The trip back to Chengdu. That morning on the way to CD, our tour guide wanted to bring us to another medicine factory so that he and the driver could both earn RMB 25. Ok ok ok … whatever you want, just do not “niao” us. Also went to a cow comb factory, where I bought a few combs and so did a few others. (maybe he would be a little bit happier)

We also informed him that we wanted to go to Du Jiang Yan (都江堰) to tour. He told us that we had to pay RMB 20 per person for the driver to drive there and he will do the explanation to us for free.

Finally we reached 都江堰 for lunch and during lunch he came to return to us the refund for our Huang Long Entrance fee (each person refund RMB 50) he told us that the driver now wanted RMB 30 for his efforts. Then it was a clear cut answer. NO. If he did not want to earn RMB 20 then just too bad, he was not going to get anymore money out from us. He was really quite over board and that was the most sian thing about the entire journey.

Finally reached back to Chengdu and said good bye ‘riddance’ to the tour guide. We were now on our own in CD. Checked back into the Youth Hostel and we ended up in a 10 person room cos’ they could not get a 8 person room. So shared the room with 3 other people. Quite interesting people. They were cooking instant noodles on a bunsen burner in the room. They have travelled far and wide and we were impressed with where they had went.

We headed out to Tian Fu Guang Chang (天府广场) and Chun Xi Lu (春熙路) the main city centre of CD. There was even a Parkson there. Chun Xi Road was also quite happening.

Anyway, ended up at a coffee house called Goodwood Coffee House.

Next stop – Jin Li (锦鲤)

Jin Li is a very interesting place. Its a street with ancient architecture and cultural flavour. It also posseses traditional shops, tea houses, pubs, and small eateries (小吃). Reached there near 10 pm and quite a number of shops were about closing, except for the PUBS which opened till late and some small eateries which were still open. We saw this old guy who was writing calligraphy. He used our chinese names to write about life’s philosophy. (用姓名来悟人生). However, he was closing shop for the night. Interesting person. He said that earning money is never ending one. However, people need to rest. So he told us to come back the next morning, if we were interested to do it. I was intrigued, so I was definitely going to come back.

Went to eat Xiao Chi (小吃) after that and it was very interesting eating all the little dishes. They were mostly hot with a lot of chili, chili oil and pepper seeds. The taste was uniquely Si Chuan. NICE!

Went back to the Hostel and after washing up, went the the ground floor to sit around, read some magazines and mc, ck and yx played Chinese Chess (象棋) – wonder if this is the right Chinese character? While yvonne surfed the web!