Woke up to an incredible sunrise this morning! Man, I am one lucky woman!
Then Nancy and I were off to explore the culture of Hainan. At the concierge desk we found a list of places to visit in the area, but the drawback for us was that it was all written in Chinese characters. We were given a bit of a description by one of the clerks who spoke a little English, but we were basically flying blind here. We were too late to take one of these tours provided by the hotel, so we hired a taxi. The clerk graciously helped us and let the driver know we wanted to go to the Bing Lang Gu Areca Valley Tourist Resort. We had no idea where it was or what we would find when we arrived, but we were up for an adventure! As it turned out, it was about an hour's drive from the hotel and as we drove along, the taxi driver kept telling us, "No taxi back, no taxi back." At one point he even stopped the car (in the middle of the road mind you...just gotta love driving in China!) and drew a U turn in the palm of his hand for us to get the idea that maybe we should turn around go back because where we were going, there was no way back. We thought it was very interesting that the driver had not informed us of this important fact BEFORE we left the hotel. We figured he was either highly concerned about our safety or was simply putting on a show in order to get more money from us when we arrived at our destination, the latter most likely being the case. Nancy and I did not let these words from the taxi driver deter us in the slightest. We just looked at each other and said, "Ahh, we'll figure it out when we get there!" (It just amazes me how much more courageous I am now. I've come a long way from the lost woman who stepped out of a taxi to go to the orthodontist just a few short months ago!) It was a beautiful drive through the countryside and up into the mountains along a long winding road. Once we arrived and saw just how correct the taxi driver was, Nancy and I talked him into staying and waiting for us. Maybe it was our sweet smiles that convinced him, but more likely, it was the extra 100 kuai we agreed to pay him!
And here we were...at the Bing Lang Gu Areca Valley Tourist Resort. As we stepped out of the cab, a sweet angel arrived. His name was Chan Zujian (also known as Alan--many Chinese people take an English name), he spoke beautiful English, and offered to be our guide for the day. Since Nancy and I had no idea where we were and what this place was all about, we gladly took him up on his offer. It was the best decision we made all day. He was the sweetest, most adorable man who took incredibly good care of us for the next four hours.
We soon found out that China consists of over 50 nationalities, two of them being the Li and Miao, two indigenous cultures that reside in the mountains of Hainan Island. This beautiful place was a living history museum dedicated to these two very special peoples. After getting to know Zujian a bit, we found out that he was Li and lived right here in Bing Lang Gu.
Praying frog...one of my favorite sights of the day.
Frogs are very important to the Li people and considered to be very lucky.
We also learned that the frog was a symbol of a mother's love for her children in the Li culture. : )
I'm surrounded by luck and lots of love from Mom. Doesn't get much better than this. : )
Believed to be the earliest settlers 3000 years ago, the Li people are the largest indigenous group living on the Island of Hainan.
Here's our sweet Zujian with one of the Li elders. Looks like they're giving a thumbs up, but this is the Li way of saying hello.
This endearing woman, a Li elder, is 85 years old.
Known for possessing the earliest weaving technology in Chinese history, the Li contributed enormously to the rise of silk weaving technology and the production of silk clothing throughout China. It was amazing to watch these incredibly skilled women produce this beautiful silk cloth.
The oldest of the elders, 93, chatting with our guide, Zujian. Zujian told us later, with a shy smile, that the elders are constantly trying to play matchmaker and find for him the perfect girl.
Beautiful, vibrant colors.
Many years ago, young Li girls were tattooed at the age of 13 or 14 on the nape of their neck, then over their face and throat. These tattoos were a symbol to show that she was now a woman eligible to marry and seen as an adult within the tribe. Each pattern was different on each woman, and it was believed that this allowed her to be more easily recognized by her ancestors in the afterlife. These sweet women are one of the last generations of women with tattooed faces, as this custom ceased after the Chinese revolution.
It was custom for young Li gentleman to climb the bitternut tree to bring down bitternuts for his bride to be.
Bitternut trees
Granary among the bitternut trees.
More lucky frogs.
Bamboo dancers
Pippi Longstocking?
We then hiked up into the jungle...
As we walked along we were greeted by this adorable baby pig. Seemed a little out of place, but she sure was cute!
She fell asleep in Nancy's arms.
This little piggy went to market and this little piggy...is a crocodile???
Then came the heartwarming little monkeys...
Ahhhh....
Okay, don't really know what came over me here to actually hold a boa constrictor...
By now, both Nancy and I were in love with our guide, Zujian, and were ready to take him home with us. He was kind, caring, full of knowledge, and loved sharing his history and culture with us. He really touched our hearts!
Bridge across the jungle.
Beautiful views
Off to the Rainforest Teahouse...
Not only did Nancy and I have an eye for Zujian, but so did ALL the girls in the park, especially this sweet young woman serving our tea.
As we left the teahouse, Zujian said, "OK, now it is time to play a game...we're going on the zip wire to the bottom of the jungle!" Nancy and I had seen and commented on the signs, but we had no idea this was part of the tour! Before we knew it, we were suited up and ready to zip!
This was my first experience on a zip wire and I must say, I'm hooked (pardon the pun). What a blast it was zipping over those trees. I must do this again someday. : )
We had to buy the pictures.
After the zip wire experience, we thought a little fortune an longevity would do us some good. : )
Ahhh, sweet Zujian, I'm going to miss you.
Last stop: baked bananas.
They were actually quite tasty!
One last snap at the front gates, a heartfelt good-bye to Zujian, then into our...
...waiting taxi! : )
What a fantastic, impromptu experience! I just love when things unfold so perfectly even when you don't have a single plan!
We ended the night in the basement bowling alley at the hotel. What fun we had!!
"Hey Nancy, how do we type in our names??"
This is how most of my night went...
However, I did get one strike.
This is how most of Nancy's evening went...
Yep, that's my ball...
Another split??
Oooh, oooh, just a little bit more to the left...PLEASE!!
"I give up!"
Nancy feeling sorry for me...
Cute bowling shoes
The final results...
Then it was off to the pool hall to rack 'em up and watch the guys playing mahjong. When we walked in, they saw we were American and said, "Heeellllooooo, niiice tooo meeeeet youuuu!" Turned out it was the only English phrase they knew and kept repeating it over and over. : )
I'm no better at pool than I am at bowling.
We just kept cracking up. We had had a glorious day exploring Hainan culture and now here we were in the basement of the hotel bowling and playing pool...who would have thunk it?
Good night, Nancy! : )
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