RV stands for relaxing vacation

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-05 10:52

Jia Wei, 22, is an RV enthusiast.

Friday, Sept 11, sunny

The destination was the Guanting Reservoir Island in the northwest Beijing but I felt like I was in a caravan into the wilderness.

There were 22 people in all and we traveled in four recreational vehicles (RVs) and five cars. My group rented a Great Wall RV and, as it was everyone's first time, the rental company provided a driver.

The journey took two hours but it flew by thanks to the RV's amazing satellite television system. We had more than 50 channels to choose from.

The sky was a deep azure by the time we arrived at the reservoir, so we quickly set up out tables and tents, and started preparing for dinner. Thankfully, the RV was also equipped with a mini refrigerator to keep our food fresh. Soon, there was a long line to the gas stove. My group was new to the RV Club, but we made friends with the other crews over dinner.

As the food disappeared, so too did the sun, and by the time we had all finished eating, night had fallen. A big TV screen was then set up so we experienced a special open-air cinema show. It was a chilly autumn night but no one was rushing to return to their tents. We all chatted and drank beers together like old friends well into the night.

I took the bed above the driver's cab and, as I lay slowly drifting off to sleep, I was illuminated through the window by the stars, which shone like diamonds against black silk. It is the most beautiful and romantic thing I have ever seen in Beijing.

Saturday, Sept 12, sunny

The rich smell of good coffee was my alarm clock and I awoke to find my friend making breakfast in the RV's compact kitchen. We threw open the shades and basked in the morning sun as we ate.

Some RV Club members were already preparing for their morning activities. My friends Chen and Nathan had both brought bikes and so had other families. Some took even more advantage of the space in their RVs to pack all-terrain vehicles, motorboats and other sports supplies.

Young men were getting ready to feel the speed on sand or water, while parents and their children boarded bikes to explore the breath-taking nature that surrounded them.

After breakfast, my friends all disappeared to look around. I stayed and read my book in the sunshine. The soft breeze carried the fragrant smells of the reservoir's flora, and it was so quiet that the only sound was the swishing of grass. It was bliss.

In the afternoon, I decided to stretch my legs and joined a group of people on their way to nearby Snail Hill to pick jujube, a plum-like fruit. The top of the hill offered a wonderful view and down on the water I could see friends competing in their motorboats, while others cheered them on.

As I watched, though, one of the boats suddenly capsized as it passed a bridge and two men were thrown into the water.

The crew of a rival boat quickly rescued them, while others recovered the sinking vessel. Despite the accident, everyone was still smiling and it did not stop the fun.

We were all having such a good time and we decided to stay one more night. When the sun went down, we lighted fire balloons to celebrate the weekend and, as they drifted into the dark night sky, we wished for our next trip away to be as big a success as this one.

As told by Jia Wei