From Rome, I flew to Beijing then to Guangzhou for one night to switch my giant suitcase for a small backpack, then it was back to the airport to fly to Sanya. Sanya is the second southernmost Chinese city, but it feels worlds away from Mainland China. Located in the South China sea, Hainan Island is a beautiful tropical paradise. Take away the constant blaring karaoke and you could have convinced me I was somewhere in the Bahamas... or in a dream. Emily had already been there for two weeks. Her first two days were spent renewing her Chinese Visa. The rest of her time was spent beach-bumming. Thankfully, upon my arrival we stuck to her strict schedule of sleeping until noon, eating cheap dumplings for breakfast, then laying on the beach all day. Wash, rinse, repeat. Life is rough.
Sanya BackPackers - awesome hostel. The owner, Chris called Emily and I 'Batman and Robin'. "Heading back to your cave?"
This might be the best burger I've had in my entire life.
Stolen photo from Emmy Thai
This was taken on the one and only night I went out while in Sanya.
Busting out some signature dance moves.
Awesome dumplings for 5RMB (approximately 80 cents Cdn.)
Best place to nurse a hangover :)
Seafood restaurant after seafood restaurant. It doesn't get much fresher than this!
Beach beers!
I don't think I saw Chris with his shirt on at all throughout my stay. Pretty laid back work attire.
Their puppy!
Pretty standard Chinese beachwear.
Mangos ERRYDAY.
Emily and I got a few unforgiving stare-downs while we were sprawled out worshipping the sun.
Bye bye hostel, hello Renaissance!
Not a bad view from our balcony!
SO HAPPY.
SOOOOOO HAPPPPPPPYYYYYY.
Torrential downpour followed by rain all day? No problem.
Hunting for critters.
Pretty critters.
Pool to ourselves for three days.
WE LOVE SANYA!!!
More fun info about Sanya: There are Russians everywhere. I was so confused at first and I still don't have the answer as to why it's turned into little Russia. Menus, store signs, advertisements are all in Russian. Every time we were approached, we were spoken to in Russian. One guy came up to us while we on the beach and attempted to chat us up (in Russian, of course). He also spoke English. When I commented "There are so many Russians here", hoping that he would have some insight... he responded with, "Ya, but there are more Chinese". WE ARE IN CHINA, DUDE. Obviously there are more Chinese people here. They live here. WHY ARE YOU HERE? I didn't get an answer. We later met an older gentlemen from New Zealand who told us that it is difficult for Russians to get Visas for a lot of countries, which is something that hadn't occurred to me. Proximity factors in too. But it just surprised me how so many of the locals could speak only Chinese and Russian, but not English.
Anyway, enough about Russians. I love Sanya and I will likely go back. Beaches, burgers, and beers. It's only twelve hours away by train... and only 500 RMB round trip. SOLD.
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