In and around my area and into the bigger city for some fun..

This week I didn't travel anywhere too far but did some recreational activities starting with billiards. I went to a pool hall not too far from my place with this British guy who works at well-know high school in the vicinity. The pool was not dingy at all but bright, well kept and hospitable. We got a couple of beers and played for a few hours for about 65 rmb, not too bad at all - no pictures.

On my days off, I first went to a batting cage. I found the place by inquiring on a "foreigners in China/Ningbo" WeChat group. Someone new on there. The batting cages, well cage, is on the third floor of mall in a lazer tag amusement area.

It was 28 rmb for like 20 balls maybe. It went fast, kind of expensive, but they let me go a second round because there was no one else there, and I think because it was a novelty having a foreigner there. Then: right beside the batting cage there is Archery!

I had to try that! 40 rmb for 20 arrows maybe. 

Both cool to try! I may be back with one of my colleagues. Now onto the big city, Yinzhou for some skating. I had bought 5 passes to go skating which was put on a card, three of which I used already, so I wanted to use the 4th one. When I arrived at the rink, which is in a mall, I quickly found out that my card was expired. But, I tried just standing there and looking like a dumbfounded foreigner and seeing if they could do anything for me. The counter ladies made some phone calls and then adjusted the expiration date on the card. Yeah! I went and got fitted for a pair of skates and out I went... No one was there the whole time except for at the very end. At first the skating was a little difficult because I wasn't used to it. but then it became "old hat." But, I became too confident and took a spill, knocking the wind out of myself and bruising my ribs, kind of badly, but could have been worse, much worse. I sucked it up and painfully moved on.

Next on the adventure, I went to see a movie " The Avengers." Wickedly cool looking movie with an age old plot of "If you gather all 5 of the whatevers, you will be the most powerful being ever", in 3D.

I fell asleep in the theater for bit. There weren't many people there, and it was comfortable. That is one of  perks of having my holidays on Mondays and Tuesdays: there are very few people out and about.

Next, dinner time at a recommend pizza joint, recommended by that same group that I mentioned above. It is called Leo's Pizza +. A great far distance on a bus, I arrived there following Baidu maps (google China map), actual tasty pizza, who would have known!

An amusement park in the city, close to the mall with
the skating rink.

Wuzhen: West and East - ancient, modern Chinese town - a scenic spot

Located not too far from the great city Hangzhou, you will find Wuzhen. I loved my visit it there, for it was unique, eye-opening and a provided a glimpse at how their ancient civilizations existed.

I started of in my town, Ningbo, and took a train to Tongxiang, and from there took a bus to the Wuzhen bus station and then another bus to the scenic spot. It took some time to get there, maybe 3 hours, but I wasn't in a rush, so it didn't really matter. The weather was pleasant, not too sunny and warm .

Map of Wuzhen

 When I arrived at the gates, I wasn't sure what to do, so I went to the information desk to find out. The guy explained that there was a West and East Wuzhen, and that I can stay right in Wuzhen (the scenic spot: the walled in ancient town) or stay outside. I opted to stay within the walls because after you buy a ticket you can't go in and out. So, I ask for the cheapest room, payed for it and payed the entrance fee of 200 rmb (which was for the west and east: The west being the bigger and more populated side.) The room I got was a shared room with two beds in a hostel for 150rmb but luckily no one else showed up!

The trolley to hostel/hotel.

I put down all my stuff and headed right out.

Seating at an amphitheater 

 So many areas to see. Basically it's about 1.2 kilometers long with small streets made of stone with a river running down the middle and out to different places. You can take a ride on a boat, which I didn't do. It was costly already.

 Above is a pagoda: You can climb up but just to the 3rd floor. The rest of it is blocked off. Wandering the streets, I went to try different types of food and sat at a few places to take in the scene and ambiance.

Making soya sauce: You have to let the soya beans
ferment, something like that, under the sun (read the sign).

Beautiful scenic pathway through a garden/pond area. The
architecture here is quite pleasing and the town flows
very nicely.

Interesting sign, I wonder what was happening
here before they put up the sign.

 I found a little place along the canal and tried some terrible tasting Chinese desert, an acquired taste, I guess, but nice scenery.

The night was slowly creeping in, and I saw some bars that I figured I would visit. I headed back to the hostel to hangout for a bit and put my feet up, nice walking!

Headed out... wow.. beautiful at night - my camera couldn't really capture it, or I don't know how to use it properly.

Below is the place I ended up at after walking around and checking them all out, the bars/night clubs that is. It had a live band that was really rocking with an African lead singer and just one other guy and a computer providing the rest of the instruments. Actually the other guy played guitar really well and sang with a kind of raspiness in his voice that was appealing.

The next day, I spent the morning on the west side to check out a few museums then head to the east side by a free shuttle bus.

A few university students looking to practice English
took me to a eat at place where you can sample the local cuisine. 

This is the east side: Much smaller than the west but had more museums and a little more quaint. What a wonderful place to visit. I would definitely recommend it to anyone!

Kind of a poor local show.. not much
pizzazz  

This would go towards the roof, like you would see
upon entering a great room.