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My Day 15

From: Helen
Date: April 25 2006

Comments                                                                            [Itinerary]

Margaret and I had a European breakfast, as usual - juice, fruit, eggs and toast, more than I have at home. The Chinese and some of my fellow travellers had a Chinese breakfast and my, are their plates piled high. Even the kids had what you might call a very substantial breakfast.

Today we ventured along the Southern Silk Road for a bit, heading towards Volcanic Park, twenty kilometres from Tenchong. Unfortunately we were forced to turn back as the road is being upgraded and go another way which was a bit of a shame. The new road was a great road and the one we had to use was well .....  I haven't been in China for long but I get the impression tourism is an ever expanding, broadening industry which like Topsy will keep growing. Opening up the country in this area  requires a massive road construction program which is most assuredly in place. 

The evidence of the program is visible for all to see. The sheer size, the difficult terrain, everything about the construction which is huge, completely blew me away.

People walked up the road leading to the volcano, climbed the steps and walked the rim of the crater. I sat on a retaining wall and enjoyed the scenery.

The volcano in the background is the big one. They climbed the small one. People are very resourceful. Pumice stone abounds in this area and the creativity of the people is amazing.  Baby sitting facilities not being available mum and baby go to work.
Lunch, noodle soup and thinly sliced potato, was most enjoyable. To make the meal even better, the mandatory nine bottles of beer were the coldest yet. After an enjoyable meal, and given the beer and the length of time since we left the hotel, some people required the little girl's and little boy's rooms which, of course, were outside. The appearance of a group of middle aged, Anglo looking men and women caused quite a stir in the school at the back of the restaurant.
 

Our intrepid tour leader went to the kitchen and ordered our meal.

 Kids hung out of the school windows, waving and calling out to the tourists.
Neither Margaret nor I felt like an afternoon devoted to touristy activities so we caught a cab and went back to the hotel. Dinner tonight was vegemite soup, an apple, dry biscuits and a cup of tea.
Last changed: Saturday October 18, 2014