Day 7 - July 25th 2002

The City - 0830

We awoke at 0800 today. Swerving around my soft duvets and pillows, I peeled my eyes open to the morning sun. We rushed to pack up the electronics and dump our suitcases by our door. Breakfast was held in the terrace cafe above the lobby. It was beautiful. Hot western dishes were offered and they tasted quite decent too. Juices, fried eggs, sausages, bacon, french toast - the lot.

Having filled ourselves to the full, we boarded the coaches and were introduced 2 new city guides. First stop - the asteroid museum a couple of minutes away. Reaching the plaza, we jumped off and entered the smallish alien structure. Inside the dark room, we encountered an alien who told us all about the museum, its aim and function.

Deeper in the structure, we encountered the largest recorded asteroid to hit earth. Nothing really glamorous, we all suspected fakes but no one could really tell.

After the explanations and discussions about the rocks, we made our way into Century Plaza and took a stroll around the landscaped scenery.

Exotics Farm - 1045

We boarded the bus promptly at 1020 and headed for the countryside where various types of deer, lemur and ginseng are cultivated. Our new tour guide just kept talking and seemed cheerful as ever. Wish I had a V to match the mood. First, we watched the deer from outside their pens. Their horns had been removed and were peacefully minding their own business until children came and roused them from their routine fun.

We left the pens and entered a covered area of cages. Inside the cages were little black animals (which I will refer to as lemurs). The guide took out a bar of chocolate and tempted the lemurs out for picture taking.

Up to this time, I still do not know the purpose of keeping these animals. Maybe they're for breeding.

Adjacent the lemurs was a garden-like area where ginseng was grown. The valuable roots of the plants needed close care and protection from the elements. Bright red fruit grew on the stalks of the plants reflecting the flashes of our cameras.

The River - 1130

Having seen the three exotics of Chang Chun, we happily stepped onto the coaches to be taken to the riverside terraces.

The stalls nearby received their share of ferocious bargaining as we left the area.

Shopping - 1200

As lunchtime approached, we took our time to browse through a shop that sold products containing the exotics we saw in the compound earlier. There was ginseng of varying grade, deer antlers and mink coats. Ah of course! The lemurs (actually minks) I mentioned before must have been cultivated for their fur!

 

 

 

Lunch - 1230

Lunch was special today. We were to consume an imperial meal, rich with both ingredients and style. Unfortunately, as usual, plates were piled up on top of each other and we had difficulty reaching any hot food. The stack of dishes was most impressive. The soup appeared to be enjoyed most. It contained a ginseng root (which I took control of), various chinese medical items and chicken. The light taste of it embraced all of our tongues. Waiters and doormen were dressed in traditional imperial attire.

Factory - 1600

Our initial visit to a car factory was foiled by today's public holiday, so we were pushed to visit a train car manufacturing site outside the city. We were taken by factory guides and filmed throughout the entire process of the visit from train wheels to train innards.

The train on show here was a far cry from the train we boarded some days ago. The corridors were wider, the rooms cleaner and the toilets - well, the toilets will still be toilets.

Dinner - 1700

We were screaming at the top of our voices as the coaches entered the club where dinner was to be had this evening. Screaming because there was a chance that we had to sing a song in front of the government officials who were hosting the dinner.

Butterflies invaded our stomachs as we were called out to sing the songs we were rehearsing an hour ago. Nontheless, we stood out and gave them what they wanted: with thin smiles and wavering voices, we delivered the BP spirit.

---< end of day 7 >---