Litang to Chengdu 礼堂到达成都

Litang - Next Day (18 April’2005)  礼堂

Early the morning catch 5:45am long journey bus from Litang to Kang Ding, the suffering beginning and the nightmare started too.

Don't ever arrived in Chengdu at night.

The bus was not full, there were a few of us only, and most of them were men, worse thing was they smoke non-stop, stick after stick, I got no choice, open the window throughout my journey, feeling so cold and breathing 2^nd hand smoke all the way. I seated right behind of the bus (it was a worse seat to seat behind).

All the way to Kang Ding take about 12 to 14 hours non-stop, no lunch only snack and water I have with me. When I reached Kang Ding bus terminal in the late afternoon, it was raining and I didn't know where to stay, near by there was no hotel or hostel. I was thinking of waiting for the rain to stop before I look for place to stay.

As I was reading my book, trying to find out what do they have in Kang Ding, the book show a small monastery on top of the mountain and it is just a small city only.

At that time, there was a bus driver approaching me whether I want to go Chengdu as his bus was moving off soon, I asked what time will reach Chengdu if I take this bus, he told me about 10pm, I told him so late, I might have problem looking  for a place to stay, he told me that he will bring me to find the place to stay, as he was moving off, he asking me quickly decide, I've not much time to think and it was still raining, I wanted to reach Chengdu early so that I can go other place from there but someone was telling me Kang Ding is beautiful, I wasn't sure to stay or to move on….as I was still thinking… the driver horn at me…. Finally I've decided to buy the bus ticket and on board the bus to Chengdu. As my aim was going to Chengdu, since there was still bus to go, I rather continue my journey rather than waste one day stay in a small town. Since I had seen enough monasteries, there is no need for me to visit another monastery in a small town.

Kang Ding to Chengdu - 抗顶 到达 成都

As I was just arrived Kang Ding after 12 to 14 hours of journey on bus, less than half an hour I was on board another bus again and it will take another many hours journey to reach Chengdu city.

It was no joke to travel so many hours on a bus, the bus almost fully booked. At about 8 or 9pm then they stop for dinner, I was so hungry, when it finally stop for dinner, I get down the bus, there was not much food to eat, so I went to next door to buy milk and snack for my dinner.

After half an hour later, everyone had finished their dinner and on board the bus. We continue our journey, thinking that I'll reach Chengdu very soon, I was so happy, when my watch show 10pm we were still on the bus on our way to Chengdu, by then I felt very sleepy already as I woke up very early the morning, never sleep on the bus from Litang to Kang Ding.

Chengdu (19 April’2005) 成都

By the time I reached Chengdu it was already past midnight, felt so sleepy and weak, forgotten that the driver promise me to find a place to stay, didn't approach the driver, quickly walk away as there were so many tout approaching me to bring me to hotel, I was trying to avoid these people, walked a few streets trying to look for a place to stay but they were all full or expensive hotel.

I told myself, I was very tired, must quickly find a place to stay, as I can't walk any more so I approach a trishaw man to brought me to a local hostel. It was a bit expensive but I can't be boarder any more, I was too sleepy and weak, wanting quickly laying on the bed and take rest.

As soon as I check into the local hostel, I quickly get my shower (1:45am) and went to bed to sleep, guess what, the stupid hostel lady on the TV set too loud in the late night, it was not an air conditional room, the volume was very loud, furthermore, it was just next door only, men, I was so tired, hoping to sleep, can't even border the loud TV volume and I've faller asleep quickly.

I don't believe it, I slept till 6.35am the TV set still on very loud and I was woke up by the housekeeper talking loudly outside. As I've woke up by the noise, I started to pack my bag and check out early, I wouldn't have a second thoughts to stay for another night, as I approached the reception counter to check out, the receptionist asked me for deposit receipt. As I searching, I can't remember where I've place it as I was too tired last night, the lady refuse to returned the deposit to me, I was so mad, started to scold her for making so much noise last night, she has no feeling over my complain and ignore me, it makes me very angry…”angry”? Yes, you are right, I was very angry!!!. I try to cool down and went to look for another hostel without taking back my deposit.

As soon as I found the youth hostel, I quickly check in and started to check every corner of my bag where I had place the deposit receipt. Finally found it, I went back to the stupid local hostel to take back my deposit.

The youth hostel which I stayed, one of the lady told me, normally when customer lost their deposit receipt, they will ask them to sign and returned the money; they will not hold back the money because of the deposit receipt lost. It was my bad encounter in Chengdu staying the stupid local hostel, if I had arrived in Chengdu during the day time, I wouldn't even think of staying over there.

Anyway, I wouldn't let this bad experience disturb mine holiday. Staying this youth hostel, it was a good beginning and good-bye to my nightmare.

My advise to you, never landed in Chengdu in the night, never, especially it is your first time to Chengdu, take my advise.

Sorry, no photos to show as I was on the bus the whole journey.

To read on Chengdu experiencen…. Click on next…