Around Jinan
08.07.2008 - 10.07.2008
15 °C
Barbara, Rebecca and I decided that we would base ourselves at Jinan for a few days to check out the sights around Jinan.
Barbara didn't want to be bothered with with hotel dramas so I did some research on the internet and we decided to stay at Jinan Minghu Hotel. It had everything we could possible want - great geographical position, one of the most-acclaimed luxurious hotels in Jinan, 4 Chinese restaurants, 1 international restaurant, coffee shop, bar, sauna, beauty clinic, shopping arcade, karaoke, KTV Room and even bowling. I went online and booked it.
We had decided to go on the 08 July. When we woke that morning it was bucketing down with rain. You can't let this natural event stop you from seeing the world. So off we went to the bus stop. By the time we got there Rebecca was saturated as was her luggage in a cloth bag. She decided to go back to the campus to get changed and get dry clothes. I gave her a water proof bag to put her luggage in. Barbara and I waited at the Bus station for her return. I was not at all amused by the lack of thought.
We eventually got on the bus and our journey began. We took our standard back row seats. We noticed 2 Chinese boys that kept swapping seats. We assumed they must have been cold from being directly under the ac. Well you should never assume because they were working up the courage to come and speak to the foreigners.
One of the boys asked if he could speak with us to which we said that he could. After a few moments I realized this was going to be hard work as his English was not so good so put my face back into my book. Every now and then I would have to interpret for Barbara who was being ever so patient. The next thing was the photos. I got out of this and took the photos for him!
When we arrived in Jinan we checked into the hotel. The hotel in my opinion should not be a four star hotel. The service was woeful, the hotel looked dingy and any of the advertised facilities we never found.
It was still pouring with rain when we arrived so we decided after checking into our hotel to go shopping. I thought I had a money tree and was spending money like there was no tomorrow. Normally I over budget for my trips and come home with extra cash, not this time. I was at the ATM on the first day!
After our first day of drama we decided that we would enjoy a drink at the lobby bar. We couldn't find the Lobby Bar for the life of us. So we asked and we were told it was across 6 lanes of traffic and behind the building. Check out the photo.
When we arrived at the Lobby bar some 15 minutes later we were escorted into a restaurant. The Chinese really do not understand the concept of bars. We were offered tea or milk tea or soft drinks. Not quite what we had in mind. So we headed to Jenny's cafe for hopefully some advice on where we might find a bar.
We were given directions to a Bar. We located the bar - Bandjo Bar. It was OK. Had a live band. Played possibly the worst rendition of "Hotel California" I have ever heard. One thing I have found is that whenever the foreigner walks in they wheel out "Hotel California" Have thought that I might start my own collection of every rendition.
The following day we went for breakfast in the hotel as it was included in the price. I walked in and thought I was going to throw up. It stunk. How do you eat vinegar soaked vegetable for breakfast. I like lotus root but I couldn't possible stomach it for breakfast. Off to Jenny's it was! Jenny's Cafe has become a ritual every time we go to Jinan. We go there for breakfast and dinner.
The rain never relented and of the 3 sights we had hoped to see we only got to see one - Simen Pagoda.
The Bus trip home was completely uneventful which is unheard of for us
Posted by Bettinamc 08:13 Archived in China Comments (0)