Categories
Recent Entries
Archives

June 28, 2004

Movin' on Out...

We're starting a series of probably exhausting travel days so who knows when we'll get access to the Internet next. Even though we've begun to get used to the little quirks of China, that doesn't mean we're eager to extend our visa.

Initiating operation: Get out of China

Earlier in our trip, Dali probably would have seemed quite nice, but at this point it is just another tourist town in China. The weather has been nice and city is set in the middle of some beautiful mountains...still we've gotten to that point of, "Oh look...another pagoda." Dali seems to suffer a bit of old city envy to Lijiang so the entire city has been renovated to look like an old city. There are city walls and pagodas, all decked out with Christmas lights. The effect is more of a theme park than an ancient city. Still, it is nice enough and a good place to relax. We've spent most of our days here hanging around our guest house. It's got a nice room with bathroom, a pool, free Internet, a bar/restaurant, bike rental and free laundry. All for $10 a night.

Due to some faulty information in our guidebook, we're forced to backtrack today in order to go onward. We thought we could take a quick flight from Dali to Jinghong in southern China. Apparently, they cancelled that route so we have to take a four hour bus ride back to Lijiang and catch the plane there. It's not the end of the world, just a nuisance.

This evening we should be in Jinghong in the tropical area of southwest China called Xishuangbanna along the Laos and Burma border. One night in Jinghong and then a seven hour bus ride to Mengla, China. A night there and then the next day we attempt to cross into Laos. We're keeping our fingers crossed that everything will go smoothly.

We have a little anxiety about money in Laos as we've learned that there is possible one ATM in the entire country and those are what we've depended on for our cash. The difficulty is compounded by the fact that about four currencies are used in the country. Dollars are king for more expensive purchases, Thai baht for many mid range deals, Chinese yuan in the North and then Lao kip for little things. The kip is currently around 9,000 to the dollar and their largest bill is worth about $.50. This is why dollars are used. It's much easier to carry $100 than 900,000 kip in small bills. We think we've got enough dollars and some yuan to get by though. We'll see. Luckily, the country is one of the cheapest in the world with accomodations costing around $5 and food less than a dollar.

So that's the plan. It makes me tired just thinking about it. Still, we're excited to get on to a new country and new people. When next I write, we will hopefully be in Laos.

-- Shawn

Posted by kobb on June 28, 2004 07:43 PM
Category: China
Comments

GREAT STUFF! Just caught up on your blog. The China Post entry is a classic.

cheers,

Travis

Posted by: Travis on July 1, 2004 03:40 PM

Thanks a lot, Travis. I'm glad to hear that people are reading it and enjoying it. It's nice to get comments otherwise I feel like I'm writing to myself...although I am my biggest fan.

I have a postcard for the 911 crew that I wrote about a week ago. I just have to get it mailed. It'll probably be there next year sometime.

Posted by: Shawn on July 1, 2004 11:18 PM

Shawn, you are definately not writing to yourself. I check the blog often and absolutely love the entries.

Hello to Jennifer!!! I miss you much and think of you often.

--Becky

Posted by: Becky on July 6, 2004 09:48 AM
Email this page
Email this entry to:


Your email address:


Message (optional):




Designed & Hosted by the BootsnAll Travel Network