说走就走#1

Just returned from Xi'an, a trip that I'd consider a solo travel to highest extent by far. The previous ones like the Nepal trip and the Tibet trip were less of solo travel as I was hosted by the agency for most parts of the trips.

I bought the flight ticket two days prior, totally and absolutely unplanned. It's also pretty much exploratory as that I knew so little about Xi'an as a matter of fact. It's rather an act of impulsion in conjunction with the Chinese saying "说走就走!". I was worried of the overwhelmed crowd as my travel was right after the golden holidays in China, May 1. Turned out it's perhaps a better timing that the crowd has diminished to nearly minimal, no congestion, no Q, no rubbish, no price hike and etc.

Touched down at Xian Yang airport middle of night. There was no more public transport available at that hour. Took a cab to get to the youth hostel that I'd booked. Paid 160rmb for the ride. Wtf, it's just 25rmb by airport bus, which drops me off right next to where I was going to stay. At the hostel, the two-men room that I'd booked was let go to someone else, as I arrived late. I'd to check in a 4 men room instead. Put up a night uncomfortably.

Second day, the limited survey about the city that I did was of little help. So I walked out on the street and started exploration. First thing was to get a local sim card to allow me browsing. Spent the whole morning and miles of walking, eventually there was a telco shop who settled it for me. Paid 150rmb for some 3G data, if not mistaken. The difficulty is that the rule is more stringent for sim card registration which requires ID card. Meanwhile, checked out on the nearby bus stations, the LRT stations, food hunts, travel agencies and so on. Bought a trip to 兵马俑+华清池。The man （杨世华）who discovered the 兵马俑 was present for autography session that I bought a 兵马俑book for 200rmb with his signature on.   Back to town, and had a conversation  with a Malaysian guy who was also staying at the same hostel as I did. He had returned from 华山.Got some information from him and yay I was otw the next day.

Took a high speed train to 华阴市, commenced hiking. So happened to bump into a 湖南guy, we hiked together. Otw, joined again two 浙江chicks. However, they all just did one day trip while I stayed overnight inside the mountain. Checked in at 东峰hotel, at 125rmb / night in a 10 men room. It was 150rmb at 北峰hotel. Was relieved to not pay for a big price for it. When I entered the first room given to me, there were few guys inside and they were smoking right there. I insisted a room change and I got it. Met two guys from 深圳。They were solo hikers like me too. Some great stories from them about hiking in 云南。I'm convinced enough that I'll make a trip there some days. The night was chilled. Got up at 5am in the morning to catch sun rise. Yes it's freaking cold. It was quite a scenery but less of a stellar one, probably because of the cloud and the haze. After the sun rise viewing, we split and carried on individually and we were heading for different route.

Back to town, took some time off and had the aching muscles rested. Made a short trip to the museum. Spotted a weird weather, hail (冰雹) which is snow fall and followed by rain. First time to see such a scene. I overheard that it is a rare occurrence. Bought a trip to 陕北for黄河壶口瀑布and 延安.

Was on a bus with mostly retired uncles and aunties. There was a group from 重庆and a group from 江苏。Good people. I got surprised that they didn't spit and litter like I used to know. There was one 重庆guy who dressed in military uniform and made a flag written "回延安" for this trip. 延安is a place where the first development of new China unfolded by president Mao. They called the trip 红旗之旅 that we visited few places relating to P. Mao. They sang the songs proudly praising P.Mao. This is impossible in boleh-land.

Last night at the town, just hang out and did some food hunt. Accidentally walked into a local market which reminds me of the Chatuchak market in Bangkok that they sell everything: food, cloth, jewelry, birds, fish and etc. Met a 长沙chick and went for lunch together. She was also a solo traveler, not a vivid one though.  Took the airport bus to airport.

Shit happened that I found out my flight was supposed to take off last night, which meant that I'd missed my flight. Wtf! Put up a night nearby the airport and bought a new ticket back to KL. Terrible conclusion of the trip. Gotta pay more attention to such details in future, sheer complacency! I'd laugh at myself for this kind of stupidity.

All in all, it's a good trip, apparently burst my budget for the mistake. Let it be. Now I'd added few more destinations to the list of places to visit...it just gets longer and longer, instead of the other way around...

Hopefully the Chengdu - Tibet biking trip will happen. Finger crossed!