Shanghai, Yangshuo, Longji & Hong Kong

Hey there everyone. I've got so much to write about but it has to be in less detail than before (phew) since I want to get out an explore Hong Kong a little bit more! If you want to know anytihng in more detail leave a comment and I'll get back to you eventually!

DAY 12 - SHANGHAI
We arrived by train in the morning and spent the day getting refreshed, going on the internet and eating. In the evening we went to see the famous Shanghai acrobats. They were actually pretty impressive. There was good variety- from spinning plates to a motorbike wheel of death with 5 at a time. Afterwards Patrice, Shirley and I had some supper and had an interesting discussion about foreigners in China and how they're very carefully watched. It's fascinating to see all the news from the Western media and then from a Chinese perspective.

DAY 13 - SHANGHAI
In the morning I went around with the girls to visit a very disappointing tunnel, a tiny aquarium and an Exhibiton of Buddhist Statues. Patrice and I then went to the Shanghai Museum where we met an Aussie guy called Greg in the queue. The museum was interesting in part - some cool paintings - but there are only so ma ny round ocins with square holes you can see before being bored witless. We were also very tired by 3.45pm when we finally got out. Luckily we found an all-you-can-eat buffet nearby. We stayed there for 5 hours! The beer was included too! Afterwards we strolled along the Bund (old street with European architecture) and admired the skyline.

DAY 14 - LEAVING SHANGHAI
No much to report on this day. Walked around the city centre for a bit and ate a Subway sandwich (yum) before getting on our 23 hour train.

DAY 15 - GUILIN - YANGSHUO
The train journey wasn't too bad. We had a two hour coach journey from Guilim to Yangshuo although we were delayed when the driver was pulled over for speeding. We also watched a great film parodying the 300 called "Meet the Spartans". The Chinese were very confuddled but we found it hilarious. Yangshuo is located in the midst of dozens of limestone karsts and it's simply beautiful even in the mist. I think it's now my favourite place in China. We stayed at a place called Fawlty Towers and were served by a guy called Manuel! That night we went out to an Aussie bar and had yet another great meal.

DAY 16 - YANGSHUO
My busiest - and best - day in China. I started bright and early with Tai Chi at 8am. It actually works very well to calm you and would help a lot of stressful people at home! It's like learning very slow dance moves. Terry and I then headed for a bit of breakfast before heading out to a karst to climb it. We tried four different routes and by the end it was very challenging. The last one in particular was a killer and Terry couldn't make it - somehow I did and the views alone made it worth it. Next up we went to "Dr Lilyi" for various treatments. I had acupuncture which was interesting for the experience but I don't think it will give any lasting benefits. The evening's activities revolved around a bar celebrating its first anniversary. I decided to have snails to eat. This wasn't actually too bad. We had a really great night although the phonecalls I made when I got back to my room were an expensive mistake!

DAY 17 - YANGSHUO - CHAOLONG
This day was much quieter! I hung around Yangshuo with Patrice, Sarah and Terry just shopping round the markets and eating til we went to our next guesthouse 20 mins away. I got a t-shirt saying "I have no money - don't follow me" in Chinese which is highly effective to get away from street sellers. The evening was just as chilled - just played pool and ate before going to bed.

DAY 18 - CHAOLONG
The morning and early afternoon was set aside for a bike trip. It was a shame that it was raining since we would have had even better views of the karsts in its absence. We had lunch at our guide's house and I found I just kept on eating and eating. That's the great thing about eating Chinese banquet style - you can keep going til the last plate in the middle of the table is finished! Later in the afternoon we went on a boat ride along the Li River. The weather and the sheer number of boats didn't help the atmosphere and a further dampener was when I was taking photos low out of the windows and a big wave soaked my camera which stopped working until the next day! When we went back to our guesthouse we ate before we met some Chinese kids who spoke English very well even at the age of 7. I taught the two boys how to play pool before bidding them good night.

DAY 19 - CHAOLONG - LONGJI
The sole point of this day was to get us to our guesthouse high up in the hill of Longji. This included a two hour traffic jam at Shangri-La. On arrival in Longji we were bombared by old tribal women selling various things they'd made. First time I've been scared by a crowd of women! In the evening we just ate, watched "The Bulletproof Monk" before retiring to bed.

DAY 20 - LONGJI
This was the day of our "big trek" over and around rice terraces to another village. The scenary was spectacular and the people were all very friendly. The walk wasn't too bad but I was glad of a rest by the end. In the evening we were entertained by a Minority Cultural Show. It started with the singing and dancing I expected and ended with me getting married! We were invited to dance with the ladies in a circle and one of them was in the middle in a blindfold and had to pick someone from the circle. Naturally she picked me! Then I had to do the same and I managed to pick my group leader, Shirley! I had to break out of the circle with her on my back and drink rice wine over each other's shoulders before entertaining the crowd with the only English song she knows... BINGO! After this we just sat around outside and enjoyed some good conversation. I now have a Chinese name : Fang Long Ji. Fang is Shirley's surname which we all adopted and Long Ji means Lucky Dragon since I was born in the year of the dragon.

DAY 21 - LONGJI - GUILIN
I had a late morning, wandered down to the minibus with Patrice and had a treacherous journey along the clifftops towards Guilin. We hung out there in the internet cafe and buying food for the train before boarding the night train for the last time.

DAY 22 - SHENZEN - HONG

From the boat trip

KONG
The morning consisted of getting off the train and thru customs before enjoying the pure luxury of a starbucks coffee. We stayed around our YMCA hotel all afternoon before going out in the evneing for our last meal together. We sat outside a street cafe and I ate frog this time. It was actually rather good especially with the garlic and chilli. Afterwards we had a party in Shirley's room after giving her a card and gift. It was sad to be splitting up the group cos we'd bonded well by that point and I hope I'll stay in contact with at least some of them.

DAY 23 - HONG KONG
I checked out of my luxurious twin room at the hotel at 12 and headed to my new hostel with Terry and Patrice. It's anything but luxurious. It's a box - but a room nevertheless. The building is full of Africans and Indians and it makes for a fascinating mix of cultures. Later on I had a great curry. We explored around the are in the afternoon, went to the Space Museum and saw the waterfront from which the view is spectacular. In the evening I went to Temple Street Market with Tess and Sam and didn't buy much really. I then bid them farewell and tried to get to sleep in my room for a long time before succeeding.

DAY 24 - HONG KONG
Today has been a day where I've literally been ticking off a to-do list. I've written some postcards, updated my journal and spent the entire afternoon online for your benefit! I'm planning to maybe head to Victoria Peak in a mo to get a night view of the city.

I'm heading to Bangkok on Saturday and will be meeting up with another group to go to Northern Thaial

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