2,2 hours of my life for last 1,5 years...

... this is about how long it takes almost every day in Shanghai metro to get to work and back. First line 1 to the final stop, then switch to line 5 and that one also to the last stop. Nice an cosy, last year in August it got so hot in the metro, that a new kind of cooling system was introduced (besides the regular air-con) - 200L waste bin with huge piece of ice in the middle of wagon.









Morning greetings. When the EXPO started on May 1st, each metro station exit in Shanghai got 2 soldiers in uniforms and one volunteer to welcome people. One example here.






Volunteer flagging people to take the escalator faster... maybe more efficient solution would be to have faster escalators.







Waiting for the next train.







Volunteer with a sign to encourage in a name of EXPO to let people first out of the train, before rushing in. The irony is that this station is the very first stop of the line and there are no people to come out.











China has a really unique bicycle fashion, last year when arriving here I was really impressed. There are so many ways to make the ultimate mini bicycle that could be packed almost to the size of a walking stick. Mostly because of making it easily transportable by metro... till March 1 2010... from that moment on also compact bicycles in metro got a ban.
This bicycle on the picture is by far the smallest (Photo taken before 1st of March) that can be seen.

Seems the ban has started to take effect: lately haven't seen these super small ones with rubber-belt chain and wheels just little bigger than roller-blade wheels on the streets any more. Luckily there are still some really interesting models around, that would deserve to be shown to Nordic-27gears-mountainbike-style lovers.

Easter in Fujian province, 2

Tea plantation on the side of the hill. Mountains fading into magic mist.








On last day of tulous we finished up it super touristic viewing platform. The famous 2-finger hello!









Traditions and people still live in these old buildings.






Near Xiamen city, actually inside Xiamen city is a small Gulangyu Island. Hundred years ago it was a western paradise with English newspaper, western community, western architecture, etc. Today it has remained relaxed touristy spot, where is possible to get lost on some very Europe like small old streets.
Cars not allowed on the island, only some electric vehicles. Would be rather interesting to see ambulance without doors racing on the streets, inside doctors doing CPR, etc.









Gulanyu island tunnels for people who don't like climbing hills








Spring rain








Spring, but almost looks like autumn. Gulanyu Island

Easter in Fujian province, 1

No eggs in this Easter!
Right next to our main door is a big map of China, that is collecting pins in different colour - the red and green are for places seen and been, at this moment 17. White for the places to be, at this moment 6.
This long weekend in Easter went with a goal to switching one of the white pins to green. Destination was neighboring province Fujian, 1000km south from Shanghai.

This region of China is famous for very old fortress-like round buildings made of mud - Tulous. To get there it took some effort, trip started with flight to Xiamen, there to get all the travel team together and head out by bus towards inland small villages, where these mysterious buildings could be spotted.






First look to the inside side of the Tulou. It had to be self sufficient - water supply, food, cattle - during the times when the building was under attack of hostile tribes. Usually one building has 3-5 floors and up to few hundred rooms - lower floor for animals, then storage and upper levels for people.









Night stay in Tulou, all you can dream of... even electricity provided. All this costs more than a cheap hotel.











Getting lost in circular streets inside the house.










Little girl at the door of her house










View from the 4th floor. In the center of this building was a small temple.









View from the 4th floor









The farmer and his machine. Though, the machine got scared, when noticed white people and refused to continue work.









Making sure the strange white human is not getting too close. Water cow










Hao Che - good food.










Older Tulous are square shape, but as people didn't like the dark corners of square buildings, gradually round buildings took over.









This is how big and massive actually these buildings are.









Our host and her small 2 room guesthouse for second night.


More from Tulou trip to Fujian in couple of days.

Mountain tribes in Vietnam (part 4)

From the holiday triangle river-beach-mountain, the mountain needed still to be done. From Muine only 160km and 5 hours of hardcore pothole road is small town called Dalat. This was the goal and from there to get into small villages in mountains.



Crazy house in Dalat.








It is actually a hotel, but people rarely stay there.











View from the top of the Crazy house












One of the waterfalls near Dalat. When driving towards the fall, we thought of going for a swim, but unfortunately the civilization had arrived before us, and the garbage had taken the pole position. Though, the waterfall itself was nice.












French man Hugo, we met in Dalat, on his journey around the World. He should now be already in Australia.











Falling water












Local cat posing for the camera











Little passenger waiting for a bus











Lake Lak in mountains, around 6o'clock in the morning. Lak lake was the last stop before heading back to Saigon to catch the flight to Shanghai. The lake used to inhabit crocodiles, then the civilization arrived, and all crocodiles turned into purses.









... elephants are still there... for trips across the lake.









Lake lake area felt authentic, even though at the background there is a elephant transporting tourists, the village lived traditional life.








Small river and children. This is the place were children still are able to go swimming without lifeguards and safety nets...









One white skin in the water





















Family by the house









Petrol station









Saigon, land price must be really high.










On the road again.


Happy Easter! Next trip is the Easter trip in 2 days, this time having a look around places not too far from Shanghai. Plan is to make it to Fujian province, 1000km south from Shanghai.

To the beach in Muine in Vietnam (part 3)

10 hours of bus seat with a short stop over in Saigon and the murky Mekong Delta turned into crystal water beaches of Muine.





Morning on the beach, small part of the shade at that night. Night on the beach, even though Muine is a 10km beach stretch with hundreds of hotels and resorts, sometimes even this is not enough, especially if arriving to the beach on Chinese New Year holiday at 1 AM.
...can happen when spontaneous traveling inspires!
But once again got proven the truth that: the best things in life are for free!








Real estate still available, looks like dream place to live under palm trees









First of the basket boat series. These funny boats were used for net fishing near the beach. Might be this shape prevents the boat dipping over in coastal breaking waves








Muine fishing village










Basket boat in daily use










Basket boats 3










The red dirt from Australia. Felt also like Australia - hot, cloudless, red and no single car or motorbike on the road (usually not to common for Vietnam)








Amazing White Sand Dunes half a day trip from Muine by motorbike








Sand






4 different kinds of environment:
In front looks Australia, dry "bushland"
Beauty of lake
White sand dunes
Far back bigger mountains (didn't make it there)








Sunset








Cham tower ruins on the hill by the ocean








I have always wanted to have a small Estonian flag or a small blue-black-white cloth tag. Each time when making back to Estonia I have thought of getting them, and each time I have forgot to get it. Should make a short trip to Bangkok, last year I saw Estonian flags sold over there, closest place to buy it :)
And then to sew it on my rucksack.

This kind of small flag was the reasons why I met 2 Estonians wandering around on the street in Muine, both of them had it sewed on their bags. And by accident I turned to look back, when saw 2 persons passing and saw these small flags.
Came out Külli and Rudolf were on their trip around Asia.
Evening in the small beach bar.