On one hand, you could say my mini-vacation has come to an end; on the other hand, you could say it's just about to begin. This past week has been about as close to a traditional summer vacation as I'm likely to get here: I ate, slept, shopped, ran errands, and of course managed to squeeze in just a little sight-seeing. Regardless, that routine is hereby indefinitely on hold. Tomorrow begins what I like to think of as my "Second Big Adventure." You see, my "First Big Adventure" was coming to Hong Kong--getting used to the currency, the language(s), the people, and just generally how they do things around here. I've now been in Hong Kong for about 2.5 months and have finally reestablished the feeling of normalcy. Naturally, my "Second Big Adventure" has to be something to throw me completely out of my comfort zone once again. Soooo...
I'm going to China! Well, real China that is. Technically, my quaint little Hong Kong is the "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region." If Hong Kong were a person it would be a college student--for the most part living away from home, taking care of itself, making it's own decisions, etc.--but when something big comes up, it lets the parents (China) take care of it. You mess with itty-bitty Hong Kong, you mess with the whole People's Republic. With a population of around 1.7 billion people, no one really feels like bullying the Middle Kingdom.
So about my trip...Tomorrow's going to be one incredibly busy day. I have to (1) move out of my dorm, (2) travel to the Hong Kong/China border, (3) get through customs, (4) find the train station, and (5) go on a 13 hour cross-country train ride through rural China. I'm pumped.
Destination 1 is Guilin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilin). Our train travels at night-time so I probably won't be able to see much from the window, but it is a sleeper train. I don't know yet if my "bunk" is top or bottom, but I'm just glad I'm not claustrophobic. I haven't seen these things yet, but something tells me that allowing each person plenty of space was NOT top priority when those trains were designed. Either way, it'll be a fun experience and I'll take lots of photos.
We're going to spend 5 days in Guilin following the itinerary that Aggie, our travel agent, set out for us:
Day1 August 25 Shenzhen- Guilin
Your local guide will pick you up from the train station (T38 17:51--07:01). For the rest time, you will have a day tour in Guilin. Visit the Reed Flute Cave, which is Guilin's largest and most impressive cave.
Then the Elephant Trunk Hill, shaped like an elephant that is dipping its trunk in the river. Next visit the Fubo Hill.
Warm Tips: The local guide can show you to somewhere for breakfast.
You can order what you want and pay yourself.
Meals: Chinese Lunch
Day2 August26 Guilin-Yangshuo
In the morning, you will take a Lijiang River Cruise to Yangshuo. The Lijiang River is famous for its crystals clean water and the beautiful natural scenery along the river side. Arrive in Yangshuo, you will take a leisurely stroll on the West Street, the peculiar flavor there is enchanting.
Meals: Chinese Breakfast+Lunch
Day3 August 27 Yangshuo Free Day
After breakfast, you will begin your wonderful free day in Yangshuo.
Rent a two-seater bicycle to do some sightseeing around Yangshuo or take a bamboo cruise down the Yulong River.
Another great option is just to do nothing but enjoy a bottle of beer in a cafe on the West Street.
Meals: Chinese Breakfast
Day4 August 28 Yangshuo-Longsheng-Guilin
In the morning, you will be driven to Longsheng to visit the Longji Terraces (Dragon's Backbone Terraces). It is a spectacular wonder of the diligence and talent of Chinese working people. Then, travel to the Longsheng Multi-Minority Autonomous County, where you will enjoy the local custom through the traditional meal and performance put on by the local minorities.
Afterwards, you will be driven back to Guilin.
Meals: Chinese Breakfast+Lunch
Day5 August 29 Departure from Guilin
Today your local guide will take you to Guilin airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Chinese Breakfast
Aggie's been wonderful so (even though she'll probably never read this) consider this a most heart-felt shout-out! Notice Day 5 says "Guilin airport." We are NOT flying back to Hong Kong...at least not so soon. No, no, no, there is a Destination 2!
Destination 2 is Shanghai! I know you've all heard of that place, but if you want more information, I will defer you to my regular source of quick information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai.
Here's the general schedule for Shanghai:
Day 1 August 30
Meet with Want Want Group (http://www.want-want.com/en/index.asp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 August 31
Meet with Shanghai Futures Exchange (http://www.shfe.com.cn/Ehome/index.jsp)
Meet with Amway China (http://www.amway.com.cn)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 September 1
Shanghai World Expo
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 September 2
Shanghai World Expo
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 September 3
Free day in Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 September 4
Fly back to Shenzhen,
Ride MTR back to Hong Kong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
So, as you can see, I'm going to be VERY busy. First things first, I may or may not have Internet access in Guilin. If I do, great. If not, I'll live. I have been told, however, that there is guaranteed Internet access in the Shanghai hotel. Secondly, THERE IS NO FACEBOOK ACCESS IN CHINA. You can send me a message on facebook if you want, but don't expect me to respond for quite a while. I repeat: there is no facebook in China! I have not gone M.I.A. so please no one jump to any ridiculous conclusions, OK? OK. I should be able to access gmail, skype, etc. just fine though. Best case scenario would be keeping my blog up-to-date as I go, but we'll have to see about that.
Now everyone knows what to expect from me, but I don't really know what to expect from China. Regardless of how this "Second Big Adventure" turns out, I have no doubt in my mind that it will be one really memorable experience...especially since I get to go all-out with my Mandarin speaking practice.
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