China in conclusion

Some last minute shopping, my last Chinese meal and thankfully my last hotel breakfast and I will be on my way home. I must admit to being a little bit home sick, more for the company and quietness than anything.

Did I enjoy my Chinese adventure? Definitely!

Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely!

I have ticked a couple of things off my bucket list and got to make a childhood dream a reality. The best thing was that I got to see and experience it all first hand and now will know what's good and what's not. 

My biggest recommendation will be hotel location - it may cost a little more to be in the centre but worthwhile when the cab drivers speak absolutely no English and traffic that would make the best New Zealand driver have a heart attack can become an adventure all by itself.

Highlights - great wall and the terracotta warriors WOW moments

Low lights - the Beijing zoo

Shanghai the old and the new

The Bund which is the famous walking area along the river in downtown Shanghai, has on one side old European buildings built up to 150 years ago by different nationalities and on the other side an amazing display of extremely modem high rises featuring the second tallest building in China (plus the tallest under construction).  The Yu gardens in old Shanghai features the cities oldest tea house some 500  years old and boasts the best steamed buns in town. You want shopping? Shanghai is your city. From exclusive brand names to market style bargaining you can buy  it all and at great prices.  A very easy city to get around with plenty of cheap taxis (although you may want to close your eyes and not watch the driving) and a great easy to navigate underground for the more adventurous. There are plenty of signs in English and most young people speak "a little" English if you need help. Shanghai is a great stopover destination which in my opinion rivals Hong Kong.

Shanghai awaits

Just arrived in this very modern city. Will let you know all about it tomorrow.

Terracotta Warriors

WOW that's pretty much describes it. When I was around 10 years old I heard about this amazing place where they had discovered thousands of ancient buried artifacts and have always planned to see it. The photos you see don't do justice to the size of the excavation sites. Discovered in 1974 more and more relics are being uncovered daily. To date only two whole statues have been uncovered with the rest having to be put back together taking 9 months and costing around $15,000 each - no mean task. The Emperor died in 221 BC and it  appears that his task was unfinished but in creating this army to guide him through the after life his empire collapsed only 4 years after his death because he took all the riches with him. Considered by some to be the 8th wonder of the world this is definitely a site worth visiting. Loved it!

Next stop Xian and the Terracotta Warriors

Giant Pandas

Well I got to see these amazing creatures but their sad faces reflected their bad situation. Think Auckland zoo 40 years ago. Very small indoor enclosures with everyone banging on the windows, camera flashes blinding the poor animals and large unkempt dens that you look down into.  I turned around from these horrible enclosures and there were wide open grass areas, lush green, lots of trees and shelter, beautiful lakes and water features...for the humans. The Pandas were awesome but next time I hope to see them in their own habitat,Chengdu is the place I am told.  The Beijing zoo is a definite what NOT to do...shame :-(

Great Wall

Charmain Mao once said "you are not a hero until you have walked on the Great Wall" ... I am now a hero! It's hard to believe the age and extent of this great wall. With over one million people dying whilst in the process of making it, it is sometimes called by the Chinese people "the great cemetery". But don't expect to find a grave at every turn, this wall runs for just over 20,000 kms.  The surrounding area is just as  impressive with beautiful tree covered mountains and gorgeous scenery. The stairs and climb is not for the faint hearted but worth it to finally become "a hero". A place to definitely add to your bucket list.

Beijing city sightseeing

Until you actually stand there, you cannot appreciate the size of Tiananmen Square. One million people can stand within the square shoulder to shoulder. I think there was about that many today...or it seemed like it, but it did not take away from the size or the historical significance and it gave me one of those "I am actually here doing this" moments. Walking on from there to the Forbidden city was a similar experience. The place with 9999.5 rooms because 0.5 more would have been for a "God" and this was for a mortal being. The architecture and preservation of it is amazing. After a banquet for one for lunch (awesome authentic Chinese food...not like home), it was on to the summer palace. The "dragon lady", the emperors mother spent exactly six months here every year. Three quarters of it is lake and tranquil gardens, temples etc make up the rest. The summer palace is home to the worlds longest corridor, some 780 metres long with over 1,000 hand painted panels. I can imagine without all the people how serene it would have been. The Hutongs or alleyways with traditional buildings (houses, shops and such) run side by side with new modern multi story office blocks and apartments. Beijing is a city of contrasts and to my surprise immaculately clean - we could take a lesson from that. Tomorrow the great wall and the pandas await me.

Beijing here I am, can't wait to explore

Yalong Bay, Sanya on Hainan island

This is one of the beautiful Bays in the Sanya area. Kms of long sandy white beaches and fabulous resorts, Sanya is a great new holiday destination easily accessible for kiwis. The picture is slightly hazy -not smog but heat, it's 32 degrees today.

Hainan island China

Our World Travellers management conference today where we were introduced to officials from Hainan tourism. I now have full knowledge of the destination and can share with you with confidence. Hainan offers amazing beaches (will post tomorrow about those), rain forests, hot springs, spas, fishing, golf, duty free shopping, culture and much much more. And... No visa required if coming straight from another international destination!

Undie drying for one

A great contraption in a hotel bathroom in Sanya, a mini dryer for your delicates. You can dry single out multiple items at a time. No more bathrooms that look like a Chinese laundry (excuse the pun). That is a telephone in the picture next to the Dyer to give you an idea off the size.

Wu Zhi Zhou island

Today we have spent the morning at this island getaway just 20 minutes off the coast of Sanya. A beautiful if somewhat busy island with spectacular scenery and very clear water full of marine life. Unfortunately we were unable to swim in the sea because of a passing jelly fish swarm but spent a couple of hours at the beachside pool.  This afternoon we are beating the feet in 31 degree temperatures looking at the hotels on offer.  Some of them are incredibly spectacular. 

Amazing room at the Ritz Carlton Sanya Beach

Bing Lang Gu village

20 minutes from Sanya, the village of the Li people is a great insight into how the local people of Hainan lived. We were treated to a traditional meal with local grown fruit , veges, fish, chicken and veal. Cooked in bamboo with gorgeous spices it went down beautifully with the local rice wine and coconut drinks. The local people were adorable.

Guangzhou to Hainan island

Yuk 50 minutes sitting on the tarmac waiting to take off. This is definitely a what's not good.

Chimelong international circus

One and a half hours of circus extravaganza. Everything you would expect from an international circus and much more.  The setting in a huge amphitheatre. Acrobats, trained animals (not sure about that), clowns, human cannon ball, and much more. Gets my tick of approval.

Guangzhou

14 million people, temperature high 20's and high humidity, jet lagged and feeling a little wonky.
WHAT'S GOOD:  The Chen ancestral hall built in the 1880's with it's amazing decorated courtyards and verandas.  Cantonese lunch complete with dim sum. The shopping. The greenery and lovely big trees  everywhere. The hotel swimming pool. 1.5 ltr bottle of water for just 70¢.
WHAT'S NOT GOOD: The traffic even on a Saturday!
WHAT MADE ME LAUGH: Sponge Bob in Chinese.
Off to the circus tonight which is apparently a must see in Guangzhou. Will in report tomorrow.

One more sleep

10 pm tomorrow I will be on my way to my Chinese adventure. Follow me here for my daily updates.

One week to go...it's nearly time !!

Friday the 14th is take off day.  It's time to pack.