July 19 Wuxi then Hangzhou

Wuxi for 3 Kingdom film set - picturesque
A great ancient Chinese classic that most Chinese appreciate.

From Wuxi, head south, pass Suzhou before reaching Hangzhou (of Shanghai, and south of Tai Hu - a huge lake witfh other lakes making this a lake district of exquisite beauty. It was a 3 hour drive from Wu xi- and this is when I appreciate a tour schedule. Other than that, a guided tour is outside my comfort zone - a travelogue packed with highly pressured shopping trips, fast superficial visits of tourist attractions and consumption of 3 meals daily (more than anyone can handle- and lots of wasted food). If I could exclusively hydrate (with water and juices) with no food consumption to sustain my health, I would, especially because I'm sweating by the buckets here. At 37C (90sF) and high humidity, you would be soaked in perspiration. We geared ourselves with an umbrella and a huge fan each, and still could not keep cool.

Night at Hangzhou after a 70" West Lake Performance - a variety show of songs, gymnastics, classics, classical Chinese instruments and fast paced entertainment - an upgraded 3 ring circus meets Las Vegas astage, all in pretty Chinese outfits. I recommend this to Westerners and foreigners who enjoy a good cultural entertainment but not gagged with tourist showcase. For Y108 (about U$16), it's worth the show though the AC could kick up a notch or two for physical comfort.

The West Lake Performance of Hangzhou, the performance we enjoyed is condensed (and the extended versions in the related videos in youtube) for your pleasure :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw7MiDCVaw8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDyMJX9Y9M4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw7MiDCVaw8&feature=related

More on nightmare in Hangzhou Hotel (www.mt-hotel.com) - manager Wang ___e of Hangzhou Ming Tai Business Hotel
Rm 532, then543, then 545 (across hallway) then floor up to 626 (when 3 people persons present for the "last" move-bellhop, computer tech; and mgr Wang- who assured me the A/C works when he was in 626 at 10ish
2 hours of room switching: 1st - racket from a dunkard party and faulty online; 2nd and 3rd no online access; 4th no air conditioning (Kate worked till midnightish, bath and slept- woke up soaked in sweat, called receptionist and told the main A/C was not on. 2a.m.ish called desk, Ms Chen of front desk assured me that she would looked into it. Security guard on the 6th floor hallway was called into the room and asked to talk to front desk regarding lack of AC. The main AC was NOT turned on __. I asked MS Chen to leave Mr Siong, the tour driver of room 417 to leave a message regarding the circumstances and that I was having a hellish night of sleep.
Too exhausted from lack of sleep a- fell asleep after being told it would be on and everything is fine.
Tossed and turned in bed, awoke in sweat and called desk, and new shift started and Ms. Shang __ that I needed to dial the AC to 5degrees C to got the it going. She must be smoking something! I asked if Mr. Siong got his note regarding my predicament (Yes, it was sent). I asked that a maintenance repairman to be sent over, and to speak to the manager.
The AC guy showed, and determined the intake was faulty. He cleaned out the 100% clogged AC screen. The manager whole fiasco from room 523 at eightish. Ultimately, without raising my voice, I told I needed my sleep, relay the whole situation to Mr. Siong, my hotel needed to be refunded, and the rest was up to him.
Soon as I was falling asleep in the morning, the bellhop came in with a comp fruit tray.
Prior to Mgr Wang & Asst. showed, Hangzhou guide (with some Englis h) showed and asked if we were ready to leave. I briefly told him the , and told ,him to get up to speed with Mr. Siong and the hotel manager. Needless to say, h3e was disappointed, and insisted when we were ready to begin the tour. It was another tut tut (inside joke), and told him my 6 hour sleep was survival for me and having had 2 would do me in as I was already having a touch of flu from inconsistent and faulty ACs, and the 37degree C temp with high humidity!

Meanwhile, Kasey having had a shower, slept from an exhausting day of sightseeing. Her tossing aside of the beddings should clued me in on the AC not working, particularly because she can sleep through an alarm, and possibly an earthquake (Heavens forbid that ever taking place)- I was working feverishly online on banking and other businesses because we are away for an extended period.