World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Saturday 26 August 2006
Highlights: Relaxing day in Yangzhou
My last day in Yangzhou; a town that I have really enjoyed. Getting up as late as possible since I have an overnight train later in the day I thought I’d check out the local shopping for any last minute gifts.
Friday 25 August 2006
Highlights: Learning tai’chi, ‘Chinese Lighting’ show
Determined to push through the cold I have I today signed up for a course in tai’chi. I learnt during the lesson why I sucked at ‘Simon Says’ however I did manage some of the forms. Our instructor showed us how tai’chi can be used to attack or defend. Bronwyn almost put me on the floor several times, I’m glad I consider her a friend 🙂 The spiritual side of tai’chi is something I’d like to investigate further in the future.
Thursday 24 August 2006
Highlights: Bike ride to Moon Hill, Magnificent landscape
Today was a day to work the body (especially given the heat & humidity) with a bike ride into the surrounding areas and a hike up Moon Hill. Luckily my chest pains seen to have left me (having fruit last night might have helped), however I am now starting to feel a cold coming on.
Leaving around 8 am to avoid the worst of the heat our group took to the back roads to see this magnificent landscape. Watching locals works the fields (and looking out for water buffalos!) I was taken aback by our happy everyone seemed to be. Living in this area would be some of the poorest people in the world but they seem to be happy, maybe a lesson for us all.
At 11 am we got to Moon Hill which is named as such for the crest at the top. While the others just order drinks I felt I need a sandwich before during to climb this baby. We all set of together and I think we all have some difficulties with the never ending steps. Around 45-55 minutes later I arrived at the ‘official’ top. I don’t think I have ever sweated so much in my life!
Gareth, Bronwyn and I then set off to the real top which you are not supposed to climb. The path is much harder as there are no steps and you really climb. At most points they is only room for one person. When we got there the views were magnificent despite the haze of the nearby hills and countryside. On the return to the base I enjoyed a drink with the group but decided to return directly to the town.
At around 3 pm I was back in the hotel and its welcome shower and air conditioning. Not having the strength to do much more I only walked (slowly) around the town in the late afternoon and night. I now definitely have a cold.
Wednesday 23 August 2006
Highlights: Striking landscape
After our last included meal of the trip (all cruise meals were included), we left the Ferry for our travels to Yangzhou. We caught a flight on Xiamen Airlines from Chongqing to Guilin, which is about 1 hour 20 minute flight. A 1.5 hour bus trip to Yangzhou and at around 3 pm we were at our new base for the next 3 and 1/2 days.
While driving to Yangzhou we got to visit the striking landscape, filled with unless hills created by granite. I have a room to myself again, which is good since I’m still feeling the chest pains from 4 days ago. Glorious air conditioning awaited me as well, which is just as well as the humidity just keeps getting higher and higher (today I’d guess close to 80%).
I spent the late afternoon shopping with Miles and Bronwyn from my group. Somehow I found myself at a local DVD/CD store which had a special on that in reality meant it cost 1 Australia Dollar per DVD. They wonder why people buy (good) pirated copies 🙂
For dinner we ended up at Buffalo Cafe, which is a local establishment Brett (our guide) has worked at. The group went for multiple Chinese dishes, I however went for a fruit platter given my condition. I’m guessing the Chinese diet, rich in sugar and fat is causing the problems I’m experiencing.
Tuesday 22 August 2006
Highlights: Visiting a Ghost Town, Leisurely cruise
Today we got a chance to visit a “Ghost Town”. Basically this is a town with different temples. It is called a ghost town as it is home to the after world on earth and all souls much journey here.
Then most interesting thing I learned about this trip was the different worlds. There is the underworld, the world, and heaven. Heaven is actually represented by red and the Underworld is represented by blue. The characters that guard the Underworld should scare most people to give up their wicked ways. Adultery in particular seems to have a very bad form of punishment (different for men and women). The punishment for men is particularly horrible. Not respecting your parents or ancestors is also very high on the list of things not to do.
Later in the day Brett provided an insight into Chairman Mao and more current events. China is definitely changing quickly. It is hard to call it a communist state; there is no retirement or unemployment benefits, or even guaranteed jobs. There is a very big capitalist approach to making money however. While this is a dictatorship, I’m not sure communist regime is an accurate description anymore.
We had a special farewell dinner tonight with the Captain coming to each table and giving us a toast. I for one used up my last beer vouchers (x 10) on Snow beer, which is a local rice based beer.
Nathan's Insights 