An SPF 50 Kind of Spring Break

Spring Break 2009: 5 days in Sunny Sanya, Hainan Province with 3 wonderful friends

Day 1: We left at 615 am to go to the airport, but ended up discussing where we needed to be with the taxi driver lady for quite some time before hopping in and praying for the best. Finally, we called Judy to double check that we were going to the right place and terminal and were on our way. After a 4 hour plane next to a ridiculous couple where the girl almost put her head on my lap, and I became pretty angry, we finally arrived where a driver from the hotel met us to take us to the hotel. We got there, unpacked, and headed off to the beach where we relaxed, burnt, and enjoyed crystal clear water and sand. That night, we walked back (about a 40 min walk) and stopped at Rainbow, an American bar/grill (it was tasty and don't hate on me too much for doing non-Chinese) where we met our waitress and soon to be friend Katie. That night, we went back and fell asleep I think.

Day 2: Sleeping in, then walking to the beach. We stopped at a coffee shop on the way to have overpriced food with mystery meat. Really though, another day of fun and sun and naps where I rediscovered music on my ipod and read more of my new book: microtrends (it's really really good). That night we ate a Chinese restaurant where I didn't have to use Chinese language since the woman spoke English. Walked around and found ice cream and a night market where I finally used Chinese to bargain for sparkly jewelry and befriending of the dress lady and her amazing wares. Lots of dvd watching and burn admiring followed.

Day 3: Sleeping in, bakery breakfast, and finding of an atm (not for me) and a taxi to Yalong Bay. Told driver Yalong and not Yalong Bay and ended up with expensive taxi ride. Yalong was 33 quai, so we used LonelyPlanet's advice to sneak onto a hotel's private beach. Much quieter than Dadonghai and more beautiful, but obviously less lively. Back to Rainbow where there was a Chinese movie being filmed that they wouldn't let us be in. Yummy food, tried to scare off the 30yr old Chinese men. More night market.

Day 4: Sleeping in and bakery breakfast. Walked around the city and found a bookstore with great cheap English classics. No beach day because of too much sun in the past, but lots of ac and movies. Got a hold of Katie and had dinner together before walking around the city and taking photos again. DVDs again at night.

Day 5: Last day with bakery breakfast, day at the beach after trying to convey that we wanted to leave our bags at the hotel. Wonderful last beach bathing, buying of an amazing jellyfish kite, trying to tell the 5 Chinese people who offerred me cigarretes that I don't smoke, and an awkward 5 kuai "shower" with a hose on the beach. Back to the hotel before the airport ride home with another annoying couple who played some kind of hitting/clapping game. Successful taxi home and lots of sleep.

Later updates with my Beijing portion of break.

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