Oasis Airlines, a Hong Kong based budget carrier announced today that it will cease operations effective immediately and apply for liquidation. The news came on the heels of huge losses in the wake of rising oil prices and operations out of one of world’s most expensive Hong Kong airport.

Unlike other budget airlines, Oasis operated long haul flights to London and Vancouver from Hong Kong and offered in-flight meals and entertainment. They also had business class seats on flight which were normally cheaper than regular-priced economy seats from competitors such as Cathay Pacific.

This is the picture of a China taxi meter which we took from Xiamen to Quan Zhou and back. The total bill on meter was about 900 RMB (120 US$) but I took picture of this pattern of 7s.

Rarely did I rode a taxi in my life with so high the bill.

China is such a diverse country. I knew it, but once in a while I get to know something that I are awed (literally!). I recently learnt that there is a place in northern corner of Yunnan province, close to Lijiang city which is special in following ways:

Lijiang city, 5-hours bus ride from “Daughters’ Country”

• It is called “Daughters’ Country”� (女兒國). Why? See below.
• It is matriarchal society.
• There is no concept of marriage there.
• Men and women can freely go around to find partners. What the heck fidelity is!
• Women work, bring in money, men� (read chosen partners of women)� stay home.
• When a woman wants to rear a child, she chooses the most handsome man. She might let him stay with her for a couple of years.
• The place surrounds one of most beautiful lakes in Southern China.
• Only� one known� (and now a writer)� woman from the area moved out of the place, to Shanghai. She wrote a book to introduce the place to rest of world. The book is in Chinese, so not for you and me.

Wang Jian Shuo has� some blog entries about his trip to place, though he does not cover the “Daughters’ Country” too much.

If you read Chinese, you will be better off here. Even if you are not, Babelfish is your not-so-close� friend to translate this.� I am hoping to make it there soon to have a first-hand look. If I did, I will post more information here.

I had a fantastic trip to rural China during Chinese New Year with a friend. We made Nanjie in Guangning county, a medium size town 160kms north of Guangzhou, our home base and travelled around the area for 6 days. Though Nanjie is relatively laid back and dirty city, the area around it is a beautiful hinterland with landscape dotted by bamboo trees, vast valleys and lush green mountains. Rivers flow in valley, making it really a romantic place to visit.

As I went there during Chinese New Year, the most enthusiastically celebrated holiday in China, everyone was in cheerful mood. There were red decorations everywhere and noise of firecrackers and fireworks was always heard, be it 2 in the morning or 4 in the afternoon. I went to so many places, my friend’s various relatives’ homes for lunches and dinners and received so many lai see (red packets containing money Chinese give to young / unmarried / juniors on special occasions). Of course, I had to give lai see to kids I met too!

A lonely bicycle rider in Shangeng village, 30 kms west of Nanjie

And while everyone was doing it, I tried the fireworks at least twice too. Man it was fun! Chinese have always been good at gun powder stuff and I believe they still make best and most economic fireworks. The tiny boxes of fireworks (costing about RMB 150-400 / USD 20 - 50 each, depending on size) packed in colorful wraps can fill the sky with beautiful lights and make so much noise that it can be heard miles away.

For me, it was first time to celebrate Chinese New Year, in China, with Chinese style. What a wonderful experience it was.