romania for almost a week now and feel like we have seen much of the country and its people. It was arranged for us that Dawn Elenb... Continue reading »
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Goodbye to Romania
August 4, 2006
Timisoara, Romania
Amazingly, our 4 weeks in Romania are almost over! Tomorrow will be our last day working at the baby... Continue reading »
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The Blessings Fund Update
August 5, 2006
Timisoara
We have made use of the Blessings Fund to support Dawn Elenbaas' children's ministry here in Romania. We... Continue reading »
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Treasures Found in Germany!
August 7th – August 17th, 2006
We have spent almost two weeks in Germany now and we feel like kings! We have been treat... Continue reading »
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Paradise Found in Germany
August 17 – 18th, 2006
Bodensee, Germany
We have found a part of paradise in Germany! The Bodensee area is truly an unforget... Continue reading »
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Celebrating King Ludwig's Birthday in Oberammergau - by Steffi
On Aug 24, our family visited a little village called Oberammergau. Oberammergau is located in south central Germany in the Bavarian Region. This v... Continue reading »
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Schooling in Austria
Dalaas, Austria
September 1, 2006
It’s September and I am finding that the start of this month brings with it mixed emotions. September... Continue reading »
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Enjoying South Tyrol, Italy
Mühlbach, South Tyrol, Italy
September 3, 2006
Getting back to enjoying and experiencing local life and culture, however, we were defin... Continue reading »
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Magical Venice
Memories of Venice – September 9 and 10th, 2006
I must admit, I wasn’t really keen on visiting Venice. When I was 12 years old, I... Continue reading »
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Italian Immersion in Emilia Romagne Province of Italy
Emilia Romagna Province (principally Bologna) - September 11 – 15th, 2006
It’s been a while since we’ve updated our travelblog, an... Continue reading »
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Impression No. 1 of Cinque Terre by Steff
Cinque Terre National Park &... Continue reading »
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Impression No. 2 of Cinque Terre by Karsten
Cinque Terre – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Continue reading »
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Hill Towns in Tuscany
Hill Towns in Tuscany
September 20 – 28th, 2006
Dreams sometimes do come true! A week in late September exploring hill towns... Continue reading »
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History Lession in Rome
Sept 28 – Oct 2, 2006
Rome
What can one say about Rome? Words really do fail to describe this city. The history, the magnificence and t... Continue reading »
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Turkey for Thanksgiving
October 9, 2006
Turkey for Thanksgiving
It is Thanksgiving Monday and we are thinking of you all at home in Canada enjoying turkey and... Continue reading »
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Out of This World in Cappadocia
Cappadoccia October 9th – 12th, 2006
After much deliberation, David and I finally decided to succumb to having a travel... Continue reading »
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Ancient City of Ephesus
Ancient City of Ephesus
October 17, 2006
We woke up early on the morning of the 17thContinue reading »
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Tour of the Greek Islands
Autumn in Greece
If one is traveling around the world and doesn’t want to carry warm clothes for cold climates, when and where does on... Continue reading »
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Final European Destination - Athens
Athens
November 7 – 11, 2006
Everything we had heard and read about Athens prepared us for a polluted, grey and somewhat boring... Continue reading »
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Into Africa
November 16, 2006 Nairobi
Wow! It’s only been 4 days since we arrived in Africa but it seems so much longer! We have seen and experienced man... Continue reading »
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A Journey (Safari) to Remember
Safari in the Maasai Mara Games Reserve
Kenya
November 17 – 19, 2006
As we were unable to be accommodated at A Rocha until Novemb... Continue reading »
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Volunteering at A Rocha Kenya
December 1, 2006
A Rocha
Turtle Bay, Kenya
November 22, 2006 saw us on the road again. This time we were taking a 10 hour trip by... Continue reading »
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Merry Christmas
To all our family and friends in Canada and all of the great people who we have met along the way in the past six months,
Continue reading »
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The Winelands Tour
Winelands Tour of South Africa
January 4 – 10th, 2007
The Winelands are an easy and scenic few hours drive away from... Continue reading »
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The Lovely Garden Route of South Africa
The Garden Route of South Africa
January 11 – 19th, 2007
When I had heard of the Garden Route in South Africa, I had always... Continue reading »
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Goodbye Africa, Hello Asia
Bangkok
Jan 24 – 27, 2007
What a welcome we received at Bangkok – when our luggage arrived, Karsten discovered that the l... Continue reading »
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Adventures in Chiang Mai
Adventures in Chiang Mai
January 27 – 31, 2007
Having woken up to the realization that we may have been had by a tout and a trav... Continue reading »
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The Road Trip - by Steff
Chiang Mai to Siem Reap by Road
Feb 1-2, 2007
Have you ever traveled while you're... Continue reading »
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Amazing Angkor Wat - by Karsten
Siem Reap, Cambodia
February 4, 2007
Angkor Wat
Continue reading »
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The Mekong Delta - by Steff
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is a piece of land that has been formed from the Mekong... Continue reading »
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The Ocean is Bluer on the Other Side
One of our biggest anticipations for visiting Vietnam was the possibility of enjoying the South China Sea and lounging on idyllic sandy beaches. Th... Continue reading »
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Goodbye Vietnam
Good Bye, Vietnam!
Four weeks visiting you has flown by so quickly! It seems like only yesterday that we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City (that’s... Continue reading »
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Beijing Surprises
Beijing Surprises
Yes, our first week in China has been full of surprises and to be honest, we are still a little befuddled. Is... Continue reading »
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The Forbidden City - by Steff
The Forbidden City
This massive structure of buildings entwining together forms one great big palace. In fact this palace is the world’s la... Continue reading »
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Ancient Warriors of Xi'an
Ancient Warriors of Xi’an
March 20, 2007
Xi’an is the city noted worldwide for the famous terracotta army f... Continue reading »
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Chengdu Panda Adventure - by Stephanie
Chengdu Panda Adventure - by Stephanie
March 23, 2007
Visiting the Giant Pandas in Chengdu, China was... Continue reading »
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Cultural Immersion on the Yangtze River
Cultural Immersion on the Yangtze River
March 24 – 27th, 2007
Having seen the pandas in Chengdu,... Continue reading »
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Chinese Curiosities
Chinese Curiosities
We’ve already alluded to it in previous blogs, but what we’ve often found as fascinating about China... Continue reading »
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Short Term Volunteer Project with International China Concern
April 3 – 17th
Short term team with International China Concern
Heng Yang Welfare Centre
None of us really knew what t... Continue reading »
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Hong Kong - the Last Stop on our Adventure
Hong Kong
April 18 – 28th, 2007
Having slogged our way around China by train, bus and boa... Continue reading »
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