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Published: June 28th 2011
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Head for some breakfast near the train station, attacked by the usual hawkers, we purchase some poncho’s because it is raining at the moment.
The guest house where we are staying is picking us up. So no drama with transport this time.
We drive out of Guilin and head north towards Long Sheng. Our abode is at Tiantou Zu, a small village, about 100 people, nestled in the mountains.
After about 2.5 hour drive we arrive after the usual ‘dodge the bus, truck, car, motorbike’ experience. The locals drive a bit crazier in the rural areas.
Now the easy part – a 40 minute walk to our destination, straight up. Kathy (of course) has booked the highest accommodation on the terraces. Wish she could settle for second best sometimes.
The local ladies offer to carry our bags for a fee, but I cannot let some poor little old lady carry my backpack. More importantly, it would be the soft option. Tarsha and Thomas reluctantly agree.
We huff and puff our way up the mountain. The scenery is indescribable, the hills roll straight up out of the valleys and thousand’s of rice terraced paddies adorn the sides. Lush green rainforests top the
mountains, from where fog cascades and shrouds the whole landscape.
At this time of year, the rice has been planted and the paddies have all been flooded. From above, the water reflects the light, hundreds of teardrops rolling down the mountain side.
We book in, eat lunch and go for a stroll through the hills. Sounds a bit like the Von Trapp family.
At a lookout, aptly named A Thousand Steps From Heaven, a native tribes lady greets us. These women are famous for their long black hair usually kept rolled up in a tight bun. We inquire whether she would display it for us and agrees for a fee of 10 yuan of course. They are either Zhuang or Yao.
The next lookout, Music From Paradise was the best view of the lot and we feel a beer is earned. I ask, “Bing Pi Jo”(cold beer please) This important phrase was taught to me by the most learned person I know on the subject. Greg Briggs.
A couple behind me are sniggering between themselves. I smile their way and the young lady comments on how good my Chinese is. Her English is very good we engage in conversation. Her
and her companion are from Shanghai, holidaying here. She works for Cargill and has been to Melbourne once. She speaks of her life in Shanghai and China in general. She is very proud of her city and her country all for modernization, not boastful or arrogant. I feel the Chinese are desperate to be accepted by the world. She speaks very fondly of Australia and Australians but even though her parent company is American she is not so gracious toward them.
The contrasts of China From one lookout to the other.
We picked our way back over slippery rocks and mist to our guesthouse where we had tea and a chat before retiring for the night.
Our lodging is perfectly adequate, 2 rooms, 2 meals and drinks for 380 yuan. Great value.
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