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Blogs from Chengdu, Sichuan, China, Asia - page 84
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Why do Monks live in Monasteries?
Published: November 19th 2006Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu » Emi Shan
November 19th 2006
We are now at Mt Emei at the Bau Gau Monastery. It is an idyllic setting which we didn't really get to appreciate yesterday as it was getting dark and the rather basic conditions and the lack of decent shower facilities has shocked us out of the 3 star luxury we have gotten used to. All the toilets are squat toilets - which we were expecting. But the head monk has refused to open the shower facilities that the group would usually use (apparently they don't shower in the winter!!) so all we have are 2 shower cubicles with rusty floors and a tap at celing height. The group has unanimously agreed not to shower for 3 days!! We are going to visit the local hotsprings tomorrow and are assuered that we can have decent showers ... read more
November 18th 2006
We arrived in Chengdu at 9.30 Wednesday morning exhausted after the train journey. The hard sleeper is one big communal area and the bunk beds sleep 3 people. Erica and I were on the top, which was a long way up, we weren't even able to sit up. The train seemed to stop about every half and hour with a jolt, which kept waking us up during the night. Again we were picked up at the train station which after a bad nights sleep is a great help. We checked into our dorm that we are sharing with at least one other person (one bed was slept in but there was another mess for at least 3 people). So we dumped our bags and had a walk around the city. We went to the Mao statue ... read more
Stick around, you may just learn something.
Published: November 26th 2006Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu
November 18th 2006
I wake up at 731 am, the bus is supposed to leave for the Panda Reserve at 730, fortunately their clocks are all slow. Six people on the bus plus a driver/tour guide. The pandas are cool, red pandas even more so, more Sweeds, a couple going to Australia, back to the hostel. Joel is awake, I switch to a dorm, Claire and Becky are here, packing up getting ready to check out, Markus also shares this room, later I find out Joel does as well. Downstairs breakfast with Joel and Matt and the Candian lady. Shit head eggs potato bacon good not so cheap. Back in the room I take a nap, Markus wakes me up opening the door, bowzir, cheap and good. Head up to the pool room for beer internet movies and of ... read more
November 17th 2006
Got to Cheng-Du after a not so bad 16 hour train journey, I did think it was going to be the worse thing ever when I saw I had to sleep at the top of a triple bunk bed thing about 8 feet high with no door or cabin & people spitting & farting again, (I must be getting tough!) We had the hostel people meet us again which was good, we are staying in a big converted warehouse, its great. We have an Austrian room mate called Marcus who wears checked purple trousers & is burning a pattern on a large brown dried fruit as I write my blog. We have another room mate called Joel from Sweeden, who I managed to walk in on as he was getting dressed, whoops! Oh well if you ... read more
November 17th 2006
..no i dotarlismy. W zasadzie nic ciekawego sie nie dzialo - najpierw 18h w pociagu do Wuhan, tam popoludnie z swiezopoznana przewodniczka, nocleg w youth hostelu i rankiem, w gore rzeki Jangcy. Tak naprawde to potraktowalismy to bardziej jako transport niz wycieczke - zreszta konkurencyjny do pociagowego. Tylko trzeba bylo najpierw 4h w busie, potem 3h przerwy, 1h w busie, 1h przerwy by wejsc na poklad juz po zmroku i przez cala noc plynac przez najwieksze atrakcje - slynne 3 przelomy i takie tam - nawet nie jest pewne czy widzielismy te wielka tame w budowie. Nie mielismy kajut, lezelismy sobie na karimatkach w takim powiedzmy hallu. Jangcy wielka, szeroka (choc to pora sucha!), pelno smiesznych lodek plywa, wokol wzgorza, a mosty i tamy naprawde potezne. Odpoczywalismy.. i tak 37 godzin. W Chongqing w 1h juz ... read more
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November 17th 2006
Wake up, late. Start charging batteries for my camera, watch movies, shower, getting late, pack day bag and head out. Traffic is horrible, finding a cab is impossbile, and when I do he doesn't want to go to where I am going. Another two hour walk to the hostel, I'm sick of walking. The Loft is a decent place, pool table free internet a few people, Becky Claire and Markus again, Joel (Sweeden) and Matt (Australia). Play pool drink play on the internet drink watch Superman Returns drink talk drink then finally sleep. ... read more
November 16th 2006
Current mood: Sad to see them stay when im leaving! This is a letter sent to me via email from my good friend Harris that came with cards and Nesquick Milkshake!!! thanx Harris........... i felt i should post his for you and to let all of my friends at home see how cool you really are! Keep your teeth clean Buddy!!! the tooth fairy will go skint! The Letter: Niki The Horse Rider 13th November 2006 Once upon a time in a country far far away, there ws a great big giant horse. Niki always dreamed of being a cowboy when he was small but he couldn¢t ride it. He went to school one day and everyone said to Niki "why are you too short, people shouldn¢t be in school only big kids, 5 & 6 ... read more
Gotta get out, gotta do something, Now.
Published: November 26th 2006Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu
November 16th 2006
Today I wake up and shower pretty early, before noon. Dry off change and head out. First 'landmark' is computer street, the river, then to the Mao statue, not at all impressive. Go to the museum, but they won't let me in, too late or too brown who knows, head back to the hostel. Checking my map and coming up on an intersection I slam my leg (shin) into a concrete barrier, swells up immediately. At the hostel the Jorges are still around, Markus from Austria, Claire and Becky from Manchester, usual conversations. I check the price and time for the Panda trip then head back to James'. I go eat at a small Muslim place that is kind of out of the way, but pretty good. Cheap. Then meet James at the internet cafe where ... read more
November 16th 2006
Curent mood: Unsure.... its this Hostel man!! Well....... im back in this Shit hole!! i Begin with this comment because i feel i owe an apoligy! Any place can seem bad when your tired and unwell but ive arrived today and my attitude towards the MIX Hostel is much better! I guess me feeling well again is the Key!! So we got a room together this time and this time at the Mix is going to be the last few days i spend with Cara, Ashley, Sonya and my little brother from another Mother Harris!! (hes my new adopted sibling) im Gutted about splitting paths with these guys but this whole 'LONE' travelling thing has its ups and downs! (The ups being away on my Birthday, recieving Prezzies from guys that Barely know me and sharing ... read more
November 14th 2006
The next two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, I don't remember too well, nothing significant happened,like most of my trip, but still I don't remember. Some bootleg dvd/cd shop, internet cafe, we ate at Peter's Tex Mex, free internet, met Nate and ate at his place, went to some bar, "live band" girl from iponima or however that's spelled, smoke triggers bad coughing, leave, walk around a bit, sleep. Nothing significant happened.... read more
