Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 is cycle touring in China on Thursday, 1st-November-2012, in Yongdeng. I went back to the local police station again this morning after spending an hour or so with the girls in reception, who were trying to sort it all out for me. But in the end, I decided to go back and see for myself.
It was the same lady on reception. And she looked a little surprised to see me. Luckily, there was somebody else there who spoke some English. She explained that I should have gone to Lanzhou yesterday and that I needed to go there straight away. I got the hotel to sort a taxi out for me for less than £30 for a 160-mile round trip, bargain!
What A Journey
Mirror, signal, manoeuvre! What’s a mirror? What’s a signal? Just pull out and let everybody else stop or swerve; a very nerve-racking taxi ride. But somehow, it seems to work. Well, most of the time! It wasn’t sunny. But I soon put my sunglasses on. Just so he didn’t notice me closing my eyes, each time he overtook or went for the gap, that wasn’t really there!
When we found the visa office, it was lunchtime, so I had to wait for half an hour. I was then met by the man whom I’d spoken to on the phone yesterday. Who then took me upstairs to another room where the visas were dealt with. The girl on the desk didn’t seem to want to know until the man started talking to her. Then we were joined by the big boss who seemed to be on my side; he was very interested in what I was doing.
The girl said that there were still 7 days left on my visa. I said I’m not worried about losing days; I just need to extend it for another 30 days. After a little more talking with the two gentlemen, she agreed and said it would take three working days.
Not So Stressful
Pretty easy really no flights to book or itineraries to fill out, the only thing she wanted was a photo, but not one I already had they had to take one and then charge me £4 for doing it! They even put a little powder on my face!
The ride back in the taxi was just as scary, but I’m back in one piece!
Please Donate
Don’t forget the main reason behind my ride. I want to raise as much money for cancer research charities as possible. After my wife, Josie, died of breast cancer in 2007, aged only 42. Even the smallest donation helps. You can donate to Cancer Research UK or the Australian National Breast Cancer Foundation. Click on either one to donate. Every little bit helps to rid the World of this cruel disease.
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You can also follow my progress and see where I stop each night by visiting the Where’s Garry web page; there, you’ll find a map of the route I’ve taken so far.
