Neighbor from Hell

 So you can imagine how furious and upset  I was when I saw this.  On the other hand you just have to feel sorry for these people. There really do not have the the intellect or the capability to lead a simple, decent and proper life.

new turf

Miu Miu enjoying the newly completed project for the weekend.  Synthetic grass in the balcony!

Recounting part 6 final

Day 7

We got up real early for last minute packing.  Today we shall leave Tunxi for Hangzhou, our last leg of the travel.  Just the evening before we asked the counter staff to arrange bus tickets for us.  Upon reaching Hangzhou we checked into our previously booked hotel – orange crystal.  It was a rather nice hotel situated just a stone throw from the famous Xihu (West Lake).

Edward is the only person in the party that has visited Hangzhou.  So it is only apt the he showed us the city.  First he took us to a rather smashing restaurant for lunch.  Since we are in Hangzhou we all each had a piece of the famous Hangzhou ‘Dongpor Rou’ (a chunk of fatty pork braised in a sweet dark sauce) a delicacy from this part of the world.   Later Edward took us to the city to see the sites.

Day 8

As usual got up early and did some shooting around the lake.  It was rather pleasant to meet the locals as the lake side is a very popular place for morning exercise.  After breakfast we went to visit the famous Hangzhou Botanical Garden.  Although there is not many flowers to see (late autumn) but there are still a lot to keep us occupied.  By late afternoon we were already tired from all the walking.

Day 9

This morning we did another round of early morning shooting by the lake side.  The West Lake is deceptively small.  In actual fact it is very big and took the better part of the day to complete the circuit. We got back to the hotel for a quick rest and clean up.  We then met my cousins from Shanghai.  They took us to very nice restaurant in the city.  After dinner we walked (another long walk) to an open air theatre to watch a dance drama “Impression of West Lake’.   This was supposedly our highlight of our visit to Hangzhou. 

Day 10

After a good night sleep, it’s time to do last minute packing for our journey home.   We went to our favorite ‘noodle’ shop in the neighborhood.  After checking out and saying our goodbye we took a taxi to the airport.  After all the climbing and walking, I was looking forward to my own bed ….

Recounting part 5

Day 6

Today we are going to visit a few of the UNESCO Heritage Villages in the vicinity.  These villages are accorded the living heritage status because the people living there still engaged in trades and customs since the village was established.  Some of these villages are as old 900 years!

1. 1.       Nanping (famous movie Ju Dou)
2. 2.       Xidi
3. 3.       Hungcun (famous Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragons)
4. 4.       Mukeng (famous for the bamboo scene in Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragons).

Recounting Part 4

Day 5


Woke up the next morning and went out to watch the sun rise.  Again we were disappointed.  At breakfast there was a coup.  According to plan we were to descend the mountain by using the West trail and exit from the the West Gate.  This way we get to see almost all the famous sights in Huangshan.  Unfortunately the majority of the members said they had enough of hiking especially after yesterday epic endeavor.  This time there was very little resistance from the minority.  After checking out from the hotel we headed for the Bai Er Ling (White Goose Mountain) cable car station.  Since we have now some extra time we dawdled along the way with lots of photo taking.

Packing up.  Time to go down the mountain.  Although the cabin is small but it is totally adequate.  Actually it is better than the rooms in the main building.

Everyone was in high spirit because we do not need to walk down the mountain.  So we had extra time for posing for pictures.  There were so many gorgeous autumn colors in Huangshan.  L-R :  Me, Edward and Mok.

The ride down was very exhilarating.  We got a little bubble car of our own so everyone had fantastic view as we sailed over rocks and tree tops.  But the ride was a tad too fast and before you know it we have reached the base station.

How clever no argument about who needs to pay fare.

Over hills and over dales.  In this case it is more like over mountains and over valleys.  Very exhilarating ride.

At the base station there is a hall with free internet.  How cool is that!

On the way back the van driver suggested we visit a tea house.  Anyway someone in the party wanted to check out Huangshan famous Mao Feng tea.

The Mao Feng tea leaves are huge.  The tea being brewed to entice us to purchase. 

It was good to get back to our hotel and Tunxi / Huangshang city.  After getting our rooms and stowing our back, we went out exploring the city.  First thing first - lunch!

Our lunch being prepared.

Checking out the local market.

Local 'sow peng' - pan fried biscuits.

We found a small park filled with elders.

A street filled with every kind of  shops.

Sean being serviced by a woman.

Our favorite place to hang out.  Delicious spicy kebab and cold beer. 

Karen favorite night time activity.  An art auction.  She spent all her money here buying Chinese paintings.

Recounting part 3

Day 4

Again woke up at 4 am to watch the infamous (most time you never see it) sun rise.   By the time we got to the front of the hotel we found hundreds of tourist with the same idea.  The big basket ball court in the front of Bei Hai was just a sea of sleepy heads.  We shuffled along with the rest towards the Lion Peak, supposedly ideal place to see the sun.  But there were already hundreds of people gathered on that tiny outcrop.  While trying to find or own space we heard a roar from the front and much clapping.  It seems the sun has risen in the horizon.  As far as I am concerned it was pitch black and bloody cold to be out there.  Most of these people are tourists that stayed for the night.  The bulk of them headed back to their respective hotel for breakfast.  I was told after breakfast they will be herded down the mountain to their next destination.  True enough by the time we have eaten and gather our things for our trek, the whole area was quiet and peaceful again.

We took the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful mountain vista in the vicinity without all the tourists.  

The scene just outside the Bei Hai Hotel.  Workmen in uniform waiting to start their work.

There is a viewing platform outside the hotel.  And this is what you will see.  Gorgeous.

Another stunning vista outside the hotel.

Today we are going to hike the mysterious and supposedly the most beautiful (scenic) trail in Huangshan, the West Sea Canyon (Xihai) trail.

According to my research it starts from the Baiyun Hotel (White Clouds).  So we made our way towards that direction.   Even this journey from our hotel to Baiyun was filled with beautiful vista.


 

On the way to the beginning of the West Sea Canyon Trial, you see endless rolling mountains.

 

Every where you turn is a great photograph opportunity.

When we arrived at Baiyun Hotel, it was time to say goodbye to Kian Meng and Stephen.  They had to return to KL because of work commitment.

 

At the front of the Baiyun Hotel there is a reminder of no smoking in the open sign.  Here you turn right and follow small foot path.  We followed the path and it took us to the side of the hotel and almost to the back before veering off to the right into the woods.

The sign : Warm Reminding.  Smoking damages your health.  Smoking outdoors will affect the security fo the scenic area.

This is a graphical representation of the hike we took.  Our reference point was the Bei Hai Hotel.  From there we walked to Baiyun Hotel which is the start of the actual trial.  Here we trekked all the way down the 'V' and then up again the Paiyunlou Hotel.  The walk from Paiyunlou to Bei Hai took me almost an hour.  By then I was totally exhausted.

I shall not talk about what I saw along the trial.  All I can say is that I hope someday you will have the opportunity to see the place for yourself.

Not long from the start, the trail ended at this rock.  Upon inspection we found faint steps incised on it.  Treading carefully the path lead us into the wooded area.  It was kind of dangerous because there was no handrail or any kind of hold.  One misstep and you go tumbling a few hundred feet downwards.

on

The West Sea Canyon Trial is primarily man made.  The path is hew from the solid rocks or concrete steps jammed into the solid surface. Photo credit : Tan Yee Chung.

It is amazing how the Chinese can build all these steps.  You can see the path keeps winding down or up depending on which way you are heading.  Whenever we meet someone from the other way, the favorite question is 'How far and long have you been walking'.  It gives you some kind of mental preparation for the road ahead.  I kept telling myself 'one more step means one less step to tread on'.  Photo credit : Tan Yee Chung.

Me hamming it up on one section of the trial.  As you can see there are not many people on this trial.  It is just mind boggling how the Chinese built these path!  Photo credit : Tan Yee Chung.

You can see me as a little speck in comparison to the spatial dynamic in this part of the park.  Photo credit : Tan Yee Chung. 

This is near the bottom of the trial before the ascend.  Photo credit : Tan Yee Chung.

Like any hike please make adequate preparation before setting off (water, food, energy bar, a light raincoat, sturdy walking stick, torchlight etc).  This is more so if you are walking the west sea canyon.  Tourist and most visitors to Huangshan do not come this way.  During your hike you may not meet anyone for a long period.  I think it is better if you walk in a group of four.  Any hiking manual will tell you never walk alone in such places. 

All in all it took me 6 hours to complete the trail.  I was glad I managed to get to the end before the sun disappeared.  The four of us, Karen, Andrew, Chung and I decided to have dinner at a little shop by the Paiyunlou Hotel. 

Our dinner at the end of the trail.  I remember it was in a small shop by the side of Paiyunlou hotel.  We ate out the rice out of styrofoam box.  Although basic the meal was rather expensive.

 The rest of the party has abandoned us many hours ago.  When we called them up some of them were already fast asleep from exhaustion!

After dinner we walked back to our hotel.  It has got to be one of the most arduous walk.  The distance in between the hotels are not far but you got to climb up and down hundreds of steps because of the terrain.  After the brief rest at the eating shop, this walk really was a test of determination.  By the time I got back to the log cabin, all I wanted was to wash up and crash into the bed.

{If you intend to hike the West Sea Canyon trail, please check the internet for news.  I just read the trail is now closed to visitors.  No one know when it will reopen}.

Recounting part 2

Day 3

As usual woke up real early – 4 AM.  Chung, Sean and I ventured out into the streets for our photography.  There was no one around except the odd municipal worker sweeping the street.  The ancient street took on another dimension.  Look like a set for some kung-fu movie.  The air was cold, fresh and invigorating.

A section of the old street.  It looks like a stage set for a kung fu flick. 

We got back to the hostel to meet up with the rest.  After a good piping hot bowl of noodles we were off to Huangshan.  We booked transport at the reception the night before.  A woman came to fetch us.  After a short ride to the town we were put into a minivan.  The minivan climbed steadily all the way to Tangkou, the last inhabited town before ascending the mountain.

Huangshan is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Center and it is also a protected national park.  This park is situated in the southern part of Anhui Province.  Effectively we have now traveled from Zhejiang Province to Anhui Province.

In Tangkou we were taken to a state owned bus station.  I was given to understand that only they can provide bus service to the three entrances (gates).  Maybe this is for security and crowd control reason.  I read that during peak seasons, thousands of people visit the mountain daily.  So remember if you want a leisurely time do not visit then (early May and Oct).  At the station you have to tell the counter staffs which gate you wish to enter the park.  There are 3 gates available to visitors; South, East and West.  Our plan was to ascend using the East Gate and then come down using the West Gate.  This way we get to see different views.   Huangshan is famous for its natural vista, a photographer haven.

Pine tree growing on barren rocks.

Strange mountain peaks with 'OMG' factors to the nth degrees.

The bus dropped us off at a point near the East Gate (Yungu Gate – Cloud Valley).  Before you even start to enter the park you have to decide whether to ride up in a cable car or walk!  The cable car station is situated further down from the hiking path entrance.  You have to pay a park entrance fee to enter.  If you are using the cable car you also need to buy a ticket for the ride.  The entrance fee to the park cost RM120 per person and the cable car ride another RM40.

If you wish to take the cable car then walk further down to the station.

The Entrance to the Park.  Once you passed through these gates, you will have to climb thousand of steps to get to the peak at the back.  If you walk further down you will find the cable car station.  The ride to the top takes only 8 minutes.

The cable car is a short 8 minutes ride.  You get to see clouds, strange rock formation and tree tops in a jiffy.  The ride ends at the White Goose Mountain station (Bai Er Ling). 

However if you walk up (thousands of steps) you will have an adventure of a life time.  You get to see strange mountain formation, pine trees growth shaped by winds, some monkeys.  Along the way you will also get to see porters carrying up and down everything needed by the hotels (big bundle of towels, vats of oil, electrical appliances, mattresses and even concrete beam)!



The East Gate path is supposedly the easiest one up.  It took me almost 5 hours to reach the top!  For me it was a great achievement considering I was 53 years old then, hitting 98kg and live a rather sedentary life.  Before you embarked on your climb remember to do some preparations.  Bring only what is necessary; minimum change of clothes, water and some food (chocolate, energy bars, sandwiches, nuts, candies).  No heavy camera equipment unless you are an avid photographer and make sure you have good footwear; comfortable and good traction.  And do not forget to bring a walking stick.  You can buy one from the vendor.

Along the way there will be many vendors of drinks and snack.  And they get progressively dearer as you get higher. 

It was a long hard climb.  The steps keep going up and up.  My trusty tripod became my walking stick.

Super fit porters bringing down all sorts of things from the mountain.

By the time I struggled up to the top it was already late afternoon.  My joy was short lived because it takes another 40 minutes walk to the Bei Hai (North Sea) hotel!  At least the path now is more level and I was in an euphoric state having completed the climb so another long walk was really nothing.  The rest of the gang had already reached the hotel and checked in.  We were given a room away from the main building (a big monolith).  The room we had was constructed like a log cabin.  Although small it was perfectly adequate.  There was lots of hot water and even a flat screen TV!  The room cost about RM400 per night.  Not really worth the money but on hindsight, a lot of manual labor was needed to run it.  Remember everything was carried up by porters!

Another super fit porter bringing up clean towels.  This photograph was taken at 9am in the morning.  It probably means that he started his climb at 6 or 7 am.  It would be impossible for him to come up the mountain before that because the path would be pitch black.  This mean it only took him 2 or 3 hours tops to get up!  It took me almost 8 hours!

Our pseudo log cabin room.  But it was comfortable and clean.

After a quick wash up and a quick rest we met up for dinner.  We decided to eat at the Chinese restaurant in the Shilin Hotel which is just a stone throw from the Bei Hai. 

Arrh we knew we came to the right place to eat.

Of course we found the 'Anything Else' section of the menu most interesting.

After dinner we took a walk in the vicinity.  The wind was very strong and cold.  Besides there was very little to see because it was very dark.  We stocked up on supply for our hiking the next day from the little mini market.  As expected the things were not cheap.  After our purchases we called it a night.  

Recounting

I was talking to someone I met about his recent trip to India.  He said he has written it all down in his blog.  I had a quick look at it.  It was both fascinating and informative.  Totally inspired by him.  Now planning my own trip to India, following his path.

Also set me thinking that maybe there are others out there that may find my travel experiences useful too.  So here is something from the past and I hope it maybe of help to you.  Our trip to Huangshan and Hangzhou.


24th October - 2nd Nov 2009.

Day 1

Flew from KL to Hangzhou.  Arrived at about 11.00 PM.  First time there and do not know what to expect.   A little problem at the custom.   One officer went through Karen's luggage with a fine comb.   I wonder what kind of profile she fitted into.

Took the bus from airport to the city center.  Got off at the last stop and went looking for our hotel.  Surprise, the check in staff said I never booked despite me showing her the confirmation print out.  I threaten that our party of 7 will bed down in the lobby.   Well it was late,  and we were cold and hungry!  The bad news was there was some major fire work show in the city earlier and the whole city was chock a bloc with visitors.  People were walking off the street asking for rooms even as we we were trying to trash out our problem.  One kind receptionist took it upon herself to go check with nearby hotels for vacancy.  Eventually she found one with two rooms.  Hurray.  We had to pay more but we were only too glad to get out of the cold and uncertainty.  And we had to sneak up to the rooms because there were so many of us.  We had cold beer and kebab for dinner at almost 2 AM!  What an adventure and start to our trip!

Day 2

Out of habit, I got up early.  Look out the window and had a good view of the city.  So this is Hangzhou the capital of Zhejiang Province.  Hardly anyone on the street yet.

This is what I saw from the hotel window.  The streets are wide and orderly.  Not many people on it because it is 7 am on a Sunday morning.

After last night hiccup, Chung and I decided not to leave things too much to chances.  So we went  to the bus station to get tickets.  Then it was back to the hotel to meet up with the rest.  Since we had some time before our departure to Tunxi (jump off point to Huangshan) we went exploring and also for breakfast!  We made it back in good time and met up with the rest of the party; Kian Meng, Stephen and Edward.  They arrived a few days before us.  Then it was off to the Hangzhou West Bus Station for our second leg of the journey.

My partners in crime.  Waiting for the bus to Tunxi.  As yo can see the station is clean and modern.  L-R : Edward Chin, Mok, Chung, Andrew Lim, Weng, Kian Meng, Karen Chu, Stephen Chung and Sean Chen.

 The journey took about 3 hours and ticket cost RMB 85/pax (about RM40).

There is no mistake we are going up to the highlands.  Along the way we saw neat villages tucked at the foothill of mountains.

We got into Tunxi right on time.

A rather strange sign greeted us at the Tunxi Bus Station.

 

The Huangshan City/Tunxi  Bus Station looked spanking new.  From here we took another bus to the Loujie (ancient street).

We stayed a night at the Ancient Street Youth Hostel right on the very atmospheric Loujie (ancient street).  There is a lot of shops and restaurant along this street.  In the early part of the evening this street is filled with tourists and locals.  There are many shops here and they sell all sorts of things from trinkets to traditional food and medicines!  There are also many restaurants here that served the local cuisine.  We dined at the rather quirky one that is directly across our hostel.

The arch that says 'Laujie' (old street).  The hostel is on the left, with the lights switched on.  This photograph was taken at 6 am.  There was hardly anyone on the street.  It was bitterly cold.  We were waiting for transport to Tangkou and then to Huangshan.

A rather colourful front of a very old shop along the ancient street.  I woke up early to have a photography session before the journey to Huangshan.

I used hostelworld.com to book for the rooms.   Here is the address of the youth hostel :

Huangshan Old Street Hostel

No.266 Ancient Street, Tunxi District, Huangshan, Anhui Province, China 245000

We had 3 beds in the room.  The room and washroom were very clean and comfortable.  Highly recommended.

Checking out the wash room.  Pretty wash basin.  All clean and dry.  Shower had plenty of hot water.

Next Day - the journey to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), supposedly the most beautiful mountain in China!

getting everyone into the spirit of the season!

It's the time of the year again, I subtlety put the idea of celebration in my colleagues subconsciousness. Here is my offering for this season.  I hope this will put a smile on their faces.  This will appear on everyone PCs' tomorrow.