Xingang Port
I normally wake up at 7:00am. Last night I set my alarm clock to 4:00am for an early pickup experience at Xingang Port, 180 kms away from Beijing. Early this morning we have a fleet of 7 Banz 100 Vans and one Red Flag car for the transfer service at Xingang Port. Today is Nov.07, 2008. The Diamond Princesss Cruise is due to arrive at Xingang Port at 7:30am. It is first time for me to take part in the Xingang Port pickup team. I'm a little excited and expecting it too. I come downstairs and meet my driver - Mr. Liu at 4:30am - our prearranged time. We get to the nearest Toll Gate, a place to meet other 7 vehicles. We set off all together at 5:0am. All the people are on time.
It is still quite dark outside. There are not so much traffic on the Jingjin Highway. Last August, the second highway from Beijing to Tianjin was completed and opened to the public, greatly reduced the congested traffic on the Jingjin Highway. Now it usually takes 2-3 hours from Beijing to Xingang or Vice Versa by car. But it still all depends on the traffic. In the past there did happen some traffic accidents, which seriously had paralyzed the traffic movement temporarily. So starting early is a good choice to tackle possible incidents like car breakdown, or car crash. We still have enough time to send new vehicles to Xingang Port since most of the passengers disemark after 9:00am though the ship arrive at 7:30am.
At 7:00am, we get to the Toll Gate of Tang Gu.
Tang Gu is one of the districts in Tianjin. It is about 50kms away from the Tianjin Proper. Xingang Port is located on the eastern tip of Tang Gu. Tang Gu is the economic development zone of Tianjin. It has developed very fast with brand new buildings and roads everywhere.
Still early, we take a break inside Xingang Port compound. Some of us buy some simple breakfast sold by the vendors by the street.
At 7:40am we get to the parking lot in front of the Xingang Port Service Building. The huge cruise - Diamond Princess docks behind the building. We are not allowed to enter the dock to see the true face of Diamond Princess.
There are more and more buses, cars and vans in the parking lot ready to receive the passengers. The huge parking lot is just in front of the Xingang Port Service Building.
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