Traveling through Africa was quit an experience. Traveling through China was in some ways similar and in others very distinct.
Modes of traveling included almost everything – by plane, train, boat, motorbike, bus, taxi, private vehicles, Chinese tractor-like vehicles, etc. Since 12 March up to now (21 April) I’ve spend approximately 12 hours in an airplane, 2 hours by boat (a fairy between Hong Kong en Macau), 23 hours in various busses, 75 hours by train, 3 hours by taxi, 1 ½ hours in private vehicles, 5 minutes on a motorbike and 45 minutes on a Chinese tractor altogether.
One thing which was similar to Africa is that the Chinese also have the ability to use every available space and busses (especially the ones used to travel within towns) are packed. There’s always place for more people. Even the trains are packed with people sitting on the seats, in the aisles and even standing wherever they can find a spot.
Making use of busses is a very general way of transport. After a while we perfected the art of managing a heavy back-pack while getting into a crowded bus. One important lesson I’ve learned is to make sure of the direction you’re traveling in. This happened in Macau when we were heading home after an exhausting challenge day. A trip that should have taken 20 minutes ended up taking 1 hour 30 minutes, because we got on the right bus, but in the wrong direction! We’ve also had our share of waiting at bus stops, sometimes even up to 30 minutes before the next bus (the busses travel on a circular route). This kind of waiting can be a matter of concern when you’re soaking wet, the shops are being closed and you’ve just heard that the reason for all of this is a number 8 typhoon warning. This means everything closes and the busses are completing their route by dropping people of, but not picking up any new passengers. By God’s grace we got the last bus to where we stayed!
Our longest trip in a train was 35 hours. Spending half of the trip in the sleeper coach and the other half in the seated coach. Interesting things happens on such trips. There’s sales people walking up and down the aisles promoting their products and then there’s also a big crowd just staring at you or looking curiously over your shoulder, very fascinated by the foreigners. I guess we had a taste of what animals in a zoo must experience.
The hour ride by fairy (a kind of jet speedboat that’s huge) was also a first. While speeding through the waves, the tiredness helped to keep the sea sickness in tact.
I am very thankful for the friendly people in China who seemed to pitch up just when we needed it most. During our hike to the mountains and exploring the towns and nearby villages, we received lifts on some of the local tractor-like vehicles (only three wheels on this vehicle). During our Macau challenge a local gave us a lift in his vehicle – all 10 of us in one standard vehicle! When we stayed in one of the smaller towns, one of the neighbours gave me and Paul a lift on his motorbike – 3 adults on one bike going to the market!
Traffic in general in mainland China is quit scary and there seems to be only one rule – whatever you do, keep moving even if it means driving on into the oncoming traffic’s lane or taking a one way in the wrong direction. When vehicles want to pass each other, they just blown the horn and start passing even if a vehicle is approaching or it’s going around a turn in a very high and mountain pass. This constant blowing of horns can become very annoying, especially if you’re not use to it.
Once again we can just thank God for the transport He provided and for keeping us safe during all our travels. We give him glory and honour. He also brought us to Malaysia safely and you’ll hear more about our traveling in this country in about a month’s time.
Be blessed and stay on the narrow road of life!
Marisa