DeutschChina/Qinzhou Adventure travel 2008
4-14
As we sit waiting to leave in the hydrofoil to the Chinese border, we reflect on our time in Vietnam. We laugh at the fairly constant power outages; the dishes washed in a dishpan at the front yard spigot even though there are ten bathrooms with sinks and tubs in the hotel/guest house; restaurant menus used as guides only since one gets served what the restaurant has, sometimes with little resemblance to what one ordered.
Our hydrofoil was old but serviceable as they strapped Bici outside. After an amazing two hour ride, half of it through astonishing karsts scenery we came to a halt far from shore. Transferred to a small tug-like boat, small groups of passengers were chugged closer to shore and again transferred yet again in smaller groups, only Art, I and Bici in row boat-sized speed boats for the final race over the sand flats to shore.
Everyone was whisked away by bus. We traveled into Mong Chay (about 15km) along a quaint road. We lunched in Mong Chay and proceeded to the border. Stamped out of Vietnam, we rode a long block and entered the modern border building belonging to China. Two guards became our personal aides, making certain we filled out the papers correctly; guided our big bike through the proper gates; and helped us unload all our gear to have it x-rayed upon entry. Our books were closely inspected, but all in all, China has been the most modern, friendly and most easily entered border crossing after Singapore!
We peddled into the clean, clean, wide city street of Dong Xing thoroughly amazed at the modern building, nicely displayed goods in hundreds of shops with anything and everything one could want. We settled in a hotel, showered and headed off to find a map for the next phase of our journey. With the Berlitz phrase book Betsy Jones sent us, we began negotiating China, a country with few English signs and fewer English speakers. A young man, along with many other friendly people, asked if we needed help and proceeded to take us all the way to the bus station where he knew there would be maps. We made our selections (all in Chinese) and our new friend tried to buy us waters!
Meals are not too hard to negotiate as long as we like noodles. We did find a K>C knock-off where we dined.
4-15
Today’s ride took us out of town on a wide divided highway with four lanes and a bike lane in each direction. The weather is overcast but humid and warm. After a while we found a smaller road going in our direction and delightedly followed it through the agricultural hills and valleys. Except for a few exceptions, the roadsides are so clean with blooming trees and bushes scenting the air. Is this really Asia?
We arrived about 4pm and got settled into our $100 Yuan ($14 US) room. The hotels in this price range are comfy with a/c, TV, reading lights and western bath facilities and many little extras like tooth brushes, combs, slippers, etc. We also learned this morning that we are in a new time zone! Thank goodness, since I have been waking with the light before 5am! Restaurants don’t seem to open before 9. We have checked out a bakery that looks like it will serve coffee, too, that opens at 6:30 tomorrow.
We are really enjoying the Chinese people. Many have some English skills and are willing to help us or wish to practice. Everyone wants to try “hello” or other words they know. When we respond, the laughter is instantaneous. Some people are merely curious. No one has really been aggressive, certainly not like in Vietnam and we’ve not felt cheated or charged more than locals. In fact, things here are great bargains.
[Note from Webguy Gary, no text yet for April 16 and 17, so we don't know yet about Alan. The page may get updated.
Judee has some worries about Chinese censorship, but as she and Art are well aware and I can testify from personal experience China has excellent internet facilities, and nothing here is going to alert the censors gbout Tibet, Falun Gong, or pre-Olympic controversies.]
April 19 China/Xingye Adventure travel 2008 >
<
May 28-29 China/Zhangjiajie Abenteuerreise 2008
As we sit waiting to leave in the hydrofoil to the Chinese border, we reflect on our time in Vietnam. We laugh at the fairly constant power outages; the dishes washed in a dishpan at the front yard spigot even though there are ten bathrooms with sinks and tubs in the hotel/guest house; restaurant menus used as guides only since one gets served what the restaurant has, sometimes with little resemblance to what one ordered.
Our hydrofoil was old but serviceable as they strapped Bici outside. After an amazing two hour ride, half of it through astonishing karsts scenery we came to a halt far from shore. Transferred to a small tug-like boat, small groups of passengers were chugged closer to shore and again transferred yet again in smaller groups, only Art, I and Bici in row boat-sized speed boats for the final race over the sand flats to shore.
Everyone was whisked away by bus. We traveled into Mong Chay (about 15km) along a quaint road. We lunched in Mong Chay and proceeded to the border. Stamped out of Vietnam, we rode a long block and entered the modern border building belonging to China. Two guards became our personal aides, making certain we filled out the papers correctly; guided our big bike through the proper gates; and helped us unload all our gear to have it x-rayed upon entry. Our books were closely inspected, but all in all, China has been the most modern, friendly and most easily entered border crossing after Singapore!
We peddled into the clean, clean, wide city street of Dong Xing thoroughly amazed at the modern building, nicely displayed goods in hundreds of shops with anything and everything one could want. We settled in a hotel, showered and headed off to find a map for the next phase of our journey. With the Berlitz phrase book Betsy Jones sent us, we began negotiating China, a country with few English signs and fewer English speakers. A young man, along with many other friendly people, asked if we needed help and proceeded to take us all the way to the bus station where he knew there would be maps. We made our selections (all in Chinese) and our new friend tried to buy us waters!
Meals are not too hard to negotiate as long as we like noodles. We did find a K>C knock-off where we dined.
4-15
Today’s ride took us out of town on a wide divided highway with four lanes and a bike lane in each direction. The weather is overcast but humid and warm. After a while we found a smaller road going in our direction and delightedly followed it through the agricultural hills and valleys. Except for a few exceptions, the roadsides are so clean with blooming trees and bushes scenting the air. Is this really Asia?
We arrived about 4pm and got settled into our $100 Yuan ($14 US) room. The hotels in this price range are comfy with a/c, TV, reading lights and western bath facilities and many little extras like tooth brushes, combs, slippers, etc. We also learned this morning that we are in a new time zone! Thank goodness, since I have been waking with the light before 5am! Restaurants don’t seem to open before 9. We have checked out a bakery that looks like it will serve coffee, too, that opens at 6:30 tomorrow.
We are really enjoying the Chinese people. Many have some English skills and are willing to help us or wish to practice. Everyone wants to try “hello” or other words they know. When we respond, the laughter is instantaneous. Some people are merely curious. No one has really been aggressive, certainly not like in Vietnam and we’ve not felt cheated or charged more than locals. In fact, things here are great bargains.
[Note from Webguy Gary, no text yet for April 16 and 17, so we don't know yet about Alan. The page may get updated.
Judee has some worries about Chinese censorship, but as she and Art are well aware and I can testify from personal experience China has excellent internet facilities, and nothing here is going to alert the censors gbout Tibet, Falun Gong, or pre-Olympic controversies.]
