Requested a full day tour of the Hakka Houses. Sarah replied with a detailed itinerary and quote, which I later accepted. Her itinerary covered four sites and lunch in one of the Hakka houses, more comprehensive than other tours and guides....Read more
Requested a full day tour of the Hakka Houses. Sarah replied with a detailed itinerary and quote, which I later accepted. Her itinerary covered four sites and lunch in one of the Hakka houses, more comprehensive than other tours and guides. She met me in my hotel lobby, on time, with an experienced driver and newer model deluxe sedan with strong a/c, a necessity in the hot and humid Xiamen summer.
The program included visits to Tianluokeng (cluster of five Tulou), Yuchanglou (one of the oldest Tulou, five-story tilted pillars), Taxia Village (riverside village of 20 buildings and one of China's oldest ancestral halls), and Gaobei Village (largest Tulou); each complementing each other with different features and history. Each visit was visually astonishing and amazing, firstly the time and effort for the initial building of each structure with just simple hand tools and no nails, the ongoing maintenance of the original structure over the centuries, and the sustainability of the communities. Having a local lunch in a family's kitchen in one of the Tulou was a treat, partaking in locally grown produce, pig and duck. Without much seasoning, the food was all about bringing out the natural flavors, it was delicious.
Sarah was experienced, spoke fluent English, and knowledgeable of the region's history, culture, and way of life. Her being a born and raised in the Fujian area provided more insight into the history. Unlike many other guides I have encountered who were overly outspoken and brash, Sarah was calm and courteous, explained when things needed to be explained, and fully answered all questions. Having a business background was a plus, which was my common area of interest, and understanding the business aspects and having the necessary vocabulary. The driver was also commendable, he minimized the walking by driving to the closest point of entry and exit, always ready with the car cooled, a welcome reprieve from the hot summer heat. He drove at a brisk, steady and safe pace throughout. The driver and Sarah made the long drive pleasurable, and enhanced this once in a lifetime opportunity trip.
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July 20, 2017
