The following day (January 30), I attempted to catch an earlier bus back to Nanjing since all the trains were fully booked. I visited two bus stations but eventually gave up. The journey back to my hostel from the last bus station was amusing as I rode a large escalator up the mountain. Once back at the hostel, I regrouped and decided to stroll around and explore, which would be the theme for the rest of the week. My first destination was Luohan Temple, followed by both city gates, Dongshui and Tongyuan Men. Next, I stopped by the Chongqing and Three Gorges Museum. The museums were incredibly crowded, which puzzled me. I thought it would be enjoyable to go to Hongya Cave for dinner, but that didn't turn out well, and I ended up not eating. I became quite lost on my way back, and when I finally reached a subway station, it had closed! With only 5% battery left on my phone, I used Baidu maps to locate a bus back. What a relief.
On January 31, I planned to meet one of my former students that evening, so I stayed in the city. I visited the Liberation Monument and Pipa Mountain Park. The pergola at the top was closed, and it was raining, so I didn’t have any city views—only clouds. However, it was nice and peaceful, away from the city's noise. My student Vicky met me at the "Space Lab" restaurant, and I was a bit let down because I had hoped to enjoy some authentic Chongqing hot pot with her. She captured my photo outside the Raffles City mall.
February 1 brought about a significant disappointment at Ciqikou Ancient Town. It was far too crowded and overly gentrified for my liking. However, I did find a lovely temple (Baolun Si) and enjoyed some delicious Chongqing-style noodles at a restaurant filled with cats, dining outside under a roof while it drizzled. I realized I needed a bathing suit for the Ronghui hot springs, so I had to trek back to the hostel to retrieve it, before heading to the hot springs again. It was busy, though not as packed as I expected. It wasn't particularly relaxing, but it was entertaining to jump into various types of pools, such as milk, coffee, lavender, and red wine, among many others—there were around 30 or 40 to try! There was also a fish pond where you could dip your feet, which I attempted, but I got too scared.
On February 2, I went to Metro to buy food for my long train ride home the next day, and then had a solo hot pot meal. It was a bit lonely, but I found it amusing that the bamboo wall opened, allowing them to place my items on the table through it. It felt like being in a university library while enjoying a lavish stew.
Finally, on February 3 at 4 a.m., I woke up everyone else in the hostel and headed back home. AHAHAHAHA REVENGE, I LOVE IT!
The following day (January 30), I attempted to locate an earlier bus returning to Nanjing, as all the trains were fully booked. I visited two bus stations before deciding to give up. The journey back to my hostel from the last bus station was enjoyable because I rode a massive escalator up the mountain.
