You know the single most thing I hate about travelling? The travelling! The only way is by ship.
By the time I had completed packing my suitcase and picked it up, it weighed a ton! In fairness I must point out that I had an extra bottle of baijiu which my friend forgot to take when he visited us in May and also my computer was in there. I think with some rearrangement I should be within limits.
I ended up waiting in the heat for the number 7 for ages but eventually I was on my way to the station. I handed over 68y for my ticket to Hefei and had a bit of a wait. Previously the buses I have taken to Hefei have been more like overgrown rickety minibuses with aircon that struggled just to keep the temperature just below heatstroke level but yesterday I was lucky. A twin deck modern coach with leather reclining seats which I tried and failed to drop off to sleep in - that is, at least until we must have just been approaching the south station for I don’t remember it, I awoke when everyone still aboard started getting off at the north station.
On exiting to get a taxi to the Hilton I was approached by a gloogloo driver (for those who don’t know a gloogloo is half motorbike, half rickshaw). He had a look about him I can’t describe but I thought what the hell, I bet not many people arrive at the Hilton in such a ramshackle canvas covered vehicle, so I did it for the crack. Sadly, the chap took me very close to the hotel but wouldn’t go the final ten yards all the way up to where the concierges were!
After a cigar and some welcome cold ones we had an enjoyable buffet dinner in Sens restaurant followed by beers in the apartment before mein host retired for the night, he was getting up early for a 60km cycle ride with the local expat riding club. I did offer to join them if they could provide an e-bike but strangely I wasn’t required.
1630
Lunch in the Happy Panda restaurant was keenly anticipated and today we were meeting a South African couple. Barrie and Lizel were extremely good company, the food as always was excellent and the chef - unbeknown and unbidden - made four special dinner plates for us, consisting of roast beef on mash and king prawns with salad. And yes, this time I did the touristy thing and took my camera.
The plan tonight is to go to the executive bar for a quick drink at six and to let them know I will be going in for breakfast tomorrow - Steve will have his a lot earlier and be working by the time I rise! After that we are going across the road for a Korean barbecue.
Currently we are awaiting the arrival of typhoon Soulik which I assume this far inland will simply bring a strong breeze and some rain.
No comments:
Post a Comment