Post # 95 Gong An

Day 109 881 days to go. I suppose its time to change the days to go section working on a two year time frame. With the leap year its 731 days not quite the ring to it as 1080 days but thats just cosmetic. The two years is going to still work awesomely and a beautiful balance of responsibility and very very cool adventure. So lets start again…. Day 109 622 days to go. Distance: yesterday 97km total 6716km. It’s the morning after 18/3/2012 Gong An.  I was a wee bit wiery last night to be posting when I got back from the internet cafe. Im all kitted up and ready to get into today but while Ive got internet access thought Id do my post up from yesterday. Last night was great I found internet access and was able to retype the posts from the last days and upload the photos. Have I mentioned how awesome it is to have family suppport so I can still update the blog whilst in China. Thankyou loves!!! It didnt quite work out as I had hoped and a bit of stress involved but all done now and a big sleep in between and Im ready to cycle my kick-arse super Rube today to Jingmen-17 sleeps and 19 cycle days to Beijing plan intact. 
 
Gong An is a reasonable sized dot so I thought it a chance to stay in town for a change and update the post. I found what I thought was a great hotel, totally reasonable at 60 yen but for an extra 20 yen I could het internet access in the room awesome!!! Unfortunately it didnt work and the family dicked about for hours in the afternoon trying to reconnect. I was happy to go back to the original plan and just find a cafe but they insisted it would be fine. I cleaned myself up and eventually someone with a clue turned up and sorted the connection. I sat up for an evening of updating and uploading but unfortunately the keyboard was still set for chinese and I had no idea how to change it to English. Totally over it I gave up trying to muddle my way around chinese settings and went to the internet cafe in town. It was 7,30pm by now and I was super grizzly. I was also a bit anx as on the way out I went to grab Rube and she wasnt there. The family had gone out and common sense told me they had locked her up somewhere but not knowing was a bit mentally tricky. I ignored the issue until I got back at 11pm when the family were home and here she is parked in their loungeroom watching TV 🙂 Love my girl!!!! One very awesome thing I found out at the cafe was how to change the keyboard to English. This very young very IT orientated lad was sitting next to me and heard my groan when I tried to type my post on a word doc whilst the photos were uploading into yahoo. All Chinese and no patience at this time. He leant over and did a quick key thing and fixed it. I asked him to show me and he hesitated as some IT folk do to share precious trade tips. I think he got that I was a bit fragile and may have gone for the throat if he hesitaed much longer, and showed me. So simple just the control key then the space bar yayayayayayaya. Ive been able to now use the computer in the room this morning showing off my new IT’ness 🙂
 
Yesterday morning I woke to firecrackers and giggling girls next to the bed. I should have asked Jasmibe about the firecrackers/fireworks display in the towns morning and evenings. Ill find that one out when I next get the chance. So me and the girls watched the display and it was very loud and smoky. The man doing the show had a cigarette hanfing out his mouth the whole time which was really funny given the amount of smoke he was creating. Once ended the girls giggled off and I remembered I had two undies on the outside of my thermals that I wore to bed. This is a great way to dry stuff overnight but very scary so thank goodness for the innocense of children and socially I got away with it 🙂 The cafe was bustling with local folk dining and gathering. It was a Sunday morning local mecca for breaky. I scoffed a bowl of noodles and two eggs and got under way. There was a wicked fog which lifted over the next couple hours. I actually cycled in my bikepants and t-shirt later in the morning which felt so nice. We crossed from Hunan to Hubie province around lunchtime. The area much the same except for the boundary. I got some great driections from moped men and petrol station folk along the way and it made for a good day’s cycle on track without too much fuss. There were heaps of truck stops on the outskirts of town but Im glad bnow in hinsight weve updated the blog for a few more days. Ive also emailed the post from Changde to Jasmine so she can share it with the bike folk> Today we cross the Yangsee River and through a town called Jingzhou which has an original fortified wall still standing around the ancient city. I hope to come across it. Safe and sound foremost anything alse a bonus!!!!!! I suppose I better motivate myself to brave the burst of cold to start the day. Once started its totally fine but that first 5kms eeeeeeeoooooowwwwww!!! Talk soon x     

Post # 94 Lixian

Day 108 883 days to go. Distance today 82km total 6619km. Its 815p, Saturday 17/3/2012 Lixian and the day of our epiphany. Ever had one of those moments on a spiritual level when you get a certain truth. That is exactly what we experienced today. It went past good luck and fortune. I can’t stop looking at the photos and we definitely can’t wipe the smiles off our faces. Ill give you the details. Leaving Changde Rubes crank broke. Moments later a group of local cyclists came pat and stopped. One was a bike mechanic and owns a bike shop with top brand mountain bikes and components. He checked her out and found the problem. Another fell’as sister spoke English so he called her to explain it all to me. His wife picked us up to go back to the shop. The sister turned up to translate and I asked if Rube could have a full service. Three hours later she has a new crank, rear cluster and derailleur, chain, levers, front brake pads and cables, all good stuff with service and parts costing $250. At 2.30pm we got escortedback to the 207 to Lixian. 82km later of fully functioning bliss, we arrived at Lixian with the allocated kms done for the day. I had just promised the girl yesterday she would be pampered in Beijing. Obviously not soon enough for her needs and our guardian angel stepped in¡­ It¡’s surreal and I know as it was happening that it was more than good fortune. We were being looked after.

 What an incredible day. Its been so full and so full on my heads still spinning and Ruby’s tucked in bed dreaming of racing car red and her new bits. The day started awesomely with a freebie breakfast with the truck stop family, omelet, greens and rice yum. We then had a photo session with everyone into it. The Truckee stop folk had adopted us and waved us off like family. We headed all good for our days ride to Lixian. Not even a kilometer into the ride rube started to play up crunching and slipping when I peddled. I got her and the trailer up on the footpath and was thinking I had done something terrible to her the day prior when I serviced her. We had no sooner stopped when a group of about 10 lads all ages pulled up. They were kitted out in their cycling gear and mountain bikes for a morning ride. One of the lads stepped in clearly knowing what he was doing and checked rube out for the problem. Meanwhile the others wanted to chat and know our story and were literally all thumbs up to us both. I was a bit distracted I must admit waiting for the verdict. One man was on the phone and soon passing it over to me. A woman on the line told me that Rubes crank had broken and even my novelist head knew this wasn’t good. She explained that the lad looking at rube had a bike shop and he could fix her there. One of the guys wife arrived to pick us up while the other men went on their cycling way with waves of goodbye and good luck. The woman on the phone ended up being the man’s sister and could speak awesome English. Her English name is Jasmine and Chinese name Tian Jia. Jasmine majored in English and now works at a local university. She lived for a time in New Zealand but came back to China to be with family and friends. She was wonderful and I loved her company. Jasmine said I was her idol so I liked her more

I asked her about the red ties on the cars and they are for good luck and a safe drive. She called it Chinese red and gave me a new red scarf when I told her the story of the Chinese cyclists in Cambodia. I told her of our adventure plans and that I was hoping to have rube serviced proper in Beijing. She then asked the lad to give her a full inspection and talked me through the whole process with her translation. The new levers Rube got in Vietnam were for an 8 speed and rube is a 9. That’s why we’ve been missing a few important gears but managing with what we had. It’s got us from Hanoi to here and that has been a good thing. They weren’t compatible but. The rear cluster and derailleur were totally worn as was the chain and front brake pads. So he got to work. He put on decent 9 speed levers so now we have all front and rear gears fully operational yay big yay. The components he used are good quality because she is a good quality bike. Do you think she liked hearing this? Let’s just say she was flashing her best red side at him!! Meanwhile the neighboring shops and folk all gathered around the fuss. This one old lady came out and presented me with a bowl of home made rice flour dumplings, greens and stock. Jasmine said the old lady liked me but that I was too skinny and my face was dry!! Pleased with her good gesture she gathered the other woman about for a game for cards and they were betting and she was winning and full of cheek. She kept looking over flashing me a smile of approval. Very funny! We went and got some cash out at an ATM and a few hours later the girl was done and glowing with her shiny new bits. The fella gave her a test ride and the all ok approval. His name is Liunei and he was meticulous and impressive and I told him he was MY idol. I exchanged details with Jasmine and Liunei. She wants me to email her this post so she can translate and share it with the lads. One guy jumped on a bike and the others in the car and we were escorted back to the road to Lixian. Ruby always travels he beautiful best bu she was purring. We both were!! So what are two girls to do with new gear, an incredible sense of good and all smiles? We smashed it!!! The weather cleared to blue skies and the road was fabulous and we both were in top notch condition and feeling dam fine with the world. The temperature warmed to 15 degrees so we peddled ourselves silly loving every moment and every perfect gear change. The hills were a breeze and our momentum unparallel since the start of the trip. It was like all our new and old bits just clicked in harmony and in perfect conditions, we flew the 82kms to Lixian. Fun big big big!!! We had a stop at a small petrol station where the workers and their families were about. Pretty soon they had gathered around me and the girl and I couldn¡¯t help myself. I had to let it out and tell someone. They got the whole morning story with every bit of animation and candid gesture and photos. If they didn’t understand they were at least entertained. Or maybe they were just too polite to walk off

A man invited me to sit with him and his mates and they too were playing this poker style card game. The cards are long a narrow with Chinese characters and he had a pile of the other men’s money which I made a joke of. I think they got it too by their groans and giggles. Back on the road and just outside Lixian, we spotted a roadside stop and asked if it offered accommodation. The woman and her family were totally welcoming and showed us the room which was very basic, clean and all good. Unfortunately on my high from the day I assumed it would be cheap and didn’t ask the price. I mucked about with the kids and neighbors then she had served me up something to eat. I didn’t ask for anything and it wasn’t dinner o’clock but I rolled went along with it. I saddled up to fried eggs tofu and ginger. It was really good!! I thought it time to pay my bill and the cheeky woman charged me double what the price should have been for the room (80 yen) and dinner (20 yen). Last time I paid 80 yen I had a computer in the room with internet access. Serve myself right for not asking and I wont do that twice. One negative thing from the day is that someone thought their need greater and has pinched our bike light from rubes saddle bag. I found it missing today when I went to show it off to one of the cyclists asking about a light. Location of the offence somewhere  between Hue and Changde. That narrows it down bugga bugga. But to tell you the truth I’m just so relieved with the day. The weight off with Rube all good is worth its weight in gold. Look out Beijing I say. We may make that milestone yet!! Talk soon x

 PS The sun as it set was a misty mushroom pink. We said goodnight and invited him back tomorrow if he liked

 PPS Back in Vietnam my nephew Evan wished that Aunty Ree see a falling star. The weather has made that a bit tricky to date but tonight the sky is clear albeit a bit hazy. So Ill keep an eye out mate. I did watch fireworks earlier and though of my wish from you xxx

 What can I say

as we make our way

through the land of Chinese red

 It surpasses good fortune

and given us faith

in the strength of human kindness

 

What can I say

as we find our way

our guardian angel’s here.

Post # 93 Changde

Day 107 883 days to go. Distance: today 93km total 5637km. It’s 5.40pm Friday 16/3/2012 Changde. Yay nailed the timing today and am staying at a Truckee stop just outside of town. 30 yen later very happy with myself. It was a total fluke actually. I needed to go to the loo and spotted the petrol station attached. When I came out this lady from the cafe came over to say hello very interested in Rube and of course and wanting to have a chat. She’s a groover with blonde streaks in her otherwise black hair. She asked if I wanted something to eat then it occurred to me it may have a hotel attached. There were heaps of trucks with their drivers cleaning off the days travel. She gestured yes and 30 yen. Sold!!! I had Rube unpacked and was checked in 5 minutes later. It was 5pm so I had heaps of time to give the girl some attention. I forgot to oil her bits yesterday after her wash so she was a bit grizzly today. Rube was priority one and when done she blew me a big raspberry for forgetting but nothing serious. I’ve earnt lots of brownie points skipping the bus trips so were still bugs. Today was a hilly and chilly ride no rain but it kept the breaks short and sweet. We bought some tofu and a new type of bread from a stall, then bailed the moped men up for directions into Changde. As it turns out we stayed on the city outskirts last night way more pleasant then metro. The men got us on the initial right road but it took heaps of checking to get us back onto the 319. There were lots of moped men about so we were in good hands. It amazing how only 10km out of the city its all rural life again. They seem oblivious to the city craziness in comparison getting on with their simple day to day. This is mostly agricultural with rice, strawberries, citrus, greens and root vegetables the main produce. They finely shred a white vegetable that looks allot like large sweet potato and are drying it on the roadside like we saw in south east Asia. There are other industries like bamboo preparations, limestone sculpture, furniture making, wood cutting. There are also trades like hairdressers, seamstresses, butchers. Yesterday was a great example of it with hession shops set up in the streets and workers busy at their trade or selling their produce. I passed butchers today that had skinned dog meat for sale. But that’s Chinese life. In ,Wild China’ they say that folk here eat anything with legs except tables and anything with wings except planes. Seeing it first hand is a reality check to be sure. Im sitting in the cafe currently and there’s a table of Truckees opposite making the best noi9se all color and animation. It’s the best entertainment when I can sneak a glimpse over to watch their shenanigans. They’re drinking a clear spirit and glasses of hot water over dinner and getting more merry. We had out lunch break in front of an old farm shack that didn’t look in use. Perfect possy out of the weather. I had my tofu and bread on board so I tucked myself under the awning. Pretty soon this woman appeared and gave me the biggest Chinese mouthful who knows what about, I gave her a big smile and wave back. The funniest thing was that she stopped mouthing off and waved back then caught herself and her moment of weakness and walked off giving it to me again. It was so funny. The bread is like a sour dough but small rounds and delicious. Super cheap it was a good find and will be a staple while about. Also in the markets are Cherrie tomatoes that are to die for. I have a little bag of salt of board and risk turning into a Cherrie tomato soon with the rate of consumption. So back to this arv. I oiled my girl and adjusted her cables with an audience of Truckees watching my bike mechanics. I had the Ipod out and open at helpful hints so I didn’t do too much damage. This was a good thing as the men were more interested in the Ipod than what I was doing so it took the heat off. I promised her today a full service once we are in Beijing in 19 sleeps/ Girl all done it was time for me. The best thing about Truckee stops other than the price is that they love their hot water. It come out of a hose at a rapid rate and its yummy. So now we’re both polished up even did the eyebrows and sitting in the cafe amongst the locals love love love it. The cafe lady introduced me to her daughter who’s 28 not married and works with her mum here. She’s really sweet and totally interested in my kit. I showed her my passport and she loved the visa stamps. This got the attention of the Truckees so pretty soon they’re passing round my passport photo laughing at it. That’s fair enough its dodge!! That’s me for the night surrounded by the best atmosphere. The smells being served are intoxicating or it the fumes from the next table. So I’m going to round it off for now and order some dinner. I’m treating myself. Well actually it just gives me a legitimate excuse to sit here longer. Talk soon x.

Post # 92 Yiang

Day 106 884 days to go. Distance today 45km total 8444km. It’s 8.20pm Thursday 15/3/2012 Yiyang. It was good to finish up earlier today and do some timeframe planning for china and for the trip overall. I’m having such a simple nice time of it into out thing each day. I’ve decided I want to cycle the way to Beijing as a milestone for rube and I. This means letting go of Xian but Im not having any residual since deciding. So the day to day cycling pleasures amongst the discomforts mean more so it’s all very good.

Rubes all happiness bypassing two bus trips while I play tourist so were super thick as thieves. I’ve juggled the kms and route again and have a good mix of distances averaging 78km per day through to Beijing arriving 5/4. The last day I’ve pretty much left to navigating to and through the city to our hotel. We meet family there for 10 days and blissfully happy and excited about that. Such an understatement (20 sleeps hip hip yayyayaya). The other pretty hugs thing is that my partner and I had a financial setback with the recent sale of an investment property. This means instead of three years I’ ve chosen to afford two.

Since this decision I’ve spent allot of waking and sleeping hours re-routing. Some of you may be saying you’ve got plenty of time to decide that. And you’re right. The thing is that I’m one of those special Virgos who has to have a plan. I’m totally happy for plans to change but one must be in place particularly for things that count. It gives me peace of mind that Im on track to where I want to be. As you’ve gathered by now through the posts I’m prone to butter flying and not big on missing bigger picture stuff because of it. So back to finishing up early today.

We were actually having a good ride albeit a muddy one. It had rained most of the night so we rode through lots of red mud water and puddles. Actually it was kinda fun two big kids playing in the puddles after the rain. This meant we were very dirty girls when we stopped for our lunch break at Yiyang 45km into it. I found a servo to use the loo and we had just sat down to enjoy a steamed bun bought earlier when a woman came up from the servo all smiles and wanting to chat. Fun. We gestured about her job and rube and cycling and no babies and the weather and being so dirty. At that point she took it upon herself to clean my girl and did an awesome job of it. Sparkling like watered roses she is. Then I thought mmmmmmmmmmm my turn lets stop and itll give me a chance to do some planning and quieten the brain up a little. We bid our servo lady goodbye with a photo and thanked her for our freebie clean. The next corner was a bunch of moped men who pointed us to a hotel awesome!! The hotel lady shared her friend snacks with me while I was sitting outside sending the spot message. They were a sort of cabbage mixture and yummy but I’ve enjoyed them all afternoon burp! I did some much needed washing and cleaning of the wet gear. Then after polishing myself up, went out for a look about. It’s a homey place with a small town feel for a reasonable sized dot. I found the local market and park area and mooched about taking what subtle photos I could.

There are some festivities on currently with lots of fire crackers in the evening and day time and I’m seeing cars with red cloth tied to them. I don’t know what this is about and will ask when I get the chance next. Later this arv I came back to the hotel and have been busy planning since then. I’m happy with the mix of kms to Beijing and am working on a world route for two years.

I’m pretty excited about the options one in particular. Instead of doing longitudinal routes of Europe and the Americas we can do them latitudinally (Is that a word?). It keeps the theme of cycling across Asia, Middle East, Europe, North America South America and Africa. We loose cycling Scandinavia and Central America and although this stings the loss is minimal given the loss of time. LOL It sounds allot like management are restructuring due to financial change stuff doesn’t it. I suppose in a way we are. It’s all good. Where’s there’s loss there’s gain and it means cuddling my family 365 days earlier;-] It also means cycling through Germany and seeing my sisters and their men in April-May 2013. I haven’ told them yet so don’t let it slip ok? For now its all china and continuing the experiences with every day folk in their every day. Time for dinner and bed. Talk soon x

Post # 91 Ning Xiang

 
 
Day 105 885 days to go. Distance today 55km total 6399km. It’s 6.05pm Wednesday14/3/2012 Ning Xiang. Didn’t get far today kms wise but had heaps of cool fun navigating out of Changsha. It was very reminiscent ofNanning,huge city being a maize of cross roads and overpass infrastructure. The difference is we have a couple of weeks experience to better bumble our way through. And that’s the right word for it as there is no elegance to no idea Irene. Our first step was getting on a road in the right direction. Thanks to the lady at the petrol station we were heading somewhere. Next find an outbound road. I approached a man in a suit who ran off. ‘Rube you frightened the little fella!!!’ Then this taxi man stopped and gave us some pointers. We ended up on an expressway but were heading out of the metro area so that was good. Expressways are usually a no no for bicycles but what the hey we’re touristsJ. Unfortunately we pretty much got beeped, honked and blown off that quick smart. We followed a parallel service lane until I acknowledged that was pointless so stopped at a bus station. The moped men were so convincing about which road to take I relaxed enough for brunch. There was a vending man selling folded omelets filled with cabbage and peanuts hot off the hotplate. 50c, fun conversation of gestures with my buddies and a happy tummy later, we headed off. Unfortunately the moped men were having a bad hair day. I started seeing exit signs to places no where near our route. I’m trying to recognize some of the features in the written language. The map I’m using also has the Chinese characters after place names and this is proving priceless. Back to still being lost….again…This was a fair indication we were cycling somewhere other than where we wanted so time to exit. We took an exit ramp against the flow of traffic but desperate situations require desperate measures. I exited into an outer suburb area and found this couple trying to peacefully eat their noodles at a street café. Sorry folks but help!. They were amazing and saved our sorry ar$es today. Between them they could also speak a handful of English yay. I could tell by the conversation between them that we were way off the mark and that they were a bit unsure themselves. He called a friend to get it sorted. Meanwhile she disappeared and returned with a pocket road map of Changsha. With his directions and her map they marked which way for me to go and gave me the map. We were about 90 degrees out J I couldn’t thank them enough and she said ‘It is my preasure to help you.’ And it really is you can tell that they want to help and get allot of genuine pleasure knowing they have done so.’ It’s a common feature amongst the Chinese folk I’m meeting. Not to mention it’s awesome to be on the receiving end of this generosity when we’re in the middle of ‘who-fa-duck-knows-xing.’ Map in hand and looking ever more promising we headed again. It took us a few more checks with folk but we had a map now. At least they had something more to go on than my waving chicken dance. Pretty soon we were on the G319 to Ning Xiang. This colorful debacle took the most part of 3 hours so we cycled an extra 40kms to this small dot town arriving 3.30pm. Nice!! The ride was extra chilly but no rain. I passed this Chinese lad backpacking and he called out ‘hi, where are you from!!!’ I had my break chatting to him for ages. He’s backpacking across the country walking mostly and hitching when he can. He was a free spirited little lad and nice to talk to. He knew enough Enlish to help the conversation along it was great!!! I asked his name and he said, ‘you can call me Norman.’ And I now know that’s his short nickname for his Chinese traditional name. I can’t imagine there’s too many Chinese men withNormanon their birth certificate J We wished each other a safe trip and headed. It was only about 10km down the road and I came across a field of black headed goats grazing. Actually I heard two of them first and looked to see two babies bleating and jumping about as baby goats do. Time to finish that flask of coffee and enjoy the darling creatures I love them!!!! When we got into Ning Xiang we stopped and asked at the petrol station where a hotel might be. The girl was trying to be so helpful but I have no idea what she wanted to tell me. She wrote it down and said it different ways then eventually just pointed to the building next door. ‘Why didn’t you say so in the first place!!!!’ J On that very cheeky note it’s time for an early dinner and bed. Talk soon x
 

Post # 90 Changsha

Day 104 886 days to go. Distance today 128km total 6344km. It’s 9.30pm Tuesday 13/3/2012 Changsha.

We had shadows all day today albeit a bit hazy but I rode with a t-shift and light wind vest yay. It was such a light and liberating feeling not having the layers on. I could move freely and enjoyed the ride big. Rube had a ball and traveling beautifully clever girl. I’m really sore from the hike so it was good to move today and do some decent kms to shake out the grizzly legs. Rube had a good giggle every time I got on an off today moaning like an old man. We were seen off this morning by the shop lady. She’s a grover.

Last night when i got back from the Internet cafe the place was in darkness and no one home to let me in. So I Asian squatted outside happy to people watched to pass the time. This lad who lives next door noticed me and came over saying something very interesting I’m sure then disappeared for a bit. He reappeared with the shop lady who had been out dancing. What a darling. She had all the moves and was showing me her steps humming away still on a dancing high. We did half the kms before stopping for lunch at this speck of a town that had a cafe packed. I had no idea how to order so went up to the lady who was in a stir-fry frenzy and gestured if I could order some rice ad stirfry. She said allot of something to me then was clearly waiting for an answer. I paused and with an idiot grin I’m sure said yes in my best Chinese but clearly not having a clue what I was agreeing to. She burst out laughing totally getting it and gestured for me to take and seat and she’d sort it. And she did super yum.

Meanwhile the local folk dining there took over my maps after checking rube out and thought the whole ordeal was awesome. They gave me super thumbs up and pawed over the route and distances to Beijing. It was really fun and even snuck in some group shots yay. Full belly and good time later we headed for the afternoon session. I meant to stay outside of Changsha but was loving the ride so much got too close to the metro area and missed our chance for a roadside cheapy. Coming into town I stopped and asked a fella where best to find a hotel and he called a friend to help translate. We sorted out what I was after and he lead us in his car to the hotel. While we were by roadside another man cycled past on a giant mt bike with all the gear and we exchanged big smiles and hellos.

Back fo the hotel man, before heading he ran into a shop and bought me a 2 liter bottle of Pepsi what a sweetie. Unfortunately the hotel was some international 5 star deal so I waved him off with lots of thankyous and when he was out of sight left to find another option. Some kms down the road here’s the giant mt bike man stopped texting on his phone. Awesome!!! I showed him the lonely Planet with the name and address of a hostel. He google mapped it and wanted to explain the directions but couldn’t speak English. This lady walked past right about now and spotted us when her son squealed out at ruby. He called her over and she just happened to be a local English teacher. Can you believe it!!!! She thought there was a reasonably priced hotel nearby so we walked there chatting all the while. She was so lovely. Her little man is 3 and goes to kindy and his name is jerry after Tom and jerry because he was born the year of the mouse. I asked her about Chinese having 2 names and she said that they have a traditional name then usually a Nickname or shorter easier version. Jerry’s traditional name was far more longer and he’s called jerry for short.

 At the hotel she asked after the cheapest room which still Cost $25 but it was dark by this stage and I had has such a fun time talking and walking there I just paid the amount and  enjoying space tonight. The hostel was $15 anyway so the convenience and experience of getting here was worth $10. I’ve stolen all the toiletries, done some washing, pawed some maps and having a chilled night of it. They have wifi down in the foyer so I may able to have a Skype catchup with the folks when I check emails soon. At least I can email this onto my sister on the day for a change. Time for a late dinner and bed. Talk soon x

Post # 89 Nanyue

Day 103 887 days to go. Distance: today ‘nudda’ total still 6216km. It’s 4.15pm Monday 12/3/2012 Nanyue. I’ve stayed another day here to catch up on some rest and email my posts to my sister. I had been waiting for wifi access but its been too long in between so I’ve spent the time re-typing the posts from the ipod. Good time spent and an easy way to spend a rest day. It’s been kinda cool re-reading over the last days. I went down this morning to say hi to the folk in their shop. He wasnt there but she sat me down and gave me cake and then headed off with a bowl. Shortly after she returned with a savoury rice porridge with small pieces of mushroom, ginger, enschallots and seaweed tossed through. I wouldnt saddle up to bowls of it but it was very caring and generous of her to start my day right 🙂 The cake tasted better so Ive saved that for desert tonight. I had planned two shorter days to Chengdu but will cover ther distance tomorrow afetr a good break today. It was moreso about catching up on the posts while I had good internet connection and enjoy some chats with my partner which have been special. Ive also been able to attach my photos to emails the first time since leaving Nanning so I have forwarded heaps onto the family to enjoy and maybe upload some into the blog. It’s 4.30pm now so Im going to do a bit of ‘have to’ shopping before another date at 6pm. Talk soon x   

I have hope and expectation
in people with the basics
to think outside the ego
and act on good and right
 
Where’s out children\s future
if we’re accepting of the lessor.
We owe it to our blessings
to make new ordinary.
 
Let us use our opportunities
to strive for extraordinary.
Stand and work together
far from complacency.
 

 

Post # 87 Nanyue

Day 102 888 days to go. Distance: yesterday 119km today ‘hiking’ total 6216km. It’s 8.15am Sunday 11/3/2012 Nanyue. I’m so cosy propped up in bed in my woollies rubbing feet prrrr with my thermos posting to you fine folk. Ive read up on the hike today and mini bus/cable options if I get lazy up or down or both 😉 It’s so nice not to have to go brave the cold with Rube. She’s a trooper but enjoying the day off too all tucked up in the incense shop downstairs. We arrived at 6.00pm and asked about for accommodation options and this fella pointed us down a tree lined small street. I asked at a restaurant and he walked me across the road to a shop front selling incense. The husband and wife rent a room in their home above the shop. I went with the old fella up flights of stairs round corridors through doors to my room which is cosy under the doona and clean. At 60 yen its the right price for a town based on tourism for Heng Shan and the temples around town. The couple are very dottery and cute. I asked if there was an Internet cafe and he popped me on the back of a young fellas moped an off we went to a back street. The door inside had a poster out front of a video game so that’s one to look out for next time. It’s still got such an underground feel. I got some more emailing to do tonight so I should be good to find my way back easy enough. For now I’m psyching myself up to explore Heng Shan which will take most part of the day once I get my sorry back side out of bed… soon. Yesterday I saw the sun very hazy but Rube and I had shadows. It took the edge off the temperature which was great. It was a challenging day as we were not sure on distances and no road signs to help. But we had full bellies to start the day with the couple serving me up a rice and omelet for breaky yum (80c). The man wrote down in English ‘where are you from?’ ‘What is your name?’ and could read my writing but couldn’t understand my accent. They and the nearby shop owners who had joined in on the conversation, waved us off a 9.00am. We got to and through Hengshan and onto highway 107 thanks to some top notch help from my moped cabbies love them. They are a unique folk amongst the unique Chinese and I have a soft spot for them. The don’t bat an eyelid at helping and enjoy the interaction and challenge and novelty of Rube. We almost stopped short of Nanyue. At the 85km and ‘I’m getting over it’ o’clock and old fella told me 50km to go mmmm deflating bugga!! I was deciding what to do while getting rubes cleaned for 50c. It had been a red muddy morning and she was a very dirty girl with mud to match her dress. The hose man said it was 20km so onwards we went all smicky again. I continued to ask for directions and distances. Ive been given three business cards from folk offering for me to call them if I get into trouble. How cool’s that? They cant’ speak English so I’m not sure how that would look bu the though is lovely and very appreciated. It turned out to be about another 40km so I’m glad I didn’t know that then otherwise we would have bailed at the next Truckee stop which are dotted on the highway. I stopped at this tiny town for a snack to get us through the last couple of hours (I thought). All on offer was rice and stir fry so I bought a tofu and greens mix for $1, ate a few mouthfuls and the rest is for snacking of today yay. The only Benefit of the temp is that you can keep stuff that would otherwise need refrigeration. It’s 9.00am so I suppose I should think about getting up and into the day ahead. Talk soon x 
 
It’s 9.00pm and Ive just been yahoo chatting with my partner so nice yum!!! It’s a bit late for a head needing calories after a huge day of it so Ill keep it breif and to the point!! That’ll be a first I can hear many say 🙂 What can I say I like candid detail and butterflying. What can I say about Heng Shan to ensure I rave enough about the experience. Thank you Janet!!! Great great suggestion!! Chinese folk pilgrimage up the mountain and down again with their loads of incense to make offerings at the temples along the way. Each temple has a furnace and they throw quantities of this packaged stuff – it must cost them a fortune!! The town is full of retail vendors selling all variations. While it burns they lay crouched head down and facewards to the ground in a praying position. While they chant their prayer, they sit up intermittently then resume their praying position repeating the process til done. Very interesting to watch. The walk up is no picnic. Heng Shan is 2200metres high and its a 20km walk up mostly steps with some paved walkways and road sections. It took the full four hours to get up but that’s including lots of stops to enjoy it all. The first section is green footed hils and waterfalls and cascading rivers. You pass shrines dotted amongst the scenery and it’s gorgeous. Then it becomes more pine forested and the temperature drops. The rain on the pines had frozen and was dropping in clumps to give a refershing burst on the head. The last section was cold and misty and foggy with the atmosphere perfect for the setting. A storm must had blown across the mountain top over night. It was so cold that the rain which had blown in horizontally had snap frozen when it hit anything in its wake: trees, antennas, rocks, pathways. So it was like wild jagged ice shreads frozen on one side across all the land features ontop the mountain. It must have been a unique event as the local folk were enjoying breaking off the ice pieces and taking picks. Mother nature was in full tempest and having a bad night clearly – it was quite unsettling the fury of it captured in a frozen snap shot of what must have been a violent storm. I had on my wollen underwear, down jacket and 3 layer gortex, gloves scarf and beenie of course and was ok on a very mild day comparably. At the top the temple was clouded in burning incense from the furnace – it looked awesome!!! I sent a spot track message while I soaked it up and nejoyed a coffee and the leftover stirfry. Great moment!!! It takes 20minutes to send the message and that was about the limit of my stay ontop so I headed back down. Along the way I was given an orange from a lady just cause she could and she was very happy to say ‘hello’ and that I accepted her gift. Further down I was walking behind two girls who were chatting away and I thought, ‘that’s not chinese.’ They were English teachers from the States teaching at local schools. Real conversation yayayayayaya. I’ve become a bit socially needy I suspect or at least for conversation cause I talked their heads off for half hour of so. It was very interesting listening to their ‘trying to understand China’ experiences. They both have such apparent respect and big enjoyment factor for the local folk. They speak very little Chinese but manage with their classes ok. I mentioned to them about how people will write dowen what theyre trying to say in Chinese like that’s going to make a difference. But they said that there’s so many dialects in China but the writtewn language remains the same. They will write it down in case you cant understand their dialect. Makes such clear sense now. While we were talking this young man was doubling what looked like his grandfather on the back of his moped and had such a big spill with the bike landing on the old fella’s leg. But he eventually picked himself up and got going again tough old bugger. It was good we were there to give the young bloke a hand to lift the bike up on the sloapy and muddy hillside. What he was doing trying to double up there is beyond my reasoning but they sorted and got on with it – all in a day’s tough life hey? I ran the second part down to give the legs a stretch out and they felt so much better for it. Beautiful area for running!! I got back in time to chat with my partner for a couple of hours and that’s been me for the day. So time for dinner and bed. Big time tidey wides tonight. Great day. PS Rubes very jelous she missed out and fair enough so Im playing it down a bit when talking around her. Don’t let on you know better!!!!! 🙂 Talk soon x    
 
The power of
choice in meaning
is my greatest gift
of purpose.
 
The power of
common purpose
is our greatest hope
for change.
 
The strength of
common people
will endure to make
it happen.
I see the human factor
as potential for the remarkable
particularly as a collective
transparent and true
 
We are limited by nothing
with our agendas tabled and aligned
and our driven energy spent
in common purpose
 
 
 

Post # 87 Qidong

Day 100 890 days to go. Distaance: today 105km total 6097km. It’s a 8.00pm Friday 9/3/2012 Qidong. Have I told you lately howe much we’re loving China. I can’t put my finger on it the exact appeal that’s under my skin but it’s there and it’s awesome. It was cool today to do some decent kms under tricky conditions. The only element missing was the rain and we didnt miss or mind that at all. We had undulating hills all the way which makes for beautiful scenery but todey widey legs tonight. It’s so flippen cold but my thinking is if they can deal so can we. Rube wants Ugg boots but I keep telling her she has no feet. The local folk have mitt gloves fitted to the hand grips on their m opeds so I have promised her a set if I find them 🙂 I was watching the weather report last night and everywhere across China was raining and under 5 degrees. So we have given each other big well done pats on reaching te 6000km mark with lots of cred yay us!!! The morning the fella from the hotel walked us out and waved us off. It was sweet. He couldnt speak a word of English but I know he was looking out for us. This morning we passed another cyclist traelling the opposite direction. It would have been good to hit him up for a bit of info but jhis English was as good as my Mandarin. So instead we complemented ewach others bikes and did the ‘where from’ ‘where to’ thing and other gesture small talk 🙂 We took partying photos and got going again. It was nice to come across another lunatic cydcling in this weather. The hills this morning were extra hilly so we were happy to see the speedo click over to lunch o’clock at a town called Quiyang. I was looking out for a bakery when I spotted this corner cafe packed with locals. You selected what you wanted and they stir fried it up with a bottomless bowl of rce. All for 6 yen ($1) awesome!! So I picked tofu and ginger and mushrooms and greens and she threw some nuts and extra bits in. It was yuymmy big time happy tummy. caloried up we headed for the second stint. I had to stop heaps of times at junctions and ask for directions but I enjoy this now. I enjoy the poor victim’s initial fear and their mfreeze or flight response literally. It’s then about snapping them out of it with friendly gestures and a good dose of gentle assertiveness. The majority of folk all ages are happy to help once they realise they can and do. The last fella I masked at a junction 20kms out caught me by surprise when he interrupted my gestures routine with a ‘where do you want to go?’ It turns out he’s the English teacher at the l;ocal school. It would have been great to hit him up with the million questions I have but he was catching the bus which arrived inconverniently too soon bugga. We finally rolled into Qidong chuffed with our days effort but keen to stop. I wanted to first find the road out. This makes the next day far more appealing when cosy in bed at alarm o’clock. I was near the bus stop where I know there are cheap hostels so asked a couple young lads. They pointed to a tiny restaurant again packed with locals. It was a similiar set up but with rice noodles and all ingredients laid out on a table out front. The husband and wife running the place were all smiles and happiness that I wanted to stay. The room’s basic but clean enough and the hottest water evere. At 30 yen it’s perfect. Im all rugged up and wrapped comfy in the doona talking to you fine folk. Happiness is 🙂 It’s anaother 100 ish kms tomorrow to Nanyue. This is the town where the hike up Heng Shan starts. The mountain is where Emperors once came to hunt and make sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. Each represent the five elements Heng Shan being the fire maountain. It’s a full days hike up and down to enjoy the shrines, temples, and monstaries along the way. Apparently the scenery’s beautiful with waterfalls and streams and farms. Ive allowed a day to check it out so that will be Sunday. A very cool break out of the saddle for both of us. Time for dinner and bed. Talk soon x
 
You need not check your shoulder.
I am there and right behind you
through your everyday.
 
I need not check my shoulder.
You are there and right behind me
through my every day.
 
**************************
 
Our days are mostly spent apart
and adventures each our own
but what I do I sahe with you.
In strength our love has grown.
 
Our day to days we get to share
and adventures had as one
is time I treasure as a gift.
Our time has just begun.
 

Post # 85 Yongzhou

Day 99 891 days to go. Distance: today 84km total 5993km. It’s 8.30pm Thursday 8/3/2012 Yongzhou. Ive been reading up on some Chinese facts and figures all interesting stuff. Here’s a few bits and bobs that may be of interest to you. If not I’ll keep it brief so dont go anywhere 😉
  • Longest lasting civilization on earth at 6000 years old
  • most popilous nation at 1.34 billion (1/5 humanity)
  • GNP is aligned with Namibia
  • Patriachial society of traditions whee woman are subservient to men
  • urban women enjoy more freedoms and opportunities nowadays but rural china remains very traditional
  • women generally do not hold positions of power in chinese society
  • Inequity is among the most extreme in the world
  • urban middle class is growing rapidly but most ofr china remains rural and poor
  • Chinese women are more likely to commit suicide than men with rural women 5x times more likely
  • The major faiths are Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Communism and Animism
  • Tones distinguish meaning of some words for eg. high tone ‘ma’ is mother but falling tone ‘ma’ is horse 🙂 we dont want to muck that one about!!
  • Rural China has seen litle change in 30 years
  • There are 8 major clans Han being the biggest at 92%
  • One child policy was enforced in 1980 non Hans exempted
  • Rural folk are allowed two children if the first is a girl
  • Confucious was born 551 BC
  • The great wall was first built 214 BC
  • The first and only female emperor Wu Zetian ruled 625-705
  • China was a republic for forty years from 1911
  • The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) came to power in 1928
  • Ghengis Khan conquered and ruled from 1215 but Mongol reign only lasted 100 years
  • Marco polo was around 1298
I said Id be brief so that’ll do plus Im hungrey. Food the great motivator. Today we moved from Guangxi to Hunan province. The countryside changed almost instantly to rolling hills, lots of rivers and leafless winter trees. The roads and villages were very simple but bustling with local produce markets. The last 50kms of ride was hills and it rained for the most part and very very chilly. I put plastic bags between my socks nd shoes to try keep the feet a bit toastier and it worked a treat (Good tip Mops x). We breaked at a small town with a colorful market and found some date paste steamed buns to warm a happy tummy. WEe arrived here this arv and I pulled up alongside this woman to ask where a hotel was. I frightened her and she went to run off when I said ‘no no its ok I just want a hotel’ in my most friendly gestures. She realised I wasnt going to bite hard and set off showing me a hotel and calling over friends to help. It was a mini tornado deal but all genuinely helpful. Pretty soon Im clean and toasty in my 60 yen room. We headed out to check the town and found the local supermarket full of fresh and prepared produce it was awesoame  with little packages stuff except cooking needs. They have the best mix of breads and cakey sweats heavn for me!! I bought some bread and tofy for dinner. Coming out of the supermarket I noticed a stairwell with two young lads coming down. Good spotting!!! An internet cafe was on the 2nd floor awesome so I got to check and send the family some emails yayaya. That’s pretty much it for today. It’s time to put some calories in the head and to bed. Talk soon x
 
I see the human factor
as potential for the remarkable
particudlarly as a collective
transparent and true
 
We are limited by nothing
with our agendas tabled and aligned
an our driven engery is spent
in common purpose
 
 
 
We are leaders
through choice.
 
I choose to act
on good and right
and stand up for
what I stand for.
 
I choose to act
and stand behind
those who stand up
for good and right.
 
We choose to act
on good and right
and together
make it happen.