Sam Fury's Blog, page 61
July 30, 2015
Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express Review, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
This is a Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express Review in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. It also includes directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
The train ride from Kashgar to Urumqi was much more pleasant than the one from Korla to Kashgar. Really dusty but much cooler temperature. Also, apparently when I took a picture of the “desert”, out the other window was mountains. Once again I underestimated the length of the train ride and arrived two hours later than expected, which turned it into a 26 hour journey. This time I made sure I had plenty of water.
Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express Review, Urumqi, Xinjiang, ChinaCost: 139rmb for a single room + 20rmb deposit (returned on check out).
Address: 49 Yangzjiang Rd, Urumqi (not #12 like it says on Ctrip.)
The first thing I noticed when walking into the hotel lobby was the smell of popcorn. I guess there is a cinema nearby.
The staff do not speak English but are very nice and the check-in was seamless.
The room was a tad on the small side but it had everything I needed including kettle, shower, western toilet, air con, TV, ample power points and even a small desk I could work at.
The rooms a little small but you get everything you need
Shower pressure was decent, but no big towel.
The shower even has a shower curtain which is unusual in China
Internet was really good.
Security is also very good (electronic doors with the key-card needed to access the elevator up).
Perhaps the walls are a bit thin. I could hear people in the hallway in the morning, although I have had this happens in most hotels.
Great location.
Clean.
Considering the price and location I’d say the Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express is a pretty good place to stay. I recommend it.
Bathroom with western toilet
Book your stay at the Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Getting to the Urumqi Bestay Hotel ExpressFrom the train station you can catch the BRT 1 (a bright orange bus). Line up, discard your water (you can not take water onto a BRT), pay your 1rmb and get on. Prepare to be crowded at the next stop. Get off at ��������� Wen Hua Gong (which I think was the third stop) and then keep walking in the same direction the bus was going.
The Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express is on your left hand side, just beyond the bridge.
The front of the hotel from the street. The entrance is a little tucked away to the right.
Alternatively you can take the bus, which is probably a tad slower but you can take water on it and it is probably not as crowded. Also, the stop is out the front of the hotel (you just need to cross the road). But numbers 52 and 909 go from the South Train Station (which is the main train station). I think the bus stop name is the same as the BRT (Wen Hua Gong) but can’t be certain. Just keep an eye out for the hotel and bridge.
Other buses that go to the same bus stop are the 51, 52, 52 (with a Chinese character), 109, 909 and 914.
To get to the Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express from the airport you can get the shuttle bus from the bottom of the t2 terminal (arrivals) and perhaps even the other terminals also.
The shuttle costs 10rmb. Get off at the Southern Airlines Pearl International Hotel and then walk to the Bestay Hotel Express (see the map at the end of this post).
Operation Times for the Airport Shuttle.
This is actually from the train station to the airport because that is the way I did it. It is similar in reverse.
From train station – Pearl hotel – Airport
Runs from 0700 – 2200
Every hour from 0700 – 0900
Every 30 minutes from 0900-2200
The international pearl hotel can also be reached by bus numbers 7, 14, 17, 68, 157. The bus stop name is Hong Shan ������, which is out the front of the hotel.
A final way to get from the airport to the Bestay Hotel Express is by local bus number 51. Go to the bottom of T2 (arrivals) and follow the sign.
This map shows where the airport shuttle is in relation to the Bestay
Book your stay at the Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Share your Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express review in the comments, or if you have any other questions, thoughts, alternatives etc., feel free to share
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July 27, 2015
Bruce Lees Jeet Kune Do: Jeet Kune Do Techniques and Fighting Strategies
Kindle: SurviveTravel.com/Jeet-Kune-Do-Amazon $6.27
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Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do: Jeet Kune Do Techniques and Fighting Strategy is more than a bunch of martial arts techniques. It is a fully useable Jeet Kune Do training manual covering all aspects of Bruce Lee’s fighting method in a progressive format.
Benefits Gained from Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do IncludeOffensive and defensive Jeet Kune Do techniques.Learn a martial art that was developed for street fighting.Train in the way of the intercepting fist.Learn Jeet Kune Do fighting strategy.Get access to bonus materials.Increase personal fitness.Become lightning fast.Increase power in all your strikes.… and much, much more
Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do IncludesThe fundamental lead straight punch and all the incredibly important lessons that go with it.How to deliver non-telegraphed attacks (so your opponent never sees your attack coming!)Simple explanations of the principles of economy of motion including directness, simplicity, simultaneous defense and offence etc.Details the 5 ways of attack and how you can apply them in your fighting strategy.Learn about the centerline and how to use it to your advantage.The On-Guard Position.Development of power and speed.The fastest strike you can do and how to make it (and all other strikes) as fast as possible.The most powerful strike you can do and how to make it (and all other strikes) as powerful as possible.Jeet Kune Do footwork including the shuffle, quick movements, circling, bursting etc.Offensive and Defensive Jeet Kune Do TechniquesEvasive movements.Parries.Counter attacks.Trapping.Punches.Kicks.Combinations.Interception. (Jeet Kune Do literally translates to The Way of the Intercepting Fist)Sliding Leverage.Knees and Elbows.Train in the Way of the Intercepting FistEach chapter is a different Jeet Kune Do lesson.Easy to follow descriptions with clear pictures.Jeet Kune Do techniques, concepts and strategies.Lessons are presented in a progressive manner.Includes training tips.Instinctive training and self-defense scenarios (develop the ability to instinctively escape/react to any situation including armed assailants and multiple attackers.Jeet Kune Do is Made for Street FightingUnlike many other martial arts, Bruce Lee developed Jeet Kune Do to be highly practical in self-defense and street fighting scenarios. Learn the best target areas on the human body and how to put down your opponent as quickly as possible.
Learn Jeet Kune Do Fighting StrategyDiscover the use distance in fighting including your fighting measure, closing in, the four ranges, etc.Understand the use of broken rhythm, cadence and other timing concepts which can give an otherwise slower person the upper-hand.Learn how to create opening in your opponent’s guard with feints, false attack, drawing and other methods.Breaks down the 5 ways of attack for complete understanding and use in fighting strategy.Bonuses!Includes a complete copy of Ground Fighting Techniques to Destroy Your Enemy by Sam Fury, FREE!Get access to all the latest Survive Travel publications FREE!Get your copy of Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do: Jeet Kune Do Techniques and Fighting Strategy today!
Sam has had an interest in self preservation and survival (e.g. wilderness medicine, fighting, fitness, escape and evasion, urban and wilderness survival) for as long as he can remember.
His accumulated knowledge is a result of years of formal and informal training, career related experience and general interest in survival, martial arts, the military, adventure travel and other various outdoor pursuits.
Describing himself as a ‘Survival, Minimalist, Traveler’, he has now devoted himself to traveling the world taking training courses (Jeet Kune Do in China, wilderness medicine in the US, parkour in Singapore, survival courses in Africa etc.) and sharing what he learns through his training manual style books.
He is also a moderator and key contributor of SurviveTravel.com.
See all of Sam Fury’s publications
Kindle: SurviveTravel.com/Jeet-Kune-Do-Amazon $6.27
Print: SurviveTravel.com/Jeet-Kune-Do-Print $12.47
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April 20, 2015
Bruce Lee Paradise – Bruce Lee’s Ancestral Home
Bruce Lee Paradise is in Shunde, Foshan and is often billed as Bruce Lee’s ancestral home. It is not. In fact, It is probably one of the most disappointing paradises I’ve been to, and I’m a really big Bruce Lee fan. However, it is something I did so here’s so (hopefully) useful information for anyone thinking about visiting Bruce Lee Paradise.
Brice Lee Paradise – Not Bruce Lee’s Ancestral HomeAccording to my research on the world wide web, Bruce Lee’s ancestral home is on Daliang road in Shunde. This is what we wanted to go to, however, I can not seem to find a Daliang road in Shunde (although there is a whole district called Daliang). Every other bit of information we found said that this was Bruce Lee’s Ancestral home. It is obviously not, but it is where we ended up. I am still wanting to find his actual ancestral home, so if I ever do I’ll update this post.
Getting to Bruce Lee ParadiseI went there from Shunde Polytechnic (where I am currently working – a post will be posted by the end of August ’15), but if you can get yourself to the main Shunde Bus Terminal than just catch the 391 and it will take you to the same place. From Guangzhou you can catch a bus to Shunde. It takes about 2 hours I think and costs less than 100RMB.
To get to Bruce Lee Paradise from Shunde Polytechnic catch the 307 from the east gate to Jusco. The picture below is the name of the stop. This journey takes about 25 minutes depending on traffic.
The name of the bus stop to get of at Jusco
Swap buses to the K391 and get off at the stop shown in the picture below. It is about a 50 minute bus ride and costs 6RMB. Shwo the driver a picture of the stop name so he knows what’s going on, or try out your Chinese and say Lee Xiao Leng Le Yuan Lu Kou – literally meaning the Bruce Lee Paradise Street Entrance. Lee Xiao Leng is Bruce Lee’s Chinese Name. Xiao Leng means little dragon. In Chinese the surname goes first.
Bus stop to get off at Bruce Lee Paradise – Shunde
Follow the sign down the road to Bruce Lee Paradise. It’s a big sign, you won’t miss it.
Inside Bruce Lee ParadiseAs I eluded to before, this place is far from paradise, and in fact has not much to do with Bruce Lee. I didn’t take many photos, but I wish I had to truly encapsulate the essence.
It costs 50RMB to get into Bruce Lee Paradise, which includes a 30 minute wooden raft ride.
The World’s Largest Stature of Bruce LeeProbably the best thing in this place is the world’s biggest statue of Bruce Lee. It is not breathtakingly massive, but it is pretty big… much bigger than me and you. According to the this internet source, the world’s biggest statue of Bruce Lee is just shy of 20 meters tall (18.8 to be a little more exact).
Update: According to news.xinhuanet.com (linked above) the Bruce Lee Ancestor’s House less than a 1 km from the park – I will not be going back to find it.
Worlds biggest statue of Bruce Lee. 18.8 meters tall.
I took two photos. Two badly lit photos is better than one, right?
There’s this man made waterfall which you can go up to, walk to the top and walk amongst. I just looked at it from afar.
A man made waterfall at Bruce Lee Paradise
There is a small cinema type room that shows a loop reel of the best fight scenes from Bruce Lee’s movies. Actually, I really enjoyed this, since the fight scenes are the best things about Bruce Lee’s movies.
There is also a museum which is interesting if you want to learn about Bruce Lee.
The vast majority of Bruce Lee Paradise in Shunde, Foshan, is a lake which you can walk around in about an hour or rent a bike (we didn’t so I don’t know how much it costs). There are some things scattered around the lake to break up the walk such as this wooden raft ride. It comes included in the price of your ticket and is supposed to last 30 minutes. You are asked to do some of the paddling – actually it is more of a gondola where you have a pole to push off the bottom of the lake.
Wooden raft ride – they\ll ask you to do some of the ‘paddling’
That’s all the pictures I took but there is also Herron viewing spot, a small animals ‘park’ (2 pigs, 2 small cows and a rabbit all living in horrendous conditions), a small theme park with rides including go-carts, bumper cars, roller coaster and some other things. For those of you that like theme park rides, don’t get exited, they a mini-fied and did not look very good. Finally, there are a couple of hills you can climb and some other scenic type spots with very descriptive names.
I’m not sure how I feel about Bruce lee Paradise. It was something to do, and did have some Bruce Lee stuff. It was nice to walk around, but I don’t think it was worth the 2 hour bus ride and 50RMB. We did however, get some good noodles from across the road of the entrance. Comments and questions always welcome.
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April 5, 2015
Survival Fitness: The 6 Best Bodyweight Training Physical Fitness Exercises For Escape and Survival
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Sam has had an interest in self preservation and survival (e.g. wilderness medicine, fighting, fitness, escape and evasion, urban and wilderness survival) for as long as he can remember.
His accumulated knowledge is a result of years of formal and informal training, career related experience and general interest in wilderness medicine, martial arts, the military, adventure travel and other various outdoor pursuits.
Describing himself as a ‘Survival, Minimalist, Traveler’, he has now devoted himself to exploring the world and uses his skills to stay out of/escape ‘trouble’ whilst venturing well off the beaten track.
He is also a moderator and key contributor of SurviveTravel.com.
See all of Sam Fury’s publications
Kindle: SurviveTravel.com/Survival-Fitness $7.77
Print: SurviveTravel.com/Survival-Fitness-Print $15.57
Get your copy of Survival Fitness: The 6 Best Bodyweight Training Physical Fitness Exercises For Escape and Survival today and be physically prepared for anything!
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March 31, 2015
Things to do in Zhangjiajie – Wulingyuan, Hunan, China, Day 3
Things to do in Zhangjiajie such as walk around town, walk along the River, communist tower, cable car to Tian Men Mountain including directions, daily cost summary, other useful information, and perhaps also some not so useful personal observations and opinions.
Woke up this morning to sunshine. Its a pity I didn’t have another day at the park. Checked out of the hotel and caught the bus to Zhangjiajie (12RMB). I left my bag in the Zangjiajie Train Station (10RMB) and went to look for things to do.
Walk around TownI caught the #6 bus from the train station into town (1RMB). See the map below for where to get off. Zhangjiajie is a typical bustling Chinese town with lots of food and other stuff. Very different to Shunde which is kind of bland.
Pork sandwhich. I used to get these all the time when I lived in Yuanqu. This one was not as good, but still decent..
Tourist ElevatorI stumbled upon this tourist elevator, which takes you up 5 floors and you see sweet FA.
Walk Along the RiverThe river is heavily polluted (as are most waterways in China) since the locals use it to wash their clothes etc.
People washing clothes in the river
Across the way are these demolished houses. I wonder what happened to them.. if I knew how to speak Chinese a bit better I would know.
People live among this rubble. There is a primary school behind it.
Also, lots of people gambling and doing other random stuff.
Gambling Houses (cards)
TowerI have no idea what this tower is called, but I’m sure it has something to do with the communist party. It was my favorite of the things to do in Zhangjiajie. You climb up all these steps.
Stairs to the tower
… and at the top was this guy attracting the women with his painting
Guy painting the tower
… and these guys playing traditional Chinese tunes.
It was very peaceful and I caught a nap.
After that I got some pineapple (3RMB), walked around, bought some water and stuff (5RMB), caught the bus back to the train station (1RMB) and got some fried rice (10RMB).
Cable Car to Tian Men MountainThis is the ‘thing to do’ in Zhangjiajie. I did not do it.
Cable cars up Tian Men Moutain
I had purposefully bought my train ticket on the bottom berth, but when I got there an elder woman with a child asked to swap. She had the top bunk. How could I say no? She gave me 50RMB to cover the cost difference. I don’t know what the cost sifference is, but I don’t think it is more than 50RMB.
Costs Summary for Things to do in Zhangjiajie – Wulingyuan, Hunan, China, Day 3FoodPork Sandwiches. 10RMB for 2
Pineapple. 3RMB
Supermarket. 5RMB
Fried Rice 10RMB
McDonalds. 22RMB (following morning)
Food Costs Total: 50RMB
Bus from Wulingyuan to Zhangjiajie. 12RMB
Bus to/from town from Zhangjiajie bus station. 2rmb
Train from Zhangjiajie to Guangzhou. 258.50RMB (including the 50RMB the lady gave me for the bottom bunk)
*Train from Guangzhou to Shunde. 26RMB (following morning)
*The train from Guangzhou to Shunde shoud have only been 15RMB, but I bought the ticket for the wrong day (Monday instead of Tuesday). I got all the way back to Shunde and on the last ticket check they realised. I had to pay 12RMB.
Transport Costs Total: 298.5RMB
Toileties from hotel. 5RMB
Bag hold at the Zangjiajie train station. 10RMB
Other Costs Total: 15RMB
Grand Total for Things to do in Zhangjiajie – Wulingyuan, Hunan, China, Day 3: 363.5RMB
Grand Total in USD (Approx): $58.70
Instead of doing a separate posts on costs for this trip I am just going to state the daily average here. I left on Friday afternoon and returned on Tuesday morning, so I am making it a 4 day trip. The total cost for the trip was 1316.5RMB, which make it about 329.2RMB/day (approx $53.15USD).
Although it is probably the biggest attraction in Zhangjiajie, I didn’t go on the cable car. Has anyone done it? What other things have you done in Zhangjiajie?We’d love to hear about it in the comments… or anything else you want to say 
Just wondering around aimlessly I found a few good things to do in Zhangjiajie. Well, not so much things to do as things to see. I ate some good food, and had a pretty good stroll around. These two things just happen to be among my favorite things about traveling (I’m easily pleased) so it was a good day.
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March 29, 2015
Things to do in Wulingyuan, Hunan, China, Day 2
Things to do in Wulingyuan including Zhanjiajie National Forest Park, Baofeng Lake, Xibu Street, Salamander Science Museum, Wulingyuan Zixiaguan, directions, daily cost summary, other useful information, and perhaps also some not so useful personal observations and opinions.
It was raining when I woke up this morning, and it only just stopped about an hour ago (it’s 2100pm). Thank f*k for my poncho and waterproof socks.
Zhangjiajie National Forest ParkNeedless to say I’m glad I did all that hiking yesterday, because today was not a good day for it. In any case, I went back into Zhangjiajie National Forest Park but didn’t accomplish much.
On the way I got some cheap rain-pants (5RMB) which are now going to be a permanent part of my kit.
I took a few bus rides around the place and went for a short stroll through up to and around an abandoned hotel. Not quite as cool as the ones in Croatia (Kupari, Dubrovnik).
Abandoned hotel in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Actually, since I’m comparing to Croatia, Plitvice National Park, in my opinion, is better than Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. To be fair, I did not see that much of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, but that is a good reason why it is not as good. It’s too difficult to navigate, and the Chinese make you pay for things that you kind of have no choice but to do to get to other areas of the park e.g. the tourist elevator.
Wulingyun, Just walking around
I only stayed in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for a couple of hours, then went to explore Wulingyuan.
Wulingyun, Just walking around
Baofeng LakeI slowly made my way to Baofeng lake. When I got there I discovered that you have to pay to get in (96RMB), and there were a bunch of tour buses there. I did not go in.
Baofeng Lake Entrance
Getting to Baofeng LakeIt’s about an hours walk from the Wulingyuan entrance to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. See the map below.
Map to Baofeng Lake
Xibu StreetI guess this is like a tourist street. It has a snack street, bars on the river and shops, cafes etc. There wasn’t much going on there during the day. I assume it gets a bit more lively at night, but I wasn’t bothered to check it out. Also, there was a lot of construction going on.
Xibu Street
Getting to Xibu StreetXibu Street is located to the left of the bridge as you are walking to Baofeng Lake. It also marked on the map above.
Giant Salamander Science MuseumThis is something I just walked past on the way back from Baofeng Lake (its all on the same street). I didn’t go in, didn’t check out the costs and didn’t even snap a pic from the front, but it is there and it is something to do.
Wulingyuan ZixiaguanAgain, on the way back from Baofeng lake. It is to your right as you are walking towards town. There’s a parking lot and some temples on a hill. I did not go in. They are charging 128RMB.
Wulingyuan Zixiaguan
Costs Summary for Things to do in Wulingyuan, Hunan, China, Day 2FoodNu Rou Mian. 9RMB
Afternoon Tea. 4RMB
Food Costs Total: 13RMB
Rain-pants. 5RMB
Other Costs Total: 5RMB
Grand Total for Day 2 in Wulingyuan: 18RMB
Grand Total in USD (Approx): $3.00
We’d love to hear about it in the comments… or anything else you want to say
It feels like Wulingyuan is very much a tourist town and alot of the things to do in Wulingyuan are over-priced tourist ‘attractions’. In hindsight, I probably should have spent more time in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, but I think a combination of the weather, bus rides, loads of people and not feeling 100% put me off.
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Exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – Wulingyuan, Hunan, China, Day 1
Exploring ZhangJiaJie National Forest Park, getting to Wulingyuan, Wulingyuan accommodation review including directions, daily cost summary, other useful information, and perhaps also some not so useful personal observations and opinions.
The main reason I went to Wulingyuan was for exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and see the rock formations which inspired the scenery for the movie Avatar.
Getting to WulingyuanFirst off, get to ZhangJiaJie by train or bus from any number of cities in China. I caught an overnight train from Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie (about a 13 hour trip) and arrived at about 0930am.
Never seen this in real life before. A baby monkey grooming his/her mother.
Once Zhangjiajie, make your way to the bus station (which is also right next to the train station). In the bus station, ignore the ticket counter. Walk through security into the waiting hall. To the left is a door leading to the outside where all the buses are. Go through it and take a left. Looks for the characters for Wulingyuan.. or just ask someone for the bus to Wulingyuan. It takes about 40 minutes and costs 12RMB.
Characters for Wulingyuan
Wulingyuan Accommodation Review – Zhangjiajie Yanran InnCost: Approx 100RMB / night for a twin room
I was really happy with this hotel. Decent price, close to the park entrance and a very spacious room with TV aircon/heater, good shower, hot water, clean and nice staff. The owner’s English is decent.
I saw this on Agoda but it was more expensive than on Ctrip. Ctrip always seems to be cheaper but if you don’t trust the Chinese website, then pay a little extra and use Agoda.
Book your stay at Zhangjiajie Yanran Inn.
Getting to Zhangjiajie Yanran InnFor some reason I didn’t take a picture of the map provided on Ctrip so it took me a while to find my accommodation. I must have walked past it a couple of times… I knew I was on the right street. Eventually I just got a taxi to it. It was about 30 seconds down the road and the flag-fall was 5RMB, but it saved me lots of time so totally worth it. The taxi driver was happy also.
There’s lots of monkeys in the park.
Check the map below for directions from the Wulingyuan Bus Station.
Exploring ZhangJiaJie National Forest ParkBy the time I had checked in and got my shit sorted out it was about lunch time, so I got some noodles from a whole in the wall place (9RMB) and then made my way into ZhangJiaJie National Forest Park.
Lunch
Getting to the Wulingyuan Entrance of the Zhangjiajie National Forest ParkGetting to the Wulingyuan Entrance of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park from the Yanran in is a 5-10 minute walk. Check the map below.
Map to get to the Wulingyuan Entrance and Yanran Inn
This tower is the entrance
Exploring ZhangJiaJie National Forest ParkThe entry ticket cost 248RMB (including 3RMB insurance). It is the most expensive ticket i.e. Adult in high season. Low season is about half the price.
The ticket is like a hotel card so you can reuse it for 3 days. They also take your fingerprint, I guess so you can’t give your card to someone else.
The ZhangJiaJie National Forest Park is huge, but luckily there are buses which are included in the price of a ticket. So I jumped on the first one and just went.
My plan was to take it easy on this first day, then do lots of hiking the next. The only thing I really knew about Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was the Avatar mountain rock formation things.
It took a good 20 minutes on the bus to get into the park. I got off at the something-or-rather lakes and had a look around. There was a 5km hiking track that I think would have took me to the Zhangjiajie entrance, but I decided to go back onto the bus.
Next stop I got off at was the 10 mile nature gallery, which isn’t actually 10 miles. I think the sign says that it is actually 5.5km. There is a monorail (about 30RMB I think) or you can walk on the boardwalk, which I did. Apart from the masses of tourists, it was nice.
At the end of this is a bunch of stalls (which are all throughout the park) and for some reason some caged monkeys. Not sure why because there are monkeys just roaming around free everywhere. I felt bad for the monkeys.
Not one to back-track I decided that I would instead walk up some stairs, which turned out to be a very long walk.
Mt Tai YuanAs it turns out the stairs led me up to Mt Tai Yuan (Heavenly Gate). It was a good walk. Not too taxing (old people where doing it), and if you do find it hard you can pay for a “Sedan” to carry you (two guys carrying you in a chair).
Keep on keeping on and make it to Mt Tai Shan. Along the way I saw them constructing something and thought to myself, “Man, it must have been a mission to get the concrete up here”. Next minute I see some donkeys… makes sense.
I just took this because I was baffled as to how a sprite bottle got there
I finally get to the top of Mt Ta Shan and guess whats there…
McDonalds on the top of the Mt Tai Shan
That’s right. McDonalds. I wonder how many donkeys died so it could be built up there.
I went and checked out some more views then decided it was time to head back. Unfortunately getting out was a mission. Apparently there is no bus back to the Wulingyuan Gate from Mt Tai Shan. I didn’t want to take the cable car so I just caught the first bus I saw… and then another 2 until I got to the Tourist Lift.
Bailong Tourist ElevatorThis was a f*kn nightmare, but apparently it was the only way back, so I paid the 72RMB and then lined up.. for about two and a half hours of pushing and shoving as the Chinese like to do.
I’m sure the view from the lift is impressive, but by the time I got on the f*kr it was night time, so I couldn’t see anything.
At the bottom was another line (about 30 minutes), and then finally a bus (with a bunch of school kids…) for a 20 minute ride to the exit.
I got some fast noodles (ramen, maggi, 2 minute noodles) and some fruit on my way home.
Bananas. 9RMB
Fast Noodles. 14RMB for 2.
Nu Rou Mian. 9RMB
Dinner and snacks (the night before). 46RMB
Food Costs Total: 78RMB
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. 248RMB
Bailong Tourist Elevator. 72RMB
Sightseeing Costs Total: 320RMB
Bus to train. 2RMB (previous day)
Train from Shunde to Guangzhou. 15RMB (previous day)
Train (hard sleeper) from Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie. 307RMB (previous day)
Bus from Zhangjiajie to Wulingyuan. 12RMB
Taxi to hotel. 5RMB
Transport Costs Total: 341RMB
Zhangjiajie Yanran Inn 196RMB (2 nights)
Accommodation Costs Total: 196RMB
Grand Total for Day 1 in Wulingyuan, Hunan, China: 935RMB
Grand Total in USD (Approx): $150.60
We’d love to hear about it in the comments… or anything else you want to say
Apart from the end of the day, I had a pretty good time exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. I did more than I expected, and I’ll be going again tomorrow to see what else I can see.
The post Exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – Wulingyuan, Hunan, China, Day 1 appeared first on Survive Travel.
March 13, 2015
Healthy Living Made Easy, Fast and Cheap: How to Save Time and Money Whilst Achieving a Healthy Lifestyle
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Sam has had an interest in self preservation and survival (e.g. wilderness medicine, fighting, fitness, escape and evasion, urban and wilderness survival) for as long as he can remember.
His accumulated knowledge is a result of years of formal and informal training, career related experience and general interest in wilderness medicine, martial arts, the military, adventure travel and other various outdoor pursuits.
Describing himself as a ‘Survival, Minimalist, Traveller’, he has now devoted himself to exploring the world and uses his skills to stay out of/escape ‘trouble’ whilst venturing well off the beaten track.
He is also a moderator and key contributor of SurviveTravel.com.
See all of Sam Fury’s publications
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March 12, 2015
How To Make an Airplane Safe Survival Keychain
Late last year I made a How to Make a Survival Keychain post. Since then I lost my survival keychain (I think I left it in Singapore), and my lock pick set got picked up by Australian security. They took it off me because it is considered a tool. I also had my mini multi-tool taken off me by the Chinese.
Anyway, since then I have re-got (is this a word? — you know what I mean) everything and I think it is better now. Also, made some slight packing changes for when boarding a plane.
My New Airplane Safe Survival KeychainHere is my new and improved survival keychain.
Compass and WhistleThis little item cost me a whopping $23AUD from the Wellington Army Surplus Shop in Perth WA (I’m home for a couple of weeks to visit family and friends).
Q. Why shell out so much when you can get these things online for literally $1?
A. So the friggin thing works!
Those little button compasses that you get online shipped from Hong Kong are EXTREMELY unreliable. This one is a Silva compass, a very well known company for quality compasses. Also, it has a whistle attached which saves some space.
This is bigger and more expensive (about 30x!) than a button compass, but it is made by Silva and will work for the long run, unlike the many button compasses I have gone through
Solar Powered LED FlashlightSince the original post I did buy a little wind up flashlight for my keyring. It worked fine, but although it was the smallest one available, it was still a little bulky.
This solar powered flashlight I bought for a couple of dollars. I’m not sure how long it will last but its working well so far.
I think the important thing here, besides being compact, it that I don’t need batteries for it. I still carry my little waterproof one that I got in Croatia in my back pack.
Solar powered keyring flashlight. Less bulky than my little wind up one.
Waterproof Thumb DriveLosing my Lacie thumb drive was the biggest deal, because I had all my work on it (don’t worry, I back sh*t up in multiple places).
This new Eaget thumb drive is apparently 32gb, waterproof and USB 3. The Lacie one was only USB 2. I haven’t tested it to full capacity but I’m assuming it is not fake memory or just fake in general, since I bought it from an Australian seller.
32 GB, waterproof and 3USB. I rate it better tham my previous Lacie.
Mini Multi-ToolThis got taken off me in China, but I haven’t had problems with it anywhere else. To be fair, although it has nothing sharp, it is a tool, so maybe the *Australians would have taken it also.
*Aussies were strict. They took my FRED and Lock Picks which I haven’t even had problems with in America!
The multi-tool I will not re-purchase. A had it for a while and didn’t use it.
The FRED (F*king ridiculous eating device / Field ready eating device) and the Multitool can not do anything that a good knife can’t anyway, and when I land in a new country I always look to procure a knife, since (in my mind) it is the #1 survival tool, and just really useful in general.
Magnesium StickHaven’t replaced this yet and probably will not. Sometimes it gets through customs and sometimes not. I think I have a spare one in China, so I’ll just put that on. If it gets taken off me that will be it.
As well as buying a knife when I land, I will (and do anyway) buy a lighter.
I keep small fuel ‘cells’ in my survival kit. They are definitely not allowed on planes, but I have never been picked up on them…go figure.
Para CordCan’t go wrong with Paracord. Ridiculously useful. Floss, sewing, repairs etc. I also keep some in my survival kit.
I followed this tutorial to make the keychain.You’ll notice in this picture that it is not attached to a keyring. Instead I tied an Alpine butterfly.
This is about a meter of paracord
Lock PicksTechnically these are not on my airplane safe survival keyring, but they are good to keep on you and take up next to no room. I guess you could wrap them in the paracord if you really wanted them on your keyring.
I was pissed when my lock picks got taken from me in customs, but I did manage to get some more online. Technically you can have lock picks in Australia, just don’t use them illegally. I told customs that it was a hobby, but they took them off me because technically it is a tool.
I think what I will do is split them up and put them in different areas of my bag. Actually, I don’t even think they will set the machines off. I’ll test it on my flight to Sri Lanka by putting one of the less used picks in my pocket and go see if it sets the screening thing off, then I’ll post an update.
The complete Survival Keychain next to a measuring tape for perspective
Well that’s my ‘new and improved’ airplane safe survival keychain. Do you have one? and if so, what do you carry on it?
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March 8, 2015
14 Awesome Sri Lanka Foods
Discover 14 Awesome Sri Lanka Foods including pictures, costs and other useful information.
Awesome Sri Lanka FoodsIn this list of awesome Sri Lanka Foods the links will take you to the related daily entry post.
#1. KottuCost: 350LKR (Approx $2.80USD) for Mutton Kottu at a tourist place.
The first item on my list of awesome Sri Lanka Foods is Mutton Kottu. The best I can figure this is like a mixture of bread (rotti), a few vegies, the meat of your choice (mutton, seafood, beef etc) and chili. The cost given is for the mutton variety, which was about mid range. I think a mixed variety was about 550LKR.
Update: I got a beef one from a small restaurant in a non-tourist area and it was 180LKR (Approx $1.50USD).
Kottu comes in a variety of ‘flavors’. This one is mutton. It’s pretty tasty, a little spicy.
#2. Strong BeerCost: 1000LKR (Approx $7.60) for a large can
I haven’t labeled it strong because of the potency. It is actually called, Strong beer. I didn’t think to check out the alcohol percentage, but probably is the same as a regular beer, about around 5% I imagine.
I got the above Kottu (Awesome Sri Lanka food #1) along the ‘beach’ in Colombo and had met a German guy in the hostel, so we decided to have a beer also. I guess it is somewhat illegal because we had to pay for the beer first then waited about 20 minutes for it to arrive (I figure they had to go buy it), then they made us sit in the dark, I’m assuming so we could not be seen drinking the beer. On top of all that, the beer was very expensive – 1000SLR for a large can (about 500ml).
I’m not sure how much beer should cost normally because I’m not a big drinker when traveling so I didn’t buy another, but I could guess it would be at least half the price.
Tasted OK but was ridiculously expensive
#3. Small EatsCost: Varies, but generally under 40LKR per item (Approx $0.30USD)
As far as I gathered, small eats are the street foods and little pastries of Sri Lanka. Many of them are just different shaped versions of Samosas, i.e. with vegetable curry inside. Others may have fish. There are also many types of sweet things.
#4. Kik ColaCost: 25LKR (Approx $0.20USD) for a small bottle
I got this from Family Bakery which is a chain store in Sri Lanka. It is accompanied by a Chicken Puff. Was good.
Kik cola is ridiculously cheap, and compares well to Coke (i guess… I’m not a Coke connoisseur)
#5. RotiCost: 150LKR (Approx $1.20USD)
Actually, 150LKR is probably a bit steep because I bought it from a high tourist area.
You can get Roti rolls with a variety of fillings. This one was vegetable, but the same shop also had banana, egg and coconut.
Vegetable Roti made to order
#6. Supermarket SnacksCost: Varies
Like any country, Sri Lanka has its own packaged snacks which can be bought from the Supermarket. This small packet of twistie like crisps cost 30LKR and tasted pretty good. They were BBQ flavor, but had a more curry taste to them.
BBQ flavored Sri Lanka Crisps
#7. CurryCost: 500LKR (Approx $4USD)
This one looks great but I was not impressed. The way food looks doesn’t go very far with me. It’s all about taste and value for money.
Now this did taste ok, but was very overpriced (in comparison to places I would usually eat). I had intended to go the same place I went the night before (where I’m pretty sure the chicken curry is under 250LKR), but I had walked ALOT this day so decided to puss out which is why I ate this at a restaurant close to my accommodation (Cottage Tourist Rest in Anuradhapura).
In any case, curry is a big part of Sri Lanka foods and they taste amazing which is why it is in this list of awesome Sri Lanka foods.
Curry
Update: I got pretty much the same thing (actually it tasted much better) from a local restaurant in Dambulla for 250LKR (Approx $1.90LKR)
#8. HoppersCost: 20LKR (Approx $0.15USD)/Plain Hopper, comes in 5. 45LKR (Approx $0.40USD) for an Egg Hopper.
As far as I can tell, this is made from a pancake type mix. It is thin and crispy, and towards the bottom/center it gets more like a pancake.
I think they are usually eaten them for breakfast and afternoon tea. You can have it with chili… pancakes and chili.. ha! Only in Sri Lanka (maybe).
These are plain Hoppers, but they come in other varieties also.
#9. Elephant Soft DrinkCost: 50LKR (Approx $0.45USD) for a 200ml bottle
I’m pretty sure Elephant Soft Drinks are only in Sri Lanka.. at least it is the only place I’ve seen it. Variety of flavors e.g. orange, creaming soda etc. Tastes good and really cheap in comparison to other international brand names.
Elephant soft drinks. Same great taste for a fraction of the price.
#10. Fried RiceCost: 250LKR (Approx $2USD) for egg, 350LKR (Approx $2.80USD) for chicken.
Yep, fried rice. Maybe they got it from the Chinese. What makes it special from other fried rice is that they give you some curry sauce with it. It’s good, and you get lots of it. I didn’t eat for the rest of the night.
Fried Rice with curry sauce
Update: I got Chicken Fried Rice from a local place in Kalutara for only 150LKR (Approx 1.40USD) and it was very good.
Chicken fried rice in Kalutara
#11 Deviled ChickenCost: About 350LKR (Approx $2.80USD)
This was pretty good. I assume all deviled things are just whatever it is (beef, pork etc) covered with this pretty tasty sauce.
Deviled Chicken.. pretty tasty
#12 Roasted Chick PeasCost: 50LKR (Approx $0.45USD)
They make this on the side of the street, similar to the way they make roasted chestnuts. With a little chili on it.. just because it is Sri Lanka. Tasted better than I thought it would.
Roasted Chick Peas with a dash of chili
#13 KFCCost: 340LKR (Approx $2.60USD) for Chicken Biryani, onion sambal and a drink.
Yes, Kuntucky Fried Chicken. I’m not a fan of fast food in general, but I like to see the menu differences between countries. In Sri Lanka KFC you can get Chicken Biryani and Onion Sambal.
KFC Chincken Biryani with Onion Sambal
#14 Chicken BiryaniCost: 500LKR (Approx $4USD) for a double portion of chicken and paratha (flat bread).
The last thing on my list of awesome Sri Lanka foods is this ‘real’ Chicken Biryani i.e. not KFC. The KFC version was actually quite good, but this was at least 10x better.
This is at least 10x better than the Biryani from KFC last night
Well that’s it for my list of awesome Sri Lanka foods.
Be sure to check out:
12 Best Things to do in Sri Lanka
16 Days in Sri Lanka and Cost of Travel in Sri Lanka
All Daily Entry posts on Sri Lanka
The post 14 Awesome Sri Lanka Foods appeared first on Survive Travel.
