TRAVEL: HECHUAN FISHING VILLAGE

10/6 合川 钓鱼村🎣

It was lashing today. So we didn't spring up quite so early. We tried to get to the docks码头 to try and go on a trip to the 3 gorges 三峡 but as it was late, and there weren't really any day trips, to anywhere really apart from a river cruise 河游轮 (in the river which would suck) I quickly looked something up and we decided to go to a nearby fishing village called 合川 hechuan at the station （ticket wasn't even 20) we befriended Chinese children which gave us fruits and sweets as we got pics for their mothers. Upon arriving we discovered it had stopped raining and hopped on a bus part of the way before getting off and walking, finding a random bison 牛生物/野牛 tied grazing by the side of the road (as you do) very rural. Reminded me of thailand a bit. Was super chilled and quiet 镇静。there was barely anyone around we entered the entrance for the road into the village, strolling leisurely along the river path. 

we entered the actual area, it was like a small forest, we some weird (and as I discovered not very edible fruit - tasted like perfume) we didn't go too high up as you had to pay in, and it was going to get dark soon.. but it was nice and chilled.

 We strolled back towards the center of the town. Finding a market with a hell lot of fresh chillies 辣椒🌶️ when you think of Sichuan you think chili and pandas haha. 

We eventually hopped in a bus and got tickets for our return. Karin buying some local speciality snacks and chatting to the locals who told us foreigners rarely venture there. On the platform 火车台 we befriended another local who invited us to meet him tomorrow night before we leave for a tour of some of the local places. When we got near our hostel, we exited differently and upon our way back we came across a very small kitten alone in a doorframe. I picked him up, he was so tiny, heart strings pulled, we decided we must save him. Stopping at the shop, grabbing a box and some sausage we took him back to the hostel much to the surprise of the owners. 保护小动物,救助小猫。

TRAVEL: HEISHANYU

10/5 黑山谷 

We decided to go see some on the places recommended in the flyers for groups tours...but do it ourselves for cheaper and more leisurely. We got up early and got the bus. U can't go directly to the scenic spot you first get the bus to the town then get the public bus to the scenic spot. Either being dropped of at the bottom to climb up or at the top to walk down. It was afternoon already so we choose the easier option of walking down. It was another nice day, albeit, a bit cooler than it had been. As Most people were preparing to return to work and had returned home, the place was pretty quiet! We we finally reached the top after a bumpy road rising high up the mountain l - we discovered the place was quiet and almost empty, like our first day at dazu, we got student discount entry and entered. Wow! 

景色还刻骨铭心，有山有水，绝美！

mountains nature water and waterfalls. Beautiful! We enjoyed strolling and admiring the beautiful waterfalls, cavern lake like areas and canyons walking the bridges that crossed through them. We even got complimentary pics. Cooler in the low cavern areas I'd wished I'd brought a jacket. The waters were pale blue and almost clear in the carven areas, near the bottom entrance they changed almost to a opaque pale romantic green. Soft forest flowers dotted around the edges. We strolled to the exit chatting and listening to music. We got on the bus to the main entrance. 

Freezing we awaited the public bus 公交车 but ended up hitching a cheap ride with an orange vendor, who even gave us some to eat! I was feeling a bit under the weather due to lack of sleep etc and jim was kind enough to buy me some herbal medicine you add to hot water for colds, it was actually nice, not heavy or strong not flowery. And I did start to feel better within the next day or 2. 


We arrived back late to 重庆 and went for a last meal together with some shots of baijiu 白酒 not getting the cheapest actually means it's semi drinkable. The most expensive is a couple thousand rmb - endorsed by mao hence the price. (maotai 茅台）

 We ordered a couple of dishes and I learnt not to say 要饭 I want rice, it means I'm begging for food. We strolled back again. In a tired, baijiu relaxed endured mood. Slept and had a sleepy goodbye from jim in the morning. A wet morning and day at that. 

TRAVEL: NATIONAL HOLIDAY CHONGQING

10/4 重庆

Today we go our separate ways. Pengge will come with us but tomorrow will Leave to return to uni in Nanchang. Carmen today, will go to Xian in the afternoon. we took the train (no idea why I can nap in short journeys in planes and trains but not long?!) back to Chongqing. I had already booked a place so the two guys will come with us. Unfortunately there wasn't enough beds so I will bunk with karin for a night as 陈劲 wanted to sleep on the wooden seat and they keep the door open! Not super Comfortable but there's a shower and it's convenient so who cares. 

 We went to the old area of the town. Up near one of the mountains. Chongqing city is known as 山城 Mountain city because it's full of mountains. Lots of bridges too. A nice one near the first place we stayed. We went to 磁器口 ciqikou a porcelain port area that climbs high up into the mountains old streets full of hustling people spellings wares and trying to appeal to foreigners. Lots of henna spray tattoos, chillis, giant candy floss 棉花糖 and 古物店 antique thrift shops. Karin got some mao posters and his little red book. Haha. 

We wandered round and round, basic old buildings in the poorly made Chinese style of the century before. But so full of life. We climbed higher and higher coming across a cave like tunnel 隧道 clearly used for bombs/communist things/transporting goods. It was pitch black inside and seemed to go on for a long time. But it was really fun haha. When we came out the other side finally there was only a few shops scattered around and far less people. We didn't find a lady selling animals who had a particular bunny that would come over for some petting if she called it and said I love you. It was adorable! 超级可爱！but we had a right walk back to the station! After this we tried to head to the foreigners area. But we weren't exactly sure. We ended up getting closer to the ports! 

Which was seemingly Impossible to get to, but worth it! We befriended a local lady who helped us take a short cut through her building block. The only person really able to understand her was chenjin as he's from a neighboring province and has been working here. They talk very different. But u can get the idea of it as some of What they say is similar to standard 普通话。 they aren't speaking a completely different dialect like 上海话 but they blend in a lot of their own local dialect /slang plus they have different accents and can't pronounce some

Things like H, Instead saying F. But it's understandable since the country is soooo huge! China is so fascinating and you see it everywhere by just taking a minute to Appreciate it. The differences and characteristics of he people and the culture is amazing. Of course there is bad points 缺点 but to understand it you need to

Look at the nature of the people, their values, how they have been raised inthoughts and manner , history and beliefs - 看性格价值灌输了思想和礼貌，历史和信心。 respect and understand 

We eventually got to the marina area which was a buzz of life in every corner. River boat cruises, outside MTV (which the guys did, Chen choices his fav jay chou, the Taiwanese guy who I also like) it was very pretty, and vibrant. It's never a dull hour. We walked all

Around before heading to the expensive over crowded foreign building complex based on a ship. Not particularly worth a visit but the guys wanted to go. Pengge ended up getting a spray on henna elephant on his arm to be like malik. He didn't wake us in the morning when he left for his slow train back to nanchang for school, it was super early.