Virtual China '98

It would take several hours to explain the myriad of details and effort that goes into planning for this trip. Planning begins in earnest months ahead. Imagine some of the logistics if you will (the military calls them bullets, beans and Band-Aids), that involves 180 people on bicycles, in and out of China.

Listen to some of some of these areas that need some careful attention:

I could go on with even more, but you get the idea. Oh, did I fail to mention the budget for this trip? This year it is just over $120,000... that is of course in U.S dollars, all of which is student generated.

This is my second time to experience China from a bicycle seat. As professional teachers at HKIS we constantly seek to evaluate and assess activities our students are engaged in. Is it worth it?

Look at these two photos. The first is Dorian Cheong and an older Chinese lady wearing a pair of Oakley sunglasses. The villagers went wild with laughter. The second is Abby Rountree holding a Chinese baby. Instant tenderness and bonding between cultures.

These two pictures say it all.

The intuition between our bikers and rural people in China is incredible. Incredibly good, incredibility important. It is priceless. We worked in rice paddies, made bricks, shouldered sand and rock, made concrete, rubbed elbows with Chinese people, real people, people whom God loves in a real and meaningful way.

Some of the students (and adults) are pretty exhausted on the way home... this is an experience they will never forget, nor can money buy. It is more than worth it! In truth it is a bargain.

Location: Ferry to Hong Kong (from Kai Ping, China)

Type: Interview with the nurse

Friday, May 1, 1998

I interviewed Kym Tollei (the nurse of our trip).

Michael Ho:

What do you major in?

Kym:

I have a physiotherapy degree, which I had to study for four years.

M:

Do you live in Hong Kong?

K:

Yes, I am living in Hong Kong.

M:

Are you married?

K:

Yes I am married, but I have no kids.

M:

Do you like Hong Kong?

K:

Yes I like Hong Kong, it is very different from Australia.

M:

Where have you lived before?

K:

I have lived in Australia (Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania.)

M:

How long have you lived in Hong Kong?

K:

About four months.

M:

What types of things do you like to do in your spare time?

K:

I like running, golfing, aroma breathing, and I like to go the gym.

M:

So do you like your job?

K:

Yes I do, because I get to travel and work overseas with all types of people. I also work in a private practice, which lets me see to people who have back, neck and knee problems and I also tend to injuries.

M:

So Kym were there a lot of injuries on the trip to China?

K:

No, there were only small injuries such as: travel sickness, soar throats, knee pains (patellatenonuts) and other small symptoms. Overall there were only five injuries.

M:

Do you think the trip was fun?

K:

Yes, it was very enjoying. I especially enjoyed the peninsula, and countryside, the people were also very nice. But the beds were hard.

M:

Was the biking hard?

K:

It was fairly steady pace, but on the last day it was hilly, but most of the time it was easy.

M:

So overall what do think about China?

K:

It's people are very friendly, they work hard and they farm a lot.

M:

Would you come again?

K:

Yes I would definitely come again.