Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terraces

Our hotel, Fawlty Towers was nice. Each room is huge with 2 beds and private bath although the drainage system was not that good! Unfortunately the weather was not all that good for 2 days solid so we didn't see very much of the surrounding countryside. Yangshou has over 20,000 limestone karsts (steep tree covered mounds) up to 300m high and the town we are staying in is in the middle of this stunning scenery. We spent most of our time shopping in the little shops or market stalls, eating dinner in great restaurants like MC Blues and playing pool. Brad and the other guys played about 1000 games of counter strike!

On our first night we had a great group dinner at Drifters and lots of fine cocktails! We even had a little dance in one bar (Brad was once again busting out some killer moves!!)

Thursday 7th June

Our plan today was to cycle to a little guest house away form the town where we would stay 2 nights in the beautiful countryside but shock it was pissing down yet again so we had to take a mini bus. The Guest House was nice but full of creepy crawlies and the biggest spiders I have ever seen! Luckily it brightened up late afternoon so a few of us took a walk down to the river the scenery was amazing and it was so peaceful. The GH owners have cute dogs and they followed us all the way down to the river and back again. I wanted to take Lulu (the tiny cute one) home with me! We spent the evening playing pool and watched Pirates 3 which was so disappointing!

Friday 8th June

We didn't go out during the day but went to a local farmhouse for a traditional Chinese meal. It consisted of beer fish, chicken, beef and vegetable dishes. The farmhouse was in a village next to Moon Hill so at least we got to see it! (We were meant to cycle up it but it was to wet!)

Saturday 9th - Sunday 10th June

These two days were spent at Longji rice terraces. Most of the group were really annoyed as we had to walk up the steep hills in the pouring rain and the steps were muddy and slippery. We were told if the weather conditions weren't up to scratch our itinerary would change to another activity. The accommodation had squat toilets and was damp and smelly so my mood did not improve after we arrived! The bathroom had no drainage or pipes on the sink so the water went straight out the bottom of the sink and across the floor past the shower and down the squat hole! The evening was a laugh though, Ruya and I organised a quiz for the group and we watched a movie. On the second day the group did a 5hour walk to the next hotel over the rice terraces. Ruya's foot was swollen from insect bites so she chose to get the bus. I jumped at the chance to join her! The weather today was much better so the view was spectacular. In the evening the local women performed a traditional dance and singing show. We really had fun and they got us involved with games and Brad even sang the National Anthem!

Monday we made our way back to Guilin where we spent the day in the town square watching the world go by. We got our train at 9:45 to Hong Kong. Goodbye China!!