Day 179: Lazy Day at the Harmona Resort
On Saturday, we enjoyed a day of rest and relaxation at our oasis away from Zhangjiajie National Park. We spent the majority of the day on our computers (Lindsay catching up on blog entries, and Igor writing code for a new algo trading system), taking a break around lunchtime to check out the resort pool and gym. That night, while the rest of the resort attended an outdoor BBQ (USD$50pp), we hid in our room with our store-bought instant rice dinners and indulged in English-language movies.
Lindsay has to buy a swim cap for USD$2.50 in order to use the resort swimming pool – REALLY? Spitting indoors, coughing with your mouth open, letting your children defecate in the streets is all OK, but *hair* in the swimming pool is where the Chinese draw the line on sanitation?
Over dinner, we discussed our plans for the next day. We had to check out of the Harmona by noon, as we were staying in Zhangjiajie City (40KM away) for the next two nights. Lindsay’s ankle was still really bothering her from the previous day’s hikes, so we decided to split up on Sunday – Igor would take the free shuttle into the park at 9AM and use his old admission ticket (which was good for 4 days from the date of purchase) to explore the last section of the park that we missed while Lindsay would enjoy the hotel room and get some more writing done in the morning.
Therefore, the next entry will be a “guest post” from Igor, detailing his solo exploration of Zhangjiajie National Park, and the great lengths he went to in order to preserve his dignity and not cry from the terrible sadness of being away from his beloved wife for a whole day. What a little trooper!