While the walk from the road to the gardens was about the same as to Zili Village, there was a much different feel. First, There were more touristy type things outside and I saw a few astonished drivers in the parking lot. They were very friendly and spoke some English to me. I laughed, as usual, and spoke my Chinglish to them before going and buying my ticket inside.
At this point I am a sweaty monster. Despite wearing an oversized tank and some Nike shorts, I was sooooo hot. I can never understand how the Chinese can walk around in long sleeves and pants in this weather! Fortunately, there was a welcome center with AC at the entrance. It was very beautiful, with very surprising Western style architecture.
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| Some of the refurbished homes at Li Gardens. This Western style Architecture happened because many Chinese would move to the west and send money home to their families to build houses. They often times sent building plans as well. |
The welcome center was nice with a movie, some "artifacts," and pictures explaining the Diaolou culture and Li Gardens. (see previous post for link to a better explanation). I went inside to cool off while I ate some fruit and rehydrated for a while.
I can immediately see where my 180 RMB went...It's pricey (relatively) but worth it!
As much as I wanted to stay in the Air Conditioned goodness of the welcome center, I had to move on to the gardens. Despite being instantly hot again, the gardens very beautiful and peaceful to wander around. I literally wandered for hours and took way too many pictures. There are a range of things to see from more traditional Chinese style gardens to a Fantasy Land area.
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| An aerial view from a small tower |
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| Some of the beautifully refurbished garden |
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| The gate leading into the Fantasy Gardens. I didn't really care for the gardens themselves. They were a bit cheesy and out of place |
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| Another aerial shot from the other side of the tower |
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| My view as I headed back to the main entrance |
After hours and hours in the sun, I concluded that I should begin my journey home. As soon as I turned to walk towards the exits I hear someone yell "Hallllloooooooo" from somewhere. I literally almost missed it, but did a double take and see a group of preteen girls waving their arms frantically from across the Gardens.
I motioned to them and said hello back. They told me me to stay there as they sprinted towards me. When they arrived they ask for a picture. LOL. Normally I'm surly about taking pictures because its a bit rude, but they were so excited and sweet about it, I couldn't refused. I took as many pictures as they wanted. There was one girl who took all the pictures but did not get in any. I asked her if she wanted to take some, but she said it was ok because I was probably ready to leave. I insisted that she take a few with me, and the smile she had on her face was priceless. I am, however, glad I will never see the end results of those pictures because I was a sweaty, tired, monster at that point; just lookin' a complete mess!
Finally I walked out on to the main road and waited, assuming that another bus would come and be headed back to the station.
A bus arrives and I get on. I put my money in the box and show the driver where I want to go (Yici). He nods, and I walk to the back of a moderately crowded bus. Now the buses aren't like regular city busses, but more like glorified 12 passenger vans. They are a little longer, and a little wider, but have the same feel; cozy to say the least.
Now you'll have to use your imagination for what I am about to describe because to me, it was the most comical scene.
I get to the back of the bus and passengers are still getting on. The driver is saying something in Cantonese (I believe) which is completely lost on me. You'll have to imagine my surprise when a young girl gets on and asks me if I can speak Chinese. I say no, and she looks shocked because apparently the driver was speaking to me.
Fortunately, she decided to help me out. The driver was concerned that I was lost. It was funny because after she started talking to me, the entire bus erupted in people offering advice, including an older gentleman. He was convinced that if he yelled louder at me, then I would understand him. The girl and I both tried to help him understand that I cannot understand him. He was so friendly (and loud) it was hard to ignore him. The biggest issue for me was that I wasn't lost. I knew exactly where I was trying to go and what I was going to do after, catch a bus back to Guangzhou.
The girl explained this to the concerned bus driver. He, and the rest of the bus were not quite convinced that I could make it, so a woman and her family offered to show me where to go once inside of the station. This was enough to convince the bus driver to turn bus on and drive the rest of the route. IT WAS GREAT. Quite possibly one of the most chaotic, bizarre, but funny and heartwarming situations I've ever been in. This is very typical China.
Just think of what its like to be illiterate and unable to communication with 98% of the people who are talking to you. Simple things are difficult, exciting, annoying, scary, a hassle, and you must stoop down to the level of an infant because you need help for almost everything. This is a typical foreigner experience. It was just the kind of thing I live for; a challenge. It always feels good to make it out, even if its just by pure luck and favor!
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| Some of my Instagram captures from the trip |
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| Bae even came through for a while *Side eye* #LoveMeSomeHim |
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