30 replies to this topic

[chemicalwazi]

I have been asked by my good friend, and Pyro buddy RegimentalPyro if i would upload a fantastic trip he is about to undertake. Gladly i agreed, and here is his first installment:

Introduction

Well this is the start of my pyro travel blog. Some time ago, as I heard stories about Liuyang from various sources, I realised that as a dedicated pyro, this was really a place I really ought to go and see.

Lots of things drew me to this conclusion. The culture. The love of foreign travel. The pyroshops. The fact that I was finally in a position to afford it, and above all the stories about how they test twelve inch shells every night. How could I stay away?

Now the first thing to explain is that I am currently a gentleman of leisure. Usually this phrase is a metaphor for "unemployed", but in this case it actually means what it says. Last year as I got more and more fed up with my job [I usually work as a consultant for a largish faceless corporation] I decided that I needed a serious break. Rather than quit there and then, I saved like a demon and took one years career break, [also known as a gap-year or sabbatical]. So there you have it - for me, 2006 is my year of fun. Top of the list is this trip to China, although I'm also trying to go to Malta to see how things are done there.

Now, as I discovered, it's not that easy to go and tour firework factories in China. The first thing you need is a chinese visa. Ironically these are relatively easy to obtain if you want to visit forbidden palaces or see terracotta warriors. All you need in those circumstances is a tourist visa which requires an airline booking and ?30!

To go to Liuyang however , (which is off the tourist trail) one requires a business/research visa. These require a letter of invite from a chinese government accreditted company. These are *not* so easy to come by and I had been having tremendous trouble getting one.

All that changed last November when I happened into my local firework shop for the first time on the advice of a good pyro buddy [thanks sizzle!]. I got chatting to the owner and told him a little about my plans for the forthcoming year. It turned out that he was looking for someone who knew their fireworks to go over to China and speak with his exporter. He especially wanted someone with a knowledge of firework construction techniques so that they could also work with the firework manufacturers to suggest new effects and ideas.

It was immediately apparant that this was a marriage made in heaven - I had fallen into a vat of wine! I got my trip to Chinese firework companies. My local shop had access to my skills and background and the exporter got to showcase their products and suppliers. In addition my connections with the UK amateur pyrotechnic scene enabled me to suggest new products and supplies that are cheap in China, but much sought after in the UK. This could be an opportunity to direct import much needed tools and chems after all!

As the months rolled by I managed to get the vital letter of invite from the exporter. This enabled me [after a trip to the Chinese embassy in Manchester] to gain a Chinese research visa. The ticket was then purchased and I was set. Contacts and an itinerary were arranged, as well as interpreters, guides and hotels.

So there you go. Your very own RegimentaIPyro is to fly out to Guangzhou tomorrow! I'm going to try an upload a post a day, although this depends on such banalities as GPRS/WiFi coverage.

Pictures and video *will* be taken although you might have to wait till I get back to see those.

[sizzle]

Well, I am glad he has finally been allowed to go, Regi has been talking about this trip for months, now let's see what goodies he brings back . I believe he is staying for two weeks for anyone who is interested, one week with our local supplier (SP Fireworks) and then another week on his own there.

I envy you Regi! enjoy the trip!

[chemicalwazi]

Day 1 - travelling...

Tuesday 21st March

08:45AM Heathrow Term-1
I'm on my way. An early start for me - Up at 3:45! A good journey to the airport and I arrived in plenty of time, and checked in OK.

My mood is mixed cheerfulness with apprehension. This is a relief from the sheer naked terror I've been feeling over the past few weeks. You must appreciate that I am travelling *alone* to a country which is not only on the other side of the world, but in most cases completly alien to the society I have lived in thus far. I can't read the writing let alone speak the language. I don't even know what the signs are for "Ladies" and "Gents" toilets! The capacity for embarassment is very high.

Now generally the thing we fear the most is the unknown. Playing out "what-if's" in your head is a sure way to hypertension and heart attacks. There have been a *lot* of unknown's on this trip!

Still with all that in mind I have started to realise that this trip is supposed to be FUN. I am determined now to enjoy the trip and the pyro.

All that remains is to get there. I have a 3 hour flight to Helsinki closely followed by a 9 hour flight to Guangzhou. If everything works out OK I will be met by an English speaking contact. This is reassuring. According to my research Guangzhou airport can be a hairy place.....

Factoid: Guangzhou used to be called Canton and is on the south coast of China. It is about 7000 miles away from London. The time difference is GMT +8 hours

Wednesday 22nd March

Well what a day! After a seemingly endless flight I arrive in Guangzhou. The first thing that hits me is the humidity which seems to be running at about 102% My skin instantly pr**ks with beads of sweat. The landscape appears gray as it is wreathed in mist

Strange smells lace the air - A curious mix of perfume and spice with just an intriguing hint of sulphur.

Customs and baggage go exceedingly well - I am the first off the plane and my bag is first on the carousel. The officials look intimidating in their chinese uniforms until I approach nd then they break into smiles and calls of "Hello".

I am met by a chap by the name of John Morris - an exceedingly nice ex-pat who I am currently staying with. The drive to his apartment takes about an hour and goes through the center of Guangzhou and on to Foshon - A smaller city (only 4 million as opposed to 14 million) to the west of Guangzhou.

The urban architecture is fairly simple with accomodation tower blocks prevailing. These have shops etc on the ground floor but the rest of the 30 or so floors is devoted to housing the teeming millions who make this their home.

Air pollution appears to be a big problem. I can taste the hydrocarbons as we drive. The chinese deal with this by hawking theatrically and spitting in public.

John's apartment is spacious and well decorated and we chat agreeably for a couple of hours over a few very welcome duty free gins and tonics. I was wise enough to pack the tonic water on this trip!

As the gin and the jetlag take hold of me I start to flag and retire to my room where I essentially pass out from exhaustian. The human frame is not designed for air travel I fear.

Some time later I awake in a panic. I was supposed to call my contact at the exporters to arrange tomorrows meeting. It's only 4:30 in the pm at this point so I'm not too late. I make the necessary phone calls and emails and fix the pickup for 10:30 tomorrow morning.

I'll be hitting the bright lights of Foshon this evening for some food and a few beers. I'll let you know how I get on.......

Edited by chemicalwazi, 22 March 2006 - 10:36 AM.

[karlfoxman]

This sounds so good, its nice to see a diary of events as they happen. Makes me want to be there, not sure if i could handle the long flights!! Cant wait to hear how the beer drinking went, he he. Or the look around the factory....hey Regi if your reading this i sure could use some sexy paper hemi's!!

Keep up the good work both Regi and Wazi, wishing Regi a plesant stay and trip back.

[EnigmaticBiker]

I don't even know what the signs are for "Ladies" and "Gents" toilets! The capacity for embarassment is very high.

John's apartment is spacious and well decorated and we chat agreeably for a couple of hours over a few very welcome duty free gins and tonics. I was wise enough to pack the tonic water on this trip!

Truly an Englishman abroad!

I look forward to reading instalments of what promises to be a fascinating trip.

Good of RegimentalPyro to spend time recording and mailing his detailed impressions of China, can't wait for the next instalment.

[sizzle]

Truly an Englishman abroad!

I look forward to reading instalments of what promises to be a fascinating trip.

Good of RegimentalPyro to spend time recording and mailing his detailed impressions of China, can't wait for the next instalment.

Yes, it's good that he's trying to keep us all up-to-date, I can't wait to find out what's happening with the fireworks! Regi, if you can read this, get some photos of the city you are staying in for me.

[RegimentalPyro]

Just a quick email to say thankyou for all your kind replies. I *am* reading this thread [intermittantly] and am keeping you in mind.

I'm trying to persuade the exporter to send tools and supplies over with their crates of fireworks so you can all buy some. Your requests for hemi's etc have been duly noted....

[chemicalwazi]

Sorry there were no installments last night folks, i got stuck in London.

Here's a double bill for you


Wednesday 22nd March part2

An exciting evening. We headed out around 6pm. The sights and sounds of a bustling chinese city surround us as we talk a short walk.

Merely crossing the road is an experience as the traffic is fairly chaotic by UK standards. The trick is to just walk out and wait for gaps to appear - This is quite nerve racking in its way (Think of the game "frogger") but seems to work once you have the knack of it.

My host (John Morris) asks me if I want to see a chinese marketplace and I eagerly agree. This turns out to be a barrage on the senses as vendors hawk their wares to the populace. The place is fairly crowded and a huge variety of food is on display. One stall sells every variety of rice (I counted at least 18 types) and the next has exotic (for me) fruit and veg. An egg vendor has piles of what look like quails eggs as well as "100 year old eggs" These blackened hens eggs have been buried in the earth for 1-2 years and are a delicacy. Apparantly the eggwhite jellifies and they are much prized.Many different meats are held up for our inspection. Pigs trotters are displayed next to a pile of intestines and what looks liver. They use EVERY part of the animal it seems. Fish is also sold, but these are still alive and swimming in large crates. A swarming mass of eels holds my attention.I come to the conclusion that the market is a community in itself and
seems to be treated almost like a pantry by its customers. It's an important focal point of chinese streetlife.

I enter a mobile phone shop to try and purchase a chinese SIM card to
avoid paying exorbitant phone charges. Whilst my mime is good, it is not good enough and I am unsuccessful at conveying what I require. I retire to a street cafe where many beers are brought to us by "beer girls". These are not really waittresses but roam the pavements earning a small commision on the transactions for alcoholic beverages. The beer is good and cold and very cheap. My host explains some of the subtleties of chinese etiquette as we watch life stream by.

Feeling hungry John dives off to a fast food street vendor and returns
with a snack of spiced meat in flat leavened bread. A chinese "donna kebab" if you will. It is utterly delicious with crisp chillies and heavy on the coriander. "What is this?" I ask? "Donkey!" grins John
Many more beers are consumed and more food bought from the cafe. Chillied Beef in black bean sauce with an accompaniment of chinese leaf stir fried with garlic. Replete, we pay out bill and move on. Three hours drinking with a meal thrown in costs about ?3 for the noth of us. It's going to be hard to spend money!

We dive into a taxi and make our way to a "massage house". I am a bit apprehensive and do not quite know what to expect but the establishment is very upmarket.and tastefully decorated. We lie in chairs whilst our feet are washed and massaged. My back, arms and shoulders are massaged (clothes on)for about an hour whilst more beers are brought. An internet connection allows you to check email etc whilst all this goes on..
It's getting quite late now and we retire for the night. Tomorrow is a big day for me as I have to meet the exporter for a business meeting. ...time to dust off the suit.




Thursday 23rd March

I awake in good time and start to scrub up. By the time 10:30 comes around I am standing in my suit waiting to picked up off the streets of Foshan. This is the first time I have been unaccompanied in China.

A large people carrier rolls up with a smiling driver. My ride has arrived and I climb in. The journey to the exporters takes some time as traffic is heavy. I arrive at midday and am immedietly take out to lunch.

The exporter has booked a private room at the restaurant and I am treated to a fine selection of assorted cantonese cuisine. Rich sauces cover succulent meats and shellfish jockey for position with stuffed dumplings and vegetables. The room also has a large TV which is switched to an english football match whilst I tuck in.

Once the meal is over, my contact (Nicholas) takes me to the exporters office where I see a large selection of sample fireworks. One cake in particular grabs my attention. Its a cake made for the chinese domestic market, and it must be at least three feet high. Closer inspection reveals 16 4 inch tubes. This is a cake of mortars! I grab my camera and snap a picture.

Our business is conducted but not before the exporter's professional display team have shown off their equipment. It's a pyrodigital setup with all the usual bells and whistles. They proudly demonstrate the equipment for me by firing an ignitor. I am then taken back to Johns apartment (lat N23deg 0787min, lon E113deg 6.947min) where I sup a couple of Gin's to wind down

As the evening draws in John and I head out onto the streets of Foshan. It's raining heavily and I am struck by how similar Ridley Scotts vision of a futuristic LA is to this scenario.

We wind up at a street restaurant where we indulge our appetites for beer and spicy food. As I sit I notice a caged chicken outside the shop. "It will be quick" I say in what I hope is a reassuring manner.

As the night draws in I realise I am now quite drunk. We hail a cab and return to the apartment....I have a big day tomorrow as I go to Liuyang. The centre of the firework world!

[fishy1]

This just sounds better and better, i wish i was there!

sounds like you're having a great time.

and 4" mortar cakes .


btw, how long will you be there for?

[sizzle]

This just sounds better and better, i wish i was there!

sounds like you're having a great time.

and 4" mortar cakes .
btw, how long will you be there for?

Read:

Well, I am glad he has finally been allowed to go, Regi has been talking about this trip for months, now let's see what goodies he brings back biggrin.gif . I believe he is staying for two weeks for anyone who is interested, one week with our local supplier (SP Fireworks) and then another week on his own there.

I envy you Regi! enjoy the trip!

[chemicalwazi]

Friday 24th March


A special day - for many reasons. Anybody who knows me,knows that I *really* love my fireworks. This trip is the culmination of several years training and research.

Today I travel to *THE* centre of the fireworks world. A town called Liuyang in the Hunan province.

The day starts inauspiciously as I am hungover from last night. I start gulping water and paracetamol, and start to get dressed and packed. It is a struggle but by 10:30 I am standing in front of the apartment building with my suitcase and my rucksack - anticipating the day.

I look around at Foshon, which has welcomed me so warmly over the last couple of days. A light drizzle is falling as the traffic honks and roars its way along the crowded teeming streets. I will be back here in a weeks time.

The apratment buildings security guard bids me a cheery "Hello" as I depart - His one word of English. I return the greeting warmly and shake his hand Smiles all round.

I am immedietly taken to a busy restaurant for lunch, and again whisked into one of the private rooms. Nicholas and my driver order seafood. and meat as the tea ceremony is performed. As is the custom I slurp my tea noisily. Lunch is very good, but two dishes stand out. A stirfry of clams and asparagus with garlic and ginger, and a stuffed dumpling called a 1000 layer dumpling. Despite having the remains of a hangover I tuck in and, as the english say, "Fill my boots".

As I leave the restaurant I notice an array of fishtanks. Here the live food is displayed so that the patrons can select their dish. Lobsters and crabs scuttle madly at their glass walls, whilst an octopus has made a bid for freedom by climbing out of its tank. It is about to fall into the lobster tank. "Out of the frying pan" I think ironically.

As I move down the tanks the food gets more unusual. A bucket of large water beetles an inch long scull their way about, and then I see a tank full of snakes weaving and hissing.

All this seems very odd, but the Chinese judge their food by its freshness and its taste, and not by its appearance. To the Chinese this zooalogical array of live protein shows how good the restaurant is. I think back to english supermarkets with their pre-prepared, sanitized and packaged bundles of meat. The Chinese system seems much more honest.

I am taken to the office as I have to make use of their computer facilities, and then to the airport. Nicholas shows how good he is by checking me in, dealing with my overweight luggage and seeing me safely through security.

I am unlucky in that my flight is much delayed - My hangover starts to reawaken and I burst into a sweat as the humidity and the heat work their magic on the alcohol poisons remaining in me. I manage to doze fitfully whilst I wait the interminable airport hours out.

Finally I am on my way. The plane taxis and roars into the mists whisking me the 350 miles northward to Changsha.

Despite being 2 hours late I am met with smiles and beams by an entourage consisting of a driver, and interpreter (Peter), and a pretty girl (Dain-chi who I privatle nickname "Dainty") who seems to have been brought along to provide flirtacious conversation in case I required it.

We cruise along the highway, through a series of tunnels (we are in the mountains now) before arriving in Liuyang some 40 mins later.

As I pull up to my hotel some fireworks are being set off opposite - The first I have seen being fired. A cake of blues and electric purples with tourbillion rising effects. As I step out of the car I can hear the crackles and bangs that I have come to love and cherish. I have arrived!

My hotel is luxurious and westernized and I check in with no problems. I wash and change before meeting my main contact in Liuyang. - a fellow named Joe.

NB: You may be wondering about all these english names in China. It seems that the practice is for english speakers to adopt a western name as chinese names are hard for westerners to remember.

Over a light meal I chat with Peter and Joe about the coming schedule. Tomorrow I am to visit 2 factories that construct mainly cat-3 items for the consumer market.

I am especially interested in how the Chinese manage to fit such good effects into small bore tubes. I look forward to seeing how their bombettes are constructed.

I said earlier that today is a very special day. I am reminded of this when I return to my room. The phone rings. It is Joe.

"Jon!" he exclaims!

"You never told me it was your birthday today!"

[BigBang]

This is fascinating reading - i find myself strangely addicted, eagerly looking forward to the next instalment........ and the best is yet to come..........This is better than Eastenders

Keep it coming Regi

[sizzle]

Happy Birthday Regi .

[chemicalwazi]

Saturday 25th March

I awake early and start to make my preparations. At 10:30 I am met by a smiling Peter and am driven north for 10mins or so before arriving at the factory. The gates are opened on a honk of the horn and in we drive (N28deg13.486, E113deg39.174).

A main building houses offices whilst beside it is sits rows of huts where the main work is carried out. My camera is out and I start to snap away eagerly.

The workforce seems to be about 80% female and they chatter eagerly as they work.

The first hut has people ramming clay plugs into tubes. The tubes are first gathered together into bundles and laid on the table. The tubes are then filled with clay, 5 at a time with a multiple scoop tool, before being rammed with a drift and wooden hammer.

In the next hut the workers assemble tubes into cakes, putting short pre-cut pieces of visco fuse inbetween the tubes. The cakes range from the small (4x4) to the large fanned 192 shots. They are stuck together using what looks like white glue.

The next hut is preparing rising effect tube inserts with the use of a machine. A piece of visco is put into a hollow spindle and the tube placed over the spindle. The machine first of all loads a predefined amount of clay into the tube and then another hollow rammer comes down and rams the clay into a bung. The result is a tube with a good solid fireproof bung with a fuse poking all the way through.

Up until now no live composition is involved except fuse, but now we proceed to the powder section of the factory. This is located on a winding path that follows the contours of the hill. To my right, rice paddy fields croak with frogs, but to my left is a series of huts placed about 50 yards apart placed in niches cut into the hillside. In each of these a process involving live composition is performed.

Taking the insert tubes described earlier as an example :-

The outer section of fuse is coated with a paste which is the rising effect (silver tail I am told) and primed with a sprinkle of BP. These are left to dry.

As I finish my tour I see some testing being performed. Candles are shooting whisling inserts which eplode with a large crack at apogee. As I look they start to test some larger cakes with more varied colours. It seems odd to see fireworks being let off in the daytime, but I guess it's either that or work into the night....

I am taken to a small restaurant for another delicious meal before being taken to the next factory, (N28deg17.572, E113deg45.977)

Here, as well as the cakes they are making small bottle rockets as well.

The tubes are made using precut pasted paper rolled around a metal former and then tightend with the use of odd looking "swinging" rolling boards. I am intrigued by their operation and am invited to have a go. I managed to make a good quality tube in about a minute, which was about 6 times slower than the girl's operating them. It stil represented about the fastest I had ever rolled such a tube

It was at this point that my camera battery gave out. Disaster!

Once the tubes are rolled they are bundled together and the clay bungs are formed in much the same manner as previously described.

The bundles of tubes are then taken to the ramming station where scoops of composition are loaded, and the bundle is all rammed at once.

Once the tubes are full of rammed powder a clay plug seals the ends. The bundles are then taken to a drilling station where the nozzle and core are drilled out. A stick and label is attached and the rocket is ready to fly.

We walk some distance further, past star drying racks to a star roller being operated by a young man wearing a mask. The stars in question are tiny, barely 1-2mm. I take a couple and crush them, looking for the core but there is none. Christ knows how he got these started!

I ask what the composition is and I am told "Silver Streamer". I am not told what the formula is, and I think this is deliberate. From the look of it it contained a lot of Al.

I am taken back to the hotel. Tonight the exporters have organised some samples of cat-3 items and are going to fire them for me. I take the opportunity to rest up and recharge the camera.

At 6pm I am taken to the test firing. A seat and table is laid out along with a list of what I am to see. They start with some fountains which are incredibly impressive. Their 1kg pressed cones kick some serious butt hurling sparks up to 6m high. They have put plenty of dragons eggs into the comp and these throw out a crackling roar that is nearly painful to hear. "The breath of God" I nickname it.

I was interested to see a good single shot comet. If we can get this into the UK it should mean the consumer will be able to fire some impressive fanned comet barrages.

There is a wide variety of cakes. Some good, some great. The rapid fire Z-fancakes are worthy of note. One of them had a double Z effect that worked great.

Also of interest are the mine cakes. These throw out stars as well as effect inserts leading to a multilevel display.

I snap away merrily on the camera, trying to capture the effects that are being displayed. We shall see whether they turn out OK.

After the firing I take a picture of the firing team. One for the records.

I am then whisked off to a top class restaurant where I eat with Joe and his girlfriend as well as our driver. Peter will join us later apparantly.

Food is ordered along with a bottle of rice wine. The name is misleading. This is not wine at all but a bottle of 45% spirit! It is exceedingly palatable - kind of like a starchy vodka and I imbibe deeply along with many beers.

As the food arrives Peter turns up carrying a huge giftwrapped package. A present for my birthday! It is a HUGE birthday cake - at least 18 inches across. It also has candles not roman!). I am deeply touched - So nice. We eat about a quarter and the rest is wrapped up for me to take back later.

My hosts continue to ply me with drink but they keep their own drinking light. The Chinese know and respect the ability of the westerner to drink and are careful not to lose face.

I finally stagger back to the hotel at about midnight, happy and satiated. A good day.....



Sunday 26th March

I awake about midday, but do not have my usual hangover. Good stuff this rice wine!

At 2pm I am taken to a nearby town (Giang-Xi) to see the cultural museum of fireworks.

It's an interesting place which documents the traditional methods of making fireworks as well as more modern exhibits. Also there is a statue of "Litian", the guy who discovered / invented black powder. "Thanks mate!" I say in a fervent tone.

I wander round some of the firework shops that sell all the paraphanalia that a firework constructor might need. 25kg bags of fine aluminium are stacked up next to paper supplies, fountain cones, cardboard disks and rocket cones. I am in paradise and explore exitedly.

An indistrial star roller catches my eye and I inquire about the price. About ?90, says the vendor.

"Much too expensive" says Peter. "Much better in Liuyang - More shops and cheaper".

I take the opportunity to examine its construction. They are using a worm gear to get the motor speed down to an acceptable rolling speed. The barrel is made of polished brass.

I enquire about shell hemis but have trouble making myself understood. Even my hand-drawn picture just brings puzzled looks. I give up and hold out for the firework market in Liuyang. Hopefully their range will be better and I will be able to get star pumps and star plates as well. I return to the Hotel

In the evening Peter takes me out to dinner with his girlfriend. He now knows all about shell hemi's - "No problem" he says. "We visit factory tomorrow!"

Dinner is good, and afterwards we walk through the streets of Liuyang, browsing the shops. Western goods are about the same price as in the West, or a little more expensive, but the chinese version is usually much cheaper. For example a Philips plasma telly is about four times the price of the equivalent Chinese version.

I come across a crowd of people playing a game throwing rings for prizes. To much amusement I have a go myself. No luck but much fun and laughter.

We walk through a darkened square and happen across a group of people listening to and playing traditional chinese folk music. I listen in rapt happiness to the tones of the chinese bow-ed harp as it accompanies an old woman singing. The people around me are humming and awaying along with the music.

We decide to walk back to the hotel along the riverbank. The bridges are lit with flickering lights and the air is warm and scented. I discuss tomorrow schedule with Peter. I am to visit a firework factory specialising in display shells, and then go to the firework supply market to stock up. If there is time I visit the hemi manufacturer. In the evening some of the display shells will be fired for me. Life is good.......

[sizzle]

I envy you. Sounds like you're having a fantastic time, photos of the supplies market please! (and look for some good stuff for me )