Next I took a walk down to the beach to get some morning exercise.  Turning right I walked past 4 American resorts, one against the other.  It was fun to look at the different architectures and designs of the beach amenities provided for their guests.  Common to all is the beautiful clean beach and the rolling surf calling for all to come in for a swim.  At the end I turned around and strolled leisurely along the water’s edge, bare feet in the cool wet sand.  Passing the Gloria Resort I walked past several other Chinese resorts until a public park became visible.  Turning back again I watched the action on the water as motorboats and jet skies skimmed across the surface and bounced through the waves.  With all the mountains in the distance and coconut palms everywhere, it reminded me of Hawaii.  Back at the Gloria Resort property, I stopped in the Beach Bar for a drink.  This is a great location with tables and chairs on the sand of the beach, and a long wooden building open to the beach.  There is a bar and a cook station where casual snacks can be provided along with a variety of drinks.  Owen, Mary, Francis, and Young were serving the tables and I asked Owen for some peanuts and a Mai Tai, which he provided in a few minutes while I positioned myself inside for the best view of the beach.  There were 17 tables on the sand and 5 picnic tables in the covered area.  A band delivers live music at night so I planned to go back after dinner to enjoy the music in the moonlight.  My Mai Tai was good, so I had 2 while observing the people at play on the beach and in the water.  I pondered the common human experience of a family at play on the beach.  Whether it be an American family in Florida, California, or Hawaii, or a Chinese family in Sanya, it is all the same experience, just a different beach.  Having a lifetime of playing on beaches in America with Americans, I now play on the beach in China with the Chinese.  A beach is a beach and playing on the beach with the Chinese is where I hope to be for many years to come.

Strolling through the gardens back to the Spa Garden I repeated my massage experience and met the Hotel Manager, Sergio Bretti for dinner at KYOTO, the Japanese Teppanyaki and Sushi restaurant on the second floor.  We were greeted at the door by Landoor who quickly sat us at the Teppanyaki table.  A young intern in training from Singapore named Matthias delivered a bottle of 2006 Santa Cristina Antinori, a nice red wine from Tuscany, Italy.  We were well cared for by Rose, the Assistant Manager, and waitresses Alexa Zhong and Jennifer Wu as Chef Jacky Liu prepared our dinner on the grill immediately in front of us.  All selections were from the menu, but chosen by the Chef.  We started with assorted chilled appetizers including Minced Fish, Egg Roll, and Chicken Roll.  This set up our appetite for the Salmon Sashimi, cut to look like a rose, and served with mayonnaise and salmon eggs.  This was very fresh and cold which was quite refreshing on this hot day.  Next we had some delicate and tender Abalone Teppanyaki, followed by Lobster Teppanyaki, which was wonderful and the high point of the meal.  Changing style, our next dish was King Prawn Tempura in 3 Colors.  These 3 preparations were all very tasty.  Stepping up the flavor profile, this was followed by Pan-fried Chicken Rolls, which were excellent with the wine.  Finally, we were presented with a dessert assortment of Deep-fried Banana, Strawberry Egg Tart (the Chef’s invention served in the shell), and Deep-fried Yam.  All dishes were excellently presented and were works of art created by Chef Jacky Liu.  We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner there and I promised to come back again soon.  Many people say that KYOTO is the best Japanese restaurant in Yalong Bay and I understand why!

A point of historical interest is that Gloria Resort Sanya was the first leisure resort to be built on the island that is Hainan Province, and in 1996 began the rapid, but well planned development of Yalong Bay in the city of Sanya.  The beachfront is now completely developed with several international and Chinese resorts positioned next to each other on both sides of this landmark resort, which stands proudly amongst the others as the original destination for leisure and relaxation in Sanya.  To me, the building resembles the upper decks of a cruise ship looming large out of the ground, towering high above the gorgeous gardens and palm trees, and pointing out to sea as if it were dreaming to rise above the ground and cross the beach to set sail to exotic islands located in distant places beyond the horizon.  Fortunately for those of us staying at the resort, this was only a vision of my imagination and the building remained firmly planted in the ground, standing tall and with authority as the first resort King of Sanya.

Included here are some enthusiastic quotes from the official marketing materials found at the resort.  “Hainan is a tropical island paradise and Sanya is its ultimate playground.  With miles and miles of pristine beaches, this is heaven indeed for intrepid travelers and sun worshippers alike.  This haven is engulfed in a Pandora’s Box waiting to be uncovered.  With the melancholy of sea breeze blown from the South China Sea whispers a unique destination to be visited on a perennial basis.  The 5 star Gloria Resort Sanya is drafted in the most strategic location with the largest land area of 160 acres offering the best of paradise in South Asia.  With its rustic charm still very much intact, tourists can experience the culturally rich traditions of minority tribes.  Guests relish in comfort and tranquility while enjoying the undisturbed beauty of Hainan.  Nestled away in the cozy Yalong Bay where guests can relax in a world of their own or visit various popular tourist attractions located only minutes away, one is assured of the ultimate in privacy, rest and recreation.  Gloria Resort’s modern architecture and interior design is unique to this region.  The landscaping is a pleasant mix of greenery, accentuating the beauty of Hainan’s natural flora, and a practical use of open spaces.  The interior of the hotel is a luxuriant composition of warmth, spaciousness and pleasing furnishings, all set to welcome guests and make them feel at home the moment they step into the hotel.  Offering rooms and suites that boast breathtaking views of sweeping vistas the South China Sea or scenes of serenity as they overlook natural greenery.  All rooms are well appointed.  There are 404 nicely decorated rooms and suites, with spacious balconies featuring the following room categories:

156 Golf View Rooms including 119 twin bed and 37 king bed rooms

92 Grand Ocean View Rooms including 45 twin bed and 47 king bed rooms

118 Deluxe Ocean View Rooms including 45 twin bed and 73 king bed rooms

14 Garden Ocean View Rooms including 10 twin bed and 4 king bed rooms

10 Deluxe Ocean View Suites

And for the ultimate in luxury accommodation, indulge in the Presidential Villa with its very own private pool, grassland and beach.”  With this array of coverage, any individual or family’s needs can be accommodated across a broad cost range.

There are other venues I did not have a chance to experience, but sound interesting and I will be sure to check some of them out when I return.  For another dining experience, as advertised, “Down at the Bay View Terrace, a barbecue buffet is served every weekend.  Diners get to enjoy great sizzling roasts with staff dressed traditionally in their tribal garb and gear.  Indeed, an experience not to be missed!  With the South China Sea as the backdrop and the twinkling stars above, this setting creates a memorable and lasting impression.”  I did look out over this scene one night and I could smell the meat cooking on the BBQ, and with all the activity and the music I was drawn to enter, but I had other plans.  In addition to the Beach Bar with its live music and drinks by the sea, “Party goers can swing and sway to the rhythm of the latest hits at the Hurricane Disco & Karaoke which is located in the basement of the main lobby.   A large KTV screen revs up the action on the dance floor while nine KTV rooms give privacy for those looking to enjoy the evening among family and friends only.”

For meetings and conferences, Gloria Resort Sanya has facilities so support both small and large functions.  “The Gloria Ballroom with its grandeur and vastness can easily accommodate 550 persons for a function or a conference of international stature.  The ballroom can be further partitioned into 2 smaller multi-functional rooms.  There are also 5 smaller meeting and function rooms with a capacity for approximately 50 people each.  Advanced audio-visual equipment is available for presentations and seminars. From theme parties to banquets, the resort’s range of Western and Chinese menus are sure to satisfy.”  For outdoor activities during the day,  “A total of 4 swimming pools include the Main Pool, the Grotto Waterfall Pool, an Outdoor Whirlpool, and the Bay View Terrace Pool for any water game.  4 floodlit tennis courts are available day or night, and for golf fans, whether professional or amateur, an 18-holes championship golf course awaits.  Guests looking for more active sports can opt for the jogging track, mountain bicycles, volleyball, football, and archery.  Other water sports facilities at Gloria Resort include: Banana Boat, Catamaran, Fishing Trips, Ocean Canoeing, Scuba Diving, Speedboats, Windsurfing, and Water Skiing.”  Inside the main building, there is “the Health Club featuring the following facilities: an aerobics room with modern exercise stations, hot and cold whirlpools, heath bar, sauna room, steam room, and massage.  For children, the Little Kingdom is an air-conditioned playroom with toys and gifts for the children aged between 2 to 8.  The Business Center provides support for the guests who must keep in touch with their work.  Among the services available are secretarial, incoming and outgoing facsimile, photocopying, personal computers, typewriters, and translation.  There is also a Kiosk selling clothing and sports equipment and a Hair and Beauty Salon.  Regular Shuttle Buses to the airport and downtown are available to provide transportation to guests. Private cars are also available for rental.  Other facilities and services include: airport bookings, foreign currency exchange, library, and medical clinic.

My experiences at Gloria Resort Sanya were exceptional.  I truly had the chance to relax, work on some articles and email in the mornings, and generally feel at home in what seemed to be my own private resort.  All people providing services at this resort are extremely polite and professional.  From the top down, service is the focus and this is obvious.  After 5 wonderful days, Sergio and his staff bid me farewell at the curb and I was driven to the airport in the resort car.  Frankly, I can’t wait to go back.  I miss my new friends.

I highly recommend this resort to our readers.  You can find it on-line at http://www.gloriahotels.com/gloria_en/resorts/Grs.asp.  There really is something for everyone at the Gloria Resort Sanya.

With Happiness, CHEERS!

My Best as Always,