September 22 Morning flight with Cathay Pacific is a rare delight. The flight attendants are super nice and keep giving me booze. I reach my airbnb close to Mapu-Go world cup stadium easily on public transport and meet my host Eunyoung, who happens to be hosting an all-girls party the very same night (and I … More 56 – All Calm on the Northern Front (as yet)
September 19 Arrival to Hong Kong on a fast train from Guangzhou, the immigration is pretty much hassle free. It’s hot, of course, but at least it’s not raining. I get the Octopus card (what is it with the English – and (former) colonies – and naming public transport passes after seafood?), which works for … More 55 – Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story…
I guess the reviews, as the feelings, will be mixed. Minuses The Chinese. Everyone who may have the bright idea to report this blog for racism is kindly advised to pay a visit to mainland China first. Coming from I don’t know how many generations of only children, they are selfish, inconsiderate, unhelpful and rude. … More 54 – China (conclusion)
September 15 Arrival to Guilin by nightfall. I meet 4 Air France flight attendants in my hotel reception, and we go for dinner together. I am very proud of how fluent – if a little bit rusty – my French is. I later walk around the city centre with a young Fin that I meet … More 53 – Around Guilin (and farewell, China)
September 8 Sleep late after a tormented night. Partly due to having chatted until late to a group of Slovaks that I met in my hotel upon my return (and I was verging towards allegro con brio already when I eventually made it back, to be quite honest), partly due to having been waken up … More 52 – Yunnan (Chapter 2)
Yunnan is arguably the most beautiful province of China. There are high mountains, clean – CLEAN – lakes, superb landscapes, beautiful towns (or what’s left of them), many ethnic minorities that have been divided from one another for centuries by natural obstacles, therefore kept their uniqueness (until recently). September 4 I meet Davide and Daniele … More 51 – Yunnan (Chapter 1)
August 29 The terracotta warriors is what people imagine when Xi’An is mentioned. It is also the beginning of the Silk Route and kind of a chinese silicon valley. This time I feel like I probably should not miss the town’s biggest attraction. Few advises: Take the public transport. It’s as quick as anything else, … More 50 – Toy soldiers and lazy bears
August 24 Train to China. Chinese train to China, to be precise. Which means spitting bowls are distributed as soon as we board the train. Thank Heaven I have Americans and a Brit in my compartment, but there is some military personnel next door, and I can assure you that I have never heard anything … More 49 – Cultural shock beyond imagination
I know, I know; I am a bit behind with my writing. But I have been busy seeing the world. So, just because I’ve been asked to do so, this is a short resume of my Russian trip. Pluses It is a beautiful country. If you are into outdoor activities, nature, trekking, camping, wild life, … More 48 – Russia (conclusion – in retrospective)
One word: extraordinary. Minuses: Not suitable for independent travelling, for many reasons. I think they are happy with organized tours with people who spend money, but don’t care about backpackers on budget. Public transport does not really exist. They are nomads, after all. No one outside the capital speaks any language. It is not possible … More 47 – Mongolia (conclusion)
Kacenka on the road 