2007 : Remembrance of China (Part 6) ..

Before my memory faded, maybe I should be slightly more discipline and try to write a few more points.


English..

Much due to tourism I guess, many instructions / signboards (even the official ones) in China have English translation. Because we understand both English and Chinese languages, we tried to read both versions. Mm.. It was a very “entertaining” experience. I believe the Ang Mohs will find it very confusing. Sorry, I only remember the laughing and have forgotten the specific examples.

But but but..
We can feel that the Chinese are very keen in learning the English language.

Example 1 : Knowing that we are from Singapore, one of the staff member at Sim's Cozy Guesthouse approached W to clarify some words in English.

Example 2 : We saw restaurant waitresses practising with each other to pronouce the words in the menu right during the time when it was not too crowded.

Example 3 : We saw a young local initiating conversation with an Ang Moh in English (and happily conversing in English thereafter) during one of those long journey bus rides.

And so on..

I am rather impressed with their learning attitude and I believe their standard of English will catch up real soon.

I quite believe in the saying :
It’s the attitude and not the aptitude that determines the altitude.



Right Time / Right Season? ..

I got to admit, this may not be the "so-called best" season to visit 九寨沟 or 黄龙 . It is the drier and hotter season and water is interpreted as the soul of these places. In other words, we missed quite a bit of scenery, especially at 黄龙.

We were advised by some locals that more rain-water will come in late June. But 九寨沟 ( and 黄龙 ) is best visited after 15th of October, because that is the time not only there are plenty of water, but the leaves will be red enough. In other words, these places will be blossomed in different shades of red, orange, yellow and green against the clear turquoise or blue water. Plus, all the water-falls will be unleashing their full might.

If you dare to brave the coldness, the wintry scenes (at later months) will definitely carry a different charm to please you. Just imagine the green pines covered in white snow standing just beside the clear blue water. Yes, we were told some water bodies will not be frozen even during winter.

By the way, during our recent visit, we could even still see some snow-capped ranges nearby and the temperature at 九寨沟 is well below 20 degrees Celsius by day (in this month), and well below 10 degrees Celsius by night (in this month). I remember we were snaking through the wooden planks under the tree shade, just beside the flowing waters for 4 hours, still feeling fresh without perspiring. Cool!

And, I was literally nearly got frozen at the airport near 黄龙. It was early and I think the temperature then was below 10 degrees Celsius as we were on higher ground. The people working there were wearing wintry thick coat. Me? I was wearing t-shirt, Bermuda with a simple vest and that cannot-make-it kind of jacket. *shiver*

On a fairer note :
- Dryness provides a different kind of beauty. I still like it and find it lovely.
- The tourist crowd is not as much and usually the accomodation rates are significantly slashed (compared to their published rates).
- We have a good enough reason to revisit the same places again in different season(s).

Visiting these places at different time of the year (during different season) will give us different memories. I think our trip is still a very memorable one. :)

这一次的远游，是回味无穷的。谢了老友 W 。

我只是希望我不会在不知不觉中，
唠叨了一点、长气了一点、啰嗦了一点。
那一定会相当烦。

此乃我的旧痼。
Mm ...
若有的话，就真的不好意思咯。我会多注意的。：P

This is 长海 @ 九寨沟.
Those are snow-capped ranges at the background (during summer).

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有一位圣者这么说：

成功
不在于别人的勉励，而在于己身的自动自发；
不在于天生的才能，而在于现在的勤奋不倦。