(Pronounced YanSo)
Took a sleeper bus to get here. The bus is only slightly bigger than a single decker bus. It contains 36 beds - 2 beds high, 3 beds wide and 6 beds long. However this is only possible because they don't expect people to be any taller than 5'8''. Perfect for me.
I think I'm beginning to get an understanding of the size of this country. It must rival the US. On the map Shenzhen and Yangshuo are only a centimetre apart, but in reality this translates to a ten hour bus ride. The first five hours or so on the bus were fantastic thereafter the dull aches set in. Think I will be trying out a soft sleeper train next time I need to cover long distance.
Yangshuo itself is a fabulous chilled out town. I imagine this is the kind of place hippies would have stayed at in the 60s. The scenery is gorgeous and unusual - loads of karsts. Understandably a favourite hang out for rock climbers. Absolutely tons of independent travellers staying here, most of them British and French.
I'm staying in a lovely guest house, I have a sink on the balcony, crap views mind but I'm enjoying the novelty. Wei's wife cooks up an enormous feast each and every night for dinner - at least five different dishes, which makes this place a must stay in my book ;-)
Hired a bike to go into the surrounding villages to view more karsts. The villages are just like those in Punjab.
Took a small boat down the Li River, apparently one of the two best ferry trips in the whole of China (the other being the three gorges). Saw the karst scene as pictured on the back of the 20 Yuan note. Admittedly half way through this journey I'd seen enough karsts.
Took a tranquil ride on bamboo raft down the Yulong river. Even had a go at punting, however whereas the Chinese man had the boat go in graceful straight line down the river my few attempts saw the boat zig zag its way down the river. I think I impressed some of the locals though as I got a few thumbs up as I made my way down either that or they thought I was a crazy woman.
Currently in Guilin.
New culinary discoveries:
Food: Shatian pomelo fruit - Nice. Looks like a gigantic yellow pear. It is related to the grapefruit but not as bitter, subtle flavour
