Bamboo Hotel Zhenjiang

We had just enough time to purchase an indulgent round of sandwiches from James' favourite local deli before heading to the train station to catch the train to Jessica's home town, Danyang (halfway between Shanghai and Nanjing).
Jessica and her mother collected us and our enormous bags, and we were chauffeured for an hour and a half in air conditioned, leather-seat luxury, to a silk-duvet factory outlet shore, so that we could satisfy Margery's desires for a duvet that can be used all ...

... When taking a boat trip along the long slim lake, I can see the golden sunshine sparkling on the water and feel the gentle breeze on my face----this is the very moment that I actually believe paradise does exist. Get packed and come to Yangzhou in the lively spring, to embrace and enjoy. I wish my pen,my eyes and my camera could capture the spectacular scenery.

... t get a very good write-up in the guidebooks but we thought it was stunning and really friendly in a less leery way than Suzhou. The main attraction is the Slender West Lake which is a pretty park. Ge Garden was so lovely - almost as nice as Suzhou's Master of the Garden of Nets!

... smokey and purpel night sky, the busy streets, the absent looks and sweet smells. One week in Hongkong (waiting for our long-desired and in germany apparently unatainable Visas) left little motivation to visit yet again another megacity, so we stopped in Guangzhou, more for tactical reasons. We stayed at Paul's place. Well, detailed description of the ocurred events would require better memory or less beer that night : ) so ...

... sont légions et dans les jardins les pièces d'eaux sont éssentielles mais comme les montagnes sont loins on en créé de petites artificielles et la nature suit, bonzaï à profusion... Demain je fais un bond vers le sud de quelques milliers de km, je prend un avion pour m'emmener dans les montagnes kastiques du sud ouest de la Chine. La c'est l'aventure qui m'attend car j'ai un billet pour m'y rendre mais pas pour revenir...

... entry into all of Melbourne's sites and Local Peoples entry into all of the Gold Coast parks. HHhhhmmm, somehow I can never see that one happen! The grounds were crowed and the entrance to the first building was filled with the thick aroma of incense that was being burned by the hundreds of Chinese who were doing their 'North, South, East and West' thing. After leaving the first building the three of ...

... 4 all the way to Temple Island (a huge cost of 1 Yuan!). I paid the 50 Yuan entrance fee with a smile. Yesterday I had a small temple in small grounds, today I got an entire island for 10 Yuan more. I debated with myself about the cable car and decided as it was only 20 Yuan I might as well treat myself.

I'm not living on noodles and EcheapO Coffee for nothing!

I planned to spend the entire day on the island ...

... I would have preferred to have paid 20 Yuan for this and 20 Yuan for the temple, ha ha! The promenade was beautiful. As Amigo had never been or seen the Yangzi we chatted and I happily took her along its banks in the beautiful sunshine. Love mobile phones! I then walked all the way down past Heping Lu and headed back inward. As I was walking down an old dusty side street that had been half demolished to make way for 'new Zhenjiang' an elderly gent ...

... wouldn't have paid the entrance fee again and therefore would have missed out such an awesome day. And don't even consider skipping the Bonsai Gardents! Beers N Noodles toya.....shane _________________________ The soundtrack to this entry was the greatest band ever. Melbourne's 'Underground Lovers' The album was the 'Takes You Back' EP

... another Salt Merchants 'former residence'. I paid my 10 Yuan entrance fee and wallah, another outstandingly beautiful abode. These places really are unbelievable! They all have an extensive use of expensive wood for everything from window frames to stunning carved furniture. All the gardens are stunning and I'd say ...