The burning ring of fire

The Photos Just Keep Getting Better!
I'm enjoying your journals and photos immensely, even the (justified IMO) whinging :) The Pearl Shoal Waterfall photo is one of the best waterfall shots I've ever seen - keep up the fantastic work!

Agree with other commentor. Great writing and photos.

Food for Thought
I enjoyed your interesting and thought-provoking journal entry and pictures. We've just come back to Australia after a trip that took in Huanglong and Juizhaigo, and two years ago visited Xian and Xiahe. This was my sixth trip to China and it's always fascinating, there is very little I find dull (apart from the obligatory shopping stops at South Sea Pearl or other rip-off showrooms). From the last comment you will realize that our trips were package tours. They were reasonably priced and as nearly everything was prepaid we didn't have the kind of mark-up and extortion troubles you described (or at least we didn't know about them). I agree that this kind of thing is obviously a problem in China and I'm sorry if our type of travel may be making things worse. But I'm not sure what we can do. Perhaps if enough people complain (but to who?) and refuse to give in to extortion, then things may improve, but don't hold your breath.