Dear Ms Rebecca Zhou/ Judy Su,

Thanks for your mail. It took us few days to settle down and reply.

Our overall experience was wonderful. We saw the great wall, Panda, Terracotta warriors, Potala Place, Jokhang Temple and the thriving bazaar of the Barkhor Street at Lhasa, Maglev train ( by ourselves), bund of Shanghai. Everything went fine. It was really a memorable China trip.We are also impressed to see the advancement China has made during past 60 years, specially in infrastructure development. We also saw how the senior people are relaxing and playing.

Both India and China became independent almost at the same time, and progressed forward taking two different types of social and political systems. And whatever we could see during our 12 days stay in your country was incredible. Specially the neat and clean roads and very friendly and confident people.

The beauty of Lhasa was different, and unforgetable.
However, few things I would like to mention, which may be looked into, and I am doing this as per your request.
1) Although the trip was for 12 days, from 18th to 29th Oct'07, we were left alone on the last day. Our flight to Beijing from Shanghai was in the evening, therefore, the time from morning upto afternoon could have been utilized. We went to see Maglev train on our own, and on return had few tense moments, since the taxi driver did not know the way back to the hotel. But the driver was good, and did not charge us extra.

2) Hotels: The hotels were good. But in Shanghai, the hotel location was not having any shopping places. Basically it was in a hardware market area. The hotel room ,view and B/F was very good. The hotel at Lhasa was well located. At the centre of the market. Initially the room provided to us was not good, but Mr. Sudip from Nepal at the hotel front desk, changed our room. It was good. Having a clear view of the Potala Palace.

3) Guides: In a foreign country a good and sensable guide gives lots of confidence and pleasure. In this respect Mr Bryan, Mrs Helen and Mr. Tenzing was very good. Mr. Bryan changed the dinner time as per our request, because it was too early. And we saw the opera first and then had our dinner. Mr. Tenzing and Mrs Helen were very caring. Mr. Tenzing spent extra time with us, and helped in shopping, finding a medicine for my wife. Mrs Helen also helped us buying an antibiotic.

4) Food: The food was good. Eating places were very tidy, except the place we had lunch on 20th'Oct. We had limitations, e.g. not taking beef, pork, ham , egg etc., and at every place your guides could manage to get us the right food. At Lhasa we had fried fish. It was delicious.The Nepali thali we had also was good.

5) Car: The saloon cars provided at Beijing and Xian were very good. Interior was clean. The drivers were caring and tidy. In Lhasa also the car was good. Although it was big for two of us. In Shanghai, it was a van, and we had trouble in getting in and out, with our back pain. I think for two persons a saloon is the best choice.

6) Shopping: The guides took us to various shopping places. Be it big or small. And we did some purchase. But what shocked us was the bargaining. The price used to start from say Y 500, and finally sold at Y 50. As a result we lost our confidence and stopped buying, with the fear of getting fooled. I know you cannot change this. This is the culture, and we are not used to. In India also there are bargain places. But the range is not like this.

7) Cultural programs: Beijing opera was good. And the dance programe at Xian was a beautiful experience.

As per your request I am enclosing photographs (3 nos) of myself and my wife.

You can publish my comments in your testimonial column.

Regards,

Dipankar Ghosh