We visited the Chinese embassy in London three times in our attempts to get visas for the trip. The first vist we were sure we had everything but the complex nature of detailing the paper trail from adopting a Chinese child to her becoming a US citizen and then receiving British citizenship could not easily be shown. We not only had to produce our current passports but our previous passports with the previous visas, our daughters previous passports and her original Chinese passport. The adoption paperwork, originals and copies were needed and we fell down because some of the paperwork was not A4, it was an American size. This coupled with the adoption certificate not being an original and our itinerary not being fully evidenced tipped us over into having to make another journey.
Remember, cross the Ts and dot the Is.
I must say the man doing the checking was befuddled with the scope of paperwork in front of him and I have every sympathy. I asked his name and was unusually patient and pleasant as he bound up our paperwork. My sympathy grew as the next person he dealt with was a very loud and very angry Australian man pointing at pieces of paper and protesting at the rigorous process he was being forced to follow. We trudged off out into London crest-fallen but wiser for the experience.
I returned alone a week later and asked for Eric by name, and a little 'yes sir, no sir' went a long way. Our correctly sized paperwork, original documentation and a very detailed itinerary, did the trick and he smiled and stamped each and every document, bundled them up and gave me three receipts.
He then explained the current regulations, in full, and why my wife's visa duration was significantly shorter. he then outlined the costs in detail and the proceedure for collection. I smiled and nodded in a way I hoped indicated I understood his every word, in reality I just kept hearing 'your visas will now be processed'. Oddly there were different Australians applying for visas on this occasion, and they too were shouting and frustratedly forcing paperwork through tiny windows in a vain attempt to sway the decision making process. I am pretty sure it did not work for them either.
Another week later and the best part of £500 spent we collected our passports and visas and believed ourselves clever for having endured the experience. All in all we were exhausted and this was only the beginning, but it was however a good lesson in patience and how to apply for official Chinese documentation.
我们去了中国驻伦敦大使馆三次，我们试图获得这次旅行的签证。第一次办理过程中我们都确信我们准备好了所有数据，但不是容易显示详细说明文件线索，从收养中国孩子到她成为美国公民，然后取得英国公民身份的复杂性。我们不仅要拿出我们现有的护照，而且还要拿出我们以前的护照和以前的签证，我们的女儿以前的护照和她原来的中国护照。收养的文件，原本和副本都需要，我们栽了，因为一些文件不是A4，而是美国文件的大小。这加上收养证书不是一个原版，我们的行程没有被充分证明，也使我们不得不进行另一个旅程。
我们必须确定每个细节我们都注意到了
我必须说，做检查的人与他面前的文件的范围混淆了，我有同感。当他绑定我们的文件时，我问了他的名字，并且异常耐心和愉快。我逐渐同情他，因为他处理的下一个人，是一个说话非常大声且非常愤怒的澳大利亚人，他指着纸张并在严格的过程中抗议他被迫遵循。我们闯入了伦敦的山峰，但是对于这种经历更为聪明。
我一个星期后独自回来，并用Eric的名字问他大有帮助，有一点'是的,先生，没有,先生'。我们正确大小的文件，原始文件和一个非常详细的行程，获得成功，他微笑和再每一个文件盖了章，捆绑起来，给了我三份收据。
然后，他解释了全部当前的规定，为什么我的妻子的签证时间明显短了些。 他然后概述了详细的成本和收集的程序。 我微笑着点点头，希望表示我明白他的每一个字，实际上我只是不断听到“你的签证将被处理”。奇怪的是，有不同的澳大利亚人在这个时候申请签证，他们也大喊和沮丧地将文件推进通过微小的窗户，试图摆脱决策过程。 我很确定它对他们也不起作用。
另一个星期后，最好的部分是花了500英镑来收集我们的护照和签证，并相信我们能够体验这些经验。总而言之，我们精疲力尽，这只是开始，但它是一个很好的教训，耐心和如何申请官方中文文件。
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Day 15 was the 30th December 2016
Day 15 was the 30th December 2016 and it was our last day, but our flight was a night flight so we had one last full day before we flew back to England.
We planned a slow morning to pack and get ourselves together for a long day and night. We filled one suitcase with clothes and one with souvenirs, then forced our remaining clothes and shoes into the third case which we took to a local charity shop. They looked a bit confused but once we had explained we did not want any money they took it gladly.
We checked out and put our luggage into the hotel store and set off to Victoria peak. It was not a holiday but the queues were still staggeringly long, so we opted for a taxi, that took us straight up and cost significantly less than the tram. The weather was not clear but the views were still good and we again avoided the throng of people by using the free look-outs rather than the paid ones. We walked up to the Governor's house and around the grounds and out came the sun and I did some yoga and our daughter some handstands on a remote view point.
It began to feel like the last day and our energy levels began to wane, so we took our last taxi down to the tram office and then walked through the botanical gardens and zoo as the light faded. We watched the monkeys tucking in for the night and the local feral cats coming out for their evening prowl.
In hindsight I wish we had gone down to the harbour to see the lights but the truth was I was glad to see the airport and to sit and wait patiently for the flight home.
We cashed in our Octopus cards and brought sweets with the money and I pooled the remainder of my wife's money and mine to buy a garish orange watch. This last purchase was a nod to my one previous visit to this airport ten years ago. Then with my son in tow I brought a garish orange watch and we ate at Popeye's, now ten years later, with my daughter in tow, we did exactly the same.
In some ways this trip had been as much of an exploration for me as it had for our daughter. Here she 'fitted in' in a way I had never seen her fit in before, she was at home amongst her own people. Her westernisation was inevitable but her roots would always be in the East.
My journal was written and I sat on the plane as it roared through the night sky. I could make rash comments about seeking new horizons and expanding my worldly view, the truth of the matter is our son, dogs and bed were all we craved and in a matter of hours we would be home.
我们计划花漫长的早晨进行打包，让我们一起度过漫长的白天和黑夜。我们装满衣服在一个手提箱和另外一个手提箱装满纪念品，然后把剩下的衣服和鞋子放入第三个手提箱，我们将它带到当地慈善商店。他们看起来有点困惑，但一经我们解释，我们不想要任何钱，他们很高兴地接下它。
我们退了房，把我们的行李寄放在酒店，出发到维多利亚山顶。今天不是假日，但排队的队伍仍然惊人的长，所以我们选择了一辆出租车，带我们直接上山顶，费用明显低于电车。天气不太晴朗，但景色仍然很好，我们宁可使用付费的瞭望台，再次避开一大群人使用免费的瞭望台。我们走到总督府和周围的广场，太阳出来后，在遥远的观景台上我做了一些瑜伽，我们的女儿做了一些倒立。
现在开始感觉像最后一天，我们的能量水平开始下降，所以我们最后一次搭出租车到电车办公室，然后走过植物园和动物园，随着阳光渐淡。我们看着猴子在夜晚睡觉，和当地的野猫在晚上出来觅食。
事后看来，我希望我们有下到海港去看灯光，但事实是我很高兴看到机场，坐下来耐心等待回家。
我们兑现了我们的八达通卡，用这些钱带了糖果，我把我妻子的钱和我的剩余部分集中起来买了一个耀眼的橙色手表。这最后一次购买是一个默契，我前一次到这个机场是十年前。然后我和我的儿子一起，买了一只耀眼的橙色手表，我们在大力水手餐厅吃晚餐，现在十年后，我和我的女儿在一起，我们做了完全一样的事。
在某些方面，这次旅行对我来说和我们女儿一样是一种探索，在这里，她以一种我以前从未见过她的方式装扮，她是以在自己家里的一种方式。她的西化是不可避免的，但她的根将永远在东方。
我坐在飞机上写我的日记，当飞机吼叫穿过夜空。我能轻率的下评论，可是我没有办法厘清关于寻求新的视野，和扩展我的世界观，因为事实是，我们的儿子，狗和床都是我们现在所渴望的，在几个小时内我们将会到家。
We planned a slow morning to pack and get ourselves together for a long day and night. We filled one suitcase with clothes and one with souvenirs, then forced our remaining clothes and shoes into the third case which we took to a local charity shop. They looked a bit confused but once we had explained we did not want any money they took it gladly.
We checked out and put our luggage into the hotel store and set off to Victoria peak. It was not a holiday but the queues were still staggeringly long, so we opted for a taxi, that took us straight up and cost significantly less than the tram. The weather was not clear but the views were still good and we again avoided the throng of people by using the free look-outs rather than the paid ones. We walked up to the Governor's house and around the grounds and out came the sun and I did some yoga and our daughter some handstands on a remote view point.
It began to feel like the last day and our energy levels began to wane, so we took our last taxi down to the tram office and then walked through the botanical gardens and zoo as the light faded. We watched the monkeys tucking in for the night and the local feral cats coming out for their evening prowl.
In hindsight I wish we had gone down to the harbour to see the lights but the truth was I was glad to see the airport and to sit and wait patiently for the flight home.
We cashed in our Octopus cards and brought sweets with the money and I pooled the remainder of my wife's money and mine to buy a garish orange watch. This last purchase was a nod to my one previous visit to this airport ten years ago. Then with my son in tow I brought a garish orange watch and we ate at Popeye's, now ten years later, with my daughter in tow, we did exactly the same.
In some ways this trip had been as much of an exploration for me as it had for our daughter. Here she 'fitted in' in a way I had never seen her fit in before, she was at home amongst her own people. Her westernisation was inevitable but her roots would always be in the East.
My journal was written and I sat on the plane as it roared through the night sky. I could make rash comments about seeking new horizons and expanding my worldly view, the truth of the matter is our son, dogs and bed were all we craved and in a matter of hours we would be home.
第15天是2016年12月30日，这是我们的最后一天，但我们的航班是一个夜航，所以在我们飞回英国前我们有最后的一整天。
我们计划花漫长的早晨进行打包，让我们一起度过漫长的白天和黑夜。我们装满衣服在一个手提箱和另外一个手提箱装满纪念品，然后把剩下的衣服和鞋子放入第三个手提箱，我们将它带到当地慈善商店。他们看起来有点困惑，但一经我们解释，我们不想要任何钱，他们很高兴地接下它。
我们退了房，把我们的行李寄放在酒店，出发到维多利亚山顶。今天不是假日，但排队的队伍仍然惊人的长，所以我们选择了一辆出租车，带我们直接上山顶，费用明显低于电车。天气不太晴朗，但景色仍然很好，我们宁可使用付费的瞭望台，再次避开一大群人使用免费的瞭望台。我们走到总督府和周围的广场，太阳出来后，在遥远的观景台上我做了一些瑜伽，我们的女儿做了一些倒立。
现在开始感觉像最后一天，我们的能量水平开始下降，所以我们最后一次搭出租车到电车办公室，然后走过植物园和动物园，随着阳光渐淡。我们看着猴子在夜晚睡觉，和当地的野猫在晚上出来觅食。
事后看来，我希望我们有下到海港去看灯光，但事实是我很高兴看到机场，坐下来耐心等待回家。
我们兑现了我们的八达通卡，用这些钱带了糖果，我把我妻子的钱和我的剩余部分集中起来买了一个耀眼的橙色手表。这最后一次购买是一个默契，我前一次到这个机场是十年前。然后我和我的儿子一起，买了一只耀眼的橙色手表，我们在大力水手餐厅吃晚餐，现在十年后，我和我的女儿在一起，我们做了完全一样的事。
在某些方面，这次旅行对我来说和我们女儿一样是一种探索，在这里，她以一种我以前从未见过她的方式装扮，她是以在自己家里的一种方式。她的西化是不可避免的，但她的根将永远在东方。
我坐在飞机上写我的日记，当飞机吼叫穿过夜空。我能轻率的下评论，可是我没有办法厘清关于寻求新的视野，和扩展我的世界观，因为事实是，我们的儿子，狗和床都是我们现在所渴望的，在几个小时内我们将会到家。
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Day 14 was the 29th December 2016
Day 14 was the 29th December 2016 and if we had not realised we were back in a more western environment today would be our crash landing.
Disney Hong Kong is best described in pictures, but if I never see 'Grizzly Gulch' again, it will be too soon.
Disney is recognisable wherever in the world you find it and Hong Kong was pretty much standard stuff, except the sweets and snacks. I had Korean squid, turkey legs and sweetcorn on a stick, no cows this time but rather hungry sparrows followed us around in a similarly menacing way. Chocolate was in short supply and the usual array of sugary treats was absent, with the exception of oddly coloured candy floss.
I did enjoy the special MTR train that took us there and, after the grand parade at the days end, back again. It was much more sedate than the rollercoaster rides and merry-go-rounds of the day.
Our daughter thought the day was great, and that was really the point, and secretly I had a great time too, with a particular favourite being the Lion King spectacular. It was meant to have been an antidote to the potential traumas of returning to the orphanage and to escape the ravages of our time in China. In reality I longed to be back in Ning Yuan and particularly among the people who had shown us such hospitality and understanding, but it seemed like a distant memory now, now we were squashed on the MTR and in the Hong Kong rush hour.
第14天是2016年12月29日，如果我们没有意识到今天我们要回到一个更西方的环境，那将会是突然的转变。
香港迪斯尼最好描述在图片，但我再也不要回到“灰熊山谷”，这真是太快。
迪斯尼在世界上任何地方都是一样的，香港除了糖果和小吃之外，其实是很标准的。 我吃韩国鱿鱼，火鸡腿和甜玉米棒，这一次没有牛，但相当饥饿的麻雀以相同险恶的方式跟在我们周围。巧克力供应不足，除了奇怪的彩色棉花糖之外，没有任何含糖的食物。
在大游行后结束这天，再次回到酒店。我的确很享受在那里的特别地铁列车，它比今天的过山车和旋转木马更平静。
我们的女儿认为这一天是美好的，这是真正的重点，不可思议地，我也过得很愉快，我特别喜爱狮子王的壮观。这是为了解决返回孤儿院和摆脱我们在中国时潜在创伤的解决方案。在现实生活中，我渴望回到宁远，特别是在这些人当中，向我们表达如此好客热情和理解，但现在看起来像一个遥远的记忆，现在我们被挤在地铁和香港的高峰时段。
Disney Hong Kong is best described in pictures, but if I never see 'Grizzly Gulch' again, it will be too soon.
Disney is recognisable wherever in the world you find it and Hong Kong was pretty much standard stuff, except the sweets and snacks. I had Korean squid, turkey legs and sweetcorn on a stick, no cows this time but rather hungry sparrows followed us around in a similarly menacing way. Chocolate was in short supply and the usual array of sugary treats was absent, with the exception of oddly coloured candy floss.
I did enjoy the special MTR train that took us there and, after the grand parade at the days end, back again. It was much more sedate than the rollercoaster rides and merry-go-rounds of the day.
Our daughter thought the day was great, and that was really the point, and secretly I had a great time too, with a particular favourite being the Lion King spectacular. It was meant to have been an antidote to the potential traumas of returning to the orphanage and to escape the ravages of our time in China. In reality I longed to be back in Ning Yuan and particularly among the people who had shown us such hospitality and understanding, but it seemed like a distant memory now, now we were squashed on the MTR and in the Hong Kong rush hour.
第14天是2016年12月29日，如果我们没有意识到今天我们要回到一个更西方的环境，那将会是突然的转变。
香港迪斯尼最好描述在图片，但我再也不要回到“灰熊山谷”，这真是太快。
迪斯尼在世界上任何地方都是一样的，香港除了糖果和小吃之外，其实是很标准的。 我吃韩国鱿鱼，火鸡腿和甜玉米棒，这一次没有牛，但相当饥饿的麻雀以相同险恶的方式跟在我们周围。巧克力供应不足，除了奇怪的彩色棉花糖之外，没有任何含糖的食物。
在大游行后结束这天，再次回到酒店。我的确很享受在那里的特别地铁列车，它比今天的过山车和旋转木马更平静。
我们的女儿认为这一天是美好的，这是真正的重点，不可思议地，我也过得很愉快，我特别喜爱狮子王的壮观。这是为了解决返回孤儿院和摆脱我们在中国时潜在创伤的解决方案。在现实生活中，我渴望回到宁远，特别是在这些人当中，向我们表达如此好客热情和理解，但现在看起来像一个遥远的记忆，现在我们被挤在地铁和香港的高峰时段。
Day 13 was the 28th December 2016
Day 13 was the 28th December 2016 and we needed an antidote to our first day in Hong Kong, so we caught the MTR out to Lantau island and caught a cable car up to see the Tian Tan Buddha, the Po Lin monastery and to walk the wisdom path.
The cable car was spectacular, but we dodged the package tour and caught the standard, non glass bottomed, car. This was again a good call as the package was expensive and would have meant we were on the conveyor belt again. It transpired the queues for the glass bottomed cars were longer and we were on our way fairly quickly. We had ginger tea at the top and with the clean fresh air we were enlivened. The grounds had free roaming cows and dogs and we interacted with the cows and watched as they stole snacks from unsuspecting passers by; all were in good condition.
We had an early vegetarian lunch at Po Lin and lit huge amounts on incense in the temple grounds. The temple itself was modern and too affluent for my tastes, I preferred the first Tin Hau temple near the hotel. We then climbed up the steep stairs to see the giant sitting Buddha and admire the views, it too was a modern manifestation but felt less 20th century.
We decended and picked up the wisdom path and walked up a steep and rather precarious path to find a large rock. It boasted a great view of the Buddha but also of the surrounding island and bay, a bay we later found on the map that appeared to be a penal colony!
Our return journey saw us stop again for ginger tea but also again to watch the sacred cows, that turned out to be spoilt bullys. They pestered, harassed and even injured a poor unsuspecting lady in their attempts to steal snacks, mainly cooked sweet corn and sweet potatoes, but generally anything that was or looked edible. Paper cups, bags and packaging disappeared and a handbag was uncerimoniously stolen, upturned and its contents investigated for edibility. They were clearly not very enlightened.
The visit was quite a highlight and one we would recommend to anyone visiting Hong Kong. The journey down, although the queue was longer to get down, was as equally spectacular and the day proved to be the required antidote.
We returned to Tin Hau and had a Thai meal before our now customary evening walk in Victoria park, we had a lot to reflect on but the naughty cows were the talk of the day!
第13天是2016年12月28日，在香港的第一天我们需要一个好点子，所以我们搭了地铁到大屿山，搭缆车去看天坛佛，宝莲寺，走心经简林。
缆车是很壮观的，但我们避开包套旅行，搭标准非玻璃底车。这又是一个好主意，因为包套是昂贵的，而且意味着我们必须再一次跟着制式行程走。同时我们也发现排玻璃底车的队伍更长，所以用走路的相对地快了一些。我们在山顶上享用了姜茶，和呼吸干净的新鲜空气，让我们活跃了起来。牧场有自由漫游的牛和狗，我们与牛互动，看着他们从毫无戒心的路人窃取小吃; 所有牛都很健康。
我们在宝林提前吃素食午餐，在寺庙的地方点燃了大量的香。 寺庙本身是现代的，对我的品味来说太过多了，我喜欢酒店附近的第一个天后寺庙。 然后，我们爬上陡峭的楼梯，看到巨大的坐佛，欣赏这里景色，它也是一个现代的表现，但感觉少于20世纪。
我们走下坡，接续心经简林，走上一条陡峭岌岌可危的路，发现一颗大石头。 它自诩可看见一个很大的佛像，还有周围的岛屿和海湾，那个海湾我们后来发现在地图上似乎是一个囚犯的流放地！
回程我们再次停下来喝生姜茶，但也再次看到神圣的牛，牠变成了被宠坏的恶霸。 牠们偷窃，骚扰，甚至伤害一个可怜的不知情的女士，他们试图窃取小吃，主要是煮熟的甜玉米和红薯，但一般是任何东西，或看起来可食用。 纸杯，袋子和包装消失了，一个手提包不经意地被偷了，被翻过，并探查里面是否有可吃的东西。 显然是他们未经开导。
这次游览是一个亮点，我们会推荐给任何来香港玩的人。旅程下来，虽然排队很长，但景色同样壮观，这一天证明是必需的解方。
我们回到天后，并吃泰国菜，我们现在习惯晚上在维多利亚公园散步，我们有很多回忆，但淘气的牛是当天的话题！
The cable car was spectacular, but we dodged the package tour and caught the standard, non glass bottomed, car. This was again a good call as the package was expensive and would have meant we were on the conveyor belt again. It transpired the queues for the glass bottomed cars were longer and we were on our way fairly quickly. We had ginger tea at the top and with the clean fresh air we were enlivened. The grounds had free roaming cows and dogs and we interacted with the cows and watched as they stole snacks from unsuspecting passers by; all were in good condition.
We had an early vegetarian lunch at Po Lin and lit huge amounts on incense in the temple grounds. The temple itself was modern and too affluent for my tastes, I preferred the first Tin Hau temple near the hotel. We then climbed up the steep stairs to see the giant sitting Buddha and admire the views, it too was a modern manifestation but felt less 20th century.
We decended and picked up the wisdom path and walked up a steep and rather precarious path to find a large rock. It boasted a great view of the Buddha but also of the surrounding island and bay, a bay we later found on the map that appeared to be a penal colony!
Our return journey saw us stop again for ginger tea but also again to watch the sacred cows, that turned out to be spoilt bullys. They pestered, harassed and even injured a poor unsuspecting lady in their attempts to steal snacks, mainly cooked sweet corn and sweet potatoes, but generally anything that was or looked edible. Paper cups, bags and packaging disappeared and a handbag was uncerimoniously stolen, upturned and its contents investigated for edibility. They were clearly not very enlightened.
The visit was quite a highlight and one we would recommend to anyone visiting Hong Kong. The journey down, although the queue was longer to get down, was as equally spectacular and the day proved to be the required antidote.
We returned to Tin Hau and had a Thai meal before our now customary evening walk in Victoria park, we had a lot to reflect on but the naughty cows were the talk of the day!
第13天是2016年12月28日，在香港的第一天我们需要一个好点子，所以我们搭了地铁到大屿山，搭缆车去看天坛佛，宝莲寺，走心经简林。
缆车是很壮观的，但我们避开包套旅行，搭标准非玻璃底车。这又是一个好主意，因为包套是昂贵的，而且意味着我们必须再一次跟着制式行程走。同时我们也发现排玻璃底车的队伍更长，所以用走路的相对地快了一些。我们在山顶上享用了姜茶，和呼吸干净的新鲜空气，让我们活跃了起来。牧场有自由漫游的牛和狗，我们与牛互动，看着他们从毫无戒心的路人窃取小吃; 所有牛都很健康。
我们在宝林提前吃素食午餐，在寺庙的地方点燃了大量的香。 寺庙本身是现代的，对我的品味来说太过多了，我喜欢酒店附近的第一个天后寺庙。 然后，我们爬上陡峭的楼梯，看到巨大的坐佛，欣赏这里景色，它也是一个现代的表现，但感觉少于20世纪。
我们走下坡，接续心经简林，走上一条陡峭岌岌可危的路，发现一颗大石头。 它自诩可看见一个很大的佛像，还有周围的岛屿和海湾，那个海湾我们后来发现在地图上似乎是一个囚犯的流放地！
回程我们再次停下来喝生姜茶，但也再次看到神圣的牛，牠变成了被宠坏的恶霸。 牠们偷窃，骚扰，甚至伤害一个可怜的不知情的女士，他们试图窃取小吃，主要是煮熟的甜玉米和红薯，但一般是任何东西，或看起来可食用。 纸杯，袋子和包装消失了，一个手提包不经意地被偷了，被翻过，并探查里面是否有可吃的东西。 显然是他们未经开导。
这次游览是一个亮点，我们会推荐给任何来香港玩的人。旅程下来，虽然排队很长，但景色同样壮观，这一天证明是必需的解方。
我们回到天后，并吃泰国菜，我们现在习惯晚上在维多利亚公园散步，我们有很多回忆，但淘气的牛是当天的话题！
Day 12 was the 27th December 2016
Day 12 was the 27th December 2016 and we had planned to go to Victoria peak but it was a holiday and the queues were horrendous so we gave it a miss. Our first stop was Victoria park, then we visited Tin Hau temple and walked across Hong Kong island, caught the Star Ferry to Kowloon and were overwhelmed by the shops, visited another Tin Hau temple, went to the Temple Street jade market, walked the avenue of stars, caught the Star Ferry back to Hong Kong island and returned to Habib's for another curry, walked around Victoria park again and collapsed having walked for the whole day.
We clearly over did the sightseeing but did not like Kowloon as it was too western and too commercial. The jade market was fun and in full knowledge we were not buying actual jade we bargained and bartered our way to a bag full of souvenirs. The iconic Star Ferry was great, albeit a short journey but my memory of the day was Victoria park in the morning, watching the martial arts and people of Hong Kong, if I lived here it would be my daily ritual too.
第12天是2016年12月27日，我们计划去维多利亚山顶，但今天是假日，排队的队伍是可怕的，所以我们避开时间。我们的第一站是去维多利亚公园，然后我们参观天后庙，穿过香港岛，搭天星渡轮到九龙，那里到处都是商店，游览另一间天后庙，前往庙街玉石商场，走在明星大道，搭了天星渡轮回香港岛，然后回到哈比卜吃另一个咖哩餐，再次走过维多利亚公园，走了一整天真是累瘫了。
在观光游览以后我们很清楚，我们不太喜欢九龙，因为它太西方，太商业化。玉石市场很有趣，在充分了解的情况下，我们没有购买实际的玉石，我们讨价还价，用我们自己的方式，将袋子装满纪念品。天星标志的渡轮是很棒的，虽然是一个短暂的旅程，但我最记得的是早上在维多利亚公园，看着武术演练和香港人，如果我住在这里，这可能也是我的每天的例行公事。
We clearly over did the sightseeing but did not like Kowloon as it was too western and too commercial. The jade market was fun and in full knowledge we were not buying actual jade we bargained and bartered our way to a bag full of souvenirs. The iconic Star Ferry was great, albeit a short journey but my memory of the day was Victoria park in the morning, watching the martial arts and people of Hong Kong, if I lived here it would be my daily ritual too.
第12天是2016年12月27日，我们计划去维多利亚山顶，但今天是假日，排队的队伍是可怕的，所以我们避开时间。我们的第一站是去维多利亚公园，然后我们参观天后庙，穿过香港岛，搭天星渡轮到九龙，那里到处都是商店，游览另一间天后庙，前往庙街玉石商场，走在明星大道，搭了天星渡轮回香港岛，然后回到哈比卜吃另一个咖哩餐，再次走过维多利亚公园，走了一整天真是累瘫了。
在观光游览以后我们很清楚，我们不太喜欢九龙，因为它太西方，太商业化。玉石市场很有趣，在充分了解的情况下，我们没有购买实际的玉石，我们讨价还价，用我们自己的方式，将袋子装满纪念品。天星标志的渡轮是很棒的，虽然是一个短暂的旅程，但我最记得的是早上在维多利亚公园，看着武术演练和香港人，如果我住在这里，这可能也是我的每天的例行公事。
Day 11 was the 26th December 2016
Day 11 was the 26th December 2016 and today we were on the move again. This time from Guilin to Hong Kong, again by train, but this time we were going across a border and although technically not leaving China we were on our way back to the West.
Chris brought Guilin noodles for breakfast but we stashed them in our rucksacks for the journey. Mainly because this was the day we said goodbye to Chris, and it was tinged with a little sadness, but also we had to pack and make our way to Guilin North station for the 11 O'clock train.
We said goodbye to Chris and for the first time entered a station unsupervised, we need not have worried as it was old hat now, and without hiccup we found the waiting room and sat. I managed to purchase some snacks and watched the world go by. It was then a young lady began to ask questions, mainly about our daughter, but my answers did not seem to dissuade her curiosity. My well versed and stock answers came to an end and I asked her if she spoke English. The answer was no, so she continued to ask in questions in Mandarin. It was a little frustrating but I learned more during that conversation than any other in out time in China. In hindsight I wish I had been pushed in that manner during the whole trip.
The train journey was similar to our other rail experiences, fast and efficient. We watched China whistle by and even saw NanJing, the home town of a good friend in the UK. And before we knew it we were in ShenZhen alighting the train with all of the other passengers as it was the terminal station. Then we were alone and with no idea where to go, so after a little wander we found a strict young woman in uniform and I asked how to get to Hong Kong, 'Red, line number 4' she barked, so off we went and duly found the queue for a transfer train. We purchased some tokens and spoke to some South Africans who were also making the journey to Hong Kong, together we then followed the masses to the train and the border. On arrival we filled out our departure cards, stood in more queues and were then stared at by border control, then we walked out of mainland China into Hong Kong. To be confronted by more queues to exchange our money into Hong Kong dollars. Then over a glass bridge, through more checks and finally onto the MTR and our final train of the day that took us through Hong Kong to Tin Hau on Causeway bay.
We purchased our Octopus cards, a very good idea if you ever go to Hong Kong, before we traveled and kept those for our visit. They did however morph into crustacean, crab and cuttlefish cards during our stay!
By the time we reached Tin Hau we were very tired and the sight of the hotel was very welcome indeed. Although once again we found we were short on beds, as this was a boutique hotel, but as very tired travelers, we did what we had always done, we just got on with it.
Showered and refreshed we venture out and in true British style we went for an Indian meal at Habib's, followed by a stroll in Victoria park. It was warm, dry and felt like the antithesis of England in December. We also now had access to Facebook, Twitter and Google, and although we had been emailing friends and family throughout the trip, it felt as though we had shifted back into the 21st century.
第11天是2016年12月26日，今天我们再次移动。这次从桂林到香港，再次搭乘火车，但这次我们正经过一个边境，虽然技术上没有离开中国，但我们回到了西方。
克里斯带来了桂林的面条当作早餐，但我们把他们收藏在这次旅行的背包。主要是因为这天我们跟克里斯说再见，这不仅有点忧伤，而且我们必须打包好行李，并走到桂林北站搭11点钟火车。
我们跟克里斯说再见，第一次无人照看进入一个车站，我们并不担心，因为现在已经很熟了，没有波折，我们找到了等候室坐下来。我设法买了一些小吃，看着人来人往。 这时一个年轻女士问我些问题，主要是关于我们的女儿，但我的答案似乎并没有劝阻她的好奇心。我所精通和能够用的答案都用尽了，我问她是否会说英语。但答案是否定的，所以她继续用普通话问我。这虽然有点令人沮丧，但我在这次对话中比在中国的任何其他时间学到的更多。事后看来，我希望在整个旅行期间能以这样的方式进行。
火车旅程与我们其他铁路体验相似，速度和效率都很高。我们看着中国呼啸而过，甚至看到英国一个好朋友的家乡南京。在我们知道之前，我们与所有其他乘客一起在深圳下火车，因为它是终端站。然后我们独自走出，不知道该往哪里去，所以有点彷徨之后，我们发现了一个严肃穿着制服的年轻女子，我问她如何去香港，她大声喊出“红，第4号线”，所以我们走去，的确找到了接驳车的队伍。我们购买了一些代币，并与一些正在排队前往香港的南非人交谈，然后我们跟着群众坐车以及到离境处。抵达后，我们填写了我们的出境卡，排在更多人的队伍，被边界管制人员盯着，然后我们从中国大陆走进香港。面对更多的队伍，把我们的钱兑换成港元。然后经过一座玻璃桥，通过更多的验票，最后搭上这天最后一班地铁，带我们通过香港到铜锣湾天后。
我们购买了八达通卡，如果你曾去过香港，这是一个很好的主意，我们以前来过，为了这次到访我们又买了几张。 然而他们在我们停留期间变身为甲壳类动物，螃蟹和墨鱼卡！
当我们到达天后，我们非常累了，看到这酒店的确是非常受欢迎。虽然我们又发现我们的床短少一张，因为这是一家精品酒店，但我们已经非常累了，我们只好再做同样的事，把床倂在一起就可以了。
淋过浴恢复了精神后，我们走出酒店，以真正的英国风格，我们去了一家哈比卜的印度餐厅，然后在维多利亚公园漫步。它是温暖，干燥，感觉起来正好与12月的英国相反。 我们现在也可以访问Facebook，Twitter和谷歌，虽然在整个行程我们一直在发送电子邮件给朋友和家人，它感觉好像我们已经回到了21世纪。
Chris brought Guilin noodles for breakfast but we stashed them in our rucksacks for the journey. Mainly because this was the day we said goodbye to Chris, and it was tinged with a little sadness, but also we had to pack and make our way to Guilin North station for the 11 O'clock train.
We said goodbye to Chris and for the first time entered a station unsupervised, we need not have worried as it was old hat now, and without hiccup we found the waiting room and sat. I managed to purchase some snacks and watched the world go by. It was then a young lady began to ask questions, mainly about our daughter, but my answers did not seem to dissuade her curiosity. My well versed and stock answers came to an end and I asked her if she spoke English. The answer was no, so she continued to ask in questions in Mandarin. It was a little frustrating but I learned more during that conversation than any other in out time in China. In hindsight I wish I had been pushed in that manner during the whole trip.
The train journey was similar to our other rail experiences, fast and efficient. We watched China whistle by and even saw NanJing, the home town of a good friend in the UK. And before we knew it we were in ShenZhen alighting the train with all of the other passengers as it was the terminal station. Then we were alone and with no idea where to go, so after a little wander we found a strict young woman in uniform and I asked how to get to Hong Kong, 'Red, line number 4' she barked, so off we went and duly found the queue for a transfer train. We purchased some tokens and spoke to some South Africans who were also making the journey to Hong Kong, together we then followed the masses to the train and the border. On arrival we filled out our departure cards, stood in more queues and were then stared at by border control, then we walked out of mainland China into Hong Kong. To be confronted by more queues to exchange our money into Hong Kong dollars. Then over a glass bridge, through more checks and finally onto the MTR and our final train of the day that took us through Hong Kong to Tin Hau on Causeway bay.
We purchased our Octopus cards, a very good idea if you ever go to Hong Kong, before we traveled and kept those for our visit. They did however morph into crustacean, crab and cuttlefish cards during our stay!
By the time we reached Tin Hau we were very tired and the sight of the hotel was very welcome indeed. Although once again we found we were short on beds, as this was a boutique hotel, but as very tired travelers, we did what we had always done, we just got on with it.
Showered and refreshed we venture out and in true British style we went for an Indian meal at Habib's, followed by a stroll in Victoria park. It was warm, dry and felt like the antithesis of England in December. We also now had access to Facebook, Twitter and Google, and although we had been emailing friends and family throughout the trip, it felt as though we had shifted back into the 21st century.
第11天是2016年12月26日，今天我们再次移动。这次从桂林到香港，再次搭乘火车，但这次我们正经过一个边境，虽然技术上没有离开中国，但我们回到了西方。
克里斯带来了桂林的面条当作早餐，但我们把他们收藏在这次旅行的背包。主要是因为这天我们跟克里斯说再见，这不仅有点忧伤，而且我们必须打包好行李，并走到桂林北站搭11点钟火车。
我们跟克里斯说再见，第一次无人照看进入一个车站，我们并不担心，因为现在已经很熟了，没有波折，我们找到了等候室坐下来。我设法买了一些小吃，看着人来人往。 这时一个年轻女士问我些问题，主要是关于我们的女儿，但我的答案似乎并没有劝阻她的好奇心。我所精通和能够用的答案都用尽了，我问她是否会说英语。但答案是否定的，所以她继续用普通话问我。这虽然有点令人沮丧，但我在这次对话中比在中国的任何其他时间学到的更多。事后看来，我希望在整个旅行期间能以这样的方式进行。
火车旅程与我们其他铁路体验相似，速度和效率都很高。我们看着中国呼啸而过，甚至看到英国一个好朋友的家乡南京。在我们知道之前，我们与所有其他乘客一起在深圳下火车，因为它是终端站。然后我们独自走出，不知道该往哪里去，所以有点彷徨之后，我们发现了一个严肃穿着制服的年轻女子，我问她如何去香港，她大声喊出“红，第4号线”，所以我们走去，的确找到了接驳车的队伍。我们购买了一些代币，并与一些正在排队前往香港的南非人交谈，然后我们跟着群众坐车以及到离境处。抵达后，我们填写了我们的出境卡，排在更多人的队伍，被边界管制人员盯着，然后我们从中国大陆走进香港。面对更多的队伍，把我们的钱兑换成港元。然后经过一座玻璃桥，通过更多的验票，最后搭上这天最后一班地铁，带我们通过香港到铜锣湾天后。
我们购买了八达通卡，如果你曾去过香港，这是一个很好的主意，我们以前来过，为了这次到访我们又买了几张。 然而他们在我们停留期间变身为甲壳类动物，螃蟹和墨鱼卡！
当我们到达天后，我们非常累了，看到这酒店的确是非常受欢迎。虽然我们又发现我们的床短少一张，因为这是一家精品酒店，但我们已经非常累了，我们只好再做同样的事，把床倂在一起就可以了。
淋过浴恢复了精神后，我们走出酒店，以真正的英国风格，我们去了一家哈比卜的印度餐厅，然后在维多利亚公园漫步。它是温暖，干燥，感觉起来正好与12月的英国相反。 我们现在也可以访问Facebook，Twitter和谷歌，虽然在整个行程我们一直在发送电子邮件给朋友和家人，它感觉好像我们已经回到了21世纪。
Friday, January 20, 2017
Day 10 was the 25th December 2016
Day 10 was the 25th December 2016 and it rained, and it rained, and it rained!
It was strange to wake up on Christmas morning and be so far removed from the occasion, it did however grow on me and the truth is, it was a liberating feeling not to be confined to the Christmas stereotypes. I took off alone for an early morning walk around the local streets and watched the shops and markets come alive.
We went to Elephant hill and climbed the karst rock there, up to the hilltop pagoda and down to the cave of 1000 Buddhas. There was quite a lot of scaffolding being erected in preparation for the New Year celebrations, so we had to forego some of the scenery. A wine cave, unfortunately locked, smelled quite enticing and we had to duck into the souvenir shop to view the local wares. This did include a large vat of dead black ants that had something to do with an arthritic remedy, we did not indulge, but did buy some wine for the folks at home. The gardens were wet but were worth a look around and sported some peculiar statues and baffling descriptions. Some of the cave writing was very old and in the darker recesses history had been etched for all to see. Newer barriers barred the way in some areas and Chris regaled tales of previous visits with access to rather dangerous rocky outcrops we were glad to have missed.
We then walked across to the other side of the hotel and up to Fubo hill, where we again climbed up to the crowning pagoda. The view was shrouded by the mist and rain of the day, but that maintained a mysterious veil over the surrounding city and proud rocks. We walked the grounds and saw the sword stone, the giant cooking pot and gong, and the obligatory caves.
With aching legs we set off back towards the hotel and Chris found a near empty restaurant for us to enjoy our festive feast. I got involved with the ordering, pushing my Mandarin to its limits in the hope the vegetables would not be meat laden. It seemed to work and we had one of the best meals of the trip, except I managed to confuse a chickens leg with a head and it ended up on our daughter's plate. It was quickly removed and Chris shifted other heads and feet to a nearby napkin to avoid any further upset.
We returned to the hotel and left our daughter in the warm and then set off for a little late shopping, we got Chris a present and landed a few souvenirs, with some expert haggling by my wife. The rain still fell and so we gave in and also returned to the warm embrace of out hotel. This was our last night in mainland China, so I felt uncomfortable wasting it indoors, so once again I took off alone, this time at night, for one last look. I felt strangely sad, I had expected to be relieved, but I wanted to stay and soak up more. I walked along the river and the karst rocks of Seven Star park were up lit against the low clouds. The rain subsided and Guilin hummed with life, the mob of angry mopeds began to swarm again and only then was it time to call it a night. I walked back under the bridge and, in our quest to leave us much of our belongings behind, left my jacket and jumper on the bars of a sleeping mans bicycle.
第10天是2016年12月25日，下雨了，下雨了，下雨了！
在圣诞节的早晨醒来，并且在这个时节远离很奇怪，可是它确实改变我的想法，事实是，这是一种解放的感觉，不被设限在圣诞节的刻板印象。清晨我独自一个人在当地的街道上散步，看着商店和市场活络起来。
我们去了大象山，爬上喀斯特石灰岩，到山顶宝塔，到1000诸佛的洞穴。那里架设了很多脚手架，正在筹备新年的庆祝活动，所以我们不得不舍弃一些景点。 一个酒窖不幸被锁着，闻起来相当诱人，我们不得不进入纪念品商店看看当地的商品。 这包括一大桶死黑蚂蚁，与治疗关节炎有关，我们并不爱喝酒，但却为了亲戚买了一些酒放在家里。这个花园是淋湿了，但值得一看，而且有一些特有的雕像和难以理解的描述。一些洞穴的铭刻非常古老，在更黑暗的深处可看到历史的蚀刻。在一些区域有较新的障碍挡在路上，克里斯不亦乐乎说明先前游览过的事，进去那里的岩石露出地表是相当危险，但我们很高兴没去。
我们接着走到酒店的另一边，直到富博山，在那里我们再次爬上了加冠的宝塔。 这个景色被这天的薄雾和雨所覆盖，在周围的城市和傲人的岩石仍保持着神秘的面纱。我们走在广场，看到了剑石，巨锅和锣，和必看的洞穴。
带着疼痛的腿，我们回到酒店，克里斯找到一个几乎空的餐厅，享受我们的节日盛宴。我参与了点菜，把我的普通话推到极限，希望蔬菜里没有肉。看起来似乎奏效，我们享用了旅程其中最好的一餐，除了我把鸡腿和头搞混了，最后在我们的女儿的盘子上。但它很快被拿掉了，克里斯很快地把其他的头和脚移到附近的餐巾纸，以避免任何进一步的烦恼。
我们回到了酒店，留下我们的女儿在温暖的饭店里，那时出发去购物有点晚，我们准备买给克里斯一个礼物，买到了一些纪念品，有一些由我专门讨价还价的妻子买的。雨依然在下，所以我们只好回到酒店温暖的怀抱。这是我们在中国大陆的最后一天晚上，所以我不想把时间浪费在室内，所以我再次独自一人出去，这次是在晚上，最后再看一看。我感到莫名的难过，原本我预期将会松口气，但我想留下来吸收更多。我沿着河边走，七星公园的岩溶岩点亮了低云。雨势稍歇，桂林开始忙忙碌碌的生活，发动着的轻便摩托车再次蜂拥而至，直到那时才满足地结束这一天。我走回桥下，在我们的讨论之下，决定留下我们的物品，所以把我的夹克挂在一辆自行车的长杆上给一个流浪汉。
It was strange to wake up on Christmas morning and be so far removed from the occasion, it did however grow on me and the truth is, it was a liberating feeling not to be confined to the Christmas stereotypes. I took off alone for an early morning walk around the local streets and watched the shops and markets come alive.
We went to Elephant hill and climbed the karst rock there, up to the hilltop pagoda and down to the cave of 1000 Buddhas. There was quite a lot of scaffolding being erected in preparation for the New Year celebrations, so we had to forego some of the scenery. A wine cave, unfortunately locked, smelled quite enticing and we had to duck into the souvenir shop to view the local wares. This did include a large vat of dead black ants that had something to do with an arthritic remedy, we did not indulge, but did buy some wine for the folks at home. The gardens were wet but were worth a look around and sported some peculiar statues and baffling descriptions. Some of the cave writing was very old and in the darker recesses history had been etched for all to see. Newer barriers barred the way in some areas and Chris regaled tales of previous visits with access to rather dangerous rocky outcrops we were glad to have missed.
We then walked across to the other side of the hotel and up to Fubo hill, where we again climbed up to the crowning pagoda. The view was shrouded by the mist and rain of the day, but that maintained a mysterious veil over the surrounding city and proud rocks. We walked the grounds and saw the sword stone, the giant cooking pot and gong, and the obligatory caves.
With aching legs we set off back towards the hotel and Chris found a near empty restaurant for us to enjoy our festive feast. I got involved with the ordering, pushing my Mandarin to its limits in the hope the vegetables would not be meat laden. It seemed to work and we had one of the best meals of the trip, except I managed to confuse a chickens leg with a head and it ended up on our daughter's plate. It was quickly removed and Chris shifted other heads and feet to a nearby napkin to avoid any further upset.
We returned to the hotel and left our daughter in the warm and then set off for a little late shopping, we got Chris a present and landed a few souvenirs, with some expert haggling by my wife. The rain still fell and so we gave in and also returned to the warm embrace of out hotel. This was our last night in mainland China, so I felt uncomfortable wasting it indoors, so once again I took off alone, this time at night, for one last look. I felt strangely sad, I had expected to be relieved, but I wanted to stay and soak up more. I walked along the river and the karst rocks of Seven Star park were up lit against the low clouds. The rain subsided and Guilin hummed with life, the mob of angry mopeds began to swarm again and only then was it time to call it a night. I walked back under the bridge and, in our quest to leave us much of our belongings behind, left my jacket and jumper on the bars of a sleeping mans bicycle.
第10天是2016年12月25日，下雨了，下雨了，下雨了！
在圣诞节的早晨醒来，并且在这个时节远离很奇怪，可是它确实改变我的想法，事实是，这是一种解放的感觉，不被设限在圣诞节的刻板印象。清晨我独自一个人在当地的街道上散步，看着商店和市场活络起来。
我们去了大象山，爬上喀斯特石灰岩，到山顶宝塔，到1000诸佛的洞穴。那里架设了很多脚手架，正在筹备新年的庆祝活动，所以我们不得不舍弃一些景点。 一个酒窖不幸被锁着，闻起来相当诱人，我们不得不进入纪念品商店看看当地的商品。 这包括一大桶死黑蚂蚁，与治疗关节炎有关，我们并不爱喝酒，但却为了亲戚买了一些酒放在家里。这个花园是淋湿了，但值得一看，而且有一些特有的雕像和难以理解的描述。一些洞穴的铭刻非常古老，在更黑暗的深处可看到历史的蚀刻。在一些区域有较新的障碍挡在路上，克里斯不亦乐乎说明先前游览过的事，进去那里的岩石露出地表是相当危险，但我们很高兴没去。
我们接着走到酒店的另一边，直到富博山，在那里我们再次爬上了加冠的宝塔。 这个景色被这天的薄雾和雨所覆盖，在周围的城市和傲人的岩石仍保持着神秘的面纱。我们走在广场，看到了剑石，巨锅和锣，和必看的洞穴。
带着疼痛的腿，我们回到酒店，克里斯找到一个几乎空的餐厅，享受我们的节日盛宴。我参与了点菜，把我的普通话推到极限，希望蔬菜里没有肉。看起来似乎奏效，我们享用了旅程其中最好的一餐，除了我把鸡腿和头搞混了，最后在我们的女儿的盘子上。但它很快被拿掉了，克里斯很快地把其他的头和脚移到附近的餐巾纸，以避免任何进一步的烦恼。
我们回到了酒店，留下我们的女儿在温暖的饭店里，那时出发去购物有点晚，我们准备买给克里斯一个礼物，买到了一些纪念品，有一些由我专门讨价还价的妻子买的。雨依然在下，所以我们只好回到酒店温暖的怀抱。这是我们在中国大陆的最后一天晚上，所以我不想把时间浪费在室内，所以我再次独自一人出去，这次是在晚上，最后再看一看。我感到莫名的难过，原本我预期将会松口气，但我想留下来吸收更多。我沿着河边走，七星公园的岩溶岩点亮了低云。雨势稍歇，桂林开始忙忙碌碌的生活，发动着的轻便摩托车再次蜂拥而至，直到那时才满足地结束这一天。我走回桥下，在我们的讨论之下，决定留下我们的物品，所以把我的夹克挂在一辆自行车的长杆上给一个流浪汉。
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