Geo: 24.45, 118.08A travel day for us as we continue our journey towards the Coast. A leisurely start to the day with anticipated departure time at 10.30. We were the only guests in the entire breakfast room at 9.00 and thoroughly enjoyed the privacy and intimacy of our "Parisian" breakfast in the 300 seat venue.Our first stop this morning is the Guilin Pearl Factory - my last China purchase as part of my birthday present. After a five minute introduction to the pearl (it was a bit like the Pearl Show at the EKKA @AuntyGail, complete with the opening of the pearl demo) we made a beeline to the showroom (massive) and the brooches. I went in thinking I was going to purchase a salt water pearl but changed my mind when I saw the pink ... read more

Geo: 25.273, 110.279Well I spoke just a couple of days too soon about the sunshine because this morning we woke to a sullen sky, winds and a heavy shower of rain. We met Wendy right on 9 in the lobby to the news that the bamboo rafting had been cancelled today due to "turbulence in the water". So a swap in our itinerary and we were off to the rice fields.Wendy had told us to dress for 16 C and water for the boat trip and of course in the rush of the morning it didn't occur to us to change for the new itinerary. Big mistake. We set off on our full day tour to the Longsheng Rice Terraces, which are about 100 km north of Guilin. The terraced fields are built along the slopes ... read more

Geo: 25.0389, 102.708That was unusual. At 8.40 am there was still no sign of Lotus and given the extraordinary punctuality of every "friendly China guide" it was almost cause for concern. At 8.45 Lotus pulled up outside the hotel, sitting side saddle on a motor cycle! Apparently there had been an accident on the freeway (surprise surprise with the way everyone drives!) and after being stationery in the bus for so long, Lotus jumped off and hailed a scooter....."it's the local way" Lotus reassured us.First stop in the morning (if you don't count the interminable delays in the traffic) was the Yunnan Nationalities Village. This theme park showcased the different ethnic minorities of China. Currently 26 minorities are represented with small villages stablished in the park. The villagers actually live and work in the park. Each ... read more

Geo: 25.05, 102.7Last day in Lijiang and thanks to Lily we have a 2 pm late checkout. What a bonus! Gave me time to repack the luggage and restore some order while swapping winter clothing options for summer. We are leaving the cooler mountain regions and heading for warmer coastal climes...an expected 30C in Kunming tomorrow.Lunch was at 3 pm in a restaurant near the Black Lagoon and we were driven there by Lily's husband Peter (previously known as FLNMWLTCSF) and as soon as we got into the car Lily informed us that Peter was a really bad driver. We thought he was great - a very, slow, careful driver. It never ceases to amaze me how much we can eat! But this was an exceptional meal that included duck and roast pork. We have been ... read more

Geo: 26.9025, 99.9316We are loving the late starts - Thupten is really spoiling us. After a lean breakfast we departed with Thupten and Tofu for our 200 kms cross mountain adventure that included a visit to Tiger Leaping Gorge and the final destination of Lijiang.And yes, @MrsAngell the temperature differentials continue as we change altitude although we are not noticing so much as we only have to brave a brisk walk to breakfast and then to the car.We gave thanks for our driver as we travelled along the circuitous mountain road that included the mandatory set of switch backs. Our journey to Tiger Leaping Gorge took less than two hours thanks to the new road....two years ago it would have been a four hour journey on a less than favourable tract.The journey was worth it. Tiger ... read more