Wonders of China & Yangtzi Cruise

[Peter Jersey]

Hello Carol & Annie

Thank you for the clarification of your thoughts on the China trip. It looks like I made a good decision to upgrade on the Cruise. What persuaded me to upgrade was that I didn't want to be on the bottom deck. I went on a cruise on the River Rhine once and at high tide the river was halfway up the port hole window. Scary!! Somewhere, if I recollect correctly, someone else had the same problem with Air China at Heathrow and they were transferred on to Lufthansa with a change at Frankfurt.

Annie, please do not be terrified, it will be a great experience. The group are not Olympic athletes and we can only proceed as fast as the slowest person amongst us, which will probably be me!! I am 73 so I am definitely not young and sprightly. Most people that have done this tour have said they had a great time. I know couples who have travelled on this holiday with a similar itinerary with Travelsphere and highly recommended it. I think my biggest problem will be picking up rice with chopsticks at meal times. I am sure that we will all have fun and a laugh.

[stu151]

I was in China 18 months ago (not with JY, but with a very similar schedule), and had a really great time.

China is a massive country, and is in the process of the kind of transition which the world has probably never been seen before on such a scale, but this makes it all the more interesting if you’re the kind of traveller who allows it to be.

Yes, any holiday in China involves a lot of travelling ; yes, the food is different ; yes the Chinese culture is not to queue politely and yes, it’s not a European country, but why go there if you want something that just like the UK !

I found that if you wander even slightly away from the hotels and CBD, and actually talk to people with a smile on your face, you’ll be fascinated by what you see, and will find people very friendly and welcoming (in fact numerous times, they wanted just to practice English, or have their photo taken with this tall Westerner).

I’m sure that if you go with an open mind and a smile on your face, you’ll have a really fantastic time.


Stuart

[Noreen Burton]

Hi Joe , I was very interested in your comments regarding China .this is my first time with Just You so a little bit anxious .Is it better to change money before you go or wait until we get there ,and when did you do the upgrade on the cruise .Noreen

[Peter Jersey]

Noreen

There have been several threads about currency to takd to China. They say that the best thing to do is take around £100 to £150.00 worth of Chinese Yuan and also take around £300.00 in Bank of England notes in £10 and £20 denominations. You change these at the hotels because you get a far better exchange rate. DO NOT take £50 notes because the Chinese do not know what they are. Be aware also that the UK currency that you take must be clean with no writing on them or all crumpled up. Use your cards for any large purchases. Hope this helps.

Look forward to meeting up with you and the rest of the group on the 12th Sept.

Peter

[Jaya]

I think I have not been put off the China trip despite all the comments. It seems like a great adventure! I usually avoid cruises as the sea does not liike me! I wonder if river cruising is any different? One day I would like to cruise down the Nile, the main reason being sightseeing.

Jaya

[Noreen Burton]

H i Carol, Noreen here I'm on the trip in Sept and beginning to wonder what i've let myself in for ,how or where did you upgrade on the cruise ,by reading all the comments obviously i'ts a must .Noreen

[Noreen Burton]

Hi ,can anyone tell me how I upgrade on the cruise . Noreen

[PatriciaAnn2]

(30/06/2012 07:00 PM)Noreen Burton Wrote:  Hi ,can anyone tell me how I upgrade on the cruise . Noreen

Hi Noreen, I'm going on the cruise the week before you and after the recent comments decided to do the upgrade. I phoned Customer Services who said that their allocation of upgrades had all been taken but they'd find out immediately if more were available. I quickly received a call back confirming all was OK, did an immediate booking and payment over the phone.
Hope this is helpful - and enjoy your holiday in September. I'm getting really excited now (my first holiday "alone").
Regards, Pat

[sue55]

sorry to hear you all had a bad time, I went sept last year and the whole trip was amazing, lots of early mornings and walking but we had plenty of food at every meal and the holiday is what you make it.
I have always wanted to do the great wall, warriors, and temples etc nothing disappointed me, I took thousands of photos, have loads of wonderful memories and its ashame to put others off from their dreams with your disappointment, I have been with just you again this year to egypt which is another fantastic trip, planning peru for the future. you only live once so enjoy every moment

[annie H]

(27/06/2012 07:02 PM)Peter Jersey Wrote:  Hello Carol & Annie

Thank you for the clarification of your thoughts on the China trip. It looks like I made a good decision to upgrade on the Cruise. What persuaded me to upgrade was that I didn't want to be on the bottom deck. I went on a cruise on the River Rhine once and at high tide the river was halfway up the port hole window. Scary!! Somewhere, if I recollect correctly, someone else had the same problem with Air China at Heathrow and they were transferred on to Lufthansa with a change at Frankfurt.

Annie, please do not be terrified, it will be a great experience. The group are not Olympic athletes and we can only proceed as fast as the slowest person amongst us, which will probably be me!! I am 73 so I am definitely not young and sprightly. Most people that have done this tour have said they had a great time. I know couples who have travelled on this holiday with a similar itinerary with Travelsphere and highly recommended it. I think my biggest problem will be picking up rice with chopsticks at meal times. I am sure that we will all have fun and a laugh.

Hello Peter,thank you for your comments I feel better already, I too am73 so it,s good to know I'm not the only old duffer!! I had better find some chopsticks and practice, I had thought of sneaking a spoon into my luggage!! I am booked for the 19th are you?
Anne