This week for Lens Artist, Sofia has challenged us to look back. I was inspired by her post to dig out some old photos of my first trip to China. Like many of you I have numerous photos of long ago travels. Many are in albums but there are a great deal of loose ones.
I took a trip to Guilin in 1989 and had been in Hong Kong for a few months. I had already met Anthony but had some free time between jobs. It was an organised trip made through a local travel agent, one of those all inclusive tours. As I was travelling solo I thought this was the best option. There would be no stress about where to eat and what to do.
I had agreed to share a room, quite brave when I think about it now. When I arrived at the hotel, which was a Holiday Inn, I met the other people in the tour group. I quickly deduced that the only other single person was a man, who was with two friends. I had a slight panic attack until I got to the counter and was told I was being upgraded to a King Size room. Phew, awkwardness averted.
The views from my large balcony. I was very impressed!
One of the tours was a trip down the River Li. Guilin is famous for its towering lime stone cliffs and beautiful scenery. The trip was meant to take three hours, with a bus back. As it was the dry season, the boat trip itself took 6 hours! I had got to know the others on the trip, so we spent this time chatting and taking photos. I do remember there being no drinking water, only Coke.
All photos were taken on an old film type camera. I can’t remember the make. After scanning these, I did some editing and brought them back to life.
At some bends in the river, the men sailing the boat had to jump out. They tried to push the boat through the extremely shallow water. We did wonder if we would have to also jump out to help.
Without a care in the world, enjoying the views and thinking how amazing China is.
The famous Elephant Rock at the end of the trip. There were many stalls selling small artefacts and gifts.
One of the American men on my tour, he was travelling with his daughter. We both ended up buying a hat each.
Before reading Sofia’s post I hadn’t thought about this trip for years. Now I’m remembering small details from the trip that have been locked away for a few decades.