Hai Bin Haven

I just spent the most wonderful relaxing day! I feel almost embarrassed to share with you how spoiled I was today. Holy buckets! Arthur told us about the place he likes to go and swim, Hai Bin Hotel. He likes it cuz its nice and clean. The price was very high, but it was well worth it. Most public pools here you pay about 3RMB (less than 50cents) but they are usually very unclean... This one was 58RMB (less than $8). After changing into my suit I walked out into this haven. We were in a straight up resort! There was a huge pool, perfect temperature, and surrounding it was a jungle of many other smaller pools, jacoozie, hot tubs, steam baths, massage showers, and beautiful trees and sculptures. I didn't bring my camera this time, but I have no doubt I will be there again.

I wish I could explain how beautiful it was. An oasis midst this developing country where a thousand year old culture struggles to survive along side a modern world of technology and commerce. The contrast is astounding. When we arrived, we were the only people there! It was great. Most people don't like to be there during the hottest part of the day to keep their skin from getting darker, and most people work til later. We were there from about 1:30pm to 9pm. After dark, it is so fun. Before 730 the pool is the only thing really worth swimming in, then at 730 they turn on the jets and fountains and lights and steam, it's like a dream world. It's huge. Bigger than any other spa I've seen. While there is this huge place for the hot water to swim, they have a smaller pool that they bring in these huge chunks of ice.

This place truly is awesome, but it does not come without its disappointments. After a certain time, no pictures are allowed. Arthur tells us it's because many men come here with someone not their wives. Sad. Very sad. There is also a huge area that looks so cool and beautiful with trails through a small jungle leading to private hot tub pools, but I'd rather not think about what goes on there if it's as Arthur says. Besides all that, there were SO many people and kids and it was a great time, a great day. So relaxing. The hot tubs and massage showers really helped my sore back. Every muscle in my body was like mush! So relaxing!

Well, back to teaching soon. Sigh. I have nothing at all to complain about. So yeah, if any of ya'll wanna come visit me, the Hai Bin Hotel is a place I would not want you to miss.

Yesterday was a nice day, too. Brenda and I went for a walk down a different street that we haven't explored yet. We ended up walking through this place near the bay where people fix barges. Wow, quite interesting! They let you walk everywhere here... well, every where except military places. But if we tried to go to a place like this in the states, heck no!

We wanted to see what else we could see and ran into a group of girls who had tickets for a boat ride along the bay. So we said, Hey! Lets go for a boat ride! One of the guys even let us use his tickets! What an interesting experience. Completely different from any other touristy thing you might experience anywhere else. We had to walk through a train-type place where they do shipping/receiving of coal and other materials, from like the ships to the trains.... Not exactly sure. But one thing is for certain, this is the kind of place you wouldn't be allowed in the States cuz of safety issues. Fork lifts and machinery zooming along as you walk to the boat... Unreal. To get on our boat we had to first get on another boat, walk along the narrow sides to yet another boat (don't fall in!), then finally to our boat. The trip was kind of nice. It was such a hot day, so the wind felt nice. The 70mn trip got long after a while as I was starting to feel pretty queasy. The bay was interesting. Not a lot of beautiful things to see. But definitely got a look at China. Lots of industrial areas along the coast, large port, many barges, junkets (not sure the spelling or the word...Meaning those Chinese fishing boats. Let me know if the picture works!); we even saw at least 50 navy ships. I attempted to take a pic but was sternly told that's a big no, no. Safer that way I guess, so I don't get sniped or something.

Continue to lift me up I humbly ask you. Perhaps my physical state is a reflection of my spiritual state: I'm a bit dehydrated. Not only do I need strength, wisdom, and love in my heart for the people, but I desire these things for my life. Most of all to know Him. Ps 27:4. May He also give you sweet illumination.