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Published: March 25th 2009
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Sorry that it has been so long since our last blog. It has been a challenge finding internet and when we did it has been in Chinese... no good for me!
Anyway, when I last wrote we had just arrived in Phu Quoc Vietnam. Much has happened since then. Our time on the island was great. There were very few people, our bungalo was great and the food was delicious. Our last day there we convinced mom to go out on a motorcycle tour of the island. It was great. She really enjoyed it. I can't wait to show the pictures to prove to everyone that she actually did it. Dad, I have a feeling she might be asking for a ride soon. On our tour we stopped at a pearl farm, a beautiful white sand and blue water beach, the local port, a crocodile farm and a pepper farm. It was great to see the countryside. Amy had a small incident when we were at the beach. We were enjoying a swim in the beautiful water when she encoutered a large jellyfish. It proceeded to sting her. It looked and sounded quite painful. Some locals gave us some lime
to rub on her leg, then others came over and gave her what looked like chili or tobaco to add to the mix. The pain and swelling did not go away for some time. In fact, we ended up going back to the SOS International clinic to have her leg looked at. No worries, she is fine now. Although, I have to admit, I am a little afraid of jellyfish now.
The next morning we headed back to the noisy Ho Chi Minh. For our last day we shopped around and sat in the hospital. We were all off the next day. Amy back to Seoul, mom and I to Shanghai. China has been really interesting so far. It has been very challenging for us though. The language barrier is presenting a number of challenges and we are not loving the food yet. Shanghai was pretty cold compared to the +35 in HCM. The first day, mom and I went out to buy our plane tickets for the rest of our time in China. Four flights only cost us about $370USD. And, I wish wehad some of these airlines at home. You get fed on every flight. And, the
food is delicious. Seriously, a two hour flight and you get dinner. SWEET.
Anyway, the rest of the day we spent in the Shanghai museum which housed art from at least 10th Century BC. There were bronze statues and pots, ceramics, caligraphy, coins, etc. It was really quite interesting. Our next stop was old town. We had quite a challenge getting there though. Everything in Shanghai is under construction. I imagine it is in preparation for the Expo 2010. Anyway, every street on my map was closed off at some point and we had to detour. Anyway, we eventually found our way but I am sure my lungs sucked in so much dirt and pollution in the process. Old town was an area of ancient chinese architecture. Imagine rooftops that you would see on traditional temples everywhere. The roofs almost touched creating an alley underneath where people sold goods. It really was quite impressive. We spent some time in the Yuyuan gardens as well. The garden was housed within a rock wall and held many temples, readng rooms, rock caves, flowers, trees and ponds with so many fish I could not believe it. I really wish it would have
been a little warmer because I would have enjoyed myself a little more. It started to rain when we got out. We tried to stay warm by popping in to a few of the stores before heading back to Nanjing Road, where our hotel was. As it happens, Nanjing road is the shopping area of Shanghai. WOW. Gisele, if you are reading this, you would have thought you died and gone to shoe heaven. Seriously, shoes in every colour, shape, design and size. Yes, size. They carried many, many, many size 5's. If I were rich, I would have bought so many shoes that actually fit! What a concept! Mom and I spent most of our time that evening window shopping and trying to stay warm. The next day we headed out to "the bund" for some sight seeing. Since it was so cold the day before.... I layered up, with the longjohns and everything. Suprise, suprise, it was sunny... and hot. I quickly died of heat. Sounds like Ottawa! Anyway, the bund is the touristy area of Shanghai along the Huanpu river. It was hard to get a real sense of the history of the place since there was
so much construction between the river and the buildings. It was quite beautiful though. We enjoyed lots of the sunshine and watched the many tug boats pass by. We took the "Bund tourist tunnel" (a corny way to get tourists to pay a stupid amount of money to cross under the river over the Pudong). Mom and I tried to go for lunch on the water in Pudong... what a joke. I think the doormen were really laughing at us because the cheapest appetizer was about $120USD. Needless to say, we did not eat there. We headed for the mall (seriously, I think these people eat and shop all the time in Shanghai- Nanjing road had a shopping mall every 15 feet) for lunch... pizza hut! We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping. Not much was purchased but what a mall. Nine floors of stores I have never seen before.
Today we flew in to Guilin. It is a lot warmer here - 20. I am loving it. We got here shortly after lunch and took a ride to the Solitary beauty peak and the Reed Flute Caves. Guilin has a very interesting topography, little mountains are poking up everywhere. It is flat and then.. woop, there is a mountain. Solitary Beauty Peak was one of those. We climbed to the top for an amazing view. The Reed Flute Caves were equally amazing. The caves were filled with huge stalagmites and stalagtites. The ones in lafleche pale in comparison to these. They had put lighting in to add to the effect as well. What a sight. I hope to post some pictures soon. Tonight we are going to get a good rest because tomorrow we are off on a tour to see some rice terraces. I will try to post some pictures tomorrow evening... unless of course we spend the evening shopping in dowtown Guilin!
Take care everyone.
P.S. for anyone reading this that wants to talk to mom, she does not have access to her e-mail, you can post something for her here, send something to her facebook or send it to me.
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SHARRON
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KEEP THOSE BLOGS COMING!!
Great to hear all about your adventures in China so far. Sounds like the larger ciites are ALL ABOUT shopping and the outlying areas provide more interesting snapshots of the country, judging from your commentary. Arlene....I haven't seen any emergency vehicles down the street at your house..... meaning.... so far, Roger is making out okay on his own...hahahahahaha! Glad you both are so enjoying your trip and can't wait to hear more! Sharron