Mandarin Oriental Sanya China

... It was a good thing it wasn’t too far from town, because the air conditioning was not that effective either.

They dropped us off at a large shopping center-like building. It had five or six floors, none of which were air conditioned, but was full of merchandise—even automobiles. The good news is that I got my camera fixed there. The technician at the camera counter knew exactly what was wrong when I showed ...

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By the time we were finished lunch I had a bad headache, which I rarely get, it must have been from the heat & humidity. I quickly checked my e-mail & then back to the cabin for a couple of Tylenol & I laid down for a nap. At about 1515 the Cruise Director was on the PA stating that due to this being our last port in China, the Chinese Officials had closed down the gang plank and no one was allowed off the ship. It was stated 4 or 5 ...

... financial savings (though that didn't hurt), but for the promise of company, as I was traveling alone. The Sanya Blue Sky International Youth Hostel, just a five minute walk from Dadonghai Beach, was brimming with like-minded travelers of all ages and professions from all over the world. Jackpot! Immediately upon arrival, I found myself in the company of several students, a teacher, a professor, a doctor, an accountant, and a ...

... dismayed to find a whole room of squat toilets. I decided to try to use one, and so I pulled open an open door and a Chinese woman inside freaked out. I got so mad because that's the third time that's happened to me. I understand and don't mind if it's their culture to, for some reason, not lock bathroom doors that have locks on them, but why then do they yell if I open the door?? How would I have known they were inside!?

We had planned to take the bus ...

Was not overly impressed with Sanya. Sanya is 100% tourist. Mostly Chinese with a lot of Russians. The town is very pretty and the beaches are great. I enjoyed talking with some of the Russians. I guess I did not like the fact that it was one huge tourist trap, not my cup of tea.

... the friend calls ahead to the next on his cell phone and we get past it to the third. Then we parked the car and a couple of more securities and we are in. Basically a huge convention center is all it is. After that we headed across the bridge to a Monastery. After we parked the car the uncle and his friend disappeared. We sat down under a tree to enjoy one of the coconuts Tina's family had prepared for us. They came back with a bag full of ...

'I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not... I'm really confused now. If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic... I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want.' -- Jackie Chan to an audience of business leaders on Hainan island.

... Decided we wouldn't go all the way back to the silk shop where the ship shuttle would pick us up and asked to be dropped off near the bridge to Pheonix Island. Our unused seats on the shuttle were a donation to Royal Caribbean. Wandered around the area immediately off the island. Ended up in a bar/restaurant and ordered some beers by using Chris' book of symbols. When we paid they were RMB6 each, maybe $1.50. Chris and Ron headed back to the ship, Ron likes his ...

... white sandy beach we got to know eachother in that time honoured Brittish fashion. We had a beer. A few beers later and I'm no longer the outsider who came along for the ride, but I'm a bona fide wedding guest, with a stag do to look forward to the following day. Brill. The stag do was actually a stag day, with the whole party involved. We got up for the hotel breakfast (which was free cos they thought we were guests) and donned our ...

... near the place where I was robbed. Yoong said a man cooking at a nearby restaurant acted suspiciously when he saw me. Could it be the thief? He was certainly dressed in a similar manner, but what could we do even if I was sure? The weather is still bright and sunny as it has been apart from the rainy day we arrived. Tomorrow we go back to Shenzhen. Not much left to see, but we could do some more walking on the beach later if Yoong's mood had improved. * * * The day ...