Its been just over one year since our first fish collecting expedition. I was born in China, but left the country when I was 2 years old. I've only been back for short visits since then, but not to see the great varieties of fauna it has to offer. Stan my treval mate was born in sunny California, has traveled the world extensively,photographed and written magazines and books, but his first time embarking in China.
Day 1: We flew from Los Angeles to Beijing, the smog filled capital city of China. The airport was immense, modern, air conditioned. Once we stepped outside, to my dismay, the city was dirty, filled with gloom and glum. We managed to pick ourselves up after at grueling 14 hour flight only by pouring some $7.00/cup coffee down our throats.
After several hours of anxious waiting, we find our connecting flight, and again we're reminded that we're in China by the hundreds of people crowded around the ticket counter. There were no lines, and people were pushing and shoving, trying to get on the next flight, and this was just 45 minutes away from take off. After what seemed like hours of pushing and shoving, they managed to get most of the people on the plane, and we're good for take off!
Day 2: We have finally arrived in Szechuan Province. This place is much different than Beijin, the air was much cleaner. People were polite and more progressive. The only problem was nobody spoke the same dialect that we spoke. There are over 200 different dialects in China, and I speak 3 of the most commonly used ones, but it was little help here. Luckly, my wife was able to put together a detailed map, with hotels and driving directions for us, and our taxi driver, Xiao Tao to follow. On our way to the hotel we wanted to eat at a local seafood restuarant, while browsing, we saw a HUGE elopicthys bambusa, aprox. 80 cm sitting on a block of ice, but unfortunately I didn't get a picture! Our first meal there included, spicy fried whole fish, cold cut rabbit, spicy soup fish fish heads, and some local vegetables!
Day 1: We flew from Los Angeles to Beijing, the smog filled capital city of China. The airport was immense, modern, air conditioned. Once we stepped outside, to my dismay, the city was dirty, filled with gloom and glum. We managed to pick ourselves up after at grueling 14 hour flight only by pouring some $7.00/cup coffee down our throats.
After several hours of anxious waiting, we find our connecting flight, and again we're reminded that we're in China by the hundreds of people crowded around the ticket counter. There were no lines, and people were pushing and shoving, trying to get on the next flight, and this was just 45 minutes away from take off. After what seemed like hours of pushing and shoving, they managed to get most of the people on the plane, and we're good for take off!
Day 2: We have finally arrived in Szechuan Province. This place is much different than Beijin, the air was much cleaner. People were polite and more progressive. The only problem was nobody spoke the same dialect that we spoke. There are over 200 different dialects in China, and I speak 3 of the most commonly used ones, but it was little help here. Luckly, my wife was able to put together a detailed map, with hotels and driving directions for us, and our taxi driver, Xiao Tao to follow. On our way to the hotel we wanted to eat at a local seafood restuarant, while browsing, we saw a HUGE elopicthys bambusa, aprox. 80 cm sitting on a block of ice, but unfortunately I didn't get a picture! Our first meal there included, spicy fried whole fish, cold cut rabbit, spicy soup fish fish heads, and some local vegetables!
Now we're ready for our 7 hour long ride to the remote village. About 2 hours into our drive, we had to switch drivers, as the driver from the city did not want to drive all the way into the village. Then our second driver wanted to drop us off in the middle of nowhere as well, because he didn't know how to get to the final destination. In the picture you see me fighting with him at our destination as he was trying to charge us much more than originally agreed.
Finally we've arrived, this small town where people dry their vegetables alongside the partially paved roads. Our driver sped through the bumpy roads while dodging chickens and cows along the way, made rally racing look tame at this point.
The same evening after the long ride, we were greeted by our host, and he insisted that we have dinner with him, before we even had the chance to wash up or change. Once we went down to the hotel lobby we were escorted into a smoke filled room. After the long introduction and alcohol toasting, we find ourselves sitting in midst of city and government officials. Nonetheless, they were very gracious and hospitable, and our host treated us to a massage after dinner.
more to come...
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