Lost in China - Seriously!!!

Arrived in Shenzhen after possibily the best low-cost flight we have ever taken.
We were given a lunch which was enjoyable and the flight took only 1hr 25mins.


It was now 11.55am, checked our instructions for our next destination.
5* Luxury in the Fountain Resorts in Yichong Bay, Kuichong Village.
Instructions said taxi would take 2 hours to get there...
So we should be there by 2pm.


Hailed a taxi - They wouldn't take us!
He couldn't understand the address.....
Should have known that would happen!!!


Went back into the airport, got an english speaking employee to write down the address in chinese.
Told us the taxi would be 400rmb and that the bus was cheaper.
They then marched us over to the bus counter.


They in turn took us to the bus and away we went....
Took us as far as they could, then gave us instructions in chinese for the next bus 818.


Boarded that bus and waited to be told when to get off.
Bus arrived at it's terminus and the conductress ushered us across the busy road to a mini bus.


She then in turn, shouted instructions to the driver and away he went.
The mini bus driver then dropped us at the carpark to the hotel.


Loaded up we proceeded through the car park, NO HOTEL!!!


Tried asking the carpark attendants for directions but couldn't get them to understand.....


Then a guy walked by and asked in broken english if he could help...
Yes, where are we?
He read the address of where we should be and said it's 5mins away, then said he'd take us there at a price!!!


Nah! Weren't having that!!!
5 mins away, we could walk it...
But which way?


He wouldn't say, proceeded to get in his car and promptly drove off...
Loaded up again, we went in search of our hotel.


We walked for 15 mins and saw nothing, it was a wilderness!!!
Ok Skim, rest here and I'll go scout around to see what I can find.


After 10mins of scouting I found a little village.
Rushed back to tell Skim.


Together we walked into the village, we were greeted with loads of hellos from the locals - But thats all they could say!
With sign langage we learnt we were in Xichong.


And according to our information this was only 1 kilometer from the hotel.


Night was starting to fall.....
We sat outside the local bar - Well it had drink in it and we were so thirsty.
Bought a couple of cans of coke, but first I had to chip them out of the ice in the bottom of the fridge!!!
They tasted real good though....


Ok - Lets ring the hotel - Drat!
No Power, forgot to charge it!!!!
Ok - Lets wave a few rmbs around and show the bar owner the plug!!


Worked a treat and he wouldn't take the rmbs.
Rang the hotel, spoke to Connie (later found out she was a he) explained we needed directions from here.


Says could we put a local on the phone to tell him exactly where we were!!!
Finally got the bar owner to speak on the phone...
After about 20 minutes, the phone was passed back to me.


Ok - Where is the hotel?
You need a taxi!


But we are not far from you...
Which direction do we go?
You need a taxi!


Well how far are we away?
He wouldn't say, or couldn't say.


Well send us a taxi!
I can't do that.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T SEND ONE, IT'S NOT AS IF WE CAN HAIL ONE FROM HERE - WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE"!!


At the mention of the word taxi the gathering locals started getting excited and started pointing at a car!!
Driver got out and said, I take you.


But you don't know where we are going!!
He took the phone....


I take you 300 rmb
WHAT FOR A 5 MINUTE TRIP, YOU GOT TO BE JOKING!!!!


By this time Skim was stomping, just pay him, get us out of here!!!


I'm not paying 300.
Managed to haggle, got him down to 250rmbs.


Loaded up his car and with reservations off we went......
Skim started to feel a bit nervous when he picked his friend up along the way!!


But they got to a main road and stayed with it.
15 miles later we arrived at our destination!!!


What should have been a 2 hour journey turned into 8.
If we had known how far away from the hotel we were, we would have paid the 300!!!!


Got to the hotel, Connie was waiting for us and the shit really hit the fan....
Skim started her princess act, she does it so well.....


"How dare you not send a metered taxi to pick us up.
Making us rely on a stranger, who could have done us over and dumped us in a gutter.
You say in your litrature that your customer care is of the utmost importance.
Where was the customer care?
I need a shower and I need one NOW!!"


Skim then backed off for me to have my say.


When Connie finally struggled with our luggage to our appartment.
He pointed out the bowl of fruit that had been hastily placed there, and the fluffy robes and slippers.
The kettle had already been boiled for us.
Poor bloke couldn't speak, after carrying that lot.....


And later, he personally delivered a hair dryer without being prompted.
We are now getting the best treatment ever.
They are bending over backwards to make sure we are happy.


And so they should!!!

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