26-Mar-2005 -- 32 N – 118 E Anhui (安徽), China

Visit Date: March 26, 2005

This is the 4th Anhui line-hunting for the Y-B Group (Ray), and the first ever hunting trip for Nick who for the time being, working in northern Anhui. Traveling with Nick is a little companion – Dr. Livingston.

We have half a day to knock off after a morning meeting in Hefei (capital of Anhui). This particular CP located half way between Hefei and Nanjing (capital of Jiangshu), not too far off the expressway connecting these two cities. The distance and location seemed feasible for 4 hours we have before dark.

The drive to the expressway exit (Da Shu) took exactly an hour, and put us 5.5 km straight-line distance from the CP. We followed a secondary road east for 3 km and found a winding country road which took us to a little village (Xiao Ming) about 700 meters from the object of our hunt. From there, we can tell that the CP is located near another village, but can not be reached by car.

We met a helpful 5th grade boy (Ming Shanjen) who offered to guide us to the other village near the CP. We took the muddy path between vegetable fields and reached the CP in about 15 minutes after passing through another village with several less than friendly dogs.

The village about 200 meters from the CP has about a dozen households is called Xiao Wan. It is part of the Huan Ji Township of Chun Jiao County.

When we returned to the Xiao Ming village where we parked, there were a small gathering of curious villagers. We explained that they are living near one of the 13 confluence points in Anhui, and this makes the area very special. We met Ming’s mother, and promised Ming that we will mail him the photos taken with him.

Overall, this was a very pleasant visit with a good glimpse of rural central Anhui.

Rating of this hunt:

Degree of Challenge: 2 – the very muddy path made our shoes extra heavy (Scale: 1= very easy - drive to the point; to 5= a death march – glad it is over)

Scenery: 3– Early Spring farm land (Scale: 1= not interesting at all; 5= take your breath away)

Culture-social factors: 2– typical rural central China farming community (Scale: 1=dull; 5= most stimulating)