Hello Fisher,

I have returned to Shanghai from my travels in Yunnan and Guangxi.

The tour I arranged with you to visit Yuanyang Terraces went very well.

The tour schedule was well thought out. All the places that were choosen to visit were very interesting and the tour was well paced. I saw the sites at each location in a comfortable, unhurried time-frame without feeling that there was any wasted time. The accommodation and food venues were all of a good standard.

My guide, Jack, was very well informed and provided comprehensive background. Jack not only has an excellent grasp of the English language and its idioms, he has a good understanding of the cultural differences and therefore is able to provide a bridge of understanding between the Western and Chinese perspectives. My tour would not have been as informative if I had seen all the same sights without his informative commentary.

My driver was one of the best drivers I have been with in China. His adherence to comfort and safety were exemplary.

My one negative comment would be that I am not an American and tipping is not only not a part of my culture, I consider tipping to be a symbol of the American capitalist system wereby employees are paid reduced wages with an expectation that they increase their salary via tips. I would have thought that China would be more in favour of adopting a socially just position of paying employees enough so that they were not reliant on tips to make a decent salary. I object to being expected to tip so as to provide your employees with a reasonable wage. I consider that is your responsibility as their employee. It is a mistake to presume that all foreigners have adopted American culture. Western culture is much more varied than just the American way.

Thank you
Di
Itinerary: Kunming-Yuanyang-Jianshui

Hi Fisher,

I just wanted to thank you for your help in arranging our trip. We had a great time even though I ended up getting sick at the end. All of our tour guides were great with us and helped us to have an enjoyable experience. I will be sure to pass on your information to anyone I know interested traveling in China. I was also wondering if you plan trips outside of china or just the mainland.

Thanks again,
Brian
Itinerary: Hong Kong-Shanghai-Beijing-Xian-Guilin-Shenzhen

Dear Charlie and Wei,

Thanks for all the work you did to make an nice itinerary for us. We had a great time in China and hope to come again somewhere in the future.

We have seen the condition of the roads, but also the difference from the drivers to handle it. One driver didn't want to take the bad road, may be because he had a bad car, and the other one did a great job to drive on a very bad road up hill.

It's was a pleasant time and we have seen a lot and met nice people.

We wish you a good 2009 en hope to hear or see each other in the future.

Cheerio,
Joop and Ine
Itinerary: Kunming-Jianshui-Yuanyang-Xishuangbanna-Guiyang-Xijiang-Kaili-Liuzhi-Huangguoshu

Fisher,

I just wanted to let you know that everything went very well with our trip to Lhasa. We enjoyed the program you set out and liked our guide very much. Also, the train tickets arrived at the hotel in Xi'an on December 3 as you promised. We are now in Pingyao (and it is very cold!!!). If I ever have a friend interested in traveling to China, I will highly recommend you. Thanks again for all of your help.

Jeff
Itinerary: Lhasa