Well, we've arrived in Hefei, Anhui province and we are a little tired. Internet here is free but the blog website is partially blocked - I can post, but cannot see the site or any comments made. Will try accessing again tomorrow to see if that changes. Sorry, no exciting pictures were taken today to share with you all!
Travel today seemed long and tiring and even trooper Cassidy was feeling it. Though the time to complete this leg of our journey was short compared to the others so far, it was definitely trying.
First, our flight did not leave until almost 3:00 pm, so couldn't do too much as we left the hotel at noon. The morning was spent organizing and packing again. Then, the short 35 kilometres we (the 4 families leaving at that time) had to travel from the hotel to the Xi'an airport took a LONG hour and a half in a hot bus. The adults tried to zone out while the children played clapping games and talked and tried to entertain themselves. The Thompsons, Presleys and Christensens boarded a tiny 32 seat plane for Hefei,
Travel today seemed long and tiring and even trooper Cassidy was feeling it. Though the time to complete this leg of our journey was short compared to the others so far, it was definitely trying.
First, our flight did not leave until almost 3:00 pm, so couldn't do too much as we left the hotel at noon. The morning was spent organizing and packing again. Then, the short 35 kilometres we (the 4 families leaving at that time) had to travel from the hotel to the Xi'an airport took a LONG hour and a half in a hot bus. The adults tried to zone out while the children played clapping games and talked and tried to entertain themselves. The Thompsons, Presleys and Christensens boarded a tiny 32 seat plane for Hefei,
and the flight went smoothly and without incident. But by the time we arrived and Ma Rui escorted us to our local guide and van, we were all tired and ready to reach our hotel (and this author is now fighting the cold/virus and sore throat that is going around and was not at her most energetic). And packing 16 people and about the same number of bags into a tiny van was definitely a challenge!
Hefei has changed greatly since our last visits - now a city of 4 million, with a broad avenue lined with trees that leads from the airport into the city, and the signs of construction and development everywhere. It all appears much more cosmopolitan than the industrial and university city that I remember. It was quite mild today, with sunshine and brilliant blue skies which did help boost our sagging energy.
The Holiday Inn is the hotel that we and the Presleys stayed at in 2000 but even it has changed somewhat. The huge lobby that we remembered has shrunk, as stores now occupy the space previously hosting a large lobby lounge and bar. A few small issues with our rooms and slow service made us a touch cranky, but the kids all like the hotel and especially the revolving restaurant on the 29th floor. Will take some pictures from there tomorrow!
Love to all, hope to be in touch again soon. (Worse case scenario, we will be in Shanghai on Thursday and will definitely post from there.)
Hefei has changed greatly since our last visits - now a city of 4 million, with a broad avenue lined with trees that leads from the airport into the city, and the signs of construction and development everywhere. It all appears much more cosmopolitan than the industrial and university city that I remember. It was quite mild today, with sunshine and brilliant blue skies which did help boost our sagging energy.
The Holiday Inn is the hotel that we and the Presleys stayed at in 2000 but even it has changed somewhat. The huge lobby that we remembered has shrunk, as stores now occupy the space previously hosting a large lobby lounge and bar. A few small issues with our rooms and slow service made us a touch cranky, but the kids all like the hotel and especially the revolving restaurant on the 29th floor. Will take some pictures from there tomorrow!
Love to all, hope to be in touch again soon. (Worse case scenario, we will be in Shanghai on Thursday and will definitely post from there.)
5 comments:
I remember feeling very closely observed in Hefei back in 2000 - whenever we walked past shop windows there was a line of people inside pressed up to the windows watching the tall Canadians walk by! :)
I'll be interested to see photos of how it's changed.
Hang in there all of you! Travelling is exhausting even at the best of times. Lianne, you're doing a fabulous job with the blog, and we all appreciate being able to follow the journey with you every morning - I knew being an English major would bear fruit for you someday! hee hee.....
lots of love,
(Auntie) Kim
Can't remember which hotel we were at??? all a blur now -- Novotel???
remember that crazy road to cross to get to the park. are you far from there?
Julia and I watched the day in life of Ping Wei and the new years DVDs on the weekend -- it really took me back to the time we were there -- the rural parts -- the greyness of it all... heavy sigh.
can't wait to follow this next leg of the journey in our girls' home province.
amd
Lianne,
Once again, thank you for your updates. They are truly appreciated and also acknowledge the energy it takes to maintain on top of everything you are experiencing in your trip. I could certainly feel your energy wavering in this post, and it's probably somewhat in anticipation of the travels over the next day or two.
We're all thinking about you and wish you well on this next leg of your journey. Rest up and take care of yourself!
Jane
WOW I can't believe how quickly time is going and how packed your days are. I was just filling out my homeland tour forms thinking in a few months it will be my turn to blog. I don't think I will be able to do as well as you have. I feel like we have been there with all of you. Lianne keep up the good work. Love to all, MacLean can't wait to see Bryanna and Cassidy.
Take care, Shauna and MacLean xoxox
Look at that teeny-weeny little plane!!!! Was that fun, or a tad scary?
Woohoo!
kim
x
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