Probably our trip in March to China, we had all kinds of "transportation" problems. This is also the trip where the taxi could not find the ship and we went into a hotel to the roof to show him where it was. I must preface this by saying that Ken and I are adventurous and dont get "spooked" if we get stranded somewhere so we do things that others probably would not do. For us it is half of the fun. We love the independent way.

We were leaving the ship early in Beijing so we left the RSSC group after lunch in a tiny town between Beijing and the Great Wall. They were all still eating and we said our goodbyes and ventured out to find a taxi to take us back to the Great Wall. We wandered the street - NO taxis to been seen and NO ONE spoke English except one girl who managed to get what we were saying and explained there are NO taxis at all in this town PERIOD. We started to realise we really may have a problem.

Then the RSSC people starting coming out and loading in buses. Ken said "hide". I said why? He said do you really want all those people to know that we the "travel experts" are stranded and in trouble. I thought we could also RUN to the buses for help. However, we really wanted to get back to the Great Wall not Beijing so I also ducked down behind the car we looked at each other and then burst out laughing. Long story short we went back to the restaurant, a young waitress spoke a little English she got a man for an agreed price to take us to the Great Wall. It was about $8 US. Problems over right - wrong.

We go up the cable car to the top of the Great Wall. We walk the wall except Ken REALLY wanted to walk the Great Wall. Mr. Macho. I said go ahead I will wait. Well I waited and waited. Finally he comes back and we go down. When we get to the bottom - EMPTY. All the stores are closed, all the tour buses gone all the TAXIS gone AGAIN we are alone with no transportation and no one around. Okay twice in one day!! There is a hotel at the Great Wall so we went there. Well once again no English. Finally they made a call and a man with a "little" English came. We had our hotel written down on a sheet of paper in Chinese. He nods and indicated for us to sit. We sat. Then he comes back with a young man and a young woman. We agree on a price $25 US (it is about an hour and a half to Beijing). They direct us to their car - we get in the back. It was really great they went a long way to avoid paying tolls and we saw sections of the Great Wall we would never have seen on the highway. It was super. Then as we neared Beijing she pulled out a map. Obviously they had no idea where the hotel was. They starting arguing. Ken and I looked at each and said "Yes, they are married". Of course they found the hotel we did lots of hugging and laughing and said goodbye.

Actually aside from a few moments of stark terror it ended up being one of the best days with the best experiences. These are the types of things that make travel a true adventure for us.

Want to come with us ashore - better think carefully first!!!!