The next few days, both modern and ancient sides fell into calm. Soon it was late January, time to prepare for New Year.
The modern side celebrated first. This year Lu Zheng followed Lin Wan back to Shandong Province for the holiday. He visited two sets of relatives along the way, coped with questions about marriage and children. On the third day of the new year, they returned to his old home in Shaanxi Province, brought some diluted medicinal wine.
On the fifth day, the two, free and easy, prepared to go out and play.
Interpol work was much lighter than heavy crime unit, but still a job where matters arose and demanded immediate action. So holiday rest times varied randomly, not fixed. For example, last year Lin Wan was called out on a trip. This year they gave half a month straight.
“These trips domestic and abroad, all flew over quietly. Though no impact, we dared not show faces, dared not spend money. After all, not fun.”
Lu Zheng said. “This time we spend money on planes, go play properly.”
“Good. Where to?” Lin Wan smiled.
Lu Zheng asked. “Japan for proper hot spring soak?”
Lin Wan curled her lip. “No!”
“Europe for skiing and forest views?”
Lin Wan thought, still shook her head. Skiing and forests, they did that in northeast chasing big cats before. No interest for now.
Lu Zheng nodded. “Mediterranean suits spring and summer. Winter a bit cold. Or New Zealand for horse riding and Hobbit views?”
Right now, southern hemisphere was summer, relatively comfortable.
Lin Wan thought. “Or go see animals?”
Lu Zheng said. “For animals, world’s most characteristic spots, no more than two…”
Lin Wan continued. “African savannah, South American tropical rainforest.”
“Where?” Lu Zheng asked.
“African savannah, of course.” Lin Wan said at once.
Amazon rainforest? Do not joke. Go there to see venomous snakes, giant pythons, crocodiles, poison frogs? Lin Wan had zero interest in such things.
“Fine!” Lu Zheng snapped his fingers, booked tickets right away. “Off we go, Beijing airport!”
…
After over thirty hours of transfers, Lu Zheng and Lin Wan reached central Africa, home to over a dozen nature parks and dozens of wildlife reserves, the best country for animal viewing: Tanzania.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, on the Indian Ocean edge, almost every foreign tourist’s first stop.
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan’s first feeling off the plane: this time truly abroad.
Look around, either black or white, indeed few Asians. After all, Tanzania’s beaches pretty, but not rare worldwide.
Um, plenty Chinese staff working in Tanzania, but none strolling streets like Lu Zheng and Lin Wan.
“First hotel, rest, then tour this city.” Lu Zheng said.
Reached booked hotel, dropped bags, went out sightseeing. The coastal area quite prosperous: hotels, convenience stores, bars, tourist agencies, yacht docks. High-end spots not inferior to first-tier cities.
“Is not Tanzania one of world’s least developed countries?” Lu Zheng asked.
Lin Wan said. “After all, aimed at tourists from other nations. And far from developed economies. Those who come have money. So focus effort on facilities in tourist zones.”
Lu Zheng nodded, glanced back at areas beyond beach district. Indeed, turned to second-tier county town at once.
“Do not talk here. Even Ya City, is not its coastal strip comparable to Haicheng? You try going deeper?”
The two changed clothes. Lu Zheng to gaudy floral tank top and shorts. Lin Wan to beige strap dress, sun hat, light veil for shade.
Hands with fresh fruit juice, swaying step by step, leisurely strolling.
“Heard Zanzibar Island opposite is tourist spot too. Go tomorrow?”
“Sure, we are here!”
Time plenty. Enough to climb Kilimanjaro. No time for an island hop?
…
Next day, Lu Zheng and pair went to Zanzibar Island, enjoyed exotic small town and pretty beaches. Third morning, rented a Jeep, ready to start this African crossing trip.
“Mr Lu, I still suggest public transport to places, and stay in nature parks’ designated areas. You two like this, some danger. Most world spots not safe like your country.” A black man said in broken Mandarin.
“Thanks, Sonny. We follow roads, just daytime travel. That way no danger, right?” Lu Zheng smiled.
The black man called Sonny nodded. “Much better. But if meet robbers, remember no resist, hand over money active.”
“OK!” Lu Zheng gestured thumbs up. “Thanks, we will.”
“Boot has tent, food, spare petrol. Wish good journey!” Sonny patted car window.
Lu Zheng, “…”
Lin Wan could not help laugh. “Where learn your Chinese?”
“From Chinese friends in factory. How?” Sonny proud. “He said I can live in China already.”
Lin Wan thumbs up. “Very good! Should not get beaten to death!”
Sonny: ???
Lu Zheng haha laughed, waved at Sonny, started car, off!
…
Actually, self-drive travellers like Lu Zheng and Lin Wan existed. Just most had more people, carried some guns.
Rare like Lu Zheng, two people, no defence, lone on road.
But since Lu Zheng said daytime travel only, night stay in cities, in Sonny’s view, no big issue.
…
Drove on bumpy dirt roads, car played African style music, outside vast savannah.
This feel, indeed nice.
“Heard Xinjiang’s Duku Highway blocked explode. Believe it?”
“Hard to imagine. Domestic tourism season scenes, downright scary!”
Lin Wan looked ahead on road, no car. Checked rearview, still no car.
Lin Wan blinked, asked. “You following map on main traffic roads?”
“Of course not.” Lu Zheng matter-of-fact. “Out here, how walk official paths?”
Lin Wan heard, thumbs up. “Well done!”
Next moment, several giraffes entered view. At same time, a pride: one male lion and several females, appeared not far off.
