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Thursday, July 12, 2007

Hainan Island resort getaway (07-11 July 2007) was fabulous. Will post my pics later.

Day 01: Saturday 07 July 2007 - Singapore to Haikou

Just as my Tiger Airways' flight (TR926) was approaching Haikou, the first touchpoint on Hainan Island, I could see endless stretch of coastlines.

We checked into Meritus Mandarin Hotel （文华大酒店）located along Wen Hua Lu.

Dinner at Shandong Restaurant （山东包子酒楼） along Golden Dragon Food Street （金龙路）. Shopped at a nearby shopping mall before returning to hotel for usage of the spa facilities.

Soaked in a Mandarin-scent filled bath.

Day 02: Sunday 08 July 2007 - Haikou to Sanya

Woke up at 0530. Had Chinese set breakfast at the hotel before heading for Five Officials' Temple (五公祠）.

The officials referred to in the name are respectively Li Deyu, Li Gang, Li Guang, Zhao Ding and Hu Quan – all of whom were for some reason or other sent to this remote island by Emperors ranging from the Tang to the Song dynasties. Not only is this hapless quintet immortalised here, but also, and more importantly, a poet who was similarly banished but who earned deep admiration from the locals after drawing much-needed freshwater wells from the land, and for bringing some culture to the wasteland. The museum features some historical buildings dedicated to the poet, Su Dongpo, who died on his way back to civilisation just after being released from his Hainanese exile, and tells of the schools of learning that were founded in his memory. "Xue Pu Tang" is one of them.

We returned to the hotel for check-out and made our way to the South Station for our express coach journey to Sanya (三亚). Costs CNY78.00 per ticket for a 3.5 hours ride.

We alighted at don't know where and took a tuktuk with our luggage traversing through long windy and even muddy and uneven roads to an intersection where we hopped onto a taxi for a less than 5-minute ride to Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa (三亚万豪温泉酒店) where we called home for 2 nights.

I was awed on entering the room. The bathroom especially, with rainfall showers. Big beds and nice wardrobes. With balcony overlooking mountains.

We tried out Hainanese chicken rice at Marriott Cafe. Not that nice. The chilli isn't spicy, and the rice aren't that fragrant. Chicken meats aren't tender. I still prefer Singapore-style chicken rice. Together with a pot of Long Jing Tea from Hangzhou. It's been long since I last sipped it.

Splashing time at the super big lagoon pool followed. Marriott's own private beach for our dip and we rode on the water scooter (CNY190 for 15 minutes). I got a big scare as I found it hard to manoeuvre the water scooter. Such that it will sort of overturn.

Soaked in a grapefruit-scent filled bath.

For dinner, we took a 30-minute taxi ride to Marina Seafood Restaurant (滨海海鲜餐馆). Here diners could catch live prawns, crabs, mussels, fish to be served on their table. Since we were both amateurs, we leave it to the waitress who chose on our behalf. We had prawns and crabs, Sichuan ma la dou fu, Wen Chang chicken (famous in Hainan Island) and coconut rice for CNY233.

Later bought many packets of coconut candies from a convenience store beside the restaurant.

Back in the hotel, we went to the gymnasium, followed by the sauna to burn our calories.

Day 03: Monday 09 July 2007 - Sanya

Woke up at 0630. Chartered a taxi to take us on a half-day tour.

Visited Bin Lang Yuan (槟郎园) where we were introduced to the Li and Miao Minorities. Paid CNY 165 for the entrance fee per person, tour guide fee for CNY 30. Later we had to take part in their traditional wedding ceremonies, donned on their stupid costumes and had to pay CNY100 per person. Brought us to tea demonstrations and persuaded us to buy tea leaves. Heng we didn't buy. Then later we came to Tropical Rainforest (热带雨淋) where the stupid tour guide brought us to a taoist worship area where we worshipped the trees. Then a fortune teller told us our fortunes and such. Had to pay CNY100. Initially that fortune teller suggested me to pay CNY699 (S$150?)! He must be crazy! After that we prayed at another tree again. This time had to donate CNY100 per person again. My legs turned jelly. Total spent around S$100 at this "nothing much" attractions. My blood boiled.

Next to Tian Ya Hai Jiao (天涯海角) see two big boulders facing the big sea. Nice scenery but have to walk 6km to see that stupid stones. Somemore under hot weather of 33 degrees celsius. I'd have stayed in hotel instead.

Then visited Sanya Nanshan Cultural Torism Zone. Paid an expensive entrance fee of CNY150 and a tram fee of CNY20.00 to transport us around the site. Stopped at Gold and Jade Guanyin Statue (金玉观音) to offer incense. Then continued with our tram to Nanshan Temple (南山寺). Next to World's No. 1 Dragon Inkstone (天下第一龙砚) and to the newest addition - 108 Metres Nanshan Guanyin Statue on South Sea (108米高海上观音圣像).

Finally it's back to hotel. Had our late lunch at Marriott Cafe again. This time I had nasi goreng topped with fried eggs, chicken wing and 2 satays. Yummy. Its chicken curry was tantalising too.

We went for a dip again before resting on the beach chair. I dozed off from 1730 to 1800 before returning to hotel to soak in citrus mint scent-filled bath.

Had dinner at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant (万豪轩) on the first level of the hotel. Sweet sour pork finally, assorted vegetables, baked eggs with prawns, steamed rice and pu er cha. CNY236.00.

Day 04: Tuesday 10 July 2007 - Sanya to Haikou

Woke up at 0700. Took taxi to Jie Fang Lu (解放路) bus station where we purchased tickets back to Haikou. With ample time, we had breakfast at MacDonald's. As usual, I had my all-time favourite - hot cakes with sausage. Very cheap. Together with a big breakfast it costs only CNY37.50). Window shopped around and realised there's so many things to see. Regretted for not coming here earlier.

On the coach I sat till my butt almost cracked.

Reached Haikou and called on to Sheraton Resort & Spa (喜来登温泉酒店) for check-in.

We arrived at 2.30pm, however room was not ready. Even though official check-in time was 3.00pm, the receptionist gave us drink vouchers for use at the Seaview Lounge at the hotel lobby. Value-added service. I had fruit punch. When the room was ready, the receptionist even walked over to the lounge to hand us the room keys. Then the bellhop showed us to our room and explained the facilities on the way. Service wise, Sheraton is the best.

The bathroom design was the best amongst all hotels we stayed. However, draining away of water from the bathtub will result in overflowing on the floor. The water temperature blows hot and cold. Sian. Rainfall shower available also. Haha. Room features wise, Marriott rules.

Suntanned at the secluded private beach before heading for the pool and outdoor spa. Nice. However I still prefer Marriott's lagoon pool and beach.

Soaked in lavendar-scent filled bath.

Had dinner at Jade Restaurant (玉宫) on the first level of the hotel. Pumpkin soup, lamb (红烧羊肉) and yangzhou fried rice.

Returned to room and watch tv.

Day 05: Wednesday 11 July 2007 - Haikou to Singapore

Woke up at 0800. Chartered a taxi to bring us to Bank of China to exchange S$100 into Chinese Yuan. Went 3 pharmacies wanting to buy anti-rheumatism pills that mum asked me to buy but to no avail.

We then went to Ming Zhu Shopping Mall (明珠广场) for lunch at Macao Restaurant. I ate char siew rice, vegetables and wanton soup with bubble tea. It's seafood curry was so sweet and yucky. Costs less than CNY80.00.

Next to Carrefour. Bought 2 tubes of Nivea for Men's facial wash for CNY27 plus per tube. That's S$5 plus. Still thought it's very cheap. Who knows I bought wrongly. Cos I mistaken it for moisturiser.

Had strawberry hot fudge and orange juice at MacDonald's before going to Mei Lan International Airport for our flight home.

Tiger Airway's TR937 was delayed from 1620 to 1740. However, we landed in Singapore only 10 minutes late at 2100. Perhaps the strong winds propelled the aircraft forward. The flight was so turbulent. That my hot green cup almost collapsed. And I got a big shock! The crews were still standing up selling duty free items to earn their commissions. Steady.

On arrival vic came to pick me up and we had dinner at ecp. Satay bee hoon, fried oysters and bbq chicken wings.

Reached home only at 2300.

Labels: Hainan Island

|Melvin Ng| 1:55 pm|