Hey Hey and a Big G'Day toya,
 
After paying for another night's accommodation I boarded the happy double decker bus and made my way into the city of Fried Rice. The plan was to head to Shouxhu Gongyuan and spend the day lazing about reading and resting and doing sweet bugger all really. But we all know what happens when I plan a rest day don't we. Add that to me being on a local bus and you have a recipe for disaster.
 
Whilst deep in chat to Amigo I completely missed my stop and the bus then didn't stop for another half of the city. So instead of lazing about resting I soon found myself zig zagging!
 
I made my way down to the very leafy and vibrant Ganquan Lu with its millions of bikes and scooters. As I was in that part of town I decided to make my way towards the He Gardens. When I arrived I first thought the ticket for the Gardens was 110 Yuan and I was about to walk off and find somewhere to laze about but I then realised that the 110 Yuan was actually for most of what the little city has to offer in the way of Gardens.
 
It was actually for the He Gardens, the Ge Gardens, the Shouxiha Gongyuan (Slender West Lake Park) along with a boat cruise from the He to the Ge Gardens along the canal. I then had the Chinese 'Info Girl' ask the ticket girl if I could use the ticket tomorrow.
 
The answer was yes!
HHHmmm, I've heard that before!
 
She told me I had plenty of time and I answered not if I walk. She told me the bus numbers to catch and I then asked her about everything in between here and there and this and that that I would miss. She went quiet and then laughed and said 'tomorrow, you use too'.
 
 
 
The He Gardens I found in the cities south east just off Nantong Donglu and the Ge Gardens can be found in the cities north just off Guoqing Lu. From what I can gather both are 'Former Residence' of very wealthy and powerful people. I do believe Salt Merchants. Both are outstandingly beautiful and full of rock gardens, beautiful pavilions, green lawns, lush bamboo forests and of course a million Chinese Tourists!
 
This is much easier to take when they are being led around by beautiful tour leaders in tight fitting Chinese silk dresses! Hey, sometimes you have to find something to be happy about. There HAS to be something good about having several large tour groups all squashed into the one place at the one time. And remember that they all 'must be first' and push and shove and get in the way.

Sometimes it really is a little hard to take!
Life mate, see how tough it is over here!
Ha Ha Ha...
 
When I left the He Gardens I headed down to the end of Guangling Lu to take my canal cruise and found I had two choices. One, to wait for half an hour in the hot sunshine, or two, wait for half an hour in the stuffy ferry boat. I chose neither and decided my sandals could take me there much quicker.
 
Thankfully I didn't wait!

 
 
Just across from the ferry terminal and down a little back alley I found another Salt Merchants 'former residence'. I paid my 10 Yuan entrance fee and wallah, another outstandingly beautiful abode. These places really are unbelievable! They all have an extensive use of expensive wood for everything from window frames to stunning carved furniture. All the gardens are stunning and I'd say they are some of the most beautiful places I've ever entered!
 
Out of all of them, the Ge Garden was the most outstanding.
Its gardens were huge and beautiful and the residence was very swish!
 
Its gardens were broken into Winter, Summer, Autumn and Spring. I spent about half an hour chatting to the beautiful girl who played the dulcimer at one of the tea houses. The day was so hot and I hadn't had enough water and she was eager to practice her English.  

Perfect place to replenish my water levels!

 
 
After the Salk Merchants home I began to zig zag my way across to the Ge Gardens and found a beautiful Sacred Heart Church. The minister was so happy to see me and we sat and spent about half and hour chatting. His English was awesome for someone well into their sixties. The church was around one hundred and fifty years old and the building was an 'open French style...he told me that!  

I really loved it.
It was so simple and beautiful.  



On the way out he ran through the huge list of countries that his visitors had come from. WOW! When we were out side we were chatting about Australia and the fact that he loves Kangaroos. He then began jumping around like one and we both found ourselves bouncing most of the way to the gateway.
 
It was a beautiful moment!
 
After the church I made my way across to the Ge Gardens after which I found an awesome Dumpling Eatery where I sat for Joutsa and Won Ton Soup before heading to KFC for an ElcheapO coffee and some aircon! By now my feet really are badly blistered beneath the sandal straps.
 
I'm now beginning to leave trails of tissue pieces along the ground as I walk.
 
It's now time to head home and do some hand washing as tonight it's become impossible to walk anymore. Enough is enough for one day!
 
Beers N Noodles toya.....shane
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The soundtrack to this entry was the Groove Armada
The album was their most awesome album 'Love Box'
I think one of the best albums for a long time!