Dear Lisa,

Thank you for your email and I shall do my best to reply to everything you have asked.Let me say here that my trust in you and Sinoway Travel was well placed and enjoyed my four day itinerary of Guilin very much.

Thank you too for finding communication fun with me; I too have enjoyed knowing you by email,and am attaching a picture of me (taken on the Li River)so you know a little more about me! For my part, your role as my travel agent was one of the best experiences I have found as you do such an excellent job. I shall certainly keep your references as I would be happy to recommend you to anyone I know travelling  to China.

Although I have so much to do right now, I shall be writing my China travel folder and my Christmas newsletter in which my travel will feature but I shall gladly write up my 4 day Guilin experience for you to share.

Regarding my comments:

My Tour Guide - Juli was a delightful young lady who did an excellent job. At the airport I was walking round the circle of identification cards when she suddenly appeared before me holding up my name. I liked her immediately and she took me to the waiting car and Huang and off we drove to Longshen and Longji rice paddies where I climbed the 650 steps to the Ping'an Hotel. She carried out her duties competently and looked after me very well .                                                                    

The driver - Huang was a very serious young man who did not speak English so there was not much conversation with him but after all, he was the driver and an excellent one at that, and my word, one had to be as I found the traffic unbelievable both in the cities and in the country, with little or no regulation, but had no fear of some situations in which I found myself as I had complete trust in his considerable driving capabilities. As time passed I found myself more familiar with him and even had friendly meeting and parting waves from him! Some of the distances were long and arduous with long waits in between but he never seemed to complain and was always willing to do whatever was required.       

The Accommodation

Ping'an Inn: I found this unusual hotel quite acceptable (in spite of a hard bed and pillow that gave me a stiff neck!). I loved the position and (although I am not partial to Chinese meals generally), found the meal very good. I absolutely loved the situation and beautiful rice paddies even if it was rather misty for good pictures, and found a little time in the morning to climb a little higher for more adventures. Some postcards made up for the weather!  

New Li River Hotel: Good hotel with nice room but quite a long walk!

Grand Hotel: Very nice room (bed still hard!). I had to charge my camera batteries here but my plug did not fit; however Reception contacted the housekeeper who brought me an adapter plug , a great relief, especially with the Li River next day!

In conclusion I have to mention that I was astounded at the changes I saw and much preferred the China of 1985! I saw no local people or little boats on which they lived on the river, only many modern tourist boats (there were 5 that I could see in front and some at the back too) and crowds of tourist boats, on shore tents and umbrellas and crowds everywhere! I much preferred the bicycle China of 1985, but that is progress for you!

Thank you for your contact help and message. I do live every day to the fullest!

With warmest regards

Elvor Shaw

The tour Ms.Elvor Shaw took is 4 days wonderful Guilin tour