Hi all
we've booked on the journey across China and are very much wishin September was already here. Just wandering if anyone who has been or is going has any hints, tips or comments on the trip or country. Thanks
Chris
You can also mail me on screechy@hotmail.com
Re: Journey Across China
Is that the 3 week trip going out on 22 Sept and taking in Beijing, Xian, Guillin, 3 Gorges, etc?
If so, I'm doing it and then flying from Kunming to Hanoi to walk in the mountains and sit on a beach near Halong Bay for a week. Or at least that's the plan
Re: Journey Across China
Yea, thats the one, we're going into Beijing a few days before the 22nd so we gotta go back at the end of the tour, gotta be back at work :-(
We've got Kunming-HK-Zurich-Birmingham!
You been before? I never used Imtrav b4 but I hear they're OK. Feel free to mail me at
screechy@hotmail.com
Might have to try a couple of times cos its a bit dodgy at the moment, too much junk mail blocking the account up.
Re: Journey Across China
Hi there Chris
never been to China before - don't even possess any in the dining room (don't even have a dining room).
Like the e mail - thought mine was bad - bogsnorkel@hotmail.com !
I've always wanted to experience the country and looking forward to squeezing some good walking/biking in where possible.
I'm arriving the day before the tour and staying in the hotel recommended by the company - so will look to do some exploring around Beijing (if I'm not asleep by then)
Nick
Re: Journey Across China
Chris / Nick Hi,
I'm doing the same trip - starting in Beijing on the 23rd, just paid my deposit in fact.
Some friends of mine have been with imtrav for peru and china and have come back with good reports - hence my booking now.
Not sure if I can get a few days after or not - I would like to go to Hong Kong but I think the work thing is going to pull me back to the UK as well all too soon.
Incidently, Nick, you'll love Hanoi and Halong Bay.
'Fraid my e-mail is a tad boring compared to yours sutton_jerry@hotmail.com
Not sure when I'm arriving in Beijing, but it will be the saturday at the earliest.
I've yet to arrange flights.
Looking forward to it anyway.
cheers
Jerry
Re: Journey Across China
Sutton-Jerry
Ah yes that lesser well known band from the 60s
Re: Journey Across China
Welcome Jerry
think we're assembling most of the tour group here, well 4 anyway. I haven't got my Visa sorted yet but am looking into it in the next week or so. I think we arrive into Beijing on the Friday morning (so long as Swiss air dont go bust again). We're in the recommended hotel as well so see you there. Can someone tell me if we have to buy our RMB at the airport frenzy area or can we buy it over here yet?
Chris (McCartney) The lesser known brother to Paul. No honest I am.
Re: Journey Across China
Hi Chris,
Good to assemble ourselves a bit before going out. Got your e-mail as well.
I haven't been to china before but some friends of mine were there last year with imtrav and the reports were good. They did the china explored tour.
Most of my travel has been independent as well, but I decided to join a group for this one basically because china is huge, I don't speak or write the lingo, and most of the people there don't speak or write mine either. I imagine with the adventurer style tour most people will be in a similar situation. I know people who have travelled independently in china, but it takes a long time to do with the distances involved - something that work won't allow unfortunately. It's nice with a relatively short break not to have to worry about travel arrangements all the time.
I've just booked my flights today. Swiss were the cheapest but not the most convenient for me date wise (I live in Aberdeen which is a pain for international flights) so I stumped up a bit extra to go lufthansa and minimise my days off work. I've got one extra night booked before the tour and arrive at 8:30am on the 22nd. After the tour I fly kunming - hong kong and home the same day.
No rest for the wicked and all that.
Jerry
Re: Journey Across China
About getting money at the airport or somewhere in Beijing: as far as I remember (from 1999) there isn't a bank near the hotel where the China tours start (Tiantan), so you would have to take a taxi to the nearest bank. So I would advice you to get money at the airport. And anyway, then you can spend all your time sightseeing!
Have a fun time in China, all of you!
Robert.
Re: Journey Across China
Thanks Robert
I was there in 97 and there was a huge frenzy to change money at the one ticket booth there. Like you say I'd rather get the money and then not have to worry about it for a while. I was just hoping that they had a better system in place now. Thanks
Chris
Re: Journey Across China
Ni Hao Comrades
Yea I think Lufthansa was our next option. Most of my annual holliday has gone on this but it'll be worth it. Catherine wanted an extra couple of days either in Beijing or HK, and Beijing won cos we have both been to Hong Kong before, and there is so much to see in beijing. I think we arrive at about 8.30 am aswell just on the Friday. I think we said for imtrav to pick us up but am not too confidant that it will work! Definately agree about the large distances and little time. Getting tickets in China can be a nightmare and cost a lot of precious time. As for my knowledge of the language, well I can get the beers in! I can read a little (very little pinyin) but I know only a couple of characters. I am aiming to learn or recap a bit b4 we go, but it probably wont work out that way. I'm gonna check out the foreign office site later and establish the Visa procedure, I'll let you know on this site when I have the info.
Chris
Re: Journey Across China
We seem to be building up quite a few celebritees (sure I've spelt that wrong). My brother is Chris O'Donnell of Hollywood fame. Reminds me of that old joke - what's the difference between Batman and a scouser. Batman can go out without Robin!
Any advice Chris on taking money out - travellers cheque/sterling/dollars?
Many thanks, Nick
Re: Journey Across China
Indeed, I can see we're gonna have a pun fest in September!
I took a mixture of travellers cheques and cash last time. Haven't decided what combintation to get yet. I think I actually took dollars rather than sterling last time but recently there hasn't been much advantage over each. Haven't given it much thought as yet. At the moment I'll probably go one third cash, two thirds TC's. Last time there was one ticket booth open in the whole airport and you had to change money before you went through a security check and into the main exit area. As you can imagine this was an experience as 4 jumbo jet loads of people all wanted cash. I'm hoping there is a better, quicker system in place. I never had a problem changing TC's and VISA will be accepted in Beijing and Xian. It may be accepted outside of here, but dont count on it. In my experience advertising the Visa sign doesn't mean we can actually use it!
I checked out the Visa situation and it can all be found on
www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/c12701.html
Unfortunatley I couldn't download the pdf which has the Visa application form on it so I've got to phone them up for one. Still no rush at the moment.
Nick- I spent a few years living in Manc, I have many a scouser joke!
Chris
Re: Journey Across China
Afraid I was born in Manchester - hence I can't support Man U as I don't come from Malaysia or some similar remote part of the globe. Grew up in the posh part of Liverpool - Chester! My girlfriend lives on the Wirral, so all Liverppol jokes very welcome.
Jerry - how come you have Sutton in your e mail, but live in Aberdeen?
Re: Journey Across China
Well apart from studying there I have nothing to do with Manc, born in the South lived mostly in the Midlands, so I qualify well as a ManU fan. Surely Nick you can now throw off the birth shackles as you live in London you are well qualified as a United fan? I'm not going away with a City fan am I??
I'm sorry to hear your girlfriend comes from the wirral, I hear that people in that area can go on to lead a perfectly normal life in some cases.
Re: Journey Across China
Well , my other half is from a place called Burnt Island. Apparently it's not even an island, hence they are all confused before they even get to school age from what I can gather.
Sutton is my surname and of course my relatives all play footie around the seed garden.
I hail from the oxford/berk/hamp-shires and some how have ended up in the frozen north.
About the visa form on the chinese embassy website - you have to have asian font support installed with acrobat reader in order to download it. You can get this from adobe's site for free I believe. it works fine after that.
and... unless you can get to one of the embassies, you have to pay 20 squids for a postal application, oh well.
Re: Journey Across China
Yea I noticed that there was a 20 quid charge on the postage, thats not nice. I'll get the chinese language characters tomorrow from Adobe. Cheers
Chris
Re: Journey Across China
I have just booked the Journey Across China trip beginning 23 September and am going out a day early (arrive late afternoon on the 22nd). Want to spend an extra day in Beijing, particularly so I can see the Summer Palace, which I don't think is included in our tour.
Will be staying in the tour hotel and would love to meet up with others on the same trip, who have also got that extra time free. Feel there's a bit more safety in numbers, especially when the language is going to be so tough.
Anyone else in a similar situation?
Re: Journey Across China
Welcome Liz,
As you can see I think most of us will be around on the Saturday. Catherine (and I will be there on the Friday morning. We're all staying in the same hotal. I'm sure Catherine will want to see the summer palace, as will the others I guess so we could all arange to go together. I wouldn't worry too much about the language, a few words go a long way, and I still believe China is a very safe place, normal common sense applies of course. Feel free to mail us here, or at my e-mail address which is listed at the top,
Chris
Re: Journey Across China
Hi Liz
I'd definitely be interested in going to the Summer palace on the 22nd or the 23rd. What time do you arrive and on which airline? I arrive onthe 22nd at 16.45, so I guess the 23rd would be best for me (the tour starts at 19.00 I believe). Not sure how far away it is from beijing.
By the way, you have to have a famous brother to be on this trip - Paul Mccarthy, Chris O'Donnell and Mungo Jerry so far.
Nick
Re: Journey Across China
Great to hear from both of you, and I feel more confident about my extra day in the capital knowing you will be there.
Looks like we might be on the same flight Nick - Thai airlines from Heathrow, via Bangkok, arriving at 1645 on the 22nd. So the 23rd is definitely the Summer Palace day for me, too.
I'm afraid I don't have any famous relatives to contribute but I've:
* been propositioned by Jimmy Savile
* been charmed by Steve Cram, and
* been sworn at by Brian Harvey (former East 17).
Oh yes, and my brother took the official photos of John Major when he got to No 10.
Do I qualify?
Re: Journey Across China
I was checking out the details and stuff yesterday. The Summer Palace is about as far away as you can get from our hotel, we're sort of South eastish, the Palace is North West. Also the Temple of Heaven is not included on the tour, but this is very close to our hotel, which is on Tiantan Lu (Temple of Heaven road). Also Mao's Mauseleum is not included which is in Tianamen Square but I think the other two are much more important. Hopefully the square will be well decorated in the run up to National day.
Chris
Oh-Jimmy Saville, rattle Rattle Jewlery Jewlery.
Re: Journey Across China
Hi again all and welcome Liz,
Looks like a plan then - the Summer Palace on the 23rd is good for me too. Safety in numbers and all that.
I get in on the 22nd at 8:30am and will probably fall asleep after the marathon flight. I assume I'm staying in the same hotel - I just booked over the internet and ordered an extra night before the tour.
A few beers on the Sunday night is in order then.
Mungo J
Is Jimmy Saville still alive?
[This message has been edited by jerry (edited May 28, 2002).]
Re: Journey Across China
Yep, Sounds like a plan to me. Chinese beer is surprisingly good, the most famous is Tsind Tao, which you can usually buy in an English supermarket. Its original recipe was a German one after one of them took it to China, although it has changed a little since then. I'm sure we're in the same hotel, does anyone know how the airport pickup works? We did ask to be met at teh airport but as I said before am a bit cautious, I've never been with these guys so I dont know how they operate.
Chris
Re: Journey Across China
Chris. I did four tours with imaginative and got my arrival transfer every time. I was worried sick my first time in India and then again in Egypt. But got picked up and have ever since. I'm off to Thailand and Vietnam and I know what to expect, so no real concerns. I do have to confirm my flight information to them, have you? You should expect a great group leader (and from reading here, excellent company) and a very well run itinerary with lots of free time. Enjoy.
Re: Journey Across China
Thanks for the reassurance Caroline
We're really lookin forward to it, It's not a great deal if there is no one there, but I know how much easier it is if someone has sorted it out.
Re: Journey Across China
Liz
It sounds like you are way too qualified...mind you being propositioned by Mr Saville and sworn at mr Brian Harvey would cover half the population. I guess if Steve Cram were ever being persistent, you cant really run away.
Afraid I can only offer a sauna with Gazza - brought awhole new meaning to the Gaza Strip.
I'm definitely up for the 23rd and am happy to go with the flow and beers on the 22nd sound fantastic
Re: Journey Across China
Liz
Yes - I'm on thatsame flight. Happy to meet up at Heathrow, etc beforehand to compare forgotten/superfluous items, etc.
Are you travvelling down to London, or already living there? So many questions!
Re: Journey Across China
So many questions and so little time! Well plenty of time really. As Catherine lives in London I come down every few weeks if anyone wants to meet up for a pre tour drink over the summer. Bit busy while the world cup is on though! Still we'll be out of it a week today.
Re: Journey Across China
I've been following the chat going on here and I have to say that it sounds like you're all going to have a ball. I'm so jealous. My dad did meet Sir Harry Secombe once though so I'm sure I would've fitted in perfectly. And yes, he is dead.
Re: Journey Across China
Nick - would be great to meet at Heathrow before the flight. I will be travelling from Nottingham.
And I am slightly reluctant to admit this - but can't ignore the challenge - I also met Harry Secombe. (Am I doing too much name dropping - becoming dull rather than intriguing? All will become clear, eventually.)
Re: Journey Across China
If your a jealous guy/girl, and John has gone the way of Harry, you must be Bryan(ie) Ferry??
Nice to see the old relly giving it some welly on stage on Monday night, shame he never sent me a ticket.
What area of Notts are you from Liz? Catherine originates from the field of Mans area. You certainly leave a varied trail of celebraties behind you, Harry Secombe, Jimmy saville, Gazza, steve Cram. can't see a link there myself. Anyone else seeing one??
Re: Journey Across China
Hiya everyone thought I'd better get a few words in before I get left behind,just to exlain I am Chris's other half.
Its my fault that chris and i are going to china this year as I have never been and wanted to see all the sights that chris saw when he was out there. Really looking forward to the Yangze trip and Guilin as been reading up, especially on the three gorges and they sound out of this world.
Anyway guess I'll see you all for drinks on the sunday night if not before,
Cath.
Oh, can I join in on the name dropping as it seems to be a running theme?
I am a nottingham forest fan (not ashamed to admit it!)so met stuart (the almighty)pearce on a few occasions and also met Daley Thompson in a sweaty sports hall. Hmmm nice!!!!
Re: Journey Across China
Dear all
I'm happy to meet up anytime. I'm London based - so if there is anything that I can usefully help with (eg collecting Visa forms )then let me know.
Good to see that your early belief in England's inability to make the second round, Chris hasn't happened (so far). Fantastic peformance against Argentina despite only have 10 men - Heskey is a waste of space.
Cath - sorry to hear about the Notts Forest bit.
Nick
(A Chester supporter! And yes, they are now in the Conference)
Re: Journey Across China
Catherines trying to get over the Forest bit. I try not to mention 8-1 to her but I cant help myself sometimes.
As for Heskey I agree, but maybe its Svens cunning disguise, we play ten men and a donkey, whilst opponants are on the floor pissing themselves at us fielding a Donkey, Becks gets in and scores. I thought we had 9 men on the pitch, I never saw Mr Owen. But then he should be playing for Wales so no wonder he's not bothered about England.
Getting back to China, me and Catherine have read a few books, has anyone else been doing any and got any suggestions?? Ta
Ps, we still need a result against Nigeria yet, remeber Romania two years ago. Granted Neville isnt there to cock it up this time.
Re: Journey Across China
Chris - I have to diagree on the Mr Owen front - I mean his dad played for Chester and so what better credentials could a man have. If you forget the pen he gained, the shot that hit the post and the one that narrowily went wide plus all his running, then I suppose he did little. Perhaps on Sunday's performance, Forrest will submit a
Re: Journey Across China
Granted Owen won the penalty, but these shots he narrowly missed, 4 years ago he would have scored. He's too scared to give the ball a decent kick these days. Not the player he was, one trick pony I think. That siad he'll probably score three on Wednesday now.
I have the LP guide to China and will probably invest in the updated SW China one. Looks like most of the stuff on our tour is fantastic. I was aware you could only apply 3 months ahea for the VISA, but I didn't know you could get Yuan in China town. One thing I would say is that I didn't find dollars all that useful but when I did use them, it would be very small notes. If you get dollars from the bank, try and get a number of 1 dollar notes, twenty dollar notes will not be that practical in a lot of situations. I know 5 years ago it was about 1 dollar to 8 Yuan, or about 1 pound to 13(ish) yuan.
Re: Journey Across China
According to the Lp SW China, you can get Chinese currency from some branches of the Bank of China including Hong Kong and London's Chinatown. I will check out the latter.
Nick
Re: Journey Across China
Really grateful for the offer of an overnight stay, Nick. I haven't begun to think about how/when to get to London but it's good to know that I have an option. Will let you know, in due course, whether or not I'm going to accept your kind offer. Thanks.
Re: Journey Across China
Liz - that's fine.
I'm just glad that I have some company for the flight. The last time I went to NZ to meet friends, I'd written all my postcards before I'd landed (42 hour flight). That was the easy bit. Trying to convince ecveryone that Auckland had a replica Big Ben/St Stephens Tower - a little harder.
Re: Journey Across China
Hi again all,
I get the feeling that the reason people say that the US dollar is useful is really because anyone will change it for you.
In vietnam and cambodia I was able to use dollars as a second currency pretty much all the time (with prices rounded up of course), and indeed many things were just priced in dollars. I get the feeling that this two tier system doesn't really operate in China though.
My friends who were in China last year seemed to think that cash dollars were the best to change. I don't think that they had much trouble with travellers cheques either.
I've had a quick read of the LP as well and it does seem rather good doesn't it, and it will be good to do a couple of the extras before the tour starts. Chris / Cath do you have a plan for the sunday before beer time? I imagine I will be in the hotel late morning.
......and we are in the last 16, that's a surprise.
Re: Journey Across China
Jerry (and all)
As far as the money, I never saw things priced in Yuan and dollars, only Yuan. occasionally street vendors in tourist areas would accept dollars but it made little difference to the actual value of the goods. I used to live in a city called Fuzhou, and never had any trouble changing sterling or dollars. I think that the days of the dollar ruling the roost are coming to an end. The Party would not take too kindly to paying for things in dollars I think! As you said cash can be changed anywhere whereas cheques require a larger town, but that will not be a problem I dont think.
We have no plans for the Sunday as yet, I keep meaning to get a list of all that we are going to do and then the extras we want to do. The temple of Heaven is a definate possibility on the Sunday, especially as its close by. Anything you wanted to see??
I have read a book, and Catherine is reading it now, called River at the Centre of the world by simon winchester and its very good, all about up the Yangste.
Last 16 here we come. Wasnt it nice to see the Arguies crying this morning, and the French as well. Suddenly we look pretty good!!!
Re: Journey Across China
You guys are going to have a blast. I was on this trip in March/April and really wished I didn't have to come home to Canada at the end of it. I wouldn't worry about changing money at the airport as you can do that at the tour hotel. You'll be able to change money at most of your hotels (just not on the cruise boat). And the Summer Palace was definitely the highlight of Beijing for me. A few people in the group skipped Tiannamen Square to go see it. Man do I want to go back.
Re: Journey Across China
Hi Mandy,
Nice to here from someone who has been on the trip recently, especially as it sounds like a party.
Looks like we're all going to hit the Summer Palace before the tour starts which should get us into the swing of things.
Chris, Temple of heaven was on my list as well, and like you said, it's close, and I don't think major distance will be my priority straight after the flight.
Damn, why is it still only June, I want to go on holiday!
Re: Journey Across China
I'm definitely on for seeing the Summer Palace - although I, like Liz, arrive on the Sunday and so I think Mon is the best day for us. Jerry/Chris - if you do go on the Sunday any info/advice would be useful for our poss visit the following day.
You'll know which one is Liz by all the jangle jangle jewellery around her neck and arms.
Of course by the time we get to China, we'll have won the Football World Cup and Birmingham will have been relegated.
Re: Journey Across China
Greetings again
It certainly does look like a party, but which party comrades. I thought we were all going to head off to the Summer Palace on the Monday. As I recall it is a way out so we could try and organise some transport or at least work a route out for the Monday when we get there. Jerry (and anyone else if they are there) we could do the Temple of Heaven on the Sunday. Me and Catherine will probably just check out some other stuff and have a wonder round the city for a couple of days. We're in no rush and it makes sense to go in a group.
Chris
PS, Nick, as stated before I am a red but each year a pray for Villa to be relegated.
Re: Journey Across China
Yep, that's the way I see it too, Sunday afternoon for Temple of Heaven perhaps, and Monday for Summer Palace. Not forgetting a few bevvies in between of course.
Not sure when I'm going to sleep, but hey, who cares.
.....here's hoping for Friday !
Re: Journey Across China
Apologies - misunderstood the other messages - Monday would be fantastic. I believe that our flight gets in at 16.30 ish on the Sunday and presumably we'll need to contact ImT to get a pick up from the airport to the hotel.
Re: Journey Across China
So any volunteers to form a search party to find the other 10 people on the trip.
Chris - how long were you in China for previously? My money's on B'ham to be bottom of the premweship when we get back from China and City to be ahead of United!
Re: Journey Across China
I was there for 5 months or so, used to teach English in a city called Fuzhou. I was thinking the same about the others in the group and how to go about finding them! Guess we could contact imtrav and see if they have contact emails or something. My money would be on Man City to be bottom of the table when we get back, with Birmingham just above them. Any season where City go down is a good one, so we're lookin forward to this one.
Re: Journey Across China
I've been doing all my arrangements online so far, and according to James, Imtrav's online consultant, the tour should be full by the time we go out. It would be nice to here from some of the others.
He also said we may hold the record for the longest forum.
I know he keeps an eye on the forums as a whole but I'll e-mail him again if you guys think it's a good idea. I know that Imtrav won't be able to give out other peoples details as that's against the data protection act, but they would be allowed to pass ours on I think if we give permission.
Whether they have any channels for doing so of course is another matter.
Gosh, that all sounds very serious doesn't it.
......and I guess the Brazil result was to be expected, oh well, shame though considering they only had 10 men on the field for the last part.
This day is not starting well, my car broke down as well!