Horner travels ... Of all the pages in a book, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport...

Our tour boat guide organised us a "taxi" (probably friend) to take us out to Yangshuo Mountain Retreat. Upon arriving at the pier and seeing the tourists being swamped by touts, hawkers etc, our taxi driver took us through a maze of old back alleys to get to his car and after a slow  and skillful drive out of the alleyways we were on the road to our accommodation. A 15 miniute drive and we were at the stunning Mountain Retreat. Immediately we were greeted by the loveliest staff and knew we were going to have alovely stay. We checked into our room and because of the good weather (even a bit of sun trying to shine through) we sat by the river and enjoyed ginger tea with homemade choc chip, almond bikkies. That night, we sat around the dining/living room and again enjoyed brilliant food (at approx $5 meal including drink). It was too big though and in the future we will share meals. At our table was a Western man who began talking with us and turned out to be the Dutch owner, Chris, who was lovely and has been here since 1990 when he set up this hotel. We were lucky to meet him as he was able to sort out our train tickets to Hing Kong from here for us - one worry sorted. Lots of photos were taken from our balcony as we absorbed life on the Yulong River - mainly tourists on bamboo rafts floating past and enjoying mini thrills as they went over 50cm rapids! We are soooo happy to be here - and I think it's going to help with my separation anxiety I've been having from my children though I cried a lot again tonight! Love you guysXXX