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Yangshuo sunset
Steep limestone karsts (mountains) outlined by the setting sun Day 126
We managed a harbour tour this morning before leaving Hong Kong. An hours trip on the Star Ferry showed us the sights of Victoria harbour and explained the cities ever changing skyline.
At 2pm we met our group back at the hotel and left in taxis for the Hing Hum train station. A 30 minute train ride took us to Shenzhen where we had to leave Hong Kong and cross the border into China.
It was a tiresome process as it involves filling in many forms, having a swine flu temperature check and standing with all your luggage in many queues. Nobody had any problems and the 11 of us had valid visas and made it into China!
Our next mode of transport we boarded was our first hard sleeper train. It was OK, the cabin was compact with 6 bunks and no door. The carriage had a squatter for a toilet and some sinks for a wash! We used the free hot water for a pot noodle and a cuppa for our dinner. Lights went out a 10pm and luckily the carriage was reasonably quiet so we did manage to get some sleep before
arriving into Guilin at about 7am.
2/6
Day 127
A public bus took us to our destination, Yangshuo, one and a half hours journey. Yangshuo is a tourist town mainly due to the scenic Li River for backpackers and Chinese holiday makers.. After breakfast Dodo showed us round so we could get our bearings. In the afternoon we all went on a river boat ride on the Li River in the beautiful countryside. We boarded the small wooden boat and sat on tiny wooden seats (the size of primary school chairs!) and we set off just as the sun came out.
This area is well known for its stunning scenery which is popular for many artists to detail in their paintings. Over 20,000 steep limestone karsts (mountains) covered in trees, some 300 metres high surround the river and the countryside here.
The trip took an hour and included a stop at a local market on the banks of the river. Here locals were selling unappetizing skewered fish and crabs, hand made crafts and photograph opportunities with 2 cormorant birds sat on bamboo!
In the evening we all went for a meal in the town.
The food is much better than we expected and once again we enjoyed a sweet and sour pork, just like the ones we get at home! After a sociable meal, it is nice to be in a group again with lots of conversation we went for a drink at a local bar.
3/6
Day 128
This morning after breakfast a group of us had an hours Tai Chi lesson. Our master met us at the hotel and led us to a small plaza by the river where we learnt the art of simple Tai Chi. It was good fun and enjoyable in the morning sunshine. Tai Chi is a yoga type exercise which the Chinese like to do to keep a healthy mind and body. It is recommended that an hour is done every morning, not sure we will manage that on this trip!
Along with a few fellow group members we went exploring the town. We walked through the park where groups of men were playing games in the shade. Steps took us up the limestone karst that was a viewing point that looked over Yangshuo. It was a very hot day so it was tiring
walking up hill but worth the view at the top. Another climb took us up to a temple style tower for further views of the town.
We all enjoyed sharing dishes at a Chinese restaurant for lunch and a rest in the afternoon out of the hot sunshine. In the evening we went to the local light show performance that took place after sunset. The outdoor theatre was in a fantastic location with a stunning view of the river and mountains. The show was directed by the same man that directed the opening ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Over 4000 spectators watched the 600 local performers as they participated in a show on the water with fire and thousands of lights. Of course we did not understand the words that were being sung but we got the gist of the love story that was being told. During the one hour performance fisherman used boats, children sang and danced and others put on an impressive light show using their costumes.
After an enjoyable show we all went to a nearby restaurant to eat before we went to bed.
4/6
Day 129
This morning we
were collected by a cooking teacher who led us to the local farmers market. The entrance to the market was full of fresh fruit and vegetables laid out on the floor. The fish were sold out of large plastic bowls where oxygen was pumped into the water to keep them fresh. These stalls also sold toads, crabs, eels, catfish and snails.
Our teacher asked us if we would like to visit the meat stalls and we all said yes. The stalls here were very graphic and very shocking. Dead animals were along side living ones in cages, it was very difficult to take in. The people of China are notorious for eating anything and this market showed it clearly. Dogs, ducks, chickens, rabbits were all for sale along with pork and beef that was already prepared for sale.
Once we had purchased some items for our cooking class we were taken to a room above a restaurant ready for our lesson. First we prepared all the vegetables for the 3 dishes we had chosen to cook today. Beer fish is a local recipe, sweet and sour pork was a favourite for us all to choose and vegetable dumplings
are popular for breakfast in China.
It was good fun and once we had prepared everything we started the cooking. First we used the wok to cook the beer fish and got to taste our dish along with a beer on the sunny terrace above the restaurant. Next we made the vegetable dumplings, this involved filling the round flat corn flour dough with the chopped vegetable filling and placing them in a steamer. Last we cooked the sweet and sour pork , it was a very easy dish to prepare and cook and we all can't wait to try it at home.
The afternoon was free time to explore the town before we left at 5pm on a private bus to the train station in Guilin. Another sleeper train overnight is to take us to Wuchang It was an older train to the last one and the carriages were more open but turned out to be quit sociable.
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Georgia
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THE SWEET AND SOUR PORK PICTURE HAS MADE ME SOOOOO HUNGRY! I also like your Thai Chi pose!!!!! xxxxxx