Hin's 3rd C.O.U.N.T 1,000,000 steps (Sep 19TH – Oct 12th 2011)

3: Singas came and went

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>    Fri, Sep 30, 2011 at 11:17 PM

Hi,

Just got into Datong this evening. Disappointed that there is not much improvement in Internet access (staying at the North side).

12 long days of continuous hiking is really too much for the body, so, as Christmas takes a break, so must I. Thus, tomorrow, we shall join in the Chinese National Holidays and visit a few tourist sites, notably the Hanging Monastery - though 3 hours queue would be expected.

To date, done 261.31km (475,109 steps), just about 25,000 steps short of the half-way mark, should be able to make up the difference in the second half.

Shanxi - "dirtiest" province but not the most polluted (that notoriety belongs to Shenyang, the steel city). Shanxi has a deposit of 300m of coal seams and like most natural resources belong to the state. Every year about 4,000 miners die mining illegal self-made mines. There are thousands of lorries transporting coal to large factories such as the one in QigHeShui 24x7. Each lorry is man by 2, who take turns at the wheel. They daren't stop, in case their cargo is hijacked or stolen. As a consequence of these lorries, the whole place is filled with coal dust. If one travels by train from Datong to Taiyuen and leaves the window open, no sooner enough, one would become a "black" man.

Sep21. Day3 06:15-18:45. Shuiguanxiang – Quanzigou. (24.4 km).

As it turned out, it's no longer a walk, more of a climb. The first day we climbed 1,200m, the 2nd 1,345m and today 1,305m. No wonder the young Singa (Singapore Lion) was dog-tired. But the other marathon Singa was cool as cucumber, taking everything nonchalantly matching the Harimau (Malaysian Tiger) and the Oldenburg (Premium German stallion) step for step. Credit to the young Singa's determination, we completed 24.4km - dragging to the guest house in Guozisan?. Had a good rest and good food for the night and spirits were restored.

Sep22. Day4 06:30-18:00. Resume from last stop Yangpo Slope – Zhenggoucun. (23.2 km).

Photos of smiling faces taken before the start, just as well. Before too long, I realised, I had lost my pedometer (the end of the auto step counter - could have dropped into the pit while doing my morning business). More disaster to follow, my China mobile slipped out of the unzipped pocket, though we back tracked the 2 km, we couldn't find it as the ringing tone couldn't be raised (must be in a no network area) – luckily, day number 4 didn't deal any real disaster! A tough day, managed 23.4km, scaling a total height of 1,474m and barely reached Zhenggoucun - another groaning call for the saviour, CH, our guide. CH has persuaded old Mr Wu to put us up for the night among the ripening pumpkins and tomatoes on the "kang" (heated bunked bed), we had a hearty meal of rice, lots of vegetables and cups after cups of the portent 52 degree "ErQuaTao" - white liquor.

Sep23. Day5 06:30-16:30. Zhenggoucun – Baihucun (19.3 km).

After sleeping with Mao Zedong’s portrait, our young Singa was re-energised to complete his last day's walk. Ascended 1,032m after huffing through 19.4km at Erduncun, young Singa developed painful blisters and a "broken" kneecap. Called a halt for the day and made an "ambulance" call to CH immediately. Took to the new cement road leading to the highway by the village of Baihucun, to meet CH. Met an old village gentleman who showed us the way, and marathon Singa was so impressed by his knowledge and reverence of PM Goh Chok Tong, he donated his "tongkat" (walking stick) to the old man. What a generous gesture that made the old man bared his toothy smile ear to ear. We then headed into Youyu town, had a long shower in the hotel after 5 long days of "home stay", went for a good dinner, plenty of beer and a taxi ride back for the Singas.

It was 5 days of excellent company and we shall miss the Singas, as they head for Datong-Beijing-Singa­pore. We wish them well and hope they have "learned" something, if only to appreciate more their good Singapore blessings and fortune.

The 2 of us shall head back to the mountains - so till the next change.

Take care and all the very best. Good night.

Rgds,
Hin

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