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07.10.2007
Welcome to de Da Dong Holiday Hotel…. It’s very, very Chinese. A lot of smiling
faces and they are all very excited. One small guy in a black suit has headphones
with microphone, screaming something in it, as he is rapidly moving forward in the
corridor. And we follow as celebrated group of….sheep.
It was raining. Not pouring down, but more than just a drizzle. It started in the
morning with a strong gale force wind – luckily from side to begin with. Then
slowly turning right to our faces. And then came the clouds..
During our lunch break we had a small incident. Carl came a bit to close to Gustaf
and Kristian was in between. A strong kick in the leg that could have been almost
fatal. Luckily it only hit the muscle
We continued to Liangcheng – a small town 100 km south east of Hohot and our
last stop before reaching the capital of Inner Mongolia.
We proceeded in a quite good tempo – most f the time it is ok, but it is quite
boring at times. One is tired of everything. Te only thing that matters is getting
there. Where ever that might be. You have to have a goal for every day.
Otherwise..
Well our goal for the day, the town of Liangcheng was reached just by sunset – no
sun to be seen though. Just heavy clouds.
The best hotel in town was actually ok. The hot water was not hot off course and
the pressure in the pipes like a last sigh. But the room was clean and the view
from my room was surprising – a big roof of blue corrugated sheet metal in
striking blue color. It was the roof of the church. Standing still proudly in the heart
of the town. I wonder when the last missionaries left this area.
Next morning we continued in clear sunshine. The mountain pass of the day did
not look that bad – and I almost promised myself that no shortcuts this time. Just
easily by the road, no sweat…a nice little walk. My muscles need some treatment.
But not of this kind – gentle but firm hands..
Well, these mountains were not so small. The road kept going up, up, up and
when the first possibility to use a path that would make this trek shorter I did not
find myself being opposed to the idea.
Lunch at the top – a good dumpling soup and some old bread and off we went
again for four hours and then the usual routine with putting up our tents. Cover the
horses with blankets..A little food…
The next day we had an early start and late in the afternoon we did reach the
outskirts of Hohot. The problem was how to find a camping spot among all the
roadwork and cornfields.
After a little more than the usual hassle we did – despite the opposition from our
driver Wang. He is Mr. No – or Mr. Meiyo (“not possible” in Chinese) The most
common obstacle is that it is not possible to drive the truck there.
Do I sound unfair?... or too harsh in my judgment? Nope, on the contrary – I am
very mild in my critique. Just guess how many times I have jumped behind the
steering wheel “ to finish the job”…. Yes vely many..
Hohot is like any other larger Chinese city – long, broad and straight roads – no
street lights, And then lot of new high rise buildings and as many under
construction.
But what makes this city different from the previous is that it is fairly clean. And
during daytime you have a chance to see a blue sky and
very little pollution. The sights of Hohot are all newly built with some minor
exceptions.
We check in to the newly opened Shangri-La hotel. T was supposed to open next
march but it is already open for business. Not in full swing and all facilities are not
working. Still it feels nice to reload the batteries in a surrounding that works.
Our stiff muscles need some soothing treatment so we ask one of the Managers
at Shangri-la where to go when the health club at the hotel is not open yet.
- Go to a newly open hotel here nearby. I was
there some days ago and it was
very good. No hanky panky just good massage. The have an offer 68 RMB (10
USD) for 100 minutes of foot massage. says Eric with a smile.
Eric Ang is from Singapore and has been with Shangri –La for a year. He also
offers to take us there.
We reach the Da Dong Holiday Hotel after just 10 minutes walk.
As soon as we step out of the elevator ten Chinese smiling phases are welcoming
us….
This Spa has a very Chinese design and it is big. A lot of corridors that seems
endless with an amazing amount of staff running around. Everybody is smiling and
wants to be helpful to a point that is a bit exhausting. The rooms are quiet and
comfortable. We are served tea and fresh fruits.The treatment starts with a tea
bath for the feet. Then firm small hands begin to handle my feet - like if they
were a chunk of dough..
Nearly two hours later we come out on the street. With our feet and legs feeling
like they have wings. A bit like Mercury’s…so we fly back on our wings to a nice
king-size bed…because we are worth it!
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