My Travel Experience and Itinery in Southern China - Gulin (Part 1)

From a double bed dorm on the first day




Downgrade to 7 beds dorms in order to save another Y10


Scenic view of Gulin


By the Gulin lake


Life have been great to me thus far, I have not been writing to my blog, cos, am either too busy with many other stuffs and meeting my travel schedules, that I could find the time to write in my blog. So here's an update of my China trip thus far.

Arrived on 13th June at Gaung Zhou, just for couples of hour at the train station, got my camera Nikon 5200 stolen, how sad :( but soon got my report done and my demage claim is on the way, thanks to June my insurance agent.) Then we catch the 5pm train to travel to Gulin.

We arrived Gulin on 14th June morning, we could not locate the YHA, as had been given wrong directions, but soon after couple of minutes and making phone calls, we managed to locate the place (it is a very nice and comfortable hostel, Y35 person for a double bed room). We soon settled down with our stuffs, had a good bath, afterwhich out we go shopping and finding food to eat, wondering down the streets. We then bumped into a foot reflexology salon and managed to get our feet massage for only Y30 for a full 1hr, great relaxation and tension relief.

[We travel with no fixed itinery and really play by ear, to see what pops up. Eventhough, I have my Lonely Planet travel with me, but my concern have always been looking up for lodging and transportation only. So for the tour and sight seeing part, I often will depend on the local people recommendation, often time, with God's blessings, we will meet the right people to share with us places of interest and able to get the best tour deals. ]

So we booked a cruise tour to Yang Shou on 15th June, it is a 4hrs crusie ride by the Li'tang river, a very scenic crusie (almost like the Doubtful Sound experience in New Zealand, except for the warm weather) We met a newly wed couple from Suzhou who was having their honeymoon and it was great, they are very friendly and lovely young couple. They even invited us to visit them when in Suzhou, which we will do it when we get there. On the crusie, I met an old man, who is in his 90's - I believe, but he was traveling alone and he shared with me that he loves to travel and the nature, am very happy for him that he is doing this for himself, regardless of his age and means.

What can I say about the cruise except that the beautiful scenery is fill with natural grey stone mountain and unique natural craving structure and serene river, the weather was great (though a bit hot). I spent sometime at the upper deck just admiring the beautiful scenery while the gentle breeze beat onto my warm face.

When we finally touch down Yang Shou harbour, we were stormed by the local individual tour vendor. I was especially fansinated by this young 18 year girl, she kept checking on me, and wanting to share with me what she has to offer to me. At the point in time I was only interested in looking out for either mine or Shaz's name to be flashed out by the staffs in the YHA hostel which we have prior booked in Guilin. Unable to locate our name and the gal offered to bring us to the hostel as she claimed knowing the way there.

Somehow, I was drawn by her sincerity and enthusiaium to close a deal. And after checking with her all the prices and places of interest in Yang Shou, I promised I will give her a call when I settled down at the hostel. Of course, being Joy, back in hostel I began to enquire about the same type of tour and price they ofter. It so happen to be that the gal wasn't trying to rip us and was quite honest in her pricing, and all she actually asked was a Y10 a day fee for her service to bring us to places (in end paid her Y20, cos we were please with her)

Of course, needless to say, I fell down from my bicycle while riding towards a well-known cave for a clear water dip and mud swim. So for most part of the day, I went to the local clinic to get my wound treated. i almost fainted while the local practioner poured alcohol on my wound, it was really extriciating painful (more than whatever I had ever beared)

However with her added service, we got to see a sneak out performance by a small boat on the river. The performance was magnificiant, the actual price could cost us at Y300 but we only pay Y30 to steal the show. It had about 600 performance, with full blast colourful lighting, bright colourful costumes. With the performance coming for all 4 corner on the water bay. This is actually a production and investion of Zhnag Yi Mo, a famous critic Chinese movie director. I love the show and the way I get to see it.

Next day 16th June at Yang Shou, we rent a mini motor bike (very cute and fun) for only Y38 for the whole day, to ride around town and go to some part outskirt to see the river and paddy field and visit the famous Minority culture Garden.

I soon felt that my wound is now getting any better, and thus decided to go to the local hosiptal to get my wound treated again. And least to my knowlegdge, my wound was quite badly infected and need to get 5 types of jabs immediately, So I stayed in the hospital for the dips. While struggling with my immobility, Shaz who is a health freak, refused to step into the hospital, decided to go back to the hostel to wait for me, but thank God I had the young gal to keep me company, and I actually had a wonderful time sharing and talking with her about my experiences and listening to hers.

To be honest with my feelings, at that moment I was quite disapointed with Shaz, I felt she was only concerned about her own self very much and quite careless about my handicap situation. Given the same event to have had happened on her, I would have sticked by her to see to whatever she needs she may have. Well, isn't this all about looking after each other needs while traveling together. Hmmm... anyway, thank God for my independency and always sending me good guidance angels along my way to support me.
After the long 2.5hrs of dip at the hospital, we took the night bus back to Gulin (1.5 hr journery). To catch the early morning train ride (estm 28hrs) to Kunming (Yunnan).

On the train, we met another young chinese couple who is working in Kunming. Since the journey is so long, we had a chatted and we had culture informnation exchange conversation. Having this conversation, I realised that I was very blessed being Singaporean, given the freedom to travel and visa free to many nation. Am so grateful that our government had done a great job in foreign relation. Most Chinese nationality do not have the freedom as much as we do to travel out, and if they do , they need to have alot of money for bond and the procedures can be quite tedious. Also most of the average workers salary only range from Y600 to Y2000. And for the guy he is a supervisor of a factory (consider a high post) and his pay is only Y1500. His girlfrend only gets Y600. Hmmm... after all the conversion, there is actually not much left for travel at all.
China is so big and population is the largest in the world. There is just too many mouth to feed. But to my amazment, I do not see alot of beggers on the street begging for money (unlike some other 3rd world nations I had visited).

Ok, look out for my part 2 article on my exciting journey in the province of Yunnan soon ;)
my email: joydive@gmail.com