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I was sitting in my office this morning when my sister called me from eastern part of China and told me that she was searching for salt everywhere in Anqing and were not able to find one bag available.

Maybe it is different here in western part of China, I than called my wife and ask her to buy some salt for my sister. She called back later and said that the last 30 bags were all purchased by an old lady this morning in the super market. Luckily we have extra two bags to share.

I realized something wrong with salt and started searching in Baidu and found that there was tons of news and talks about salt shortage all over China and many links were even deleted or blocked by the Government. It was really serious if any news was blocked!

I called my brother who lived in Southern Part of China and he got back to me later and said he got three bags of salt and that was all he could get after long waiting. He explained to me that all the Chinese are panic buying salt due to Japan nuclear scare.

People here are afraid of the effects of radiation emissions in Japan may be harmful to them. They believe that odine in the salt can reduce the impact of possible radioactivity as the crisis at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant deepened.

Last month, it was my first time to have a bus tour for sightseeing in Hong Kong. It’s really amusing and interesting. Sitting on the upper deck of the bus, I explored Hong Kong panoramic view in a different angle. When the bus passed along the street, all the buildings and attractions the way seemed very close to me. I bought a one day pass priced around US$6 to enjoy unlimited rides on 2 thematic routes.

I started the trip from Central Star Ferry, and took H1 Heritage Route to travel around Central and Western District. Leaving Star Ferry the bus passed Western Market, then along Hollywood Road, the famous antique shopping street, past Man Mo temple. I not only sightsee on the bus, but also can hop-on, hop-off at any designated stops. I took off in Man Mo Temple, walking along Lascar Row. Then, I got on the sightseeing bus to Dr Sun Yatsen Museum, and Hong Kong University. I traveled back through Western district and the dried seafood shops then past the Macau Ferry to the terminus at Star Ferry.

After the heritage journey, I took another H2 Metropolis Route for my shopping tour. I left from Star Ferry and traveled through Wanchai to the shopping destination of Causeway Bay and Times Square, onto Happy Valley racecourse, and back via St John’s Cathedral and Statue Square in the heart of Central. I do have lots of fun with my one day bus tour!

This Saturday, one of my friends came to Guilin, and I invited her to visit Guilin’s Two Rivers and Four Lakes in the night. She was shocked by the splendid night of Guilin. Two Rivers and Four Lakes consist of Li River, Taohua River, Shanhu Lake, Ronghu Lake, Guihu Lake, Mulong Lake. These lakes and rivers form a tourist water system around Guilin, adding more charms to beautiful Guilin. The following are several photos of four lakes and several bridges in this water system.

Notice: Guihu Lake consists of Lize Lake, Baoxian Lake and Xiqing Lake.

1. The map of Two Rivers and Four Lakes

RonghuLake and Shanhu Lake

The history can be traced back to the Tang (618–907) and Song dynasties. Originally called Nanyang River, at that time, it was the manmade city moat in southern Guilin. Enlarged in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), it became an inner lake, and from that on, many local governments and public offices were built by the lake. The rich and the famous all built their houses on the lakeside one after another.

GuihuLake

GuihuLake was originally the city moat of the western Guilin City in Song Dynasty (960-1279). It measures over 1,700 meters (1 mile) from north to south and about 110 meters (120 yards) wide on average. A large number of precious arbors and flowers are planted along the lake, such as banyan trees, gingko trees, white pines, redwoods, magnolia trees and palm trees. Many unique bridges in Guilin are located there, such as Xiqing Bridge, Baoxian Bridge, Lize Bridge, Yingbin Bridge and Guanyin Bridge.

2. Baoji Bridge

3. A Corner of Guihu Lake

4. Gurong Twin Bridges

5. Lize Bridge

6. Mulong Lake

7. Music Fountain

8. Rongxi Bridge

9. The Sun and Moon Pagodas

10. Yingbin Bridge

11. Xiqing Bridge

My last visit to China I had planned to take the 4 hour train trip from Beijing to Chengde to visit the Emperor's Summer Villa.

Being alone and having NO knowledge of the Chinese language, I proceeded early one morning to the Beijing train station to begin my journey.

I realized immediately I might have a problem !!! Hundreds of Chinese passengers were milling inside the station. Hurrying back and forth to their

designated gates. As I stared up at the information board I realized the departures listed were later that evening. It was 7:10 AM and my train was

scheduled to leave at 8:30 AM ?!?!?? I then proceeded to walk up to these total strangers and show them my ticket. Each one of them pointed to different directions

until I finally arrive at the correct gate.

Not knowing exactly where I could sit, one of the train attendants pointed me to the inside of a car (train) . As I glanced around I noticed there were some individual

seats with small tables. I sat down in one and began writing out some postcards to send back to the states. Suddenly, an elderly man standing right beside me

started yelling "OUT" "OUT" !!! I had no idea why he was doing that. Then he pointed t a number on his ticket which read "21". Then he pointed to the wall

beside my seat which also read "21".

I realized the seats must be assigned and I was NOT in mine !!!. When I finally found my seat it was across the aisle from a young couple. Turns out the boy

spoke a little ENGLISH. We occasionally chatted back and forth and I was so pleased to have someone to talk with on the train.

I asked him to take my picture sitting in my seat. He did and in return I handed them each a Hersey's almond candy bar. It was a little comical watching them

read all the ingredients on the back of the cover. I tried to explain that it was very good and one of the most popular candy bars in the USA.

When we reached the station in Chengde the young man asked if I knew where I was going ? I told him I had absolutely no idea, except I had the name of the hotel

and was just going to give it to one of the taxi drivers. He told me to follow him. As we got off the train, about 8-9 people converge to the young couple.

I'm guessing it was all family/ friends. Then the girl left with most of the people and it was just the young man,his parents (I guess) and I standing there.

As we walked towards the taxis, I was so grateful that he had made sure I got to the taxi. Then his parents and he got into the back seat as he told me to sit in the

front with the driver. He then spoke to the driver (in Chinese) and we were off to destination unknown !!!

In about 10 minutes we arrived at my hotel. The young man got out and help me carry my luggage into the lobby. To my disappointment no one at the desk spoke

ENGLISH !!! I was very upset, because this was a well recommended property in a very tourist location. The young man smiled and with his help I was checked into

my room.

I can't even begin to express how grateful and impressed I was that this young man (and his parents) had gone out of their way to make sure I was secured in

my hotel. I realized my situation would have been a very negative incident if it were not for the kindness of these total strangers. I'm told that the Chinese people

don't like or care about Americans. I can honestly say this was my second trip to China and I have experience all types friendly gestures on the part of the local

residents. And for this reason, I hope to visit China again in the very near future

PART 2 of my visit is my experience trying to get back to Beijing during the holiday period. I will write that soon

thank you..... GIL TORI

Bama Ethnic Yao Autonomous County is well-known in the world for the longevity of people. With a population of only about 270,000, there are about 76 people aged more than 100 years old, and that is the highest ratio in the world.

The natural environment is excellent in Bama. The trees are green, the water is clear and the air is refreshing. People often say that it is the natural oxygen bar. Such good natural condition is one of the factors for living a long and healthy life. Walking along the bridges and winding streams, I breathed deeply and tried to inhale as much oxygen as possible. Very refreshing. Looking at those trees, water, fields, hills, the view is very pleasant.

At the village, an old lady who is said to be 105 years old is threading a needle. It is said that the secret of longevity is to live a regular life. Most of these people go to bed early at about seven or eight in the evening. They do daily chores and some farming every day, like eating rice, corn porridge, corn wine, vegetables and some meat. Most of the food they consume are grown by themselves. Many visitors take pictures with these senior people or touch their hands; some give them red envelops wrapped with small money to wish for blessing and hope they themselves can live a long life like these senior people.

Getting to Bama:

1. Travelers first go to Nanning City, where they can transfer buses to Bama, which is a three-hour drive.

2. If you start from Guilin, you can take direct buses to Bama. The bus departs at 8:10 every morning, taking about 10 hours to Bama, and the bus fare is 150 yuan per person. You can also first take train or bus from Guilin to Nanning (5-6 hours), then take a bus from Nanning to Bama (3 hours). Every day there are many buses and trains between Nanning and Guilin, there is also one flight every day, taking 40 minutes only.