Days 8-9 Yangshuo

Day 8 Beijing to Yangshuo (EE)

So,  we arrived at Beijing airport with lots of time to spare.  Line for security less than half an hour. We were met at Guilin by a man with a sign  that said Elizabeth.  About an hour drive in a nice van to a very quiet and nearly empty hotel. 

OK.. Our room has a private balcony overlooking the river... see attached, and bathrobes! I clearly am used to budget accommodation if the bathrobe ranks with the best view in China.  Dinner at the hotel. 

Day 9 Yangshuo and rice paddlies (EE)

This morning guide Gary and driver picked us up at 7:30 for the 3.5hr drive to the rice terraces. That was an amazing ride. So many motorcycles of all descriptions ;many caring full families and New Year gifts. In one village there were about 50 men lining the road,  each with a wicker basket containing some kind of fowl.  People were walking away caring ducks or geese or chickens by the neck.  Because we left without breakfast we stopped for hot soy milk and steamed buns.   Also stopped for a toilet break at a well maintained but extremely basic toilet. Once again glad that we have been in China for a while and that our friend E has prepared us for many things! 

Too many images to describe now.... Everyone is cleaning because tomorrow is New Year's Eve.   

We drove on switchback roads up mountains.  

Then we arrived at the Longli rice Terraces. 

Imagine a steep rock path up a hill, initially lined with tables and little booths that would usually house people selling souvenirs or food or drinks or a chance to look at the women 'so very long ...to the ground... hair.  But, because of the holiday most were empty as was the parking lot.  The path continued upwards, past houses and little hotels and restaurants and places where you can have your toes nibbled by goldfish 

The path continued up. We walked, and stopped for breaks,for more than an hour and saw mountains full of rice terraces. The photo only begins to show them, better to look for photos on the Internet. 

At the end of the trail at the top of a hill, suddenly a nice new flush WC. ????? 

The walk continued on the edge of one of the hills through a fir and bamboo  forest.   David got some great photos on his Canadian phone which he can download when we get back to Changchun. 

The forest smelled like home.  We were actually on one of the terraces. The rice here is planted in May, so the ground contained the stalks of last year's crop. 

It's 9:30and we just heard fireworks . Apparently there will be non stop fireworks day and night for the next week.  Today we saw several young children lighting and throwing fire crackers, a pleasure that those of us over 50 will remember. 

Then down to the gate. We stopped with Gary for lunch at one of the many tiny eating places. Local specialty is bacon and bamboo, with a side of mustard greens  and tea. 

Then the long drive home. We all, except the driver, doze 

 a bit. Most of the chickens and ducks were gone. So many people by the side of the road selling powers and small oranges. We were travelling  through orange and kumquat orchards. 

Home,  too tired for the walk into town, so ate at the hotel.   Then stargazing and looking forward the hills above Yangshuo. 

Time for sleep. Tomorrow we will visit villages and have a private bamboo raft ride and maybe go into town to greet the new year.