JOURNEY TO THE ORIENT

Do people travel by bus in China? As I rarely travel by bus we decide to experience this mode of transport for 3 hours on a journey to Sydney, N.S.W. The bus halts at Sydney Airport. Most passengers tumble and spill from seats, passage-way and doorway in a frantic rush. Do people do that in China? Sydney is a BIG city!! We plan to experience a BIG city over-night. We clamber aboard a Shuttle Bus to deliver our luggage, and us, to a posh Airport hotel. Our bus zooms around streets, bounces us over hidden craters and screeches to a bone jarring stop outside our posh hotel. We trudge to our Formule (or is that 4 Mules?) Hotel digs, cases dragging behind us. We cram into the bedroom stepping over our cases. Yes the room does have a toilet. Will China have such palatial rooms? Will China have toilets? 


'Tis now time to experience vibrant George Street, Sydney. Glad rags on and hail a cab. Does China have taxis? Joy, oh, joy. Does China have chatty cab drivers? This cabbie chats non stop about families, boxing and Canada. Well, we offer a few bits and pieces. We need a taste of China so; we arrive at the Marigold Chinese Restaurant. Are Chinese Restaurants to be found in China? We devour a sumptuous meal, use chop sticks to acquire oriental eating skills, drink wine and, of course, Chinese Tea! Is there Tea in China? 


Now we experience the romantic side of Sydney. We stroll to the Capitol Theatre to enjoy Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Love Never Dies". Do people queue in China? We receive VIP treatment with free ID necklaces, program, wine, ice-cream and chocolates. Extraordinary stage sets, lighting, costumes, orchestra, acting and singing make an outstanding production. Can we find entertainment in China? 


We hail a taxi to return us to the 4 Mules. Time for a midnight snack. Coffee at the Doughnut joint. Do Chinese eat doughnuts? Morning. Continental breakfast. Shuttle bus to airport. Baggage check-in. Boarding pass. Oh, my God! Security confiscates toiletries. Will this happen in China? Oh, well, buy Duty Free liquor and perfume. Does China enjoy these little luxuries? We board Flight QF 129 for Shanghai at 10.25am. Will this aeroplane take us to China?