Hin's 2nd C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps (Sep 3rd – 26th, 2010)

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3. Found - The lost city of Xi Xia.

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Fri, Sep 10, 2010 at 11:36 PM

Well, the morning of Sep6 was raining (in fact, it rained the whole day) and the "angry young man in a hurry" decided that he's had enough (7.5, and 10 km walk in 2 days + the few problems with the car) and took off to the airport and have yet to be seen again.....

The guide went to fix his Cherokee jeep and was shocked to discover that he has lost a customer - now, it's me walking alone.

Anyway, we decided to look for the start of the Yanchi track - went across and south of Yinchuan and eventually found it beside the Huang He (Yellow River). And as luck would have it, just 1km down the road, we stumbled upon the City of Xi Xia (it's a recreation of the lost empire of Xi Xia, with cultural performances to re-enact the great dynasty), and better luck yet, we managed to check into the Royal Xi Xia Dynasty Inn. Beautiful room overlooking the Huang He, with the anchored ancient ferry. But of course, paying a commoner's price, we were only accorded a common room.

Did I mention that there were many graves along the wall? Yes, you may want to know that you still have relatives this part of China - came across Wang (Wong, Ong), Chang (Chong, Teoh) Lee, Tay (Teh), He (Her, Ho, Hoe?) but thus far no Lin (Lim, Lam) or Huang (Ooi, Wee). And you know this being the Hungry Ghost month, they were "asking" where their relatives with offering are? Well rest assured, I have conveyed your respects and prayers. Then I was stunned to see a large red cross signifying a Christian tomb, and not to be out done, I did offer a Christian prayer like "God-ness me".
 

07/09/2010. 06:00 – 19:15.  Hengchengcun – Qingshuiying. (35.3km).

Sep7: Started on a gloomy, cold morning, ground wet and soggy. Great wall very much intact and meanders along the river. Just by one of the numerous "fire beacons" (used very effectively to warm of impending enemy attacks), were a beautiful lady tendering to her 15 riding camels, patiently awaiting the arrivals of tourists, while her companion went down the trail picking yesterday's camel poos. It was unfortunate that I could not stop for the ride, but did get a photo taken though (yes, she took a picture for me!).

After that wonderful encounter, managed 62,233 steps (35.3km) - furthest thus far. What a wonderful day....and it got even better, was invited to stay with the chief of the village Qingshui. We were shown 2 massive fortresses, one of which was used in the filming of Hua Mulan.

Oh, forgot to mentioned, the jeep was stuck in the mud trench and it took 2 hours for us to get out. Needless to say, we were all caked in mud.

Great kindness was shown - the wife served us large bowls of rice with vegetables and we retired to a spare room with beds. Pee/poo means in an open latrine - which is at least in an enclosed door-less area. Had to keep the poo for the following day, whence I had to dig a hole in the sand for the business to be done. So for those going sand skiing, sand body surfing....you have been warned.
 

08/09/10.  06:30 – 18:15.  Qingshuiying – Shinwuyingzhen. (35.1km).

Sep8: Started off at 6:30, took a few posed shots at Hua Mulan's fortress and then followed the well preserved walls. It was a drizzling day and was tough going. A couple of massive fortresses and fire beacons. Did I mention that there were 615 fire beacons along the walls of Ningxia? Ended the day with 52,706 steps in an adopted fortress which have temples and farms. Managed to find the home of an old kind lady who cooked us dinner and eventually a couple of bed places for the night. This is the 2nd night that I had to sleep in the same clothes.
 

09/09/10.  05:30 – 18:40.  Shinwuyingzhen – Fortress at 37 50 56.3N 107 17 8.1E (beside Jinsha E St, 2 km from Gao Ping Bao village). (40.2km).

Sep9: Started even earlier and with the stink of the last 2 days, and the promise of warm bath and cleaning opportunity, "flew" and managed 62,665 steps in a 13 hours hike. It was a hot and sunny day, and my nose now resemble Rudolf's. Got picked up at a fortress and headed to Yanchi for the night.
 

10/09/10.  06:45 – 18:35.  JInsha E St. – Dongjingkeng. (28.3km).

Sep10: After last night's "leg wash", started later at 6:45am and by noon, had completed the Yanchi track. Yanchi and Sanguankou tracks are with very beautiful intact walls. After lunch, I then resumed the Dingbian track, which thus far has reduced walls. This completes my track across Ningxia province and the beginning of the Shaanxi. To date, I have completed 355,322 steps - just a 3rd. Fingers crossed, the jeep continues to purr along for the rest of the journey.

Good night and god bless.

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