Day 15 Yangsho - Guilin - X'ian

After a quick breakfast we were picked up by our driver. Gary came to say goodbye. They had been concerned that end of New Year traffic might make it harder to drive through ttown and get to the airport on time It was not a problem and we made the 70 km trip in good time. It was a grey and foggy day. This made it a bit easier to leave.  [Gary told us later that the following week was cold and rainy, with temperatires below 10 degrees. We were lucky!]

The airport was full of young families: mothers and fathers and one or sometimes two young children along with grandma and grandpa.  The children are very sweet and calm there is none ofhte running, fussing and loud noises we expect with western children. It is increasingly clear that children are well loved with most of their needs catered to, but with very clear behaviour expectations.  They seem very happy. 

The flight to X'ian is fast and quiet. After the small airport and relaxed atmosphere in Guilin, the airport seemed huge. Without checked baggage we were able to quickly leave, find and then board the airport bus. The Hostel World web site contained good instructions and we made it to the hostel without too much delay.