Yunnan Health Rejuvenation Dec 18, 2008

Hi everyone –

Feztus is organizing a trip to Yunnan, departure date 18 Dec, for 10 days.

Below is the itinerary. It can be customized or fine-tuned further.

Right now, I already have 4 “very keen to go” (including me). Any one else interested?

The overland package cost is $500. Airfare NOT included. It is approximately $600 includes taxes and surcharge, depending which airlines.

Feztus need a “critical number” of minimum 10.  The more the merrier. Please register your interest here.

Proposed Yunnan 10 days Health Rejuvenation Trip

Itinerary

Program

Day 1

 Arrive Kunming and check into hotel. Walk to Green Lake to see Siberian Seagulls. They flies to Yunnan every year in December and stay around the lake till March. After that for dinner walk to “Cross The Bridge Noodle” Restaurant. After dinner enjoy the cool night strolling or drinking tea by the roadside.
Day 2 – 4 After local breakfast and coffee transfer to Olive Farm 2 nights Home Stay. Managed by 2 Singaporean couples who will be hosting and cooking for us. Great place for relaxation and reflection! “Rejuvenation Program includes harvesting and eating fresh and nutritional vegetables grown at the farm with no preservatives, no chemicals, all natural vegetables and fruits. On the final night we can have BBQ session on the open mountain, cold weather, gazing the millions of stars of the clear sky! We can also organize some farming activities on the 10,000 olive trees farm!
The types of vegetables grown and available on the farm are spinach, beet, radish, chards, beans, squashes, egg plant, basil, aragula, zucchini, chillies, herbs, cabbage, endives, lettuce of many varieties, cucumber, corn, broccoli, tomatoes, asparagus, etc. all of these are available from march to sept but from Oct to Feb will have lesser leafy veggies, but squashes, leeks, broccoli etc are available. You can choose how you want it to be cooked or even raw! We also have honey on our farm and other seasonal fruits.
Day 5 After breakfast, return to Kunming from farm. Check into Service Apartment/Hotel. Lunch at Mao Ze Dong Restaurant. It has the dishes of Mao’s Butler. Mostly spicy dishes, good for cold weather. After lunch to the Hot Spring Spa. Spa has different type of pools to soak, rose petals, coffee, Guizhou Muotai Wine, etc., water temperature from 36 to 43 Deg C. There is even a volcanic stone floor bed for lying down. Back after dinner. Buffet dinner.
Day 6 After breakfast, check out and proceed to Dali/Lijiang/Shangrila.
To Dali, transfer to 5 hours coach bus to go to Dali, stay at Fu Chun He Bai Guesthouse. Walk around the Dali Old City, “The Great Walls of Yunnan”, eat and shop around “Foreigner’s Street”. Visit 2 old churches in Dali old city. The catholic church is built in the shape like an Ark, Noah’s Ark!
Day 7 After breakfast, go to Lijiang by bus, 3 hours journey. Check into guesthouse and visit Lijiang Original Ancient Town. For lunch, eat Salmon grown in Lijiang and many other exotic herbal local dishes. Stay either in Lijiang hotspring or regular guesthouse in old city. After lunch visit and tour Lijiang Old City. You can shop for San Qi flowers and roots, other herbs here.
There is this Jade Snow mountain, but not good to go. It is too cold, too high and oxygen level too low for some of you to go. Some people heart will palpitate in reaction.
Day 8 After breakfast, roam around Lijiang old city. After lunch, can check out the Hot Spring Spa here. It is more natural and has a bit of the sulphuric content. If not fly back to Kunming. Check into hotel.
Day 9 After breakfast, walk around city. Check out Singapore’s very own “BreadTalk” and Haagen Daz in Kunming. Eat lunch at “Porridge Queen” restaurant, visit the Flower & Bird Street and shopping area and dinner will be at the local steam boat restaurant.
Day 10 Morning last minute shopping after breakfast. After lunch, check out and take flight back to Singapore. All these at the cost of only $500!

Author: A S EE

SHC1803

47 thoughts on “Yunnan Health Rejuvenation Dec 18, 2008”

  2. Thanks Jacq, you are more of a “get things done person” than some of us; me..

    For those of you who can’t fit into this one fully, you can still come half way, I will make arrangement to “collect you”. And for those of you who cannot make it at all for december, it can be done, anytime throughout the year. Someone is already highlighting April, when the weather will be not winter cold.

    Anyway, the key thing now for december trip is airticket. If we cannot buy one you might have to use your (or your children’s) mileage point to get ticket. So those of you who have please go ahead and claim your ticket.

    Any other specific questions, please email me at ethniceast@gmail.com.

    For those die hard golfers, there are few ok ones here but expensive generally. There is one cool one in Lijiang which is really scenic. Need to know people to get cheaper green fee rate.

    Anyhow, the idea of doing such trips is to avoid going to factories and what not of organised tours. Simple free and easy type and doing some meaningful things along the way.

    feztus

  3. Hi Jacq
    A woman of action you are indeed!

    Tho I’m unable to join, I’m interested in the itinerary. I noticed that on the sixth day, Shangrila is mentioned in the heading but no place in Shangrila is mentioned along the route. Wonder if Shangrila is included in the itinerary?

    Cheers

  4. Feztus and Jassmine, thanks for the compliment. But the truth is – I am a laidback person and prefer to “take the back seat while someone else do the driving”. So I can relax and enjoy the scenery… uum, Feztus, please reply Jassmine re day six “Shangrila”. Thanks much.

  5. Hi Jacq and Feztus,

    Thanks for organising this trip. You got an interesting itinerary. I love to go in April if you
    intend to organise it again. Winter is harsh in December in Yunnan(also wet).

  6. Hi Jacq and Feztus,

    I’m keen to join in. Is it very very cold and wet?

    I saw the film ‘Lost horizon’ where Shangrila is featured. Will we be going there?

    Thanks.

  7. sorry, have to leave out shangrila because it is really cold. 5 Deg C in the day, imagine what it is in the night? plus shangrila or the proper name in yunnan is zhongdian is 3,000 M above sea level, not easy for most folks to move comfortably there.
    oxygen density is very low.
    ya, better go in april or other dates.

  8. Hi Feztu

    I like your itinerary but have to give it a miss as I am going Chiangmai & Mae Hong Son for 10 days during end of Nov 08. December I have a lot of activities line up and I hope you can come out another one during fine whether next year.

  9. Hi Vivien.
    In addition to Feztus’ reply, Dec is cold but “no rain”, so not wet.
    On a separate note, I am looking for travel companion for departure on or after 25 Nov. Packaged tour to Beijing, shanghai, xian, huangshan, guilin. 11/16 days. I am not particular about which travel agent nor the number of days. If interested, please write to me jacqhan@gmail.com giving me your phone number for quick calls. Thanks much. P/s yes it is cold at this time of the year in the northern hemisphere. Unless you wanna go south – usually new zealand or australia.

  10. Hi Jacqueline

    Although I like to travel during the winter months, I will give this one a miss. I like the itinerary too. Hopefully there will be one in April.

    Jessie

  11. Dear Jacqueline,

    Although I have already been to Kunming, Lijiang and Dali, I remember enjoying the weather in Yunnan and therefore am keen to go there again.

    My only reservations are the duration of stay and the date of departure. Do we really have to stay for 10 whole days? How about planning a shorter stay like about 5 or 6 days and leaving on the latter part of November? I also remember that the toilet facilities were not quite up to par and would like to know if the situation has improved since?

    If you are planning any other trips other than 18th Dec. pls keep me in the loop.

    Thanks and regards
    CatherineY

  12. Greetings to all

    Any one suffer from Heal Pain before? need tips to recover.

    A visit to the doctor said I have Plantar Fasciitis, suggest steroid injection to heal first before Xray to check if there is Spur and fitting appropriate shoes to use. I have tried resting for almost 2 weeks without much improvement. I m going to take shorter steps for next week thereafter will go for Xray and will try TCM , would appreciate your 2 cents worth on Heal problems.

    Thanks

  13. Cat-Y, many Sporeans find the inadequacy of toilet facilties in China both a bane & a pain (yes, a real pain if you sit on unclean bowl shields and contract elephant piles). So it makes sense to be worried but the conditions there hv immensely improved to suit discerning travellers like you putting the nose where hygiene is.

    Both sides of drains running thru tourist destinations are now marked with footprints……..small, medium and big. Measure your feet on the prints and when you hv found the matching pair, squat over the drain and do what comes next naturally. No walls on which graffittis are scribbled and the ventillation is best.

    For good reason, they dont provide papers but it’s no issue if you’re never in the habit of using papers anyway. For washing, the drains usually dont run dry.

    And best, like most Sporeans want………….it’s free !

  14. Hi Freda Lim

    I don’t think going to Yunnan is going to rejuvinate your heel pain, but lucky for you I have exactly the same problem…before.

    If your problem is same as mine, than it is just that we are not standing properly on our foot thereby exerting pressure on wrong nerves. This is quite common amoung golfers.

    I am flat-footed, very good for swimming but walk and run like a duck out of water. I use to have heel pains when I stand more than 2 hours at a stratch. I love playing golf when I grow old now and that requires me to be on my foot for 4 hours at a time. I do these now without pain.

    Go and get yourself a custom made foot sole. They have soft ones from Mount Elizabeth hospital that use to cost me $200 a pair or you can go to Tanglin shopping centre for a ‘hard sole’ that cost about $300. The names of sole specialist is long and I have forgotten them. There is a small kiosk in IMM call ‘2 foot’ that do hard ones.

  15. Hi Jacq

    Hope this info helps – overseas trips/tours organized by members are usually not SHC members-only activities. This means that non-SHC members can join the trips/tours.

    AndrewT, your family members can join the trip.

    My 2 cents’ worth

    Cheers

  16. Thanks Tian Soo

    Yeap dispite my heal pain I am still looking out for travel opportunities, hope it heals completely before I embark onto another trip. As as a matter of fact it could be because of my very recent U.S. trip that causes it…….too much walking, I forgot that I am no longer young like before. I have arch feet not flat foot so may wait till the x-ray before treating but meanwhile will definitely trying out the soles……

    Thanks so much again for your tips

    cheers

  17. Jassmine – thanks much! U beat me to it, in replying to AndrewT’s concern. Yep, absolutely right. SHC members can bring their family on trips/tours.

    SO ANDREW THIO – ARE YOU READING THIS? U joining us on this trip? How old are your children? Please indicate interest by giving your email address.

  18. Dear Catherine,

    Thank u for your interest and input. This Yunnan trip is still in a “planning stage”. We do have several requests to do this trip next year after CNY or April.

    Regarding “toilet facilities”… hahahah. I heard horror stories like the one that TimLiu has described…. I hope things have improved.

    Feztus – can you confirm Timliu’s story?

    Catherine – on a separate note, I am looking for travel companion for departure on or after 25 Nov. Packaged tour to Beijing, shanghai, xian, huangshan, guilin. 11/16 days. I am not particular about which travel agent nor the number of days. If interested, please write to me jacqhan@gmail.com giving me your phone number for quick calls. Yes it is cold at this time of the year. Unless you wanna go south, e.g. New Zealand? Look forward to hear from u.

  19. Hi Jessie,
    Thank you for your input. This Yunnan trip is at a “planning stage”. We do have requests to do this next year. Whether that will happen or not, will depend on “demand” and Feztus’ availability. I’m just the kay-poh.

  20. Hi Freda (ref.12),

    let me chip in here and share with you my experience.

    I had the same problem more than 15 years ago in hk. Like you, I have arch feet. The pain was most painful in the morning when I stepped out of bed. My company doctor gave me painkillers and I had several sessions of physio – all didn’t work. As the pain became more unbearable, I went to TCM with the x-ray. The TCM practitioner warned me that it will be a long process as I was asked to go to the clinic every other day for the treatment. At each session I was told to put my heel over the steam of some Chinese medicine and was given some black pills – supposedly to soften (I still cannot understand this logic till now) the spur tissue that was pressing on some nerves. Took me a lot of guts to swallow those things. Surprisingly, I saw improvements after just few treatments and went on faithfully limping my way to the clinic for 20 treatments and gobbled down those blackish stuff accordingly. It cost me a bomb but I had no regrets because I didn’t get the pain anymore since then.

    I agree with Tian Soo using custom made foot sole to ease the pain. I had that for my walking shoes too but I don’t need it anymore now. If you are overweight, take this opportunity to reduce some weight as it also helps to take off some pressure on your feet.

  21. hi SHC folks,
    carrying umbrella into china public seems a bit troublesome, but for squatting public toilets in china seems to be only way to cover our embarassment. if you as comfortable as chinese people then it shouldn’t be a problem. But toilets in most hotels are good. And there are hotels everywhere. Look for clean ones.

    yes, if you have condition that prevents you from doing lots of walk and going/squatting public toilets, then better avoid it.

    the situation now is this, 2 seems for sure going on dec trip, and the cheaper airfare price stated is no longer available. everyday we delay will make it more difficult to get a seat on the flight. so if we don’t have the group, either we pay abit more or postpone till further notice.

    those others really interested, please email me like real quick to do the booking at the least.
    if you wish to do only 5 or 6 days it is possible, but only cover the Kunming sector. Not a problem. No need to do the whole trip if you don’t have the number of days to spare or don’t like to go other places. We will need to recalculate for you. so email me.

    feztus

  22. Hi Ivy (ref. 20)

    Thanks so much for the encouraging response n although i m not overweight I will try to loose some. I think I will not wait for the X-ray but will go see the TCM if the heels does not improved dispite me not doing much walking….sob sob.

    I sometimes tag along with my fren to Hong Kong to visit her daughter, we usually takes the budget airline or waits for promotional fare to end up at Macau and cross over. Is it true the “Yong Kei” siew yoke at lan kwai fong is fantastically good?

    Thanks again for your tips I will definitely go to the TCM with a open mind knowing that u have succeeded in healing the heel.

    Cheers

  23. Hi Jacq and Frztus,

    Thanks very much for your responses.

    I don’t mind the cold and yes, Shangrila can be tough for most of us. The itinerary is a good one. I like it. However, as we would like to spend Christmas in Singapore, is it possible to have the trip earlier in December?

    Thanks.

    Cheerios!
    vivien

  24. Freda,

    the TCM might want to see the x-ray for assessment before treating on your problem. I think the x-ray can be ready on the same day. Don’t worry too much…just give it a try. Good luck!

    On the airfare, your cheapo fren here always look out for the cheapest fare in town…aiyo, too much of a hassle to fly to Macau and cross over to hk by jetfoil leh.

    I think you were refering to “Yung Kee” – they are famous for roasted goose (siew ngor in canto). The food is rather expensive but quality is assured. HK is a paradize for good food. Some of my frens come to hk at least once a year to eat and shop. When is your next trip? Need any tips on food?

  25. Oops! JacquelineH, soooo sorry, got strayed away from Yunnan. Actually, I’m quite keen to visit Yunnan again. Might want to consider the April trip. Keep me posted, please. Thanks.

  28. Yes, Dai Gor Terence, I’ll sit tight by the phone. Will turn on my sg mobile no. as well for your sake. Fyi, dinning at Yung Kee needs advance booking.

    ivy

  29. Hi Jacqueline,

    This sounds interesting. Except that we’ll be spending Christmas there !!! I’m not sure whether Christmas there would be exciting? Or boring? Generally, I prefer to spend Christmas in Singapore.

    If you guys can amend the departure date to sometime in January, pls include me.

    Thanks for your efforts in co-ordinating this trip.

    Cheers, Lydia.

  31. Hi jacqueline,

    As a few of us would like to spend Christmas here in Singapore, could we have the Yunnan trip around 12 Dec or around the date?

    Thanks.

    Cheerios!
    Vivien

  32. Hi Lydia and Vivien,

    Your departure date preference is noted. I’m waiting to hear from Feztus regarding the air-ticket booking. In order to speed up the process, please email feztus directly at ethniceast@gmail.com. U may wish to cc me at jacqhan@gmail.com.

    I understood your preference to spend x’mas in Singapore. But, perhaps, spending x’mas at Yunnan could be an interesting change of environment, and perhaps more enjoyable and memorable.How many of u are thinking of joining this?

  33. HI Jacq & Festuz.

    Thanks for your understanding.

    Christmas is tradionally spend at home, for me. So if your trip can be rescheduled, then i can join in.

    Cheers, Lydia.

  34. Hi Freda Lim,

    I had the same excruciating heel pain problem before for more than a year, went to TCM and hospital for X-ray, all did not help until I change my shoe. After less than a month my heel pain problem just disappear.

    You should try those soles from the specialist, or get a good pair of walking shoe. I got my from Great World City at Kim Seng Rd, basement, the shoe shop name ‘Rockport’.

    Francis Goh

  35. Good Morning Francis#34 and all………

    May I ask if your heel pain is on one or both feet? Did u see a sole specialist or Podiatrist before selecting the shoes at Rockport??

    I was told heel pain can be link to a lower back problem and because I have a weak back I am very nervous about TCM manipulations (I understand its extremely painful when they try to soften the spurs)

    Some fren who do not have excruciating heel pain like me told me they took a long while to heal, boy sure hope I don’t need to see a Witch doctor.

    At the moment my heel start hurting after spending too much time on my feet and would often show more pain next day after the activity. The pain was in the heel and very “deep” and “dull”. It would take reduced walking to see improvement. Left foot is worse than right foot……

    Sorry …..i think this might not be the right channel……if u care to share more pls email me at fredalim@starhub.net.sg

    cheers and thank you very much for sharing

  36. Hi Freda,

    Have you ever try Emtech Therapy machine? This machine come with High Electric Potentials, Ultra Long Magnetic Potentials, Far Infrared Potentials and Thermoxibostion Potenials. It Dilates Blood Vessels, Clears Blood Clot in creases Blood Flow, Adjusts Autonomic, Nervous System, and Reduces Fatigue, inflammation and Pain.

    One of the owner of Bottle Tree group has came to my shop and try for 4 times he told me he had totally heal . So you may come and try. We are giving 15 times free trial. I hope the machine can help you. It takes you 30 mins only.

  38. hi folks, as there is no critical number of pax needed to go on the trip, I will have to postpone the trip to next year. We realise there was a trip to Hainan recently and another one to go northern thailand and some folks would rather stay in singapore for the christmas season.

    I will also be improving the trip itinerary. Please email me for more details. ethniceast@gmail.com.

    I might need the moderator to remove the post and we will post a new one later or early next year.
    have a great year end season.

  42. Hi Jacqueline,

    We have met at the Nov Walk.

    Anyway, thanks for putting up this post. Pls keep me informed if you are organising one next year.

    susan tan

  43. Feztus – not at all. No “great effort” on my part… I’m certain next year your Yunnan trip will have an overwhelming response. I look forward to joining the tour!

    Susan Tan – I remember you. Yes- this Yunnan tour has an interesting itinerary. Please do keep a watch out for a new post. I look forward to meet u again.

  44. Hi Feztus Lim

    I just read about this Yunnan tour, it really interesting itinerary, well noted that most probably it will not be scheduled until next year, please keep me informed am really keen about this tour.

    btw, i dont think i hv meet any one of you as I joined as a member last year and only attended one outing.

    Cheers

  45. Hello Freda,
    Just sharing this with you (fellow pain in the heel..haha)
    I am also suffering from heel pain (plantar fasciitis)on both legs. Years ago, under an orthopaedic surgeon’s (SGH)care, I was also injected with a steriod when the pain was unbearable. After each jab (which often lasted about 6 months), I was able to play badminton and tennis (chasing the shots all over the court without any pain).I must have had a total of 4 jabs under his care until I was told not to rely on steriods. I stoppped and of course the pain came back but by then I was also not playing much of both games. I hobbled when the pain hit me.
    2 years ago, I was referred to the Sports Clinic at Changi. I saw Dr Tan and he recommended Shock Wave Therapy besides getting the podiatrist to fit me with corrective insoles.I had to see the physio to learn to stretch those supporting muscles. Well, it works. I don’t have much pain now. I make sure I wear shoes that enable me to slot in my insoles (goodbye to dainty-looking shoes),do my stretches and remember to rest my tired feet by putting them up. I am seeing him for my second treatment next week (after a whole 18mths) because the pain is coming back and a scan done last week showed some swelling in my right heel. You might want to give this a try.

  46. Hi Amy#45

    Thanks, I m doing the exercise (drag one left leg straight behind and bend the right knee fwd, both hands against the wall, push right foot fwd till the pulling ache on the left foot is felt at the calf, hold for 20 secs…repeat the other side) is this the exercise u are doing?
    At the moment, I m managing without using my feet too much, I will wait a little longer before trying other options when the need arises. I m using a heel pad and the TTSH ortho dr told me I do not need the insoles and yeap its really goodbye to all the dainty-looking shoes we have collected!!!
    Bdw, if u r the same Amy Soon….I read your post n and I sincerely hope you will over come your pain in time soon. Also I swim too, perhaps we can both one day join SHC member on their next swimming event.

    Take care

  47. “Thanks, I………drag one left leg……push right foot fwd………….hold for 20 secs……..At the moment, I m managing without using my feet…….”

    Wonder how many left legs one can have? Whatever, it certainly looks like some kind of long-lost martial art only the abbot of shaolin wd hv taught the ergu of ermei. Let it be for the next SHC show after the kebaya fashion extravaganza.

    Then…………

    “……….I m using a pad and…….its really goodbye to…….and I swim……..”

    Finally, it’s Freedom, yeah? Heee………………

Leave a Reply