X’ian, China. September 2011

The last leg of the journey was X’ian for six days. X’ian, which was once the terminus of the Silk Road, is oozing with history. Our accommodation was in the centre of the old part of town within the old city walls. Again it was a city suited to walking and exploring.

We took a couple of days to orientate ourselves with local sites before an early start out to spend the day at the terracotta warriors’ site, one of the greatest archeological discoveries ever found. It was all we had hoped and more. The crowds were minimal and we learnt that as a tour group came through we’d stand back, the guide would talk ten to the dozen and within minutes they’d be gone. We could then gaze again in peace.

Daryl at the side of Pit One....................................................Laurel at the head of Pit One

Individual stone pieces stitched.......Replica chariot

Warriors, each different....................................Warriors in process of being pieced back together

Amazing detail............................Different outfits defined their ranking

Repair work in progress, estimated 100yrs to complete

Excavation in progress

The weight of the soil, earthquakes and humans damaged the warriors

Imagine how they got placed originally

Outside the Museum at the sites

There were many mausoleums scattered around the outskirts of X’ian so we took the ‘Lonely Planet’ advice and did a trip out to one of the lesser frequented tombs, that of Emperor Han Yangling. The Emperor had the tomb built during his lifetime around 188 BC. They have only partially excavated the site and when you’re casting your eye around the surrounding paddocks it’s amazing to think of what may still be found. Over some of the excavated pits was a glass floor allowing for closer viewing. I had a great urge to get onto my hands and knees for an even better look but thought that, maybe, a little undignified. The wealth and power of certain individuals during these dynasties is almost incomprehensible.

Excavated figures in the pit

Restored chariot...............................Looking down through the glass floor

Terracotta animals partially excavated

Wooden arms and clothes have perished

We got talked into a Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show and were pleased we had made the effort. From our VIP seats we dined on Chinese dumplings of all descriptions and tried food we otherwise wouldn’t have. Daryl’s future wealth and happiness surpassed mine if we are to believe the custom of counting the miniature dumplings served in your soup bowl. Even a second helping didn’t improve my chances!!

In our VIP seats with stage in background........Dancers in action

As far as shopping goes we came back with little. There were your designer stores where we don’t shop and the malls full of fashion stores with clothes I neither fitted nor would wear. Then there were the markets full of fake product that you had to bargain for. Daryl loved the bargaining and one girl said he drove a harder bargain than even the Chinese themselves. For me ten minutes of hard bargaining for a couple of $2 umbrellas was making hard work of things!! And with seemingly so many shops I cannot fathom how any of them made a living. We loved the entrepreneur- ism of the hawkers. If it was sunny they tried to sell you a hat, if raining an umbrella, at night a laser torch, on the mountain a walking stick and at the airport a map. They anticipated your every need.

Drums at the 14th century Drum Tower...........Drum Tower by night

Bell at the 14th century Bell Tower...................Bell Tower now in centre of busy intersection

Water show at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.................Big Wild Goose Pagoda by night

Toffee apples??...............................New hotel in traditional style

My print purchase from the actual artist..........They'll sleep anywhere, anytime

Now we’re back in Penang we are busy preparing for the upcoming haul out to repaint the boat. Quotes are being scrutinised and compared, the phone is running hot. We’ve taken over the rental on a little car at NZ$10 a day (a bargain we thought) and are gathering boxed to pack the boat’s contents for storage. Daryl’s been to the dentist at NZ$75 for the examination, xrays and three fillings (another bargain). We are still to go to the skin specialist to have a routine check of all the spots, blemishes, lumps and bumps. Then not forgetting that Penang is the food capital of Malaysia, time is still being found for dining and socialising, rugby watching and card games.

Chongqing, China. August 2011

The next stay of three nights was Chongqing, a sprawling mountain city and home to 33 million people in an area of 82 square kilometres. We have chosen our hotel this time to be in the suburbs, close to the Metro and the old town.

On the agenda is a visit to the zoo, the old town of Ciqikou, and a trip to the historic Dazu Caves in a neighbouring town. Again the local people were fantastically helpful in assisting us to get where we wanted to go. We only needed to look bewildered and we had people approaching to help. Yet at other times it was frustratingly hard to get someone to do something as simple as pointing to where we were on a Chinese bus route map. We had invested in an electronic translator which had some usefulness!!

Streets of Ciqikou.................................................Food seller

Mah jong..................................................................Traditional sweet makers

We realized how much we enjoyed just wandering and observing daily life in the area we were in. There were beautifully architecture public parks wherever we went and the local people utilized these by gathering, socialising and exercising, dancing or kite flying in them, especially in the evening. The shops were open each night until late and shop they did. People seemed to be dressed up by our standards and there were as many men’s fashion clothing stores as women’s. It was lovely to see women wandering out in dresses that I’d only consider wearing to a wedding. I was envious at the ease with which they could wear these clothes and the girls did so well wearing high heels, no matter what they were doing, especially in a country with so many steps!!

Dancing in the park...............................................Taxi, taxi...will we fit???

How much is too much meat?.............................Live fish in the supermarket

On the road............................................................... Double width on the top

We had made the decision to visit the Chongqing Zoo to see the Giant Panda because it only seemed right to see them while in China. As it turned out there was only one in residence, which seemed kind of sad. The zoo was easy to get to via the metro and monorail. It was beautifully landscaped and the local people must have free access and were utilizing the area for walking, exercising and socialising. The amount of cages and concrete for the animals and the number of lone species was definitely a negative for me and wouldn’t really recommend this zoo unless you have no other way and want to see a panda.

Er Shun born in the zoo in 2007 is the only panda we saw.

It was a bonus to see the cute 'Lesser Panda'.

Siberian Brown Bear in his concrete home

Locals at the zoo enjoying the area

Our trip to Dazu was a highlight. On the outskirts of town are the Dazu Caves which are Buddhist cave sculptures carved out of the rock in the 9^th to 13th century. They were just amazing and with few other tourists there we had it more or less to ourselves. We visited two main sites (of the 40 odd sites) in the area. It was also nice to visit a smaller, more rural town that wasn’t a tourist town.

Carvings at Boading..............................................Buddhist 'Wheel of Life'

Amazing carving at Boading.............Giant 31 metre reclining Buddha

Niche of Parental Love

Carving at Beishan site

A curious fruitseller................................................Fruitseller at Dazu bus station

Woman carrying 2x20kg bags.......Farm trucks

Airport sign??.................................................................????