Slow Boat to China
Dear Readers:
In case you haven't noticed, I do not have advertising on my blog or
website. I do however, like to bring to
the attention of the mahjongg community products or experiences that they may
find interesting or helpful. Karen contacted me about the mahjongg China trip
and I thought it sounded awesome. I've invited her to write a guest
post about it. Just reading about it
takes you into another (mahjongg) world. How great would it be to take the
trip? I will be back shortly with
another one of my fascinating blog posts.
In the meantime, enjoy your travels!
(Wasn’t Dean Martin one good-looking son-of-a-gun?
Aloha Linda -
Here is the guest
blog I wrote. I hope it will be an interesting read for your followers.
Just a very . .
. short note about myself: When I'm not playing Mahjong or
traveling, I am working on my family's coffee farm on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Thanks so much again
for letting me share this adventure,
Karen
The Winds and the
Dragons: A Luxury Mahjong Tour of China
April 6 - 23, 2014
There is something about
the "clattering of sparrows" that has a special power to bring people
together. I learned to play Mahjong from my mother. And then I
taught my daughter and husband how to play. From the moment the tiles
land on the table, we are engaged in not only a game but a time for us to share
stories and enjoy each other's company. I find Mahjong both simple and
complex at the same time. You can learn the basics in minutes but it
takes years to master the game. I enjoy learning all the different styles
of play. Each one has its own magic. Classical Chinese seduces you
to the table with its simplicity, only to learn that there is more strategy
than just saving Chows, Pungs and Kongs. Hong Kong style adds a twist
that requires players to save a more challenging collection of tiles than just
whatever fits together. When you play American style, you either win or
lose. No need to tally scores or points; you play for the Mahjong!
Mahjong, like the
country of China itself, is rich in colorful tales and legends. A
romantic myth ties its origin to the great Chinese philosopher Confucius in 500
B.C.E. and the three dragon tiles to his three cardinal virtues of benevolence,
sincerity, and piety. It is said that Confucius loved birds, and thus the
game's name: the Chinese word for "sparrow." In my pre-farmer
life, I was an historian, so I wanted to learn more about Mahjong's real
history and how it connected to the cultural life in China. I looked for
tours that combined both the historical beauty of China and a love for the
game. I wanted something truly special that would allow me to be a
traveler and not a tourist. I wanted to see places that many visitors
never get to see. I couldn't find such a tour and so I decided to create
my own. Two years ago, I began working with a highly respected tour
company, Marco Polo & Co., and together, we created an amazing,
one-of-a-kind adventure.
We will be traveling
with experienced guides who share our love of Mahjong on this all inclusive,
5-Star experience. Every detail has been considered leaving us the
freedom to enjoy each destination. With each part of the country we
visit, we will explore new styles of play. We will learn how Mahjong has
evolved over the years and how the game differs from region to region.
Our own Classic Chinese Mahjong tournament will provide us the
opportunity to learn how to play and to develop our strategy and win prizes.
We will
visit one of China's oldest cities, Ningbo, to explore the ancestral hall and
birthplace of Mahjong. Here we will learn the origins of the modern
version, shifting from cards to using bamboo tiles. In Beijing, we will
experience the rumble of the tables as locals test their skill and luck in a
real Mahjong parlor. While there we will visit the Forbidden Palace and
the Temple of Heaven. We will stand on the exact same stone on which
emperors have stood for millennia. Shanghai will find us shopping along
the Dong Tai Lu for treasures - maybe finding a wonderful antique Mahjong set
to bring home. We'll stroll along the Bund and enjoy the view of the
city's famous architecture. Evenings will be filled with sumptuous
dinners and entertainment. Imagine playing in upscale Mahjong parlors for
exclusively designed prizes.
Unrushed, unrestored, and uncrowded, we will
enjoy our lunch on the Jinshanling portion of the Great Wall. We will
explore daily life as we travel along the Li River on our own private boat.
Limestone hills, water buffalo, rice terraces, and fishermen make up the
beautiful scenery. Terra Cotta Warriors, the Panda Breeding Center, and
the Giant Leshan Buddha are all a part of this journey. We'll see how
Mahjong tiles are handcrafted and test our own skills in Macau, the "Monte
Carlo of the Orient," where Mahjong is played in the casinos alongside
Baccarat and Blackjack.
.
It is
an opportunity to indulge in your love of Mahjong and the culture and beauty of
China. If you are interested in learning more, please visit www.mahjong-tour.com for
information and full itinerary. To book a place on the tour, please contact MARCO POLO
& CO. directly and toll free: 877-China77 (877-244-6277)
It is
going to be a dream come true.
Karen J. Kriebl
