Maliao Homestay

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This was our last homestay and trek in China and again we were trekking through rice terraces but having come further south and with the weather much warmer more people were working in the paddy fields. They grow the rice seedlings in large rectangular trays and then divide them into little round dishes which stay afloat in the paddy field as the workers stoop over, knee deep in mud, planting the seedlings. We saw water buffalo ploughing the narrow terraces. This area seemed to be much poorer and we noticed a lot of young kids who were not in school as we passed through villages, many seemed to be minding their younger siblings. After a full day walking, the local cure for aching muscles seems to be liberal amounts of rice wine. After a few sups of this rocket fuel, you soon forget how to walk a all!

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