OUR UNEXPECTED JOURNEY THROUGH CHINA (by highspeed bullet train)
Traveling through China isn’t something we ever thought we would do. It’s a controversial country to many people, especially Americans. And it’s not an easy country to get into (the visa process is long).
Because we are building a boat with HH Catamarans, and their main factory is here…we were able to get business visas. And we have been ALL business with our trips (turns out managing a new boat build is a full-time job).
Thankfully, our boat is on the final stretch and sea trials begin soon. Which means we will be ready to sail out of here before the end of the month!
But we are in China! A country we never thought we would have the opportunity to see, much less experience. There’s no way we could let ourselves sail out of here without exploring at least a little bit of the country first. So, we decided to take a one-week hiatus from the factory and do exactly that.
China is a huge country with some of the most incredible landscapes we’ve never seen. Luckily, China has the biggest highspeed railway network in the world. So, we decided to pick a direction and go as far as we could. A 2100km journey from Xiamen to the start of the Tibet Mountains in the Yunnan Province.
And let me tell you, China isn’t at all what we expected.
From jamming in an ancient Stone Forest to impromptu tea ceremonies…this was a trip for the books. And, we’re only halfway! See you next week for part two.
🍏AG1
Drink your vitamins! Because it’s almost impossible to get everything our bodies need from food. So we fill in the nutritional gaps with AG1.
🎥 CAMERA GEAR USED TO FILM THIS VIDEO
🎶 MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO
- We Use Artlist: Get 2 Months for FREE with this link: https://bit.ly/artlist-GWTW
- Artists – Ian Post, The North, Roie Shpigler, Annie Zhou, Borden Lulu
🙏 WE COULDN’T MAKE THESE VIDS WITHOUT YOU!
Thank you for watching! Ups, downs, and all around, we share it all. If you like what you see, there are lots of ways you can show your support.
Jane Ashman
I was lucky enough to visit Lijiang…bought a beautiful jade pendant there in old town which has always brought me good luck when I wear it…just loved revisiting China with your video! Can’t wait for next installment! Hold a panda!!
Alan Solomon
Thank you. I really enjoyed your “Tea Experience.” I would love to slow my normal pace down that same way and let a new pace and possibly new, positive habits develop from an experience like that.
You two were very gracious with your mini tours, detailed footage and explanations on numerous topics and subjects during this video. Thank you again.
You both were always smiling, and Jason seemed a bit giddy in a positive way. It seemed Jason was just so happy to be there, experiencing all of what was going on around him. I totally enjoyed it. Thanks again. 🙂 P.S. The Stone Forest. Simply amazing. Thank you again. 👍
Sandra & the 2 Spaniels
I am shocked at how open people were with the 2 of you! To hear the MSM tell it, everyone in China is a controlled robot, yet the folks you visited with were friendly and peaceful. I love trains and find it tragic that this country has basically abandoned most train lines.
Angela E.
I was able to visit China to see my daughter there a few years ago, We participated in a tea brewing activity at a shop that was in a multi-story mall just for tea. It was unique. My daughter left for a couple of years in Morocco, but is now back in a different area of China. I recall how much we were stared at and greeted. We were two blonde women and young people wanted to practice their English with us. Thanks for all your videos.
StevieDV
I am shocked by the openness of the society and the people. Unless you had handlers the whole time you were there that we didn’t know about, that is not what I was lead to believe. I think you made the correct decision to take a train verses flying. I can’t imagine that you would have any of the flexibility on a plane that you experienced on the train. You will never get to see those sights again, so appreciate them while you have the time.
This trip would be an excellent time to promote your VPN. I can’t believe the internet is as open as in the States.
Tom Hunter now living in Lanzarote. SPAIN.
This must rank as one of the best, and intriguing trips you have done away from your boat life adventures.
Fantastic. And more next week. You are spoiling us with such adventures.
Also I switched to green tea many years ago.
Aboyandhisdog
I’m really surprised to hear that China is not very vegetarian-friendly. I would have never thought this…bummer for sure!
Bob Wolford
I failed to include how much I appreciate how the two of you do such a compelling job of validating the people and cultures you explore. I could see on the faces of the Sani musicians just how much they appreciated you spending time with them, and even joining in creating their music with them!
Margaret
Loved learning about the high speed train travel, even the bathrooms!
Bob Wolford
What I have noticed in all my travels is that people are generally wonderful. Unfortunately, governments and corporations cause such conflict. I am not being idyllic, just expressing my opinion.
As always, thank you for taking us along while you journey and expand your sense of humanity.
Michael McGivney CBO
Nikki, I’m looking for the AG1 link can’t seem to find it. Love watch your adventures. If you wouldn’t mind. Can you tell us your itinerary and cost in dollars for the China trip.
Curious Minion
The AG1 link is below the body of the post, where links for camera gear & music and such are located.
They did put the costs for the train trip vs. flying in the video. At about 15 minutes in if I recall. Give it a watch, & hope this helps!
Curious Minion
Carol
I love your videos! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us! I am living vicariously through you both!
Mary Aes Mitchell
Fabulous video. There are tea tasting rooms like this in San Francisco’s China Town.
Harry
Oh, btw, on the menu there are vegetarian choices, anything with word “素“. There are lots of vegetarians in China, so you should be fine. Have fund and enjoy!
Harry
Can’t wait to see your next episode(s) on Lijiang and Tibet! Please publish them as soon as possible!
Dave Sunde
My folks visited in the ’70 for 3 or 4 weeks and brought back some wonderful photos and stories. They did Mongolia a few years later and they found that even more interesting. My dad had spent 3 years in China in the ’30s and it was interesting for him to see how much it had changed and in some areas had stayed the same. In both contries manual labor was the predominant way things got done.
I think the world needs more person to person contact. Wherever I’ve traveled I’ve noticed that we may have more in common with the people than we thought before visiting. They may have different food and customes but we all enjoy eating and getting together for a good time. Most places also placed a premium on family events and time spent together.
Brenda
What a wonderful look inside a much mis-understood but magical country. Your experiences with people like the owners of the tea shop happened because you are both so open and and non-judgemental. I love this video and really looking froward to seeing more of your whirlwind train trip!
Mary Van
Wow! How special was that!? I’m so glad you all are having sometime for each other. Thanks for bringing us along, I really enjoyed the train and the tea! Maybe one day I’ll get to enjoy the same experience! Happy new year!
Mary Van
And the rock national Forest, I forgot to say how amazing the photos were. I’d still like to see the video you shot at the Grand Canyon one of these days.
Did you go all the way to the bottom?
Gloria
So interesting I have watched it twice. Safe travels.
Pamela Andringa
That was just so much fun to see through your eyes! Can’t wait for next week’s video
Colin Cohen
I cannot help but had my admiration for you guys with the spirits and sentiments you expressed in this video. Many thanks
Pat Parker
Great trip and really enjoyed the tips for tea drinking
JD
The guy you were sitting next to at start of the train ride,kept watching with a grin on his face and probably thinking what is the foreigner doing!
Thanks for the fascinating tour.Send more please)
Richard
That was a wonderful video and subject matter that gave a fresh nonpolitical light to the Chinese people and places. It seems the Chineses are way ahead of us Americans in many things including transportations, neatness, and more importantly individual safety and security in at least day to day interactions!! Too bad that their form of government is what it is as I think the people deserve better! Makes me less afraid of wanting to visit there sometime if ever the opportunity arrises! Please keep the positive portrayals of the land of China coming as I look forward to the next video. Very enlightening…Thanks
Bob S.
It’s great to see you interacting in such a positive way with the locals. Sadly, this isn’t the case world-wide. There are places where you would not be welcome.
Alan
You guys are truly “world explorers” and advocates for all you meet. I hope your adventure continues until you get to experience all you want. Safe travels, some unfair (not unsafe) winds for your test sail. Keep us up to date on how it is going here. Thanks so much.
Jan
This is fascinating!! I enjoyed your tea experience. Thank you
Diane
Wow, you guys. More please~the tea master! Amazing. Thank You.