Typical of all of the farm fields in the mountains.
This is the farmhouse in the background where Mao was made Chairman of the Communist Party.
Gutien. The monument is surrounded by a farming village and all of their fields.
Jack showing us how to make rice wine.
Farmland in Gutien.
The Yongding Hakka village model at the Long Yan museum.
Buddist Temple in Long Yan.
Checking out Jack's house (apartment building) in Long Yan.
Jack, his neice and his brother loading Lili up on snacks in their little store.
Chinese computer in our hotel room, Lili had a blast playing with it.
Our first pedi-cab with the rickiest motor cycle ever.
Walking street.
KFC menu.
Real pedi-cab ride back.
Jack.
We're in Jack's home town. When we left Changting, the Director came to say good bye. Then we went to Gutien. Home of political cultural center. Jack was in his element. He loved it there. We liked watching his pride. Then we took a tour around a farming village. Very peaceful, very beautiful. If I had to live in China, I'd like to live there. Tea served to us in every building. Lili is done with tea, she isn't even trying to be polite anymore. Then we came to our hotel, which is owned by a friend of Jacks. Very nice, another 4 star. He ordered us lunch in our room. Sandwich and fries, vege chow mein and cake as a surprise for Lili. He hasn't allowed us to pay for a single thing. Not even a bottle of water. He buys lots of snacks for Lili. It's very sweet. I tried to buy a pin wheel for Jia and he bought that too. He asked if there was anything we wanted, I said I'd like an infusion tea pot like at the Hakka village and he just delivered one to our room. Jack visited his dad while we had a nap. Our first nap, ahhh. Once the hottest part of the day was over we went to a cultural museum. Then to visit a buddist temple. The one he went to when he was younger. He is Christian now and no longer vegetarian. It wasn't too surprising when the head Monk greeted him like an old friend and invited us to tea. Just taking the star treatment in stride now. The Monk was trying to feed Lili snacks. She is so leary to try things anymore. Too many new flavours. We went for a drive around the city, Jack was full of stories from his youth. His Dad was an important man, very respected, personal friends with the head Monk. Local leader. Then Jack showed us one of his houses. It's actually twelve apartments. Both of his brothers live there. One is a policeman, honorable job, but he can't be a business man too. Jack says before he took this post he used to be a business man, factory owner, jewelry manufacturer with six fine jewelry stores. Now he can't have businesses while holding his appointment, so it sounds like his other brother looks after things. Now Jack collects very expensive antiques as investment. Our Jack is full of surprises. He's doing considerably well for himself. Dinner at the hotel buffet tonight. Interesting, we found enough to eat, fruit and desserts count as dinner on holidays right? Ya' we're ready for Eric's cooking. We leave tomorrow. First a pedi cab ride around old Long Yan, then Jack is getting Lili pizza to eat on the way to the airport.
Shanghai tomorrow. Pictures later.
