From ultra-modern Shanghai to ultra-rural Guilin
From 上海 (shànghǎi), we flew to 桂林 (guìlín), a city in the south of China known for its natural beauty. We then took a cab to meet a friend of 申琦 (shēn qí) who took us to 阳朔 (yáng shuò), which many believe to be the most beautiful part of 桂林 (guìlín). After just over an hour in the car, we arrived at the 唐人街 (tángrénjiē) hotel, a 4 star establishment with a river view, that we got for 250 RMB ($31 US) a night instead of 880 RMB ($110 US) a night, since 申琦 (shēn qí)’s friend owns the hotel.
We relaxed a little, and then went to 西街 (xī jiē), a street famous for its shops and restaurants. The street definitely lived up to its reputation. The girls spent around two hours shopping before we finally had dinner. We ate at a western restaurant that 申琦 (shēn qí) knew of. It had the best pizza and pasta I have had in China, and was quite cheap as well. Score!
After dinner, the girls did some more browsing, and then we bought some fruit before heading home. 阳朔 (yáng shuò) has great produce, and we stocked up on 荔枝 (lì zhī) (lee chi nuts) and some other type of fruit that was somewhere between an orange and a grapefruit. 申琦 (shēn qí) called it a “big orange,” even though it’s Chinese name was 柚子 (yòuzi). It was VERY delicious, but quite difficult to peel and eat.
June 16th, 2006 at 9:09 am
Sounds great. Can’t beat fresh lychee. Rough life. You are such a good sport of put up with all of the regimen. Keep enjoying.
June 16th, 2006 at 6:27 pm
Jerome….yeah….it is rough!!!
June 16th, 2006 at 11:21 pm
Andrew, just got back from my china tour and everything that happened to you happened to me in minature. Passing cars on the left going the wrong way on streets. Bargaining, massages, funny signs, beauty beyond compare, crowds like Las Vegas, millions of chinese speaking loudly and the best fruit I have ever tasted. Watermelons, peaches, nectarines. By the time I got home I did not want to see chinese food. Why they want to have “seals” in the middle of a restaurant is beyond me. Didnt appreciate the fact that I found out I had eaten dog after the fact. yuuuuuck I am about to download my 300+ pictures. Will pick some to share and hope to visit you next time. With lots of aloha and happy to be home in Hawaii Aunty Terry
June 19th, 2006 at 11:32 am
AJ – thanks for the report!! Keep ‘em coming. It sounds like you’re having a great time. I have to grab an atlas to find all of these places you’re going to. It is so great that you are seeing now so much of China that most tourists would miss.
June 19th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Terry…..Glad you had such a great time….can’t wait to see your pictures
Dad…did you succeed in finding them in the atlas?
June 26th, 2006 at 1:43 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomelo =)
June 26th, 2006 at 5:11 am
Bernard…….you sure love putting wikipedia links on my site….surely you know that I CAN”T GET TO THAT SITE!!!! hehehe……anyway…..after a little digging, that is exactly what it was
June 26th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
hmmm, wikipedia is blocked in china? didn’t know about that…next time i’ll make sure to use a non-wiki link =)
June 27th, 2006 at 9:36 pm
Bernard….hahah…thanks