Around the World in 330 Days: Brian's Fulbright Journey in China and Elsewhere: Days 249-250: Hangzhou

We had a very hot, but fun, couple days in Hangzhou. Thursday we took a 6:40 am train there; we had to get up at 4:00 am to make it. We didn't have any issues getting the tickets or anything, so this was good. And the train wasn't even very crowded, which is unusual. When we got to the hotel--the Sofitel--our room wasn't ready, so we decided to go to Fei Lai Feng, which I read about online. It's a stone mountain with Buddha carvings in it from the 10th-14th centuries. It took only a few minutes to get there via taxi. It was very touristy, near the Lingyin temple (but we didn't see the temple). Fei Lai Feng was an interesting place to explore. We saw some Buddhas on the outside of the mountain and even went inside muddy caves to do some exploration. Unfortunately, we got the idea to climb some steps inside the mountain. We climbed and climbed--in the heat--and didn't get anywhere. Eventually, we ran into some kind Chinese people who indicated to us that what we wanted to see most--the Laughing Buddha--was down the mountain. So we headed in that direction. Eventually, we saw more Buddhas, and, just as soon as we gave up on seeing the Laughing Buddha, we were able to see it! I was so happy. The carvings were all quite beautiful, but that was my favorite.

We then ate lunch--a splendid buffet--at the hotel. Then we went to our room and changed for Janetta's lecture. We met Elliot outside the China Art Academy at 1:45 and then went to the building for the lecture. She talked about medieval gargoyles, which I found fascinating. (However, it was very hot--Kerry and I sweated constantly in the 97 degree heat.) Afterwards, we all went back to the hotel for a drink. I had a margarita--blueberry--that I wasn't crazy about, but it was okay. We then went to accompany Janetta to buy some silk pyjamas--black and white, of course!--we tried to barter below 3000 RMB, but the salespeople wouldn't budge. Still, Janetta decided to purchase them. One woman felt it her duty to inform me and Kerry that we were "fat"; however, we don't take such comments too seriously because they're not said in a mean way.

Once that was done, we went to a Grandma's in a mall and had some VERY tasty chicken, along with shrimp, lotus root with sweet potato, and some pork buns. Good food, for cheap prices: about $38 for four people.

Here are some Thursday pictures:

Buddhas in the cave, Fei Lai Feng.

The Laughing Buddha we pursued, Fei Lai Feng.

Another Laughing Buddha we noticed on our way out, Fei Lai Feng.

Janetta's lecture, China Academy of Art

Friday we went with Janetta and Elliot to the China Tea Museum. Gorgeous area--took many pictures. The museum itself was mildly interesting: tea bags, pottery mostly. I met one young woman from East Pointe, Michigan who was just finishing a semester teaching in China! We chatted about Michigan a bit. I also chatted with Janetta; she wants to do yet another Fulbright. I would do another one, too--just not sure about doing another in China. (Kerry and Elliot had fun exchanging puns, in the meantime.) We also visited the gift shop: bought some small tea bags and other souvenirs. When we got back to the hotel, we had lunch there with Janetta and Elliot: another buffet, just like breakfast. The food was EXCELLENT there; in general, the hotel was SUPERB, certainly one of our favorites in China. Soft beds, good English-speaking staff, wonderful food, nice bar, great shower--this place had it ALL. In fact, other than the Abritz in Changchun, it's probably my favorite hotel in China.

The cabbie who took us to the Railway Station was VERY weird--listened to loud Chinese EDM music and kept bobbing his head to the right, like he was in a club. And he was an older guy, too. I'm guessing he was probably on an upper of some sort. He also insisted in smacking me on the shoulder and making gestures to indicate my wide size. But at least we got there on time--the station was extremely crowded and our train was delayed. Yet we eventually got on...it rained the whole way. The driver taking us home was quite nice and took us to the front of our building. I mostly relaxed in the evening (beans for supper) and Kerry went to gaming, even though he missed half of it.

Friday pictures: