In the Chinese Mountains

So we spent three days in the party town of Lijiang. We arrived there at a busy time as it was the Chinese October holiday. By this time we were getting brave and thought we would venture out on the town and sample the chinese beer. We experienced a different type of night life - very crazy and lively in a good way. Live music was played everywhere - all the restaurants and bars competed with each other to be the loudest and most fun! Everyone was given their own little wooden block to bang along with the beat. And we can't forget what Lijiang is famous for! It is known as the town for lovers where the chinese come to find their 'true love'. One mystery man decided to show his feelings for Sjaan by sending over a rose. Eleanor went home in the huff.

We made up in time for our next mountain destination, the town of Dali. Here we did some hiking in the Cangshan Mountains. Eleanor decided to go one step further though and took a trek further up a steep, overgrown wooded area. She emerged an hour later covered in scratches and blood which turned out to be blueberry stains - all in one piece though!! The heavens decided to open but Eleanor had the adventure bug and went along to see the seven maiden dragon pools. There was also some needed relaxation with movies in the really cool little cafe we found. We continued with our chinese nightlife, it was a little less crazy here but we appreciated some midnight cakes and games.

We made a one night stop at the Stone Forest where Eleanor got up at 5am to see the sunrise but didn't see a thing and came home freezing at 7am. It was from here that we hopped on a plane to Gulin and made our way to Yangshuo, which is situated in the Karst Mountains. The views were amazing and we took two boat trips. The first boat trip was quite sedate along the Li river at sunset. After dinner we got back on the boat and saw fishermen fishing with cormorant birds. They lure the fish with bright lamps, which are then caught by the duck like birds. Due to the ring placed around their necks the fish cannot be swallowed. The fishermen get the birds out the river with a stick and squeeze their throats to get the fish. It was quite creepy in the silent, dark night floating along the river with these huge dramatic mountains all round you. We hired bikes the next day and cycled out of town to the river and went on a 2 hour floating bamboo boat ride. We were lucky enough to get the crazy driver of the bunch. So when it came to being pushed down the drops in the river we were full speed ahead!! We began to trust him until we saw Chris and Rebecca's boat capsize and them go under.......

However, Eleanor being the mermaid that she is thought the river looked quite inviting and got in for a swim. Then to dry off she climbed up the moon hill where she got flashed by a rock climber. Yangshou had the best food in China! We spent quite a few mealtimes in Kerry's friends cafe - Kelly's and had some much needed western food.

Our last night was in Guangzhou. We weren't too happy being back in the big cities. Our final goodbyes were said to our travelling companions and it was on the train to Hong Kong......