great scenery... good roads... no traffic... eating up the miles....
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great scenery... good roads... no traffic... eating up the miles....
The lightning speed of the mighty Jialing JH600A took me all the way down the peninsula to Hai'An (ferry docks to Haikou - Hainan Island), GPS: 20°16′16″N 110°13′37″E
Rolling into Xuwen / Hai'An district its quite a sight to see, hundreds of trucks lined up waiting to have a run over a huge weight bridge before being allowed to drive into the Hai'An ferry dock waiting area for loading and boarding.
Looked at a few hotels beside the road towards Xuwen county http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hai%27an,_Xuwen_County but not really into the KTV - Hotel - Massage treatment the natives prefer and went to check out the ferry docks.
They operate 24hr. and decided on the spot to get on a large ferry boat to Haikou (approx. 2hr. passage) for 68RMB all incl. and access to the climate controlled passenger lounge area with food & beverage options and entertainment was granted as well at no extra charge.....
The promised lounge area with seats was there alright, climate control = open doors / windows and let the warm humid air flow through..... the power cable to the air-conditioners were cut off for whatever reason. The cafeteria / lounge area reeked of sweat and other odors, fitted right in with my filthy smelly clothes after 12hr. on the road watching some Chinese soap opera on the TV sets with volume at the highest possible setting. The Sound - The Smell - The Experience = priceless!!!!
Disappointing selection of food & beverage I must admit but my trusty snack bag was once again there when needed.....
After some reconnaissance of the ferry boats facilities, decided against a quick wash up and clothes change in the ferry executive lounge on-board restrooms, let's stink up the lounge like the rest of the truckies..... no worries, who cares anyway...
Some night shots of the Haikou skyline, sorry for the picture quality, only use small pocket digital cameras after destroying too many expensive ones while travelling.
Arrived at the old Haikou ferry port around 23:00hrs. Thursday (28/03) and driving off the ferry was easy after the diggers and trucks got off the boat before.....
Did the real cultural and touristy part of my trip to bridge a few hours between meetings and visited the tomb of Hai Rui in Haikou....
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hai_Rui
More pics, tomb of Hai Rui in Haikou....
Once again, pics taken at tomb of Hai Rui in Haikou....
Makes me really wonder how much longer this Haikou neighbourhood shrine will survive the wrecking crew....
While heading out of Haikou (G324 National Highway) had quick pitstop at the Volcano Cluster Park (would personally call it a cluster f**k) for future Haikou visits but taken that one of the "must visit places in China" as its a typical tourist trap crowded with tourist groups by the bus load. The park hast just a few small mountains with some holes on top anyway..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haikou_...Global_Geopark