2008 asia: athens - beijing

10:00 Departure by plane for the return of the last member of the Green Project to Athens. The return of “green” cars of mission in Greece is realised with boat, according to the initial plan

10:00 Visit in the “Exhibition Space of Built-up Planning Beijing”. In his rooms is presented with the use of high technology, in the three thousand year history of city, while is elected also impressive Olympic Beijing.

10:00 Recording of Temple of Sky, which is found in the more southern department of central vertical axis of city. This monument has been included in the List of World Cultural Heritage (World Heritage List) the UNESCO.Completed in 1420 and it reflects the Chinese perception that the sky is circular and the ground level, symbolizing the balance from each other. The emperor, as “Son of Sky”, was considered the conjunctive ring between the supreme deity, the Sky and the persons, and was person in charge for the natural phenomena and the fertility of ground.

11:00 Official visit and presentation of Green Project in the Greek Embassy. The ambassador Mr. Kampanis and executives of Embassy congratulate the volunteers of GP for their effort, pointing out that it constitutes the unique mission that achieved it reaches in Beijing in 2008.

10:00 Part of team visits the Great Wall or differently “Long Wall” in the Chinese language, which has been included in the List of World Cultural Heritage (World Heritage List) the UNESCO. Its manufacture, in today’s form is reported to have taken place during the Dynasty of Ming (1368-1644).

07:00 Arrival in Beijing.

11:00 after special authorisation which is honorary granted by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the team presents the objectives of mission in the “Greek House”, in the region DongCheng, to Chinese factors of Cultural Year of Greece in China, executives of Greek Embassy in Beijing, and representatives of Greek Ministry of Culture.In the frame of event, the team presents also part of material of 30.000 photographs that was assembled at the duration of thirty days of walking.

10:00 Visit in the Mausoleum of first Emperor of dynasty Qing (221-206 BC), monument included in the List of World Cultural Heritage (World Heritage List) the UNESCO, with the 6000 warriors from terracotta (Bingmayong), that were discovered the decade of `70s. It is of important archaeological interest extent with three installations, by which second is covered from big circular form iron shelter with bioclimatic characteristics, for the protection of extensive cavity in which is found part of earthen warriors.

7:30 Having breakfast in the plush mountain range of Maiji Shan between Lanzhou and the Xi’ an. The streets have been blocked by endless hordes of motionless lorries, that causes important delays. In the Chinese hinterland there is an explosion of construction development: new streets, tunnels, airlifts with background the wild nature compose a surreal setting.

16:00 Arrival and overnight stay in the Xi’ an.

9:30 Arrival in Lanzhou.

12:00 Visit in the group of Buddhist temples in the hill of White Pagoda, that is located in Baita Shan. Near is the metal bridge Zhongshan that connects the two banks of Yellow river which is named after the actual colour of the waters.

15:00 Visit in water mills hat is found in the opposite bank and that their initial manufacture is reduced in the means of 16th century. The current mills, with diameter 16,50m., are reproductions of the original installations, that were placed in placed in 1993, when water museum was founded.

19:00 Departure for the Xi’ an.

10:30 Arrival in Dunhuang.

12:00 Tour in the city, while part of mission visits and records neighbouring hydroelectric station. Afterwards is realised visit with vehicles of combustion of gas, limited emissions CO₂ in the locality Yumen Pass, most important station of Streets of Silk, where apart from the archaeological discoveries of fortifications by building with bricks the 3rd eg. century (Han Dynasty) is recorded a solar park of force 8,4 KW which was installed there with the aid of Japanese Government.

11:00 Departure from Urumqi with destination Turpan. The region of Turpan is found in position below sea level and presents highest temperatures in China (more than 45^oC).

15:30 Visit in the region Dabancheng District, which is found between the cities Urumqi and Turpan. It is the bigger Aeolian (wind) park of Asia (Dabancheng Wind Power Generation Site), total force 6×6.6MW, which unfolds in enormous level extent, which interrupts the passage of central road artery.

08:30 Departure for the city of Khorgos, on the borders, half in Kazakhstan and half in China.

12:00 The customs procedures last for less than an hour. It is the fastest passage of borders from our experience in Central Asia. The Chinese dignitaries proved to be exceptionally noble and hospitable.

13:00 Entry in China wearing T-shirts with the sponsors. Green Project becomes first (!) foreign mission which enters in 2008 in China by car from her north-western borders.

12:00 Departure from Almaty by road for the borders Kazakhstan-China with vehicles of combustion of gas of limited emissions CO₂. Destination is the city Zharkent, which is 300 km from Almaty. The journey is impressive through steppes, mountains and gorges.

20:00 A bit off schedule (!) the customs operations imposes the overnight stay in Zharkent.

11:00 Presentation of Green Project in the Greek Embassy in Almaty. The mission is honoured by the presence of the Ambassador Mr. Kontoboynisios. Words of support for the initiative are expressed describing this as the first step in collaboration between Greece and Kazakhstan in cultural and environmental issues.

14:00 Discussion with the local authorities for passage through the borders of China.

13:00 Visit to the baths Arasan in Almaty. The baths are separated for men and women, with two big circular reservoirs, with semi-spherical domes. It is of characteristic architecture of Soviet Realism. The architectural lingo that is used, refers to buildings of the 50s with well planned construction details.

17:00 Visit of team to a manmade lake, a summer destination in north Almaty.

10:00 Meeting with members of Greek Embassy and representatives of Community in the city centre, which was, up until five years ago, of capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty. Briefing on the Green Project. A warm reception with an exchange of opinions for the future of renewable energy sources of energy in countries which the economies of are supported mainly in the pumping and export of oil.

21:00 Official dinner with the Secretary of Embassy Mr. Parthenioy, as well as the Chairman of Association of Fellow countrymen Mr. Theodoridi.

14:00 Visit to a model unit for the treatment of biomass. Developing the excrements of cattle and pigs, German origin farm owner, Mr. Koch, produces a sufficient quantity of biogas to cover of energy needs of 40 households. Simultaneously it produces high quality fertilizer for bio-grown vegetables. The unit has capacity of 350 tons.

19:00 Departure from Tashkent.

01:00 Overnight stay in Almaty.

10:00 Part of the team explores the greater region of Tashkent. It locates and it records settlements which use mud with straws in order to externally insulate their residences. The material in question presents exceptional insulating attributes.

17:00 Departure from Tashkent, with the honorary presence of police forces, with destination Kazakhstan.

01:00 Overnight stay in Taraz.

10:00 Visit in Parkent, 50 km outside from Tashkent, where there is a unique installation of solar oven. The team receives an honorary reception in the entry into the city, with a traditional orchestra and women dressed in traditional costumes offering flowers and dishes. The solar oven with dimensions of width roughly 50 m. and height of 54 m, was manufactured during 1981-87. It is a group with solar mirrors that gathers the solar radiation aiming at the production of materials of high cleanliness.

10:00 Visit to Shahr-i-Zindah of (15th cent) Samarkand. It is a total of mausoleums, that have developed at length of one narrow road. The facades of buildings are constructed with bricks are with ceramic tiles in blue and turquoise nuances with decorative plants and geometric patterns, while the domes on the mausoleums present impressive decoration.

6:00 Visit to the historical centre of Bukhara and Kalon, with minarets with height of 48m. Manufactured from bricks, circular cross-section with diameter of base 9m and 7m tall. The 2hr stay at the top gives the perspective to record of traditional residences in the historical centre of city, many from which have internal areas, element that characterizes the bioclimatic planning of traditional buildings in regions with high temperatures. In the centre of internal areas are water wells as well as trees which provide protection from high temperatures.

10:00 Departure from Turkmenabat and passage in Uzbekistan with destination Bukhara.

17:00 Arrive in Bukhara. Visit to historical centre of city, where we recorded the followings: the mosque Lyabi-hauz (1620) in which has big reservoir of water, which contributes considerably in the reduction of temperature in environment space, the group of Kalon of minaret (1127), with the mosque of (16th century) and Mi-Arab Medresesi in the central square.

7:00 Visit to the first hydroelectric station in Central Asia Hindigus Suw Desgasy on the Murgar River, 60 km from Mary. Constructed by the German company, Gahu in partnership with a Hungarian company, the station first opened in 1913. It has 3 moters with total power of 1200 KW. Every motor has 2 outputs 75 V of 150 A at 2,14. The biomechanical station is also in UNESCOs list and operates in parallel to the museum.

12:00 After receiving special permission from the Museum Director, the Green project is allowed to document the archeological museum at Mary
15:00 Visit to ancient Merv, Margiani of Alexander the Great. The archeological park includes 2 large forts, Erk Kala (city founded by Achamenides in 6 cent BC.) and Sultan Κala (UNESCO). There are mausoleums, mosques and bioclimatic characteristics from the 12th century.

8:00 Departure from Balkanabat for Ashgabat. The pipeline heads eastward through the desert.
14:00 Arrival in the capital Ashgabat (City of Love). All roads are marble with gold statues of Niyazov a leader of Turkmenistan.One of these follows the path of the sun from the east to the west, the thought of using natural energy is evident. Presentation of the Green Project to members of the Foreign Ministry. Warm, but thoughtful support is expressed
17:00 Departure for Mary.
00:30 Overnight Mary.

7:00 Arrival to the port of Turkmenbashi.  Long wait at customs for the necessary travel documents.
18:00 After 11 hours, departure from Turkmenbashi and the journey begins following the natural gas pipeline in the desert of Caracum (Black Sand).
23:00 Overnight in Balkanabat.

10:00 Delay for the arrival Τurkmenbashi Ships are in queue to anchor in the very narrow port
12:00 We take advantage of the delay to regroup and organize all our material
18:00 Interview with captain on the development of the region around the Caspian Sea and the protection of its ecological balance. The captain becomes an honorary member of our team

11:00 Presentation of Green Project at the Baku Hyatt to local authorities and officials as well as the representative of the Greek Consulate. The team receives a warm reception and support of those present
13:00 Arrival to the port where the ship departs to Τurkmenbashi, the port of Turkmenistan on the Caspian Sea.
19:00 The ship Mercury heads out to the Caspian Sea

10:00 Visit to the old city of Baku, which is on UNESCOs list of historical heritage sites. Among the building we photograph are the Maiden Tower, Buhara and Μultani karvansarayi (15th and 16 cent respectively)  All have bioclimatic characteristics, constructed with thickly laid, local stone with minimal external openings. This provides for a naturally cool internal area.

8:00 Visit to the old hydroelectric station in the capital of Georgia. Interview with the head of the station.
9:00 Meeting with the Greek Ambassador in Tblisi, Mr. Hatzimixelaki with whom we discuss the purpose of the Green Project. He expressed his support for our efforts.
11:00 Refueling of liquid and natural gas fuels at the EKO station (one of the many in Georgiag) Departure for Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

11:00 Part of the team visits the University of Kaukasou where we receive a warm welcome. Presentation of the Green Project to the founders of the University, who we interview. Visit to the old capital of Georgia, which has many examples of traditional bioclimatic architecture.  Photographs capture the hydroelectric plant that is just outside Tblisi
The remaining team takes a quick tour of the historical center of Tblisi documenting the bioclimatic characteristics.

8:00 Depart for Tblisi.  The road is under construction and is closed at various points of the way. The traffic moves parallel to the river, making the view very impressive.
12:00 Video documentation of the hydroelectric plant in the city of Artvin.  The base of the Kaukasou mountain is alive with flowers and other vegetation as well as ample water that flows along with the road.
15:00 Arrival in Hopa, near the Georgian border.  Over a four hour delay at the border patrol.

11:00 Visit to the historical center of Erzurum where the team documents with photography and video the outside of Yakuitive (12th cent), which currently houses the Museum of Islam Art, and the Cifte Minareli, a monument dating 1253 and was built during the Ilhanidon dynasty in the 12th and 13th century.  These monuments are the largest of their kind architecturally with a rectangular garden.  These monuments also have bioclimatic design as does Ulu cami.  Visit to the traditional houses of the old city.

10:30 Visit to the historical center of Sivas. Our team documented various Seltzoukic mosques, hamam (saunas) and other historical buildings noted for their bioclimatic characteristics. Especially noted were: Kale Cami (1580), Baruciye Medresesi (1271), Çifte Minareli Medresesi (1271), Gök Medresesi (1271) and Meyden Hamam from the 15th century. Restoration work is in progress at these sites. The team also observed economic development in the region.

10:30 Depart for Ankara, on the way to the presentation of the Green Project and the digital exhibit of nine artists at both the Ministry of Energy in Turkey and the Hellenic Embassy. The presentation was a great success. Present were various key staff members of the Ministry of Energy who expressed their support of the Green Project.

Day 3: Turkey – Istanbul, August 3, 2008

10:30 Our entrance into Asia begins with the panoramic view of Istanbul. Our emotions stir as we pass from one continent to another by means for the great bridge over the Bosporos.
15:30 Depart from the port of Pendik by ferry boat to Yalova (northeastern Asian coast). The warmhearted conversation with the captain on the bridge results in enthusiastic support of the Green Project.

09:00 Visit to the bazaar and the historical center of Komotini for the documentation of traditional bioclimatic buildings.
11:30 Press conference with local press in Maronia at the European Organization of Public Justice, a supporter of the Green Project.
1:30 – 18:00 Media documentation of the wind park at Kehro as it is incorporated into the environment of northern Rodopi.

Day 1: Greece, Athens August 1, 2008

Celebration of the start of the “Green Road” at Sintagma Square in Athens. The event had an interactive flavor as the goal was to initiate dialogue with the passers by.

9:30 The crowd has gathered as the live coverage by NET documents the event. George Kemlis, representative of Stavros Dimas of the Hellenic Environmental Committee, announced the beginning of our event with his warm salutations from the Committee. He invited the team to present the Green Project’s material in Brussels.