Coming to an end in China

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I can't believe that I've spent almost three months in China. I am currently in Kunming, at least for another day, when I'll start a slow, week-long journey down to the Vietnam border, seeing parts of Yunnan province that most travelers rush through.

Since leaving Chengdu, I've spent the past couple of weeks in Yunnan province. I started out in the northeast in Lijiang, a small city, very touristy, but lovely none the same. I stayed at a guest house, nicknamed Mama Naxi's, which has become a most do for most budget travelers. For 15 RMB per night you can get a dorm bed at Mama's and for an extra 8 RMB, you get a huge, family-style dinner shared with all the guests. No one left the table hungry and the food was quite good.

I also spent a few days trekking through Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is a couple hours north of Lijiang. This trek was much easier than the Emei Shan trek I did last month...only 23 km or so. I spent those couple of days with a Canadian/English couple named Martin and Michelle, as well as a couple of Swedish girls, Sandra and Eita, who I had met again in Lijiang after first meeting them on the horse trek (they were in the other group).

Since Tiger Leaping Gorge, I've done little sight seeing. I've mainly been relaxing and preparing myself for the rigors of Vietnam. I've met many people who have visited Vietnam and one thing seems certain...it is a difficult place to remain calm. The stories I've heard have nearly made me not want to go.

Anyway, after returning to Lijiang for a couple of days, I moved onto Dali, a city 4 hours south, where I stayed at a Korean Guest House, complete with a menu of Kimchi Chigae and Galbi (Korean menu standards for those of you who are unfamiliar with Korean food). I spent 4 easy nights there doing little other than eating lots of western food and reading a number of books.

From Dali, I moved on to Kunming, where I've been for the past 5 nights, mainly waiting on my Vietnam visa. I was able to pick it up today, so I'll be off tomorrow. Kunming is an interesting town, but has little to see. It's mainly just a nice, and very cheap, place to hang out.

Unfortunately there has been one hitch in my plans. I wanted to enter Vietnam on May 31st, but my visa doesn't start until June 1, so I will be curtailing my time in Sapa before heading down to Hanoi to meet Jackie. Unfortunate, because Sapa is one of the few places that almost everyone loved in Vietnam. Maybe Jackie and I'll have to take a couple of day trip back up there together after she get's there.

This may be my last entry prior to Vietnam, although I should have time to send another, as long as I can find another good PC room near the border. But I am very excited about getting to Vietnam and especially seeing Jackie for the first time in three months. So, until next time, I hope everyone is doing well.

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Comments

[Tracy Trainor]

Hey Joel, I have so enjoyed reading about your adventures in China!! It so makes me want to travel again very soon, but alas I have an awesome job that I do not want to leave. Anyways, I can't wait to read what happens next in Vietnam! Safe travels, Tracy

[chuluk]

Wow~
Joel! It seems like your China adventure is coming to a grand close. Good to know that you are doing well. Hope the remainder of the trip awaits many more exciting experiences!