Today we said goodbye to Changsha and hello to Guangzhou.
The thought of getting luggage, kids and adults (and millions of Chinese people) onto the bullet train in the three minutes that the train stops at the station gave us reason to pause. We needed to make sure we had our ducks in a row. So, early this morning we had a dry run. Instead of calling for the bell hop, we assigned bags, backpacks and children and practiced schlepping our own luggage (and kids) to the lobby of the Changsha Sheraton. No sweat. We were ready.
The Changsha train station was amazing. State of the art. Beautiful. The kids were all champs. They are seasoned travelers. Each had a backpack and at least one suitcase. Even the little kids. Everyone moved through the train station without a complaint. We waited for our train to be called, headed to the platform and got on the train like we knew what we were doing.
Once on the train, there was a bit of a discussion about where we were to sit. Apparently seat assignments are merely a suggestion and people had already taken most of our assigned seats. No matter, we found other seats and were quickly on our way. And I do mean quick. Like 200 mph quick.
The high speed train was a blast. The seats (first class) were huge with tons of leg room. You could have thrown a party in the fully automated bathroom, it was that big! The ride was smooth and the scenery was beautiful. We were in Guangzhou before we knew it.
The Guangzhou train station was also breathtaking. And the kids, once again, moved their luggage through the station with ease.
Driving through Guangzhou it was obvious that things have changed in this city. Everything was cleaned up and spit polished for the Asian Games. It is stunning. And warm. I have to mention warm because it is in the high 70s here. Aaaaaah, feels so nice.
We checked into the Holiday Inn, and I am sorry to all you White Swan lovers, but this place rocks. For less far less than what you pay at the Swan, we all got huge (like twice the size of the Swan’s), beautiful suites with killer views. We are less than 5 minutes walking distance from Shamian Island, in the heart of the shopping and entertainment district. And we even got complimentary fruit trays. Life is good.
Tomorrow we hit Guangzhou. Shopping, here I come!
Molly and Luke ready for the dry run.
Changsha Train Station
Inside Changsha Train Station
Riding the rails.
Waiting for our train.
Anxious for the train to arrive.
Seasoned world traveler at four.
Scenes from the train.
Scenes from the train.
Looking cute at high speed.
324 km/h= 201 mph
More of the countryside viewed from the train.
The Cadillac of bathrooms.
Big, clean and fully automated. I was so impressed I devoted 2 pictures of a bathroom to this post. It was that good.
Guangzhou train station.
Welcome to my suite. All mine. I might let Molly sleep here if she is good.
Luxurious bathroom.
Can't wait to take a shower in this bad boy. It's huge.
Scene from my window.
And another!
Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. How bout leaving a comment, so I know you've been here!
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