China - Again and Home

We were determined not be hijacked and to pursue our quest to see something of 'normal' China even though we knew there could be no such thing. We also knew that life in a city would be a far cry from life in rural areas.

Our first task was to get from the airport to the hotel. We had tried to book a tour from the airport but had failed in that. The girl at the enquiry desk was just about able to understand us and wrote the name of the hotel, in Chinese, on piece of paper to give to a taxi driver.

It was dark and wet and the taxi driver quoted us a fare of 300 yen. How he managed to see in a very dark city in the pouring rain was a miracle but he got us to the hotel. Once again it was 'Hotel Splendid'. The night concierge attended to us. We had our piece of paper, which was not in Chinese but somehow she managed to fish out our paper work. Next there was the issue of paying a 100 yen, refundable, deposit. I tried to explain that I knew that were very early in registering and did not expect to be able to go to our. But, to our room the bellboy took us.

This was the first time in any hotel, in any country that we were provided with two pass keys. How wise. The hotel was not quite up to the standard of our first one but it was well appointed. It was off a 'street' of rooms. From the central walkway there was a bridge over a deep void. Once inside we found Bali style decor. The sitting area had had a couch, table and TV. This area was separated from the sleeping and washing area by reed screen. The toilet and bath and shower were combined at the end of a dressing area. The bedroom had two double beds and its own TV. Off the bedroom was a small balcony overlooking the exciting looking pool and buildings opposite. Unfortunately it was too wet and cold to sit outside.

We rested for the next three hours and about 9:00 we decided to venture out. Having discovered that there were no tours available from the hotel we consulted with the hotel staff who consulted with one another. A map was produced and words in Chinese and English were circled. A taxi was called and the hotel gave the driver his instructions. Once more, weaving through the rain and other traffic we sped away. This was a complete mystery tour and we had no idea what we would find at the end of the drive. However, the driver deposited in a car park in front of the Yuntai Gardens.

Now we were on our own. From this point to our return very few of the people spoke any English and what they did understand was pretty minimal. So, with no choice, we headed for the entrance gate, paid our 10 yen entrance price and we did verily enter.

Stretching from the entrance gate to the top of the first hill was a series of waterfall and fountains. The Baiyun Mountains were barely visible in the background. The mountains were mainly in a square made by four major roads. Our hotel was now directly north of us on the top, east-west road and the gardens were set in valley at the south of the mountains.

Although this was a botanical garden with many labelled specimens it also looked like a very gaudy theme park. A floating art work by a French man was in the shape a mathematical symbol 'which symbolizes the infinitude of the universe.'

Dutch representations were seen in plenty. There was large 'Roman' structure and attempt at visualizing a Red Indian structure.

Some of the constructions looked distinctly romantic and were obviously designed as back drops for wedding photographs.

The greenhouse had a modern shape and housed a good range of plants.

Apart from this strange signs there were others that had even less meaning; at least in English

Now it was time to leave the safe confines of the garden and go out into the wider Chinese world. First up was finding lunch. One restaurant was soon rejected. Tanks of sea creatures lined the windows. We witnessed a cook using a net to remove a fish and then use the edge of the net to kill it. We did not stay to see the gutting and cooking process.

We found a 'KFC' looking cafe. There was no English but there were pictures. One looked like noodles and pieces of beef. We pointed at the picture twice. We failed in our attempt to order tea or coffee and so we pointed at orange 'Fanta' twice. Next came the chopstick problem. It is funny how hunger can help you develop a skill which we had given up on in the Japanese restaurant in Auckland.

High quality furniture in the 'Greasy Chopsticks'

I wanted to get nearer the shops that we had seen on the other side of the 10 lane main road. On the way to the road bridge we passed a sad looking group of old buildings which seemed scheduled for demolition. This kind of replacing old with new is going on a pace. Over the bridge was more of the real China that I was looking for.

The next hazard was a road. It had white stripes across and could have been taken for a pedestrian crossing. However there was no way that the traffic would stop. There was no point standing by the kerb. Even being on the crossing made no difference. 

All along the both sides of the main road for about half a mile were rows of tiny shops. Each shop sold specific parts for specific cars and people happily walked about with things as large as car panels.

A dry alley between the shops for clothes drying

 Further down we used a bridge to cross back but I had forgotten that to get back to the gardens there were several of the white striped crossing. Fearfully we got back. However there were no taxis and no one to understand what we wanted. The solution was to do some waving and eventually a driver pulled up for us. Fortunately we had a card supplied by hotel which said in Chinese and in English 'Please drive me to the Yihe Hotel'. It also gave the address in both languages. As I write I am looking at the card which to me seems confusing, but obviously made sense to the taxi driver.

Had it not been so wet and miserable we would have walked out the hotel grounds and down the street or around the large pool area. Our best option was an afternoon of relaxation. 

The hotel had a Chinese restaurant and a 'Western' restaurant. Having had a Chinese in the day we thought that we would go Western. This meant going out through the pool area and into another building. It was not raining at the time.

In the restaurant the tables were laid out with a spoon and chopsticks. About the only thing western about it was that the menu was in English. We went for the chicken and vegetables. While wondering how we were going to cut up chicken with chopsticks the waiter arrived with a knife and fork. He asked if we would like water. Back he came with glasses. The glasses were hot and the water was warm. Later on in the evening we would be offered water in the same manner. The food arrived. It was not a hen, but it was an overgrown chick which had been splattered flat on the plate. The vegetables consisted of a piece of broccoli and fries to be covered in a spicy sauce. We picked off as much edible meat as we could. The sauce was tasty if not actually gravy.

We then ordered sweet. Mine was a coffee cake with a bit of strawberry on and was called 'Black Forest Gateaux'. Irene had cheesecake which had my cherry on the top.

Having paid we left to find that the rain was very heavy. A member of staff, seeing our plight, showed us a back way in. We went through a conference room set out for presentation from Lamborgini and then on through a tiled corridor which looked as if it would lead us to a kitchen or a chicken mortuary. We exited back into the pool area.

Sleep was not easy. I did not trust the alarms we had. A little before 5:00 am we got up washed, packed and was in the hotel foyer by 6:00 am. A taxi was ordered and off we set as the day got lighter. This time we paid 100 yen.

At the airport we did not have the protection of the hotel staff. An official looking man whisked up our bags and took us to a pay desk where we paid 20 yen for his service. I put a few yen in a beggars bowl. He was strategically placed next to the pay desk. Our man took us to check-in and then he was looking for a tip. He took what we wanted to give him which was not what we wanted to have.

Following the disappearance of a plane, flying to China,only a few days earlier, security was tight. My travel bag with camera and chargers were thoroughly examined and our passports checked at least 4 times. This was reassuring.

Once air-side the time went quickly and we boarded. Unlike the flight from Auckland to China when Europeans were in the minority, the ratio was a little different on the journey Heathrow. 

It was a long tiring flight. The day consisted 4.5 hours before the flight, 12.5 flying hours and followed by 5 hours travelling from the airport. We had little sleep during the 22 hours of travel.

But spending valuable time with our Kiwi family was well worth it.

I don't think we will do China again.

NZ Trip 2014 - Getting There

On Friday morning our friend Mary picked us up bright and early and so we arrived in very good time at the bus station (about 1 hour early). While we sat in the relative warm we met another friend, Sue. She was on her way to Germany. Just before she left us I discovered that I had my car keys in my pocket. I had intended to leave them for Joni. Sue kindly volunteered to put them in my letter box when she got home from Germany on Tuesday.

After waiting a further hour, as the temperature plummeted to a level below the that which we had dressed for, a kind official informed us that the bus was delayed and it could come any time. So, after one and a half hours delay, we set off. Our journey took us through the A453 road works, where in addition to the normal delays there was an accident and we were directed right into the centre of Clifton. Next we went to the East Midland Airport and then to Luton. Eventually we arrived about 2 hours late into Heathrow. Time was on our side. In fact we were two early and towed our cases for too long around the terminal.

When we dropped the cases they told us that they would be held at the airport in Guangzhou. 'Please don't' we said. The flight was only ten hours in a beautiful 'Dream Liner' with touch screen entertainment.

At Guangzhou we were asked if we had booked into the airlines hotel. This came as surprise to us, particularly as it would be free with breakfast and free transit. With some trepidation, but with some reassurance from a fellow traveller we decided to lose the money on our booked hotel. An elegantly dressed bell boy took charge of our cases and hotel official gave us a polite introduction to the hotel.

It was about half an hour to the hotel. They had already arranged our departure time for the morning.

The room was 75 star. It had its own chandelier which was a miniature version of the massive crystal one in the entrance lobby. The room was about the size of the ground floor of our house. The two single beds were just smaller than a double bed, the room was twice our height there was a mahogany desk, dresser and refreshment stand, valley stand, a bathroom three times the size ours with a free standing bath, an awesome shower area and a vast sink. There was a separate toilet and sink and a walk in cupboard. In the cupboard were two gas masks to be worn in case of fire. There was also a large sofa and coffee table. Beside the phone in the toilet there were two others. There was also free wi-fi.

I tried hard both here and later at the airport to send messages home, but despite the signal I could not Facebook any one. After all, we were in China.

In the morning we woke early and enjoyed the bathing facilities before we went to breakfast. In the 'Italian Bistro' there was vast selection of quality food served on to elegant tables.

We had time to explore this 'The Lake Dragon' estate. A river flowed along the edge of the estate. On the opposite side were the massive homes of the rich. In the complex was an 'English Street'. Apart from two battered, red phone boxes there was little to resemble home.

Next we attempted to walk to 'The Lake Dragon'. This is really the Chinese word order. Not being quite sure of our direction we approached a smart young guard. He could understand what was said, but couldn't make us understand. So, he got out his phone. I expected to see a map. but what he showed us was what he was trying to tell us. However, it was in Chinese.

We found our own way to the lake. I certainly would not swim across it. Neither was I impressed by the concrete boxes described as elegant apartments in the estate agents amazing book. 

There were also some curious signs.

Organism - Recycles

We also discovered one of the main problems of this part of China. We saw hardly any pavements, even in the town. But that is another story.