Zhongshan, Day 2, Part 2 to Zhuhai

May 1, 2015 by Let's CUT the Crap! 36 Comments

The day began with a wake up call at 6:08 a.m.

Breakfast was outstanding! The best one so far. It’s as if they had pulled out all the stops. We weren’t just tourists, but special visitors.

Breakfast Buffet:

• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon slices cut in the shape of cleavers
• Sliced dragon fruit (first time on any buffet so far)
• A wide selection of rolls, white and whole wheat
• Whole apples, pears and baby papaya (lots and lots)
• Six various dry breakfast cereals + milk
• Three kinds prepackaged yogurt
• A cheese plate, including blue cheese and gouda (first time this trip)
• Five kinds of jam, including pineapple (Gosh, they were good.)
• Peanut butter
• Bacon, and chicken and beef sausages
• Eggs boiled and sunny-side up
• Romaine lettuce and fixings for salad
• A whole section for hot food: rice, green vegetables, baked beans etc.
• Coffee and tea replenished as soon as empty (all other hotels we refilled our own)

The service had been the best this far as well.

We held back until the French Group was all seated. I expect each of them had staked out his and her seat from the beginning. The worry it might be crowded, since the French group had huge carry-ons, soon evaporated. This was a 48-seat bus, but the overheads weren’t tall enough for my square overnight bag. Two seats across the aisle from Sue and I were empty. Soon we stashed our paraphernalia on them to keep the seats company.

The bus had left the hotel at 7:50 a.m. and the tour guide was still talking French at 8:37 a.m. Some of our group understood French. I managed with a little guesswork, but missed most of what was said. It appeared to me, we would be missing out on most information shared with the tour guide’s original group. We were outnumbered after all. He did try not to forget us, but the translations were much abbreviated.

© 2015 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles. All Rights Reserved

Lots of green spaces along the roadway: trees, shrubs, flowers; everything trim and neat. Gorgeous boulevards in Zhuhai. A water truck on the inside lane supplied the water for someone to water the plants. Banyan trees  (small leaves and wispy beards hanging from branches) shaded one side of the road and palm trees decorated the other. I wasn’t certain where we were until the Fisher Girl statue came into view, and kept forgetting we were even in China. I blamed it on the palm trees and the presence of so many Caucasians

The bus stopped at tourist trinket shops around 9:15. The ladies lined up for the Happy House before heading down to the water to view the famous Fisher Girl and to learn about her story. The highway we crossed to walk there was a danger to our safety: four busy lanes with fast traffic.

More Images of Fisher Girl

It had been unusual to see beggars or anyone with disabilities. I have mentioned where and when we had seen a few. My guess is they are well hidden and not allowed around well-beaten (tourist) paths. I couldn’t resist taking this fellow’s picture. When he realized what I’d done, he yelled at me but we walked on in a desperate hurry.

© 2015 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles. All Rights Reserved

Time for shopping and lollygagging over, I felt our group held back again as if we were the forgotten branch of the family. Don’t get me wrong, our fellow travelers were friendly and polite and yes, they spoke English a lot better than I managed French. Next stop, Macau at last.

~ * ~

Next on May 8th: Day 21, Part 3 – Zhuhai to Macau

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© 2015 All Rights Reserved Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles