Mike - If early means January/February then heat/humidity should be manageable. If early means April/May then you might encounter some tough spots from a heat/humidity perspective.
I'm sure you will be prepared and will thoroughly enjoy the trip.
If this is your first trip to the area then I know you will enjoy Hong Kong and Xi'An. There are so many areas within China that are amazing. If you haven't already visited the other areas you are going to want schedule a return visit after you get a taste on this trip.
Thanks for your note, Smiling Sam. Yes, the trip is in the earlier part of the year, not April/May. I have traveled to China on business but only along the coast (from Beijing to Hong Kong). And when you're on a business trip you don't really see a city or country. I did take a bit of extra time to go to the Great Wall outside Beijing, but that's about it for tourist activity.
I've been to Hong Kong several times. I took an R&R (or vacation time, don't remember) to Hong Kong back in 1970 and even had a suit made while I was there. Flying into Kai Tak airport in a 747 was interesting. You could look out of the plane into windows of tall office buildings.
The political situation between China and the US gives me some concern, but mostly whether the pre-cruise excursion will go or not.
[Also been to Japan a number of times (years ago) and did a bit more tourist stuff there.]
I chose to take the Dharavi tour. It’s a shame that pictures aren’t allowed because it’s so much more than some stock photos that show a slum. The entrepreneurial spirit that is throughout the area is amazing. There are people fixing large electrical appliances for resale, a recycling of cardboard for reuse and sale to shopkeepers to use, several stalls tearing apart large plastic appliances for recycling, other plastic recycling that cleans, dries and chops up plastics for reuse, rather than ending up in a dump, denim reuse, fabric dying using natural dyes, backpack manufacturing and repair, sewing of clothing for sale to other countries. If you order on Amazon for something made in India, it’s a good shot it’s made there. There’s also a school on premise, both grade school and higher education.there was so much more but alas, without photos it’s tough to remember because it was all coming at you at once. I found it to be a fascinating visit.
MS 78. Thank you so much for the description! We did the Spotlight tour so it was not on the tour..
I've seen similar in Namibia and other areas in Africa. One of our memories in India is driving along in the bus and seeing women make ‘bricks’ out of cow poo for fuel.
There is a famous slum city in Africa. Sorry senior moment can’t recall the name, oh Kibera I think. I’ve seen a documentary on it and attended a lecture about it.
We’ve been to many third world countries now and visited communities off the tourist path. Although some people don’t approve of others being ‘ exploited’ the tour guides have always collected money and goods such as cooking oil etc and purchased locally and we present them. I also buy the crafts, some of which are not to my taste or not so good, but I don’t care and it’s more of a proper trade than just giving. It’s a sense of pride.
Another favorite is the discussion group organized between the Masai women and the females in our tour group. We asked questions about their lives and they asked us questions. It was so much more open without men around. This was on our K and T and Rwanda tour and I believe was a new experiment on the behalf of the Tour director I think these things are the differences between some tours that make you see a bit more of the culture.
British, travel for me has always been about learning the culture or way of life beyond a dance presentation or such. I’m really glad I took the time on this journey.
Comments
Mike - If early means January/February then heat/humidity should be manageable. If early means April/May then you might encounter some tough spots from a heat/humidity perspective.
I'm sure you will be prepared and will thoroughly enjoy the trip.
If this is your first trip to the area then I know you will enjoy Hong Kong and Xi'An. There are so many areas within China that are amazing. If you haven't already visited the other areas you are going to want schedule a return visit after you get a taste on this trip.
Thanks for your note, Smiling Sam. Yes, the trip is in the earlier part of the year, not April/May. I have traveled to China on business but only along the coast (from Beijing to Hong Kong). And when you're on a business trip you don't really see a city or country. I did take a bit of extra time to go to the Great Wall outside Beijing, but that's about it for tourist activity.
I've been to Hong Kong several times. I took an R&R (or vacation time, don't remember) to Hong Kong back in 1970 and even had a suit made while I was there. Flying into Kai Tak airport in a 747 was interesting. You could look out of the plane into windows of tall office buildings.
The political situation between China and the US gives me some concern, but mostly whether the pre-cruise excursion will go or not.
[Also been to Japan a number of times (years ago) and did a bit more tourist stuff there.]
I chose to take the Dharavi tour. It’s a shame that pictures aren’t allowed because it’s so much more than some stock photos that show a slum. The entrepreneurial spirit that is throughout the area is amazing. There are people fixing large electrical appliances for resale, a recycling of cardboard for reuse and sale to shopkeepers to use, several stalls tearing apart large plastic appliances for recycling, other plastic recycling that cleans, dries and chops up plastics for reuse, rather than ending up in a dump, denim reuse, fabric dying using natural dyes, backpack manufacturing and repair, sewing of clothing for sale to other countries. If you order on Amazon for something made in India, it’s a good shot it’s made there. There’s also a school on premise, both grade school and higher education.there was so much more but alas, without photos it’s tough to remember because it was all coming at you at once. I found it to be a fascinating visit.
MS 78. Thank you so much for the description! We did the Spotlight tour so it was not on the tour..
I've seen similar in Namibia and other areas in Africa. One of our memories in India is driving along in the bus and seeing women make ‘bricks’ out of cow poo for fuel.
There is a famous slum city in Africa. Sorry senior moment can’t recall the name, oh Kibera I think. I’ve seen a documentary on it and attended a lecture about it.
We’ve been to many third world countries now and visited communities off the tourist path. Although some people don’t approve of others being ‘ exploited’ the tour guides have always collected money and goods such as cooking oil etc and purchased locally and we present them. I also buy the crafts, some of which are not to my taste or not so good, but I don’t care and it’s more of a proper trade than just giving. It’s a sense of pride.
Another favorite is the discussion group organized between the Masai women and the females in our tour group. We asked questions about their lives and they asked us questions. It was so much more open without men around. This was on our K and T and Rwanda tour and I believe was a new experiment on the behalf of the Tour director I think these things are the differences between some tours that make you see a bit more of the culture.
British, travel for me has always been about learning the culture or way of life beyond a dance presentation or such. I’m really glad I took the time on this journey.