Shanghai 14th September 2014
Got picked up from our hotel Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai, 585 Hengfeng Road at 9.30am. How our tour works is that we have a different guide and driver at each place we go. So we get met at an airport looked after in the City then get dropped off at the airport to be met by another guide and driver at the next stop. It is a private tour organised just for the two of us.
Our day stated off cloudy but turned our clearer in the afternoon. Our first stop was the Jade Buddha Temple which was all so different for us but very interesting. This Temple is the most popular in Shanghai containing rare white jade (Photos below)
Then to a area called the Bund is the showcase of colonial-era buildings along the Huangpu River (Mother River). This is where you can get the best views of the city looking across the river. (below)
Looking over to the financial side of the Huangpu River from the Bund side.
A couple of tourists
Walking along the Bund see all the Colonial - era buildings. The river is to the right.
Looking over the river again.
Walking along the Bund looking back at the old buildings.
The waterfront district (the Bund) is the city's most famous landmark. Also a popular site for enjoying the night view of the city lights but unfortunately we didn't get their at night as we went to a acrobatic show instead.
Acrobatic Show
This is the highest building in Shanghai but didn't go up this one as the queue was too long to wait.
We were dropped off to have free time for an hour at the famous Nanjing shopping Road, where there are many large stores and boutiques. Photos below.
Shanghai to Yichang - Yangtze River - 15th September 2014.
Got picked up at 10.00am taken to airport to catch 12.30pm flight to Yichang to pick up our Yangtze River cruise.
Arived at airport to be told that we weren't booked on that flight. Apparently there was some muck up with PTs passport No. been loaded wrongly so they cancelled our seats. Stood at check out for an hour to sort out and finally got booked on to the 6.00pm flight which at that stage was seven hours away. A mistake with tour Company. Fortunally still had our tour leader with us which was some help, then got a ring from the boss Mark Wang in Beijing. I was worried that we might miss our ship departure which we should have boarded by 4.00pm now will be lucky to get on board by 10.00pm ship leaves at mid-night. Hope we aren't delayed.!!!!!! The flight is two hours then about one hour driving. We have now been sitting here for three hours waiting to check our bags in which should open shortly. Then we can at least move round more freely. Only now four hours before our flight :( At least we havent lost our sense of humour....yet. Coy is giving us a free lunch and must admit that they did offer to book us into a hotel for the afternoon but that would've taken half an hour to get there and then back again. Probably more hassle and declined as we still have our bags.
There is a a young lass along from us in a shop selling dolls or similar yelling out something that resembles "Airline coffee" in their high pitched hard nasal voice (Of cause we don't know what she was saying.) Airline coffee. We laugh. Surely she would be calling that out all night in bed.
There are 24,000,000 people in Shanghai alone and everyone you see either working on their cell phones or have them to their ear. A lot of cell phones.
I seem to be talking about a whole lot of nothing but what else is there to do in seven hours at an airport.
One hour forty flight after our big day of waiting. Guide was there to meet us and said a bit of bad news but don't worry. We thought here we go again. They had just had huge flooding down the river after heavy rain and the Ship couldn't get down through the locks in the big dam to where we were going to meet at Yichang so now our Ship couldn't get passed Sandouping where it was waiting for us.
So we were taken to a bus where we waited around for half hour, it was now about 8.30pm The bus took us for a 1 and 1/2 hour trip up stream to where our Ship was waiting for us at Sanddouping. Finnaly got on board checked in and settled down by 11.30pm on the Century Sun Cruise Ship. A very long day. Should have had the afternoon on the ship.
This is our bags arriving when we got of the bus to board the ship. One man picks up the bags and puts the pole through the handles and carries them down the banks of the river onto the boat where they were delivered to our cabin.
- Start of Yangtze River Cruise. 16th September 20014
Woke up this morning overcast and misty but a little better temperature than Shanghai. Apparently it is like this 80% of the year. Not good for photos but that didn't stop me. Sorted our selves out then went to check out the boat to see where everything was.
Another big day with two tours from the boat. The boat was still docked all day we didn't move as it was where it should have been this 2nd day. They said we were dissembarking at 6.00pm thinking it would be cruising over night, but no, we just left the dock and anchored. So still haven't gone anywhere, but thats good as we thought that we would miss the scenery.
This area we saw today was in the area of the Three Gorges Dam Site. We will be passing through three gorges all up.This morning we went ashore to have a special tour which was organised for us, as the Ship should have had its first morning upstream through the dock.
First Tour was The Three Gorges Bamboo Sea.
These are the cable cars that transport the passengers from the ship up to the street level or you can use the steps beside. The men carrying our bags last night had to come down the stairs no room in the cars. This photo is looking up from where you get off the ship.
This is taken at the top looking down over the ships which are all tied up along side each other. If your ship is in the middle or on the outside you have to walk across one ship to the other etc.
As we were getting onto the bus we were hassled by these people trying to sell brochures maps etc. When we returned they were waiting again but with cold beers also...
The spot we arrived at the lake called the Bamboo sea.
This is were we boarded our dragon boat to race against the group in the other boat.
PT all prepared for the big race.
Set to go. We went racing in a dragon boat 8-10 competing with the others in the next boat, lots of fun all trying to keep in time..
Selfie in the dragon boat.
Selfie in the dragon boat.
Waiting to go.
This is the other dragon boat we were racing against.
Approaching a quaint bridge.
Walking over the bamboo rafts.
PT and another Guy paddling down the lake.
We finally arrived at the bottom of this huge waterfall which we were told was above 1500ft. high. You could just see the start of it at the top of the mountain then it disappeared for awhile then reappeared way up above us. So big couldn't get it all in the camera.
Our guide.
Driving through the villages on the way back to our ship.
Above and below through the villages.
This is how you keep dry on your scooter.
2nd tour was great to the Three Gorges Dam Project, which is one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken by mankind. This great dam the largest of its kind in the world, provides China with tremendous power generation and flood control services. This was the Dam that was closed for passenger boats due to the heavy rain and flooding just before we arrived yesterday. This is why we were taken upstream by bus last night as the ship couldn't get through to pick us up. This meant that we missed out on the first day of our upstream journey. PT was so disappointed to have missed out coming up through the locks :( . They told us that its only about one week in a year that this flooding happens which closes the locks)
Getting back to todays trip we left the ship again at 2.00pm returning at 5.00pm.
We were taken to several different spots to view the dam from a distance. Extremely high security in this area. They have viewing decks higher up over looking it. From the same viewing area we looked the other way down over the huge locks. The locks take the boats up four different levels, six including the bottom level of the river and the top level of the river.
The water flowing through on the other side of the locks.
Looking down on the lower level of the dam.
The viewing decks looking over the water flowing through the dam.
Top level of the dam.
This shot shows the top level of the dam on the left going down four more levels down to the bottom level on the right. You can see why PT was so looking forward to travelling up through these six different levels in the ship.
A picture of the area showing the dam across the river.
Looking over the top of the dam where the water flows through down the other side.
From the look out area looking to the top of the locks.
Saw a big model of all the dam project and they are still doing big improvements.
When we arrived back to the ship at 5.00pm more ships had tied up together. This shows how we had to walk over other ships to get to ours.
Quite a lot of extra walking for the day so we had a very big day after our late arrival last night.
2nd day on the Yangze 17th September ,2014.
We started cruising at 10.00pm last night and when we woke up we were moored before the start of the 1st Gorge called the Wu Gorge, not sure how long we had been on the move last night but probably didn't miss much as the main scenery spots are the three gorges.
Started off with a little drizzle this morning but we set off on an included tour to Shennv Stream an area which is a fifteen kilometer long of on the southern bank of the Wu Gorge. Got off the ship and we were put into groups and boarded small boats which they call sanpans but not the true style of an old sanpan. The stream has increased its depth by some 65 metres since the damming project. Quite amazing.
The drizzle stopped, and though it was still cloudy, it was very pleasant. This scenic area is a newly - developed area all part of the construction of the three gorges area. Its known as the Goddess Stream. Due to the perpendicular mountains of sheer limestone cliffs, deep valleys and turbulent water very few people reach this area so it is all still in pristine state, thus really worth visiting. This trip started at 8.45am and we got back to the ship at 11.15am. Really enjoyed it and in this area the misty overcast conditions don't seem to matter as this is what this area is all about, still very beautiful most enjoyable.
Sitting in our Sanpan looking up stream
Back to get on board our ship.
Boarding the Sanpan boats to take us up the Shennv Stream which is fifteen km long off the southern bank of the Yangtze.
As we were going up stream the guide was talking. This photo was taken from the outside deck looking through to the inside of the Sanpan.
Heading up the Shennv Stream which id 15 km long of the Wu Gorge. Very misty but this is how it is in these areas. Very moist air.
Sitting in our Sanpan looking up stream
Passing the limestone cliffs.
At the top of the stream where all the Sanpans tie up to floating wharf.
The locals do a small singing concert for us on the floating wharf.
Now back on board heading down stream back to our ship.
This is typical of the high limestone cliffs we pass through.
Back to get on board our ship.
Then we were under motor again and went through the third gorge called Qutang Gorge more great scenery. I think in a way the misty cloudy conditions just seemed right in this area. The Qutang Gorge is the shortest Gorge (8KM), narrowest and the most dramatic of the Three Gorges.
Some of the buildings along the river banks. This one had a row of horses zig zaging up the side of the mountain taking goods to the top.
.
Above and below .These places are just perched along the side of the cliffs.
These next photos are shots continuing through the Qutang Gorge, shortest gorge only 8 km long.
Trying to dry the washing on the railing of our deck. Impossible to dry in this moist weather.
after four days leaving ship the washing was still damp.
Taken looking across the top viewing deck.
Above and below showing the steep cliffs through the Gorge.
Continuing through the Gorge.
Passing one of the towns on the banks of the river.
We then tied up further up stream after the gorge for the rest of the afternoon. There was another tour on land that we could have gone to but after our big day yesterday decided to relax this arvo.
Tonight the crew put on a crew Cabaret show for an hour at 8.45pm a bit of fun before we went to bed.
Tomorrow is our last full day on the ship but haven't been told yet what we see.
Last day on the Yangtze River - 18th September,2014.
Woke up to heaviest rain to date. We had an included shore walking tour The Great Shibaozhai, 500 year old red cliff pagoda. Left Ship at 9.00am walked through the town in the rain and along to the Pagoda. We were told about the huge walls they had to build around it because of the levels which the river can rise at certain times of the year. There were 99 steps to the top which was hard work in these very high humid conditions you can imagine what I looked like by the time I made the top. Saw some very wet views couldn't see much but you could get a good idea. Its always good to have a break from the ship so we have done all on shore tours except one.
Looking from our ship across the floating rafts which you have to walk over before climbing the hill up to the town. Still raining but as it is so hot you can get out in this weather because you know you won't get cold.
Walked through the town over a bridge to the island where this great Shibaozhai 500 year old red cliff Pagoda is.
Inside the Pagoda
getting ready to climb the 99 steps to the top.
One look at these steep stairs I thought no way could I get to the top of the 99 steps. Just about to pull out and told myself I am only here once so here I go.
Looking out back to the ships. You can see the floating rafts we crossed to get ashore. Then climbed up to the town.
Some space outside. See ships in back ground. Terrible wet day.
Inside
Quartyard we passed through.
The bridge of love. We were told if you cross over the bridge together you will always have happiness.
We crossed over. Very slippery with the rain but very happy.
View from the top over looking the bridge we walked over to get to the island where the Pagoda was.
Zoomed in to our ship.
Now back down to the town again. The heads of the animals which each one relates to the dates you were born and what you are.
Walking back through town through the markets wet as...
A close up of the rafts we had to walk over to get ashore.
Looking over to the Island where the Shibaozhai Pagoda was which you can see if you look close through the rain.
Got back to the ship before lunch then had a tour after lunch up to the Captains bridge quarters, although he wasn't on duty. He only goes to the bridge when arriving and departing.
Visiting the bridge.
We then travelled through the Xiling Gorge which is the longest and deepest of the three gorges with sheer cliffs rising 4,000ft. Xiling Gorge had a reputation for being an unpleasant section where dangerous reefs and shoals lurked, and ships and boats frequently overturned in this area, however, as the level of the river rose behind the wall of the Three Gorges Dam this wild part of the river has been tamed.
Continuing up stream through the Xiling Gorge the longest and deepest. Scenery not so interesting although the weather doesn't help.
Because of the dampness in the air with all the humidity in this area it is impossible to get the washing dry. It is the third day now hanging in our cabin and not much improvement.Tried all sorts, hanging in front of air conditioning :( tried hanging on our balcony outside :( trying using the hair dryer :| now slowly making progress. We have to pack tonight so have to get it done. Sometimes I think that there is more water in the air than in the river.
Even putting the hair dryer in the socks to get them dry!!!!!!!
Captain is having his farewell dinner tonight. I see the glasses are put put out at the entrance of the dining room so looks like we will get a glass of champers. Then later at 8.45pm there is going to be a guest talent show so will probably go up to see that for our finally night on board.
There are all sorts of activities to do during the day but nothing we would go to. They have afternoon tea and home baking at 4.00pm each afternoon but haven't been so far so might do that today as it is still raining none stop today.
So far we have been pretty lucky the rain hasn't really inconvenienced us as it is so warm. You can really do anything in the rain as you don't get cold.
We were meant to go through to Chongging today but just now have got as far as Fenghu, due to possible more flooding upstream, as I mentioned earlier we have had continuous rain all day. There will be a gathering at 6.30pm to advise us if we can get up or not. Apparently if we get off loaded here we will have about a three hour bus trip to get up to Chongging tomorrow morning before we catch our flight to Xian. Watch this space.............................
Apart from the weather we have enjoyed our cruise and still managed to see lots of interesting places. Apart from today the weather cleared up for all our other on shore tours so all were much enjoyed.
We have just heard that the Ship can't get any further upstream due to heavy rain so we are going to have disembark tomorrow morning and are going to have over a three hour bus trip to the airport, bus coming for us all at 5.00am but have to checkout of the ship at 4.00am. As it will be too early to have breaky they are going to give us a pre- packed box to take with us. PT has set the alarm for 3.00am. Can't be seen being late!!!!!!!!! By the time we sorted out who was on which bus we finally got to bed at 11.00pm so won't get much sleep.
Upper deck in the heavy rain. Nobody sunbathing!!!!!!!!!
Taken up on the top deck of the ship
Looking down the Atrium from the top deck.
Top deck bar.
- Cocktails in the bar. Not sure what happened to this photo.
Checking in area when you board the ship.
Captains farewell dinner on the last evening.
Dinning room.
Our table. We went to the same table every night.
PT's favourite waitress.
Two dragons then there were four.
Somebody's birthday
Where they have shows and concerts.
19th September 2014 Chongqing to X'ian.
When you guys wake up it will be election day. Sounds like we are better off away from it all. PT reads the herald on line when he gets the time to keep up.
Last night left the Ship at 5.00am and drove up Chongqing airport, fortunately the bus trip was just over an hour. Got to Chongqing airport for a 11.00am flight to X'ian which left 30 mins late. What a shambles chinese pushing in to be first. So many people and so hot in the airport no air conditioning working. We were all squashed up like sardines.. As we always say you miss a whole day when flying between places.
Only 1 - 1/2 hour trip and our new guide was there to meet us to show us around X'ian so all was good. She took us to our hotel Grand Noble, dropped our bags and took of to see a couple of things. Feeling very tired at this stage but just kept going.
First she took us to the Shaanxi History Museum for about 40 mins. She was very good, showing us just a few of the more interesting things then moving on.
Entrance to Shaanxi History Museum
Models of the Terra Cotta Wariors
Entrance to the Wild Goose Pagoda
Centre of the steps as above.
Gardens in The Wild Goose Pagoda
In the grounds there was a building full of Chinese paintings so we were taken for a tour round that with a few demos with Chinese writing as photo below. I think they they would like you to buy but not our taste.
Grand Noble Hotel foyer at Xian
Xian China - 20th September, 2014
Didn't get this written last night as I was ill with the tummy bug or eaten something so spent the afternoon running from toilet to toilet so going to get PT to write about todays events as I was in no state to listen to the guide and take things in.
We were picked up by our guide for our big day out.
As we came out of the hotel our guide said there's a wedding car waiting, go and stand by it and I will take your photo.
Our first stop was a walk over the Ming Dynasty City Wall, then to a noodle demo where we had lunch, then the afternoon was at the Terra Cotta Warriors where the bug hit me. Lots of walking to do here in the hot sun so that didn't help me. Haven't eaten for 30 hours.
PT will tell you all about it....
As Jack said, started on the wall where we did our morning walk for one kilometer there and one kilometer back. The wall is 41 km all the way round and thus in its day Xian (pronounced "see anne")was quite a big city. The houses and apartment blocks within the city wall nowadays have certain structural requirements that they have to adhere to. They have to be similar in appearance to there original homes. Even the commercial buildings with the typical Chinese styled roofs.
Entrance through the Ming Dynasty City Wall.
On top of wall looking over the square.
Walking along the top of the wall.
Looking down over the wall. New city on the right.
Approaching the corner of the wall.
Standing in one of the corners of the wall looking along one quarter.
Below looking along the quarter we have just walked.
End of wall walking. Our guide on the right. She was very nice looked after me when I got so sick later that day. Even took me to the chemist at the airport before she put us on the plane the next day, to get some very good Chinese medicine!!!!!
Along the out side of the wall
.
.
Just before we descended off the wall.
Then we headed to a Chinese eatery. There were approx 5 big dining rooms in this building. Not sure if it was a hotel but and we got stuck in to a nice lunch but this is where Jack's undoing was with all the food. This was followed by a short demo on noodle making. Always thought that noodles were spagetti thin but no, approx 5mm thick. It looked easy but I think there was a knack in stretching and banging on the bench to obtain the right size. Interesting.
Then on to one of the shopping stops they take you to, but we were never interested in that sort of shopping but we had to go through as to not ofend them.So a few quick photos and then on our way. The guides didn't get any commission of us for buying.
Making clay models of the Terracotta Army/warriors to sell to the tourists.
Models all on display for selling.
Pictures, prints furniture for sale. Can you imagine us buying this. I would say to them too big to take home, but they always had an answer, no probs we can pack up and ship!!!!!
We then proceeded to the Terracotta Army/Warriors enclosures. This was the highlight of the tour. It was great to see how this area had developed from 1974 when a farmer was drilling a water well and came across these relics. It shows the area where the well originated and how it has grown.
The main stadium is 350 metres by 64 metres
Massive structures and all set up beautifully showing a large number of "soldiers" partially repaired.
We were also informed of the different grades of soldiers being NCOs and Officers and whether they were archers, chariot drivers, highly graded officers or horsemen. Archers for example had their hair tied with a knot of their hair on the left hand side of their heads etc.
There is apparently still 50% of the area still to be redeveloped for excavation and the whole area would easily cover 10 hectares.
So when we were done we went back to the hotel and she went to bed and I followed the NZ election results on the computer. Dinner for me was a beef stir fried purchased along the road. So because of Jack's condition I didn't think we would make it to Beijing tomorrow.
Xian is situated at the bottom of quite a big bowl surrounded by some fairly high hills. There are 67 universities and the population is 7/8 million. We were informed that it is quite industrialised and as a result there is a large amount of mist which I would call smog. The driving is shocking. Absolutely shocking but everyone seems to get by. A lot of honking and to be blunt I think we were lucky to get out without accident. Real bad. Every car had a dent or scratch without exception.
A great experience.
Xian to Beijing 21st September 2014.
We were taken to Xian Airport for our trip to Beijing. Great experience in Xian but unfortunally couldn't really enjoy it as much as I would have like. Never experienced sickness like this one. Still haven't eaten. Dreaded the plane trip but I made it. We were picked up by our driver( no guide this time) on arrival in Beijing and taken to our Hotel. He didn't speak English so didn't know where we were being taken to. Arrived at our hotel to await next instruction re guide. Didn't hear a thing no phone call so went to bed. Very tired still feeling very week. We were staying at The Royal Phoenix Hotel.
Beijing , 22nd September, 2014
We hadn't heard from our guide since we arrived at the hotel last night, then at 10.00pm the phone went to organise our day today. We were both sound asleep.
The weather was thick low cloud probably partly smog. A lot cooler than we have being having, about 22deg and no sun so made it very pleasant for rushing around. In these big cities it takes a lot of time and driving to get to places especially with all the traffic.
We got picked up at 8.00am to go to the Great Wall which is 75km northwest of Beijing. Winding up into the mountains and more into the thick cloud we arrived at the Badaling Section of the Great Wall. This defence system snakes its way 4000 miles across China over ever changing landscapes as they say like an imperial dragon. Primarily to keep the Mongolians out of China proper.
Its amazing when you are on these private tours we never seem to be amongst the queues waiting to get in anywhere. Just turn up, pass all the groups and just go straight in. Our guide today took us a little higher up the mountain to an entrance to the wall where the buses can't go so only a few people there.
When I first looked at the steepness of the steps I thought, how I'm I going to tackle these after not eating for two days but because it was a lot cooler up in the mountains didn't have to struggle with the heat so just said to myself we are here only once so just do it. We climbed and climbed, very steep, and the guide said just say when you want to turn round but when I see a high point I need to see whats over the other side but when you get there you are not at the top but just another steep climb in front of you.
`
PT and our guide.
We then drove all the way back to go to a Jade factory in other words a shopping stop.They make you stay at these places for about 40 mins trying their hard sell.
Having lunch at the Jade Factory.
Summer Place gardens
Entrance
Long corridors along the side of the lake. Good for when it is raining.
The boat coming in to take us along the lake shore back to the entrance. Saved a long walk back. Not great weather very misty but lucky no rain.
Inside the boat
Looking from the lake back to shore very misty for photos.
We got back to the Hotel about 4.00pm which was nice and early and about 5.30pm we were just going downstairs for a bite to eat and the phone went to say we were going to be picked up at 6.00pm to be taken into downtown to a theatre for a show which nobody had told us about and also thought that it was going to include dinner but no, got there which took half an hour to find out it wasn't dinner so had to grab something quickly before the show. I should add that the show was traditional Chinese opera and was shocking. Couldn't understand it and the music was typical discordant chinese. And so was the dancing.Awful.
Chinese opera
Half an hour to get back to hotel and soon after had a phone call to say we are being picked up at 7.20am tomorrow morning so good night!!!! NOT.
Beijing . - 23rd September, 2014
Raining today and a lot cooler.
Got picked up at 7.20am by a 12 seater van no guide and a driver who couldn't speck English so were wondering what was going on then stopped and pickup eight other people. We were then thinking we are susposed to be on a private tour. By this stage a guide had got on board and all he knew was that we were joining his group so went along with the flow with two Aussies and four Pols. After a while we found out that this group were going to The Summer Palace where we went yesterday but they were going to the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven which are the places we were meant to be going today. So we sorted that out and stayed with this tour for half the day had lunch with them and had a foot massage at a student medical centre which was very nice after all our walking.
It First stop was the Temple of Heaven and enormous complex built in 1420 where emperors performed religious ceremonies. Previously known as the Temple of Heaven and Earth. The park is rounded (symbolizing Heaven ) in the south and square (symbolizing Earth) in the north. The Temple was built three times larger than the Forbidden Palace , since the emperors dared not build their residence larger than a dwelling regarded as a supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture. We had a good walk round including climbing the 27 steps up to The Temple of Heaven.
They have these cover ways in the complex where all the locals meet up for a social get together. Some were playing music, some were dancing but most just chatting. ,
The 27 steps up to The Temple of Heaven.
Close up of the Temple showing all the beautiful art work.
Inside the Temple. Weren't allowed inside.
Looking over to the Temple. Really raining now.
Outside looking up to the wall surrounding the Temple
2nd stop The Forbidden City which was the Imperial Palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and it is one of the largest and most completely restored ancient architectural complex in the world. We walked in the footsteps of the emperors along the marble road. A commoner (as we are) in the Ming Dynesty you would have been beheaded if you walked along this road so we gave it a go and guess what we still have our heads. This is an amazing place.
All photos below taken in the Forbidden City.
We leave Beijing at 3.30pm tomorrow for Vietnam. We will really notice the difference in the heat in Vietnam as our three days in Beijing have cooled down and today, wet most of the day. Its been really good temp for walking and rushing around. Our driver will drop us off to have a quick look at Tiananmen Square on our way out to the airport. We somehow got this missed off our itinerary. Tiananmen Square covers 44 hectares in the heart of Beijing a few steps from the Forbidden city.
The Legend of Kungfu show fantastic couldn't have asked for a better last night in China. Managed to get theses photos before told no photos.
Where the show was held. Taken when we came out.
Peking Duck meal.
Last night in China, saying goodbye to our overall Trip organiser Mark Wang. Taken in the foyer of our hotel.
24th September, 2014 Beijing to Hanoi Vietnam.
This morning we got picked up from our Hotel (above Royal Phoenix Hotel) to be taken to the airport to leave China to fly to Hanoi Vietnam. Our next adventure. Note the colour of the sky last day, typical as it had been so wet in Beijing.
Little street up to our hotel which is very old and a protected area cant be pulled down. The very old way. When we arrived into Beijing at night and we were taken up this little alley way in the dark, we wandered what sort of area our hotel was going to be in, then we approached our huge hotel which pop up amongst it all.
It was nice meeting Mark after corresponding with him over the year organising the trip. We really appreciated his good will, very nice 6ft plus handsome Chinese guy. Tall for a Chinese.
Hopefully I will be back on google writing my blog tomorrow or the next day....................in Vietnam..
No comments:
Post a Comment