So far the trip in China seems to be a series of extremes. From our first hostel to Hyatt, 20hr soft sleeper train to hostel with a broken AC unit.... and then you find yourself riding in a Lincoln Town car on plush leather seats with TV's in the ceiling headed for the Sheraton in Guilin.
After our 20 hr train ride from Xi'an to Shanghai three days ago we decided to change things up a bit and risk flying from Shanghai to Guilin even though we had been warned against it. Not that the trains are so bad, but by the time you get the tickets for all 4 beds it is the same price as flying and you lose 20-26 hrs traveling on the train. Ok that's not entirely true.. the trains are pretty bad at times (note the single hole bathroom) and sitting in a cube smaller than most peoples closet for 26hrs did not seem to appealing after just doing it 36hrs prior. So we spent an extra day in Shanghai and boarded a 767 to Guilin around 530pm today. The flight was pretty much what you would expect, although I will say that Shanghai Airlines has some of the best coach leg room I have ever had and the two hour flight included a meal. Train 0: Flying 1. The flight was without incident and we arrived two hours later picked up our bags and were on our way. At the exit to the arrival area we met our car (as previously described) and rode comfortably to the Sheraton. The hotel is really nice.. and has AC, which after the last two nights is a bonus. We checked in pretty quick, ordered room service and Chris booked two day trips for us to see the area. One is an all day boat trip of the Li River and the other is a half day trip to see some of the sites around town.
That's about it for now... I think I am going to go enjoy my pillow top mattress a little more tonight after the last two nights with no AC and metel coils stabbing me in the side. Hopefully we will get some pictures up tomorrow of Xi'an and Guilin since we finally seem to have a decent internet connection that is free here at the hotel.
