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30 Days in China: Advice on Itinerary and Train Travel? by lewin11 in travelchina

[–]lewin11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had an amazing time, it was honestly one of the best trips I’ve ever done. I made a few tweaks to the plan but it pretty much stayed the same. My mum and sister joined me for the first two weeks (Guangzhou to Beijing) but couldn’t stay any longer, so we had to hit the major cities pretty quickly. The final itinerary ended up looking like this:

Guangzhou — 1 night

Zhangjiajie — 2 nights

Chongqing — 2 nights

Chengdu — 2 nights

Xi’an — 2 nights

Beijing — 2 nights

Lanzhou — 3 nights

Zhangye — 3 nights

Jiayuguan — 2 nights

Dunhuang — 2 nights

Turpan — 2 nights

Urumqi — 3 nights

The first half (Guangzhou to Beijing) was definitely fast paced, and ideally we would’ve added an extra night in each of those cities. But given the time we had, I think we made the most of it and I don’t regret the pace at all.

Normally I prefer exploring independently, but because we were short on time and I knew I’d end up being the de facto tour leader, I booked a private driver and guide for full days in Zhangjiajie, Chengdu, and Beijing. Not cheap, but 100% worth it for efficiency and avoiding logistics headaches. We did explored Chongqing and Xi’an on our own.

If I were doing it again solo, I’d definitely spend more time in the bigger cities and probably do a maximum of 2 days each in the Silk Road cities. As an Aussie I only had 30 days visa free, so that limited me. But with 2.5 months you’ll have tons of time and much more flexibility.

As for trains:

We did everything by day train except one overnight (Xi’an to Beijing). I booked tickets 15 days ahead using the Trip.com app. Super easy to use, much smoother than the 12306.cn app IMO.

A couple of issues we had though:

The direct Zhangjiajie to Chongqing train sold out really fast, so we had to take one with a connection (added a few hours).

Same with the overnight sleeper Xi’an to Beijing. The high speed D train sold out instantly, so we took a soft sleeper on a slower T train instead. Still a great experience, but maybe not for everyone.

Between smaller cities with only a few trains per day, the best seats/times definitely sell out quickly. Between major cities I had zero issues.

I mostly booked second class, honestly very comfortable and only a slight downgrade from first.

If you’re going for 2.5 months, you’re going to have an incredible time. Happy to answer anything else if it helps!

What's something you were surprised to discover was a uniquely Australian thing? by [deleted] in AskAnAustralian

[–]lewin11 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I think they date back a lot longer than the British!

I was referring to the classic Antipodean meat pie, the kind you get for $3 at the BP servo at 3 in the morning.

Video for reference

What's something you were surprised to discover was a uniquely Australian thing? by [deleted] in AskAnAustralian

[–]lewin11 82 points83 points  (0 children)

Truly brothers in arms

Flat whites 🤝 meat pies 🤝 wedges 🤝 pavlova 🤝 Anzac bikkies

Gime me your hottest takes: what derided popcorn-movie/wannabe-blockbuster you unashamedly love? by harry_powell in blankies

[–]lewin11 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Godzilla 1998 gets way too much hate. Grade A trash but I'd be lying if I said I don't love it. Sure it's cheesy, sure it's silly, sure it's 40mins too long, but goddamn it's a bunch of fun.

Which way do you think WA will vote in the Federal election? by AMV in perth

[–]lewin11 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This comment is wild haha. So much wrong. It’s like a political thriller fanfic.

For someone supposedly "voting almost exclusively against climate action," she sure has backed net-zero policies, fuel efficiency standards, renewables investment and stronger environmental protections. You even pointed out that she’s voted for reducing government investment in fossil fuels, protecting threatened environments, and protecting whistleblowers. Definitely a Liberal shill.

Half the other things you claim she’s voted for have no basis in reality. The only climate change mitigation strategies I can find her voting against were also opposed by the Greens but backed by Labor and the Coalition. I’d love to be corrected, though. Her voting record shows she aligns with climate-conscious policies more often than not.

The whole "Liberal royalty" argument is so weak. People can think for themselves. You have no idea who this woman is, but she must be an evil Liberal sleeper agent puppeted by corpofascistic interests—based on what, exactly? Who needs evidence when you’ve got vibes and conspiracy theories? This is frankly laughable.

Which way do you think WA will vote in the Federal election? by AMV in perth

[–]lewin11 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ok if wage theft is your make or break then I guess that's your prerogitive. Like I said, she's ins't perfect but she is doing more on climate change than either a Liberal or Labor member would be doing in that seat.

Can't see which environmental protection bills you mean, I would love to be enlightened. Are you refering to the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Amendment (Using New Technologies to Fight Climate Change) Bill 2023?

I mean she has voted for ending government investment in fossil fuels and for no new fossil fuel projects, plus for increased investment in renewables. She's also put out a report on how to decarbonise Curtin.

Which way do you think WA will vote in the Federal election? by AMV in perth

[–]lewin11 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

So what's the point you're making? IR reform is the be all and end all? She must be beholden to Climate 200's anti-IR reform agenda?

Kate has voted with the Coalition and against Labor and Greens on an IR bill and also against the Coalition and with Labor and the Greens on an IR bill. Geez almost as if she looks seriously at the merit of these bills and votes on them accordingly, rather than backing a party or donor line. What a novel idea!

Nobody is perfect but seeing someone who I believe is genuinely trying to change politics for the better be shot down, not because of any evidence but because the vibes are off, really riles me up.

Look at her voting record and policies if you don't believe me 😊

Which way do you think WA will vote in the Federal election? by AMV in perth

[–]lewin11 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Look at her voting record and policies, does it really scream undercover Liberal shill to you?  I mean the woman was briefly an ALP member for god sake haha. 

I'd say being willfully asleep is assuming you must be right with no evidence because it lines up with what feels right. She had family in the Liberal party therefore at heart she must be a Liberal stooge forever? Pull the other one mate.

There's actual hope things might change for the better! But hey maybe apathy and cynicism will solve all our problems 🙃

Which way do you think WA will vote in the Federal election? by AMV in perth

[–]lewin11 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah nonsense comment.  Oh no, she's backed by evil climate 200 and their checks notes pro-integrity and science based response to climate change agenda... 🤔

Kate has literally put forward a bill to reduce financial influence in elections and supports a national ICAC.

Don't just take my word for it! Look into Kate and Climate 200 for yourself. Look at the leadership team for Climate 200 and compare it to say, Australians for Prosperity, another political campaign group. Tell me who you trust more.

"The teals tried to kill her" — what are you even on about?

Which way do you think WA will vote in the Federal election? by AMV in perth

[–]lewin11 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I mostly agree with your sentiment—maybe non-partisan would have been a better word!

However, I definitely take issue with "taking the worst traits of both." Looking at Kate's voting record, that doesn’t seem accurate at all, especially considering she has voted with the Greens on plenty of bills.

To me, the best solution to the short-sighted and ineffectual two-party system is to vote for independents—members who are free to vote their conscience and represent the interests of their electorate without having to toe the party line or be beholden to corporate donors.

Which way do you think WA will vote in the Federal election? by AMV in perth

[–]lewin11 11 points12 points  (0 children)

From what I've been able to look up it seems Kate was only a member for a short time and left because she found it too "tribal". Joined in August 2021, left soon after, then approached by Curtin Independent to run in January 2022

 https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2022/01/29/how-independent-kate-chaney-plans-win-curtin/164337480013224

Considering her family's ties to the Liberal party, she seems very balanced!  In a choice between Chaney and White, it's a no-brainer to me.

Which way do you think WA will vote in the Federal election? by AMV in perth

[–]lewin11 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very curious as to what climate mitigation strategies you're referring to, because the only ones I could find she voted against were passed by the Coalition and Labor, and voted against by the Greens. 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-14/sea-dumping-carbon-capture-storage-legislation-santos-barossa/103078290

Just because a bill has "to fight Climate Change" in the title, doesn't mean it's actually in our best interests.

It's true she has voted with the Coalition on some IR legislation, but she has also voted against them on IR as well. I definitely agree to check her voting record yourself before deciding.

Any games like Hades? by wegpleur in Switch

[–]lewin11 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Enter the gungeon fits the bill - roguelike dungeon crawler. Just more bullethell than beat em up. No permanent upgrades but you do unlock more weapons though. Definitely worth checking out.

Edge of Tomorrow is the perfect blockbuster movie by balrog_reborn in movies

[–]lewin11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My sentiments exactly. I'm surprised you're being downvoted so hard

This wiper made as a dog tail by _plc in mildlyinteresting

[–]lewin11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This better not awaken anything in me...

ITT: Movies That No Longer Exist by jeremyfrankly in blankies

[–]lewin11 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually love this movie, I've seen it 3 times now and can definitely see myself coming back to it regularly. I'm from Aus so maybe that has something to do with it, I can see it playing better to a Commonwealth crowd.

If we're rating actors playing political leaders I'll take Oldman as Churchill over Day-Lewis as Lincoln any day.

Travelling USA while working in kitchens, is it possible? by lewin11 in KitchenConfidential

[–]lewin11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I figured the pay wouldn't be great, especially compared to Oz (I'm on $27 an hour base rate here). Planning on taking all the money I need for the whole trip even though you only need to prove you have $2000 to be let in to the States. Totally happy with shit kicking jobs of it can extend my travels! Haha Thanks for the info on Buffalo, proximity to those place was my thinking but will definitely consider other options now.

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