Day 60 - Three provinces in one day on our way to Hangzhou

Today was another typical adlibers' travelling through the countryside day. We jumped on our bus and headed to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang, which is one of China's smallest provinces (though small in China doesn't really mean much). Apart from passing through the beautiful countryside, which we've grown accustomed to during our frequent long-distance bus journeys, the majority of our day passed without much excitement. The six-hour bus journey seemed much longer and was less than enjoyable, due to the fact that despite the air-conditioner vents it was still 34 degrees inside the bus - this made for a very sticky 6 hours.

We arrived in Hangzhou at about 3pm, and immediately felt the difference from where we had spent the last week - the provincial capital has more laowai than we have seen in weeks, and there are english signs and menus again. While all this makes it easier to be a tourist, it also means things cost quadruple what we have been paying. As Hangzhou is such a popular tourist destination, finding cheap and available accommodation was a bit of a task - we have not yet booked accommodation ahead during our travels, mainly because we never know where we'll be, but it might have been a good idea to do so here! The main drawcard in Hangzhou is the beautiful West Lake (Xi Hu), originally a lagoon adjoining the famous Qingtang river, and was made into a lake in the 8th Century. Since its creation poets,writers and artists have come to this willow-lined beauty to compose and draw. There are 36 "West Lakes" in China, but this is the most famous! Taking a break from the accommodation search we made a phone call home to wish Dad happy birthday - though we have now officially given up trying to get him, because he is never at home! Nevertheless, Adam got the chance to catch up with the rest of the family, in a speed phone-session - we still haven't figured out a cheap way to call home, despite trying very hard!

Back on the search, we came across a hostel that wasn't in our guide, and we lucky enough to get 2 beds in the nicest (and most expensive) dorms we have ever seen!

After settling in and a quick rest, we ventured back to the unbelievable heat, still scorching even though the sun was ending its day's run, in search of food and a supermarket. Marco Polo, after visting here in the 13th Century, declared Hangzhou to be the most beautiful place in the world, and as we wandered the streets past Porsche, Maserati, and Ferrari showrooms we figured that Hangzhou must also be one of the ricest places?! Even all the restaurants close by would have cost us more than our night's accommodation to eat at - which is why we eventually settled for takeaway-style chinese noodles and rice. This is the first Chinese food that we feel like we could have got in a takeaway Chinese restaurant in NZ, but it fit our budget, filled our bellies, and despite the grease was actually quite yummy!

After stocking up on water and snacks at the supermarket, we strolled back along the lakeside that had transformed in the darkness and enticed us to venture out onto the lake via a series of bridges and walkways before resting and taking in the views.
Back at the hostel we met our Danish roommates for the night - one of the benefits of staying in dorms is getting to chat to other travellers and get their advice.

Adlibing it to The West Lake of all West Lakes.