After checking if we can go to Hong Kong, we realised that Rena doesn't have the correct permit, and because my visa is one trip only, i would not be able to come back to the mainland if i went! So no Hong Kong this time unfortunately :(
See the trip: China 2012natchina's Monday July 23rd, 2012
Today Rena's mum booked us tickets for an evening cruise on the Pearl river! We went out at 5pm and drove to pick up the tickets - we did a bit of sightseeing on the way, and had a look around Shamian Island, a very small area of the city surrounded by the river, filled with restaurants and strange independent shops (all with weird names like 'Jessica's Laundry House').
After that we grabbed a quick meal at Macdonald's, which is fresher and more spicy than home, but still not enough to make me love it - the staff were nicer and had cuter uniforms than the UK in any case.
Then we went on our way to the pier to board the boat. We were escorted to a VIP table on the front outside deck on the second floor (it was roped off and everything!). The waiters served us tea, coffee, peanuts and watermelon, as the boat started the trip. It took around 70 minutes to circle round and show us both sides of the river, with Chinese commentary, translated to me by Rena's parents. We saw the opera house, Canton tower, and other architecture in the new part of the city.
Every time we passed under a bridge, the people on the upper deck screamed because it was so close to their heads - eventually the children and drunk guys in our area joined in, also shouting at any other passing boats, haha.
I really enjoyed seeing the river, it reminded me a bit of London, but with more rainbow coloured lights! Tomorrow we will rest at home before Tuesday, when we will catch a 2 hour flight to Hangzhou, a historic city famous for its tea. We'll be staying there until Friday!
