Day 102 (Fri 25 Dec): Kunming to Anshun

Merry Christmas, everybody 🙂 Christmas is not so all-consuming here, a funny mix between shopping, a gentle festive vibe and business-as-usual. Which was lucky as it turned out to be a travel day. So we “rode forward” on the metro:

… to the (very busy) train station.

A totally chilled day watching the world go by (well, China anyway), through the changing landscape:

… fuelled by copious quantities of coffee (by my standards at least, which means I got through almost one teaspoon):

Learning my lesson from train travel in Vietnam, we booked the soft sleeper, and had the cabin to ourselves. Result 🙂

Staff were very willing and helpful throughout our journey, but they didn’t seem to fully appreciate that we didn’t speak Chinese. So we rolled with it: after clearly signaling that we had no idea what she was saying, and getting a response of a friendly smile, nod and further instructions in Chinese, Rudy preceded to have a conversation with her, with neither understanding the other (“Ah,” said Rudy, holding the disposable slippers, “one on each foot, yes.”). I was crying with laughter. Maybe you had to be there.

The journey whizzed by all too quickly. We really didn’t want to arrive.

But I’m glad we did because Rudy had booked the Hilton. Awesome Christmas present. Thanks, Rudy 😀

But first we had to get there. Taxi driver didn’t understand “Hilton” (isn’t that a universal term, especially if you’re a taxi driver with a Hilton in your city?), and couldn’t read a map (!). Within moments, a young lady had stepped in to assist with her basic English, and even tried calling the number on my booking. Five minutes, and about a dozen locals later, we were on our way through Anshun.

Welcome cookie. Never had a welcome cookie before. I knew I was going to like this place 🙂

amazing views:

Full-size swimming pool with jacuzzi:

Gym and yoga studio also helped. Add into the mix a bath, rainfall shower, tonnes of toiletries, a mini bar, kettle and the comfiest bed ever, and I was one very happy bunny. Even the most independent, go-with-the-flow girl need a bit of luxury sometimes 😉

After a long, hard swim and long, gentle jacuzzi (where I had a long conversation with Bruce, courtesy of the app on his phone), I disappeared into the ladies’ changing rooms… followed by one of the attendants. She proceeded to take care of me: providing more towels than I knew what you do with, turning on the shower and adjusting it to a nice temperature, escorting me to the sauna when I was done (which I unfortunately had to decline due to time constraints) and keeping an eye on me whilst I got dressed (which was rather disconcerting, but done with the best of intentions). Cotton buds, hair dryer and three different types of hairbrush were provided, too. I emerged exercised, relaxed and beautifully clean and remembered how much I love swimming. Only a piano was required to compete the set and I figured a place the size of Anshun may have one somewhere. But I was very happy with the home comforts so far and food was higher up the agenda.

As we walked over the bridge into town, we saw the dancing fountains… and were spotted by the locals. More photo requests as Rudy tried to video, and we duly obliged. “You’re starting to like all the attention, aren’t you?” I asked Rudy. “Yeah, it’s great,” he replied, “I’ve never been this popular in Belgium!”

We spotted it at the same time. I couldn’t believe it, and Rudy knew what was coming. “May I play?” I asked the assistant; she nodded and signalled to the piano.

It was quite late by the time I’d had my fix and, the Asians being early eaters, our dinner options were limited. But we struck lucky. After perusing the menu of a street cafe…

… we pointed at dishes others were eating, and signalled how many of each!

Christmas dinner (the peas were amazing, and the first I’ve had all trip):

Then back to the hotel, fed, tired and happy, for a sleep in a big, comfy, warm bed. Today was one of the most memorable Christmas days ever 🙂