Yangshuo and Longsheng

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We clambered down from the sleeper train, tired and hungry, at about 5am, and went to check into our hotel in Yangshuo and get some grub.

Yangshuo has a really amazing landscape with stunning limestone peaks for miles in every direction. We were lucky enough to get into the heart of this beautiful town on an excellent bike ride. The ride was punctuated by photo stops and interesting events, not least of which was when David managed to cycle right over a snake that was slithering its way accross the road. We're not sure whether it got chopped in two as he was disinclined to look back! The local villagers were always round the corner, armed with postcards and souvenirs, and always ready to make a 'special' deal. One local was operating a primitive contraption in the waterway which turned out to be achieving nothing whatsoever other than to provide a photo opportunity for any tourists prepared to pay 10 Yuan! Our group rounded off the day with a chinese lesson in a traditional classroom (hilarious), and then a most excellent chinese banquet in a local restaurant.

The next day we were booked in for a lesson of chinese cookery. We started by visiting the local market to view the colourful range of unusual fruit and vegetables and all other things imaginable. We were shocked to find such delicacies as live snakes, pig's penis, chicken feet and dog (alive and dead). We then headed to the restaurant for our lesson, which at times felt like we were on the generation game! Woks sizzling and hissing all around us, and veg flying through the air. Louise's dumplings were neater than David's but his sweet and sour pork was really tasty!

After our delicious lunch we bussed it to Longsheng, enjoying chinese pop videos, followed by the international favourite 'Mr Bean,' as we travelled through the mountains. (This actually made us feel embarrased to be English!).

Arriving just before nightfall, we made our way on foot to the lodge in the village; the super-strong, small village ladies carrying our luggage (for a small fee!).

That evening we enjoyed the cultural entertainment. The ladies from the minority chinese group served us copious amounts of rice wine, before demonstrating traditional dances used for courting, harvest and combat. Again, we joined in with the challenging stick dance and an amusing blindfolded spouse-choosing game.

Next morning, we trekked in the beautiful scenery, and the Zhuang women showed use their long hair (again for a few Yuan). They followed us on our entire journey, trying to sell us their wares. Yes, of course - Louise bought a bracelet! By now we had got to know our tour group and were thoroughly enjoying our China tour.

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Photos

'massage sir?'
This lady chased David around for quite some time trying to sell him her wooden massage stick.

Comments

[Amanda]

Can't wait to meet up with you both...
Hello Louise and David, You make me laugh so much :) It's only 24 days until we are on a plane to Bangkok! I can't wait to meet up with you both. Love Amanda xxx

[June & Graham]

Highlight of our week!
These blogs are great - when Michael Palin retires, you two can take over!

[John and Doreen]

Great pics!
Who is the good looking woman with the stick? She looks like a real babe - did you chat her up? Did you get chef Louise to cook any Macdonalds for you, she looks the part? You have some fantastic photographs and I'm sure there will be many more, look after yourselves and take care. Lots of love xxxx