9 - 16 September 2008

I finally I made it to Huashan!!!

Can you believe I went there without bringing my camera???!!! Yeah, I left in hurry – I was still at a client office in the morning and rushed straight to the airport immediately after that. I was thinking what documents to bring/ not to bring when I was doing my packing in the morning and totally forgotten about my camera!!!

The first few days in Xi’an were routine, as usual. A friend from Beijing told me that he might join me but I didn’t hear from him the first few days when I was in Xi’an. I thought he has vanished in thin air! I was doing stuff by myself. On Thursday night, I finally heard from him. He came over on Sat afternoon.

Oh can you believe he also forgotten to bring camera???!!! Gosh, we made a good pair!!!

On Sat evening, I was planning to cycle around the Xi’an city wall but the taxi driver suggested that we should get our dinner first then go up the wall after dinner when the lightings are on. We listened to his advice. We strolled along the Muslim street (回民街), and tried out the “xiao chi” (little bites). By the time we done with the Muslim street, we were full and it was too late to get up the city wall!!!

We leisurely walked from the Drum/ Bell Towers to the South Gate (南门). On the way, we explored the so called pubs/ café street 粉巷 – it was far below my expectation – lousy! We discovered an YHA hostel near the South Gate. We went in to explore further. It’s like an old Chinese style building – looks like Shi-he-yuan (四合院) to me. It’s unique and beautiful. I would love to stay there if I ever come to Xi’an as tourist!

When we get to the South Gate, we found out that there we rehearsal for mid-autumn festival performance (the next day). It was almost 10pm and of course we could no longer go up the wall. We left the “City” and popped into a pub right outside the Wall. I think it’s called “Hu-tong” (胡同). We sat at the open-air top floor. The drinks were expensive but the vibe was good. The beautifully lighted up wall and guard towers were right next to us and the moon is brightly over us! We hardly talked – just enjoyed the music and the view.

We went up Huashan on Sunday. We took the cable car up to one of the summit (北峰) and walked down on the next day. We went to all the summits (西峰、南峰、东峰、中峰) during our 2 days there. We were very lucky – we caught both the sunset and sunrise! Was gorgeous! It was a shame that none of us have a camera! 只好安慰自己说：“遗憾也是一种美！”

We met a young lady, from Zhengzhou (郑州) at the summit when we were waiting for the sunset. She went up there alone. Bravo!! She was kind enough to take few shots for us and emailed them to me. Many thanks to her kindness!

We “celebrated” the mid-autumn festival at the summit. 把酒言欢，对月高歌! It would be more fun if there are more people! :S

On the 2^nd day, we woke up at 4:30am and walked in the dark to the east summit for sunrise, on the way passing the south summit. Our timing was excellent! A lot of people were already waiting there. Some came up at night. The sunrise was stunning!

As a whole, it was a good trip. Now, both my legs are aching – can’t walk properly! My friend said we can buy wheelchairs and join the Paralympics Closing went we come back to Beijing! Haha!!

  

Ignoring the warning!!! Emm... bad boy!!!   

   Where we put up for the night!

  

  

Waiting for sunset   

   

      

The South peak