The beginning, not exactly...

There were many trips before. However, it did not really feel like traveling till the August of 2004. I guess the reason is those trips either as vacationing or on business matter.

In 2004, I came across a chance to backpack Silk Road, in which, is a route I intriguely want to do for a long time.  One thing about traveling is, if you have been told, or studied, or read certain places with a strong historical background, you will tend to want to visit more than if you didn't. We studied China history in depth when were in high school. It makes Silk Road like a magnet.

The plan executed and the journey started at the end of August.

It was a mid night flight to Shanghai from  Kuala Lumpur, but the real journey start at Kashgar in the province of Xinjiang, China.  To get there, we need to fly from Shanghai to Urumqi, then another flight to Kashgar.

As we arrived Shanghai in the morning at 6am, the city didn't impress me much other than levels and levels of highway or high building.  A friend took us out for xiao long bao, for  food, I never think it is bad.  More over, this is a real cuisine. They even have the kitchen in show case.

 

After saying good bye, we boarded a plane, supposely destined to Urumqi.

Remember, it was 2004.  China might be developed then but the aviation industry was still in its infancy.  As we boarded the flight from Shanghai to Urumqi and took off, the plane jerked badly like an earthquake in the air after 2 hours into flying.  It didn't seem like turbulence.  Then, the captain announced that "There is a problem with the engine and we need to make an emergency landing".  Thus, we end up landed at Xian airport.  My ever energency landing!!!

We were not allowed to get off the plane because it was not destined to land here.  But after 2 hours being kept in the flight, and with this

They finally "un-boardes" us in the airport.  With another 2 hours in the airport, they finally put us into a "rest house" as the day was falling dark.  Again, the aviation industry back then has no such thing as "refund" or extra service for the delay.

In front of the rest house, we had an interesting scene for food.

It is like Malaysian Satay, or middle east Kebab Shih, just meat on the stick.  It actually makes a picture like this

So, you to decide whether the food is good!

After closed to 12 hours of waiting, the airline finally sent in another plane to fetch us.  By the time we re-boarded the flight, it was closed to 3am in the morning.

Finally, we arrived Urumqi in Xinjiang around 8am and bought another flight to Kashgar!