24-Nov-2005 -- 23 N – 113 E Guangdong (广东), Chin,

Line Hunting Date: November 24, 2005

This is our first line-hunting trip in the Guangdong province. Like our last hunt in the Qinghai province 2 weeks ago, this confluence point was also located on water – a large fish pond and it also required the service of a boat. We had one previous hunt, the confluence point also located in the middle of a larger fish pond – the only point of Tianjin, and it was frozen so we simply walked to the point (39N 117E).

We were attending a workshop in Pan Yu District south of Guangzhou (广州)city. This was the closest confluence point from our hotel, about 30 km straight west. We knew that all confluence points in Guangdong had been visited but we did not read the previous hunting reports to maintain an element of suspense.

As usual, we co-opted our local host, Lin Peng (林鹏)to take a break from the workshop and go for a quick hunt. Knowing that this area was part of the greater Guangzhou area with dense population, we did not anticipate much problem in finding it and planned 2 hours for the hunting break.

This confluence point is located in Nan Zhuang (南庄) Township of Foshan (佛山)city. We got a taxi and headed west toward Foshan. We learned that the Nan Zhuang area is a major center for the production of ceramic tiles. The main road we took, pretty much headed straight to the point, and we only had to make one turn north to another main road when it was about 2 km away from the confluence point. We asked the taxi to park at road side when we were 160 meters from the object of our hunt.

Almost through the entire drive we were passing commercial and industrial areas, and we were guessing this point could very well be located inside a factory. It was a pleasant surprise when we realized that the confluence point was located slightly beyond the entrance to a traditional village – Guang Mei Cun (光美村).

We found a little path between two vegetable patches which brought us next to a large fish pond, about 80 meters on each side, and quickly we realized that the confluence point was in the water. In essence, the mission could be completed with the nearest location on the eastern bank about 25 meters from all zeros point. But, we decided to see if we could press it further – we saw a wooden boat in the pond next to the “Confluence Pond”.

As we went about getting a few photos around the pond, two guys started hauling fish in a large plastic barrel and released them into the confluence pond (photo 2). They helped us located the owner of the pond, and more importantly the one who also owned the boat. Mr. Pan, the owner, was impressed with Lin Peng’s executive attire (大老板); he agreed to let us use the boat. In fact, he and the two workers helped us dragged the boat over to the confluence pond (photo 3).

Lin Peng took charge as the oarsman and demonstrated great paddling skill in doing the confluence dance with the boat. Even though we did not get the perfect zeros but two 00.001s, it was certainly something we could be proud of, for a confluence point reached by boat.

We visited for a while with Mr. Pan, now the proud owner of the Confluence pond – he was pleased to learn that there are only 16 such points in a province with over 80 million inhabitants. We also suggested that the crossing of longitude and latitude could well be an indication of good Feng Shui (风水)or a sign of auspiciousness.

Beyond raising fish, Mr. Pan also raised hogs within the range of the confluence point. According to Mr. Pan, both fish and pigs were doing very well at this location, an instant verification that this was indeed a great spot! If this was hog wash, Mr. Pan would be the first one to tell..

The total hunting trip took an hour longer than expected – congested traffic and too many traffic lights cost us an extra half hour. Tracking down Mr. Pan and the boat trip in the Confluence pond also added half an hour but it was well worth the effort.

Overall, this was a very pleasant hunting break on Thanksgiving afternoon (only Ray would care it was Thanksgiving).

Note – After the trip, we were pleased to learn that this confluence point had been visited by two of the most avid line-hunters in China – Targ Parsons and Peter Cao. The first visit reached the all zeros point when the pond was fully drained so we know what the land portion of the confluence point was like.

Rating of this hunt:

Degree of Challenge: 1 – A drive up to 150 metes of the CP (Scale: 1= very easy - drive to the point; to 5= a death march – glad it is over)

Scenery: 2 – A sliver of rural Guangdong scenery in an otherwise highly industrialized area (Scale: 1= not interesting at all; 5= take your breath away)

Culture-social factors: 3 – Soon to be lost rural Guangdong village culture (Scale: 1=dull; 5= most stimulating)