Life in USA and France. Now moving to Finland… Japanese site is Japanese diary by husband D
If you are determined to see the Last Supper, and if you are going to Milan this May-July, you would want to buy tickets NOW!
Step 1: Go to the official site: https://cenacolovinciano.org/en/visit/#Book
Step 2: Find the photo below, and click it.
Step 3: You will find this calendar. Select the date and time!
The ticket sales started yesterday (20 March), and there are still some tickets available for June and July. Book it before it’s gone!
Good luck!
x << d.x.l on the road
We spent nine days in Switzerland this summer, so here’s some first-hand information on the acceptance of Discover credit card there. Well tested!
It’s very likely that you will go through the big Migros in Zurich airport, especially before you leave Switzerland. At the casher, it appears that Discover won’t be accepted, since there’s no sticker along with Visa and other payment methods. However, I have tried my Discover card, and it did work! Like most people, the first time I was in that Migros, I didn’t try Discover, because it’s simply not listed as an acceptable form of payment. I don’t know why I tried when I visited there for the second time, but I am glad that I did.
In Kleine Scheidegg, I tried purchasing tickets from the ticket machine. Discover worked!
In Riffelberg (Zermatt), I bought train ticket from the window using Discover.
I have only tried Discover in Zermatt. Although the waitress didn’t know about Discover card, it certainly worked.
In Zermatt, we stayed one night in Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt. It is booked with VISA card through Booking.com. But during the check out, I could pay by Discover.
A BUG to copy runes and items?!
Last night I was playing Diablo on Nintendo making Insight runeword. I didn’t get a good roll, so I wanted a free re-roll. I exited the game without saving, then restart. To my disappointment, the Insight weapon is still there! The runes are still socketed! However, later I found that the four runes I used to make Insight are still in my storage, and in the exact same place as once I put them. So I got Insight at no expense of runes! That kinda compensated my bad roll, I guess.
Another thing I found interesting is that my own Spirit sword, Stealth armor, and Rockstopper got copied. This is how it happened. To make Insight, I went to Act 5 to make four sockets. But since it’s the first time for me, I was afraid that he will make sockets to my other pieces randomly. So I put my Spirit sword, Stealth armor, and Rockstopper into the storage, before I went to make sockets. After making Insight, I then picked up my items from storage. But, those items were once in the storage, albeit for a short time, somehow this piece of memory was saved by Nintendo. After I restart the game, I see I am wearing my items, and there’s another copy in the storage! Now that I have two copies of Spirit sword, Stealth armor, and Rockstopper, I gave my follower a Stealth armor 🙂
X << dxlontheroad
After buying a secondhand chromecast (which remembers the wifi from old home), or changing the router at home, it is necessary to reset the chromecast.
If you have already changed the router, you can not ask chromecast to forget the previous wifi, but it is OK.
X << dxlontheroad
Check if you are eligible to change driver’s license.
You will need: medical certificate (if your current driver’s license is not from EU), two passport photos, and 35€.
Make an appointment with Driving Department
In Finland, getting a driver’s license is pricy (well pretty much everything is expensive here). But luckily, driver’s license from certain foreign countries can be exchanged into a Finnish one, with an affordable fee.
The first step is to get a medical certificate (specifically for driver’s license). But if your current driver’s license is from an EU country, then you can skip this step.
The medical check-up costs 110€ from a private care provider (60€ in public health center, where there’s a few months’ waiting time). Meeting with the doctor takes only 10 minutes (no small talks, and yes it is still 110€). Very briefly check vision, and ask about health condition/history. Measure blood pressure. Then the certificate is printed out right away. Two copies: one for self record, and one for the driving department (just bring both and let them take whatever).
The second step is to make an appointment with Driving department. It is very easy to make an appointment online. But somehow still need to get a customer number once inside of their building (what is the scheduled time for?). During the short meeting with an officer, fill a form. The officer pastes two photos onto the form, takes a copy of passport, and checks personal ID, see if it’s within two years after becoming permanent. It costs only 35€. The actual driver’s license card comes to home more than two months later (three weeks for my husband). But they give a temporary driver’s license (in my case, valid till the two year mark). The whole meeting takes less than 10 minutes.
Why should you change into an Finnish driver’s license? For me, it’s because my US one is expiring soon, and after changing, I get 15 years of worry-free!
X
When I took my baby to China, he was 9.5 months old. Here is the link: Super mom — 9 month baby on a long haul flight
When we travelled back to Finland, he was 11.5 months old.
ATTENTION: our returning trip was a daytime flight, with 9:20 AM take-off! If possible, better to avoid daytime long-haul flight when traveling with a baby.
Shanghai (PVG) – Helsinki (HEL), 10 hours
Finnair. A350-900, similar, or almost the same as A350-XWB, in terms of cabin layout. Again, there is only one baby cot seat, which is 41H (Row 41 is an exit row). This time, this seat was booked by somebody without a baby. And there were at least three babies on board. But anyway, there were plenty of empty seats! I took three seats in the middle.
ATTENTION: the advantage of non-exit row seats is that the carryon bag could be stored under the seats in front. In this way, everything is easily accessible while taking care of the baby.
The check in process was pleasant. They did not care about the 2 kg over-weight. Plus, they provided a big bag for our stroller.
At the custom, we went to the baby priority line, so it was fast. At the safety check point, there was no priority lines. But they were nice, and they offered to hold my baby while I was arranging belongings.
The Gate is close by. I really appreciated that.
During the long taxing, my baby did poopoo. We couldn’t go to the lavatory, and I had to feed him. Maybe he was not that hungry, he stopped drinking before take-off. When the plane was stable, we went to the lavatory. He cried really hard! He didn’t like it at all! But I had to do it! After several trails, I succeeded, barely. Luckily it was not a huge mess. Then we went back to seat, and continued feeding. He slept! Fortunately, they started to serve lunch. And I was able to finish it before he woke up. Yes, he slept for only 40 minutes, as he always do. Still about 8 hours to Helsinki!
We started to play toys. Snacks. Milk. Play. Walk. Round and round. I rocked him to sleep, but I failed to put him down. Then we went back to our round. I tried walking and feeding for many times, but he didn’t cooperate. About 3.5 hours to landing, he finally slept. He was waken up by other baby’s cry. Still 2 hours 20 minutes to go! I gave him some food, and he was a good boy. For whatever reason, he refused to drink milk. About 1.5 hours to Helsinki, dinner was served. I had to pass. So it was good that I ate a little snacks while he was sleeping. We kept playing, walking, and talking to people. He did poopoo again! Omg! This time he did a mess in the restroom. I felt lucky that I prepared enough wet tissues. When I took him out of the restroom, I was afraid of looking at people, because my baby cried really hard in the restroom.
During descending and landing, he still refused to drink milk. So I had to give him veggies bag and water. His ears seemed uncomfortable, but he didn’t complain at all. There was a baby kept crying during landing. In fact, my ears were also quite uncomfortable. Everything after landing was fast and easy. I mean, he had enough distractions from people collecting their belongings.
After exiting the plane, we walked for quite a bit. Interestingly, I saw more people going for the flight connection. There was no line at the custom, at all. Then, luggage claim. I asked an airport officer to help. After exiting the baggage claim place, D was waiting for us.
So, I survived from two long-haul flights with my less than 1 year old baby.
Did I mention that Finnair gave gift to every baby? It’s an activity book, and a small Moomin towel. What a sweet touch.
X
I did not know that I would do the same thing – taking a long distance travel with a baby all by myself. I did not know that I could do it.
Helsinki (HEL) – Shanghai (PVG)
Finnair. A350 XWB, a new and beautiful aircraft.
There is only one baby cot seat, which is 41H (Row 41 is an exit row). The baby cot can accommodate a baby weighting up to 11 kg (although Finnair website says 9 kg). Length is unknown, but my 72cm baby could fit in. The baby cot is mounted once the seatbelt sign has been turned off.
There are two seats beside 41H. And the arm between those two seats can be lifted. If the plane is not fully booked, the airline typically blocks all three seats for the mom.
There are four restrooms in front of Row 41,so it is a bit noisy. But where else is not?
I put my baby into the baby-carrier, and went to the family gate at the security check. After taking out all liquid products and cell phone, I took my baby out, because I had to carry the baby to go through the security gate. Unopened baby food is fine. Even water is OK. After the security check, I saw a high chair, so I let him sit there while I was collecting belongings. What if the baby cannot sit? I feel there has to be some sort of assistance.
Our gate is 53. What a long walk! The passport control is around gate 30, meaning gate 32-60 are for flights that exit the Schengen region. There are two lines, one for EU passport holders, and the other for all (other) passport holders. Of course the latter is longer. We waited for about 20 minutes. The officer needs to see passport, residence permit, airline ticket, and face. The officer was nice and quick. After the passport control, it’s still a long walk to gate 53. Very long walk.
When I finally reached gate 50, it was already the boarding time. Anyway, I saw a changing station, and took advantage of it. God knows where the next one will be. So diaper was changed, we were ready to board! Gate 53! People were already in the line. However, thanks to the baby, I could directly go to the priority line. For boarding, they check both the ticket and the passport.
A350 is beautiful! Inside is elegant and spacious. I settled down to 41H, the only front row seat that can have a baby cot mounted on the wall. One Chinese flight attendant helped me to watch the baby, so that I could store my carryon bag in the overhead bin. It was then I noticed that the arm between the two seats beside me could be lifted. Apparently those two seats were not taken. Most likely they were blocked out by flight attendants for my convenience. I got a baby cot and three front row seats! Can’t be any better, right?
Before takeoff, the baby cot was not there. I put seat belts on myself and my baby, waiting for the takeoff. Had not because of a curious baby, I wouldn’t have felt the delay was that long. It’s only about half an hour — but to me it’s like ages. Luckily, other passengers helped me to entertain or distract him.
As soon as the plane started to move, I was getting ready for breast feeding. From the screen I could see where we were heading. A350 is a fancy aircraft. The taxing took long, and I had to start feeding to shut him up. Since he was tired, he was drinking slowly. He didn’t stop until we were 3000-4000 meter high in the air. Woohoo, he slept, so that’s it! Was not it too easy? As expected, my unpredictable baby woke up after only five minutes. But thanks to that five minutes, I could get some stuff out from the carryon bag. He was very excited, smiling to every body. The meal service started really early. I had to delay it, but not for very long, because they can’t keep the food warm for too long. When I was hesitating, the lady sitting across the walkway offered me a hand. She took the baby, then I quickly finished my meal. The food was delicious! Meatball, mashed potato, and a little bit carrot. I didn’t eat salad. But I saved the fazer chocolate for later. I took back my baby, and tried all kinds of ways to make him sleep. He was clearly sleepy. After all, he only slept for five minutes since his last nap. He wouldn’t sleep. He was still smiling to people; he played the lifted arm and bagged blanket; he climbed the seat; he looked around. He sometimes showed signs of sleepy, but he just would not sleep. His eyes were wide open. Maybe because it’s too bright? Once the lights were out (almost three hours after the takeoff!), his eyes started to close. And then, he dozed off fast, while I was rocking him with small steps. I waited for about five minutes before putting him into the baby cot. I let him sleep on the side, and used a pillow and clothes to stabilize him. After an hour, he wanted to rotate to be on tummy, so I helped him. Although he moved some times due to noise (toilet flushing), he seemed to be sleeping well. Only five more hours to go! Maybe he would sleep till we arrive at Shanghai? (Now I should sleep. Four hours to Shanghai — so fast! But I couldn’t sleep! At all!)
100 minutes before landing, they started to serve breakfast. It was delicious too! Scrambled egg, spinach, mini hash brown, strawberry yogurt, and orange juice. Yummy!
Shortly after I finished the breakfast, my baby was waken up by light and noise. Still 1.5 hours till landing! Since he had some decent sleep, he was beaming to everybody. I wanted to save breast feeding for the landing. Therefore I only gave him a fruit bag. He continued to play on the seats.
About 40 minutes before landing, the captain announcement came. Soon the plane would be descending, and thus people should remain seated and seat belt fastened. I kept my baby on my lap, and put on the seatbelt for both of us. He didn’t like to be restrained, so he was trying to be free and of course he screened a little. He was fuzzy also because he needed more sleep. After all it’s still midnight time in Finland. He was supposed to sleep. Anyway, to prepare for landing, I had to hold him, and constantly distract him. I kept checking the clock, hoping we would land right away. Finally, about 20 minutes before the estimated landing, I just couldn’t “fight” with him any more. So I started breast feeding. He was drinking well, but at some point he was scratching his ears. Perhaps he was suffering from the pressure change when the plane was descending. He did not cry, so it was not that bad. Since he was sleepy, he kept drinking for long time, which was good. Soon after we landed, he stopped feeding. I don’t remember much about what happened after landing, maybe because I was too happy that this journey was almost done.
After the plane reached the gate, people were busy gathering their belongings. They helped me to get my bag, so I could prepare to get out. I don’t think I used too much time, but when we exited the plane, the cleaning ladies have also reached the gate. Were we that late? When did all those passengers leave?
There’s again long walk to the passport control. But I did not mind much. After the overnight flight, my legs were longing for a walk. On the way I spotted a changing station, so I changed his diaper. At the passport control, there’s no line at all! At first one needs to pass a temperature check gate. What if I had fever? I showed our passports to the officer. Interestingly, my baby’s travel document did not work. The officer asked about our flight number, checked the information, and let us go.
Next stop was baggage claim. I used 10 seconds to spot my suitcase, and someone helped to get it for me. The final stop was custom clearance. Since there was a long line, I went to the restroom first. After coming out, the line was much shorter. I remember they only do random check in the past, so there’s usually no line. But now, every bag needs to go through the security check. What happened? Again, somebody helped me to handle the heavy suitcase.
Finally we could go out. Only less than twenty people were waiting outside for picking ups. My mom was not among them. I went to an info desk, hoping to get a WiFi code. And I was told to go to a WiFi kiosk to get one. The kiosk is close to a purple column. If you exit the arrival gate, and take a left, you will find it. I used my passport to get a code. Then I was able to contact my mom. Within ten minutes, I found her! By the way, while I was dealing with the WiFi code, my baby dozed off at some point. It’s the first time to see him sleeping in the carrier.
X
As you know, there is no foreign transaction fee with Discover Card. The question is whether you can actually use it. Here’s some tips based on my pretty recent experience (2016-2017).
50-50. I have used it at K group supermarkets, Prisma (S group supermarket), Stockmann, Marimekko and Power (electronics). Discover Card is not accepted in Alko (liquor shop), IKEA or Lidl. Small shops tend to accept VISA and Mastercard only.
Anywhere that accepts UnionPay should accept Discover Card. One issue is that Discover Card is not recognized by the cashers. You have to either tell them that it is a UnionPay card, or insist them to just give it a try. Sometimes you need to tell them to use the chip! The other issue is that many restaurants are using “modified” POS machine (it’s a secret!), which does not accept any credit card (to avoid the fee to the bank). Or, if you insist to pay with a credit card, they will charge a fee. They shouldn’t, but they will. If not because of the issues mentioned above, Discover Card SHOULD be accepted everywhere in China. However, the reality is cruel.
But, at least you will not have problems using Discover Card at a train ticket sales window, or in large department stores, or KFC. The acceptance in Shanghai is very good.
I don’t remember to have issues in Japan, but I did not use my discover card that much. Anywhere with JCB logo should be OK.
99% No. I have lived in France for half a year, and could only use Discover Card for once – on Furla.com. Don’t even bother to try.
I did not have much luck there either.
X
Day 2 汤口 (Tangkou Town) –> 慈光阁 (entrance of the front side of mountain) –> 迎客松 (Welcome Pine) –> 光明顶 (Bright Peak) –> 飞来石 (Flying Rock) –> 排云亭 (Paiyun Pavilion, for sunset) –> 排云楼 (Paiyun Lou, hotel)
I think we successfully avoided crowds! Here’s the Day 2 in our Yellow Mountain trip, or the first day we were actually IN Yellow Mountain.
As mentioned in the overview post, one needs to take the shuttle bus to the entrance of Yellow Mountain. The bus firstly took us to the 慈光阁 cable car station. From there, another bus is available to take us further to somewhere close to the entrance. (Only a few people were on the bus.) There’s still some distance from where the second bus dropped us to the actual entrance, as we joked: “We are already tired before we even start to climb Yellow Mountain”.
We were among a very small number of people who were able to enjoy Yellow Mountain in peace. Many times, we couldn’t see any other people at all.
Climbing Yellow Mountain is tough, especially from the front side. We were extremely slow. Even if Heaven Capital Peak were open, we would not have enough time to do it.
The first time when we met with crowds was at Yupin Lou (玉屏楼), where the Welcome Pine is located. Nearby there are also a cable car station and a hotel, so no wonder it’s always crowded. We could find a stone table, and enjoyed lunch – the takeout fried rice and homemade bamboo shoot. D was very happy that he could carry less stuffs. We were really exhausted.
Then we kept going towards Bright Peak (光明顶). Again, nobody was around. Probably because of the timing, we really did not see much people this day (see photos). Most people climb from the back side of Yellow Mountain, and we did from the front side. Therefore, we kinda of “missed” each other?!
On the way, we saw West Sea Canyon. Wow! we couldn’t wait to explore it – we got excited for the next day.
After passing the Flying Rock (飞来石), we finally arrived at hotel! So tired!
How much time did we use? From the entrance to Welcome Pine was about 4 hours! Then, from there to hotel (Paiyun Lou) was another 4 hours! What a day! If the Heaven Capital Peak (requires 3 hours) were open, we would have had to hike in dark…
However, we still went to see sunset at Paiyun Pavilion (排云亭). It was cloudy… unfortunately. But we enjoyed the peace.
Although the hotel room was a bit wet, we had a good night sleep with sour legs.
X
If you have been to China, you know that it’s almost crowded everywhere. Since Yellow Mountain is one of the favorites of Chinese people, you can be assured that it is crowded everyday, rain or shine. But, you still want to ask this question: how do I avoid the crowds … as much as possible? As a Chinese, as somebody who has been to Yellow Mountain before, I also asked myself the same exact question.
Here is my answer —- There is no way to avoid crowds, but there are ways to avoid large crowds!
Rule No.1 Do not join tour groups. Yes you know the reasons.
Rule No.2 Try climb up the mountain from the front side (慈光阁), and try not to use the cable cars. Most tour groups go from the back side (云谷寺). And to save time and energy, they always use the cable cars.
Rule No.3 Visit the West Sea Canyon (西海大峡谷), where the tour groups do not go. Be assured that it is really worth going, even if you have to give up some other sites of interest!
Rule No.4 Stay on the mountain, and enjoy the early morning and late afternoon (before tour groups come up, and after they are gone). Plus, you may be lucky to catch a breathtaking sunrise or sunset!
Rule No.5 Discover your own Yellow Mountain. I mean, do not just look for those iconic sites, where are always packed with people. For example, there is always a long line in front of the Welcome Pine Tree for photos. In fact, there are so many things to see in Yellow Mountain! Please do not ignore them!
We stayed two nights on the mountain. If you are interested in our itinerary, please check out this overview post and Day 2 and Day 3 in details.
X