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Published: February 15th 2008
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So we were done with the Yangtse, and after all that had happened to date, were done with China!! We stopped in Wuhan for 2 days, to chill out and reduce our anxiety levels. We met a really nice spanish couple (david and Ingrid), and stayed at the Pathfinders hostel, which is a really nice, refurbished old school house. Its just as a hostel should be. Basic in its content, but with a character, Lovely staff, and a fairly central location. Its hard to find, so if you do plan on going there, call ahead for a pickup!!
Our next long stop is Guilin. Here we stay at the Backstreet youth hostel, and this is such an amazing place. Its right in the heart of a rich and vibrant city, clean, although still polluted. The people are nice, the food is wonderful, and its a pleasant walk along "walking street" which is pedestrianised, so no avoiding the plethora of vehicals that attack you from all sides!!
We are starting to look for camareas now, as Carmen has finally surcommed to the commonly held notion that her 4MP camera is indeed crap!!!
We visit the famous seven star park,
wuhan clan
these students gave us a history of their city, whilst practicing their English on us. which is supposed to be the nicest park in Guilin. Well......I don't think so. It maybe for the hundreds of kids who flock to see the small man-made waterfall, the colourful disney statues, or the scenic camel hill (so called because it looks like a camel!!). For us, the zoo that held caged animals that looked so unhappy to be there, had to endure crazy chinese people shouting and goading it to do something, it really wasn't a sight we wanted to be part of. Indira Ghandi once said that you can gauge the humanity of a countries people by the way they treat their animals. I guess you can make your own mind up when you visit!!!
We visited the Lonjin rice fields on a day trip. Its closer to Guilin than Yangshou, so we did it now, rather than later. Lonjin is famous for its terraced rice fields. This means that the rice fields are based on a mountain, but in order to allow better drainage and watering, the firlds are staggered, so that it looks like giant steps. Although it wasn't the harvesting time, which would have looked amazing, it was no the less a beautiful
the spanish armada
David (a flyweight boxer) and Ingrid with us in Wuhan. day out. This was also couples with the people of Lonjin, who, according to the guiness book of records, have the longest hair in the world. We did take pics, but they came out all crap, given the crap camera we have. Shame, as they put on a show of their partner choosing habits and village dance.
The famous Li River runs through Guilin, and it is a prettier river than its grander Brother. People actually swim in the Li river, and fish, and sit by its side, watching bamboo rafters ply their trade.
In order to replace our faith in Cuises, we decided to take a cruise down the Li River towards Yangshou, which a our next destination in the Guangxi province. It was a much more scenic tour, devoid of the shit that littered the Yangtse. It looked fresh and vibrant (although the river level was at its lowest!). Water baffalo drank from its banks, fruit sellers waded up and down, gaining custom from other cruise boat passengers. TAs we entered Yangshou, there were Beggars armed with fishing nets, who hung them out in hope that a few Yuan would be tossed into the waters for
anyone seen my fish?
fishing in the river. Guilin them. It wa actually a sad sight to see, as people mocked them by throwing money overboard, in order to witness this desperate behaviour.
We Turned up at Yangshou without booking a hostel. This was the first time we had done this, and it proved to be the last time we would do this!! Tired and hungry, we were dropped off at the bus station, and immediately surrounded by bike taxis, eager to take you to their hostel. One kept following us, and after asking him several times to go away, i finally snapped, inducing a stand off between him and me. Me sticking my middle finger up at him, and he, revving his motorbike in an attempt to scare me. I was having none of it, and was close to throwing the first punch, when the evil stare from carmen dragged me away. We headed for the tourist info office, and they kindly phoned the hostel we wanted, and arranged a collection free of charge. I was shocked!! We got something for free in China!!! AMAZING!!!
We rocked up at the Yangshou culture house, which is owned by a guy called Wei and his family. I guess
you can call it a guesthouse of sorts, but Wei and his family run it. As we were in a mood, we nearly bit his head off, when asking about room prices. The Lonely planet refers to it as 80Y, indicating per room, but not clear. Its actually 80/person, and we thoughts we were in for another scam here. Actually the 80/Person is a really good deal. Nice clean rooms, hot shower, and loads of food and fruit to eat. Wei also used to be a guide, and so knows the area very well.
We spent 3 nights there, cycling around Yangshou, taking in its natural beauty. its funny, but just as we were starting to like china, after all the hastle, we will have to leave shortly!! This is definately the best place in China we have been to yet.
We Celebrated Carmen's 30th with 2 english guys (Cheethan and AJ) from London. Wei kindly arranged a cake for Carmen, and we shared it with the rest of the house guests. I have to say, one of the highlights of Yangshou is staying with Wei and his family. There's a lovely homely feel that we have missed
pretty ladies
In formal costume. Guilin. since we left England, and the family are as nice as anyone i have met. They wait on you hand a glove, which is why, after returning at 0230 in the morning post several JD Cokes and waking grandpa Wei up, we felt slightly guilty!!
west street is a lovely little street full of designer clothes (fake ofcourse) and little trinkets. Its hard not to buy some goods here, but we are only at the beginning of our travels, and buying would only create more weight!!!
We return back to Guilin, to catch the bus to the Border of Vietnam. We stayed at the flowers hostel, just for a change. This is rated top in the lonely planet, but i have to say, i much prefer the backstreet. Its more central, cleaner, although the staff are just as nice and helpful.
We meet up with another english couple (Ed and Jane) who are also heading to Vietnam. We make a pact to journey together, and get on the overnight bus for Pingxian, and the long awaited entry into Vietcong country!!!
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