The best part was that it was so incredibly affordable @ approx. $NZ2500 + approx. $US1700
inclusive of :-
15 days in China
Return air fares to China
Three internal flights & coach transport
A 4 day river cruise up the Yangtze river ( incl upgrade )
Tips & gratuities built in however additional at the time generally expected.
All other transport such a coach etc.
Entry to all the attraction & shows mentioned in the report.
All meals including hotel breakfasts
Accommodation in 5 star hotels
All taxes
A trip in the high speed bullet train ... 400 kph was mentioned. altho we missed that due flight rescheduling caused by airport flooding.
Tipping altho readily accepted by you guys in the US is alien to our culture in NZ where it is not obligatory, however staff are mostly paid a fair wage, which is no doubt reflected in the bill. So when overseas we have a problem dealing with it inasmuch as trying to decide who, when & how much but for the life of me cannot understand why you guys feel obliged to tip barbers or taxi drivers


In my experience cab drivers in the States are often at best offhand & at worst quite rude so why tip individuals that are so inclined ?? As for hairdressers & barbers you guys pay four times as much as we do here, so why do you feel the need to tip on top of that?