On Thursday we went on a Southern China day tour. We did not know too much about this tour, it was a two line entry in a travel brochure and the follow-up information from the tour company had been weak. We had nothing to worry about however as the tour was very well run. We were picked up from our hotel at 6:45am by our head tour guide Alex, a very funny guy from Hong Kong with 17 years experience with taking people around China. Alex knew everyone where we went and he made getting in and out of China a breeze (he is the only person I have seen make a Chinese Customs Officer laugh). He kept us informed of everything important along the way but made it very clear we were getting a sanitized and very safe China experience. An English guy on the tour was a little disappointed at this but I was very happy. I had been to Beijing twice before and had some scary experiences in the local environment. For a couple of New Zealanders going to China is almost like taking a trip to Mars, absolutely everything is different and if you get in trouble there isnt anyone to help you and a heap of people ready to take you to the cleaners.
