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After a few bus transfers and the usual chaos, confusion and excitement that comes with rural travel In China, I found myself on a mini bus packed to the gills with Yao villagers heading back to Darzhai from Longsheng. They seemed a fairly rowdy bunch, and happy to have a foreigner coming out to spend some time in their village. One of the Yao ladies wanted me to stay in her guesthouse and I happily obliged. It turned out I was the only guest, so it was more of a home stay as we ate dinner together and after returning from the fields her husband was pretty intent on getting blasted on potato wine with me. Once again I happily obliged! The surrounding hills offered many trails which connect to other villages, making the hiking opportunites endless, and considering the stunning setting and the warmth of the locals, extemely rewarding. Even hours up into the hills the Yao women were at work in the rice terraces, wearing their traditional dress and carrying their tools in baskets on their backs, ploughing with horses or ox, and pointing out the way back to Dazhai everytime I took a wrong turn.