Well, quite a day today! Up a little late again, rushed breakfast and headed to Huoying to meet YX. It was her (Gregorian) birthday today, which is why I was particularly glad that she was able to take the day off to go to the Great Wall. Yes, we have … See more...
Coffee Station
A much more relaxed day today, although I had a slightly rushed breakfast because I got up late and needed to freshen up, pack and check-out before going to meet Y. Y met me at the metro and we popped into KFC to meet her parents and her baby girl. … See more...
Toilets
I don’t remember if I commented before on this topic, and I am sure many others have done so, but I feel I cannot pass by this point without doing so myself.
As a Westerner who thinks the standard of public toilets in the UK is bad (I avoid using … See more...
Xi’an Sleeper
Boarding the train, the numbering system was a little confusing, as there are three numbers outside each door, a big one and two smaller ones. Eventually I worked out that the ticket number referred to the little numbers, which is the berth (bed) number as there are two. There were … See more...
First Day in Chengdu
The journey to Chengdu started of very pleasant. Although, I was hoping to catch up on this blog, but most of the time was spent chatting about the meal in Chengdu this evening, and with the lady next to me who showed me a new translation tool in WeChat.
There … See more...
Hangzhou To Wuyi
On the train to Putian I am surrounded by a group of Chinese people speaking English, from a pharmaceutical company, going on a weekend trip to 武夷山 (Wǔ yí shān, Wuyi Mountain). The lady next to me is a manager, reading a book in English.
It is lovely to get … See more...
Smell
Well, it has happened again! That lovely group got off the train, and were replaced by some guys. It is not so pleasant. There is a smell as if someone has trodden in some dog poo. For nearly an hour already, and still one more hour to go … See more...
Thankful
Needed some fresh air.
Thankfully it seems whoever was the culprit has got off the train.… See more...
Putian
Arriving in Putian.
This is just a “flying visit” to Putian – only here for one night to see EX’s school and get a feel for the place.
Thanks to EX for the welcome, showing me her school, and for arranging a happy meal with her mum and a couple … See more...
University
This morning it really felt like being in the countryside, rather than a city of nearly 2 million people. Birds and crickets chirping, chickens clucking, and cockerel crowing.
After breakfast, EX took me to her church, then we had lunch and a look around the university.
Finally, EX drove … See more...
Shenzhen to Hong Kong
It’s a hot and humid, sunny and sweaty day to be leaving Shenzhen.
Managed to buy a Sim card for Hong Kong, thanks to the kind help of a nice young lady at Futian Check-Point. Now to find my way to 香港 (Hong Kong).
I don’t know if I should … See more...
The Long Journey Home
It’s been a long holiday, but gone so quickly. It’s time to go home.
Bus to the Hong Kong Airport Express.
The Airport Express is quite a cool system as you check-in for the plane at the station before you even get to the airport.
And we board the plane … See more...