Funky Fenghuang
Trip Start
Apr 14, 2008
1
18
85
Trip End
Nov 11, 2008
Fenghuang,
Hunan,
China
Saturday, June 28, 2008
28/6/08
The people in the taxi bus here were really friendly. The driver even walked me down the alley (should I be concerned) to the hostel I wanted to stay at. Unfortunately they would not let me in (fully booked). He walked me to two other places and one let me in. The price was ok, but it was not what I wanted at 3.30 in the morning. For some reason I had an urge to sit under a wooden pavilion I saw by the river. I said goodbye to the driver and found my spot.
It was about 8x4 meters in size with block tetris style patterns as a railing. Its location was right on the Tao River. Mist over the water. Fish breaking the surface for breath. Red lanterns lighting a house the other side. The sound of drizzle when it hits a leaf, river or stone. The odd person passes oblivious to my location.
By 5.30am 30 or so people had passed cradling goods for the street market. Large baskets tied to the ends of a stick that they rested on their shoulders. 6.30am out come the locals on their morning stretching ritual under (my) pavilion. I fell in and out of conscienceness until the doors opened to the hostel. They were full so I left my main backpack and toured the town. It was already getting busy. The architecture was beautiful surrounding the old fortress wall. Small alleyways everywhere away from the constantly tooting traffic. As normal I'll let the photo's do the talking from here.
I decided after a few hours that despite loving the feel of the place I would leave mid-afternoon. That gave me 3 nights in Wuling Range Scenic Park. Lots of hiking to be done there. Also saved unpacking my bag for 1 night.
There I was thinking I had signed off for the day when another fiasco occurred. Got to the long distance (LD) bus station and they said my ticket was invalid, although had the right price on it. Someone in the queue helped with the translation. I said I bought it at the local bus station (had their stamp on it) and the booth had the bus route advertised (I've learn't to look for mandarin script of locations). The driver said there was no phone number on the ticket and I had to buy a new ticket from this station. No way, I jumped in a taxi, headed to the other station and pulled them up on it. The manager was angry at the LP station. So we jumped on her scooter and caught the driver before he left. What they said to each other will remain a mystery to me, but I got my ride. Albeit at an extra 5RMB taxi fee, better than another 60RMB ticket.
