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Published: July 31st 2013
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Now what? Now where? In my world of finite resources and the fear of running out of them. Do I stretch them a bit further or embark on some future plans? that will make the Gobi seem like the proverbial cake walk. After all that’s what this has been about, transition and hopefully a little strength building for an uncertain future.
Perhaps a little trip from Ulaan to Lake Baikal, just over the Mongolian border then on to find Solzhenitsyn’s Gulags, as I have been enjoying a certain discipline of the travel, taking photos and writing about it.
Friday we came into Ulaan from the Festival, saw the Kiwi contingent off about 10pm that night and Hamish Sunday morning for China, so Monday morning I am looking for visa help from travel agent, only to find that all the agent could help with was a 7 day transition visa anything else you had to go to the consulate and not to hold my breath as a full tourist visa needed to be applied for at county of origin
After a pass by the consulate it was confirmed, the best I could get was the 7 day transition visa
that could take 10 days. OK what else was on the list.
Tibet, the time required to organise being in even a small tour group and the expense of getting there and back, probably prohibitive. As it turned out would have involved a lot more. Wednesday was dedicated to change the tickets day, an air China for Ulan to Beijing, no problem there but no China Southern, that’s alright will stop over in Beijing get my Beijing-Guangzhou- Auckland ticket re-routed at Beijing airport. Nae Bother Tommy. Also picked up a large wheelie suitcase am sick of lugging 2 packs, 2 cameras and a heavy PC case
Faint suspicions that all was not well started at Ulaan check in, something wrong with passport? Apparently, a new China visa with number of a big fat 0 next to entries. After copious phone calls airport clerk returns passport OK. Hope he's not just passing the buck. At this stage going forward under any circumstances seemed preferable to returning to Ulan and a couple three more days to sort out.
Ulan clerk was passing the buck as I was left sitting behind immigration at Beijing Airport. Not to panic, I read
a few years ago somebody being stuck here a number of weeks, I was sure something could be resolved before then, unfortunately China Southern desk was in another airport terminal. Skype line not good enough for Australian online travel agent, phone Hamish to phone them, normally best to keep these cock ups under the belt unless perhaps life threatening, so maybe a little panic. Australia no good they shutting up shop, try China Southern. Turns out after extensive explanation re route re schedule ticket $1500 with a Chinese credit card
Next idea, at that price, China Air to Hong Kong $400, once you have onward ticket 24 hours is automatic, HK leaving in an hour, I’m in.
Crashed at an airport hotel that night then on the airport express in the morning for downtown and a moderately priced hotel for Hong Kong where anything under $100.00NZ, would be barely be liveable. I immediately liked the place, the people were friendly and helpful, further out of down town the busy rabbit warrens of streets, this should be fun exploring for a few days.
The next morning was to be a quick burst up the hill behind the City,
two hours later I was gasping for water, hadn’t thought of taking any, soaking wet although warm, when miraculously round the corner I spy Starbucks, a supermarket etc turned out to be the terminus for the famous tram. Reminded me of Mt Snowden, Wales, after pounding up to the top early one morning feeling quite pleased with myself, find a railway, restaurants, however in that case I was almost indignant instead of overwhelmingly pleased.
Sunday, I set off on an extended hobble around the city. Hobble because of the hill climb the day before, after having done very little hard exercise since the race. Walking the covered laneways that morning noticed a few ladies setting up little card board rooms on the side walk, Hmm, Pilipino domestic workers for sure all happy and chirpy as, what are they doing here on the streets? In a few hours there are thousands of them blocking some roads downtown. Turns out it’s a Sunday tradition that’s taken hold over the years truly an amazing site and the shear numbers. Going to have to do better picking my shopping areas though bloody expensive in the glitzy downtown.
Particularly wanted to go to
Macau and ride the big jet boat ferries, obviously powered by jet engines. Noticed on the Sunday the huge numbers travelling there, definitely a during the week trip.
Monday morning, Starbucks, aaahhh the little habits that can creep in over a few days, through to the ferry terminal, very much like a small airport terminal, great views of the City going out and impressive views of Macau going in. That was about the only good thing about the place. As soon as you landed you felt it, the place exists for one reason only and that is to take the punters money. They are herded onto buses off the ferry straight to one casino or another. The most soulless concrete, steel and glass jungle outside and desperately worse inside, no matter how big, how glitzy, how many lights or smoky mirrors you can't disguise the shear degradation and horror of these places. The soulless blank stare, what a shit hole it was such a relief to get back to the warm, friendly streets of Hong Kong.
Started to get into a bit of a shopping stride, all interspersed with nice lunches, lottsa coffees and people watching. So many
people, so many hard out shopping customers, so many chic young people, 3 generations of family for a day out, customers to make a Wellington or Auckland shop keeper wet themselves. Hong Kong already considers it has too many tourists, this, is predicted to double in the next few years, due to the yearly increase in those joining the middle classes, from the mainland China. To be so overwhelmed.
It is time to start thinking about the homeward journey, New Zealand here I come . Checking to see if there was any reasonable movement in my original ticket or if I have to purchase a new one costing between $800 and $1100 for a replacement, which is how it ended up, plus extra baggage, so the final weeks have thrown the budget into total disorder.
The high flying life is coming to an end, to quote my beautiful sister ”become a student, rice is cheap, walking is free”. Am on the last leg, Sydney to Auckland. Three hours to write up a plan. Fear and excitement in a heady mix, or is that just lack of sleep, perhaps there will be something to write about in trying to
put together a new life, there could be some good comedy.
Feeling a wee bit excited now, had to buy a new shirt and under arm at the airport, would have showered, no soap, no towels, HK or China they would have had towel attendant, soap dispenser person, full massage right next door aaaaagh times will be a changing eh !!
Already I am missing my happy Asians.
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Pattycake
non-member comment
Welcome home!
Well Bo all good things must come to an end, what a trip though so interesting. I will miss checking to see your blogs but am looking forward to seeing you again back in this beautiful land! Not soooo many people or scary airports, visa's etc!!! Take care Love Patty xx