Hello! Nihao!

We got to Lijiang on Saturday and booked in at the Garden Inn. We met some new friends Anna, Nichola, and Tom. They were also doing the Tiger leaping gorge trek, so we decided to all go together. Safety in numbers!

We started off early leaving our big bags at the hostel and just taking fresh panties in our back packs for the next day.

We got the bus to the start of the trek 'Qiao tou Town', which took 2 hours and began walking at 10:00. We got to 'The Naxi Family guest house' in time for lunch before we endured 'THE 28 BENDS!'. At 'The Naxi Family guest house' we met Annie who we had met at the Lily pad in Dali. 'THE 28 BENDS!' were hard going it took the longest out of all the parts of the treck. It was the hottest part of the day and was the roughest terrain, Im so glad we have walking boots!

We got to the top of 'THE 28 BENDS!' and it was the most amazing view of the 'Jade Dragon Mountains' with their snow capped peaks. Looking down at this point was not a good idea if your scared of heights, which Anna is.

We carried on through 'Ya Cha Village', and 'Yong Sheng Village'. Our final destination and our bed for the night Halfway House at 'Ben Di Wan Village'. The Hostel that has toilets with an amazing view!

We woke up way to early the next day and set off before the sun was up. We had Chocolate BaBa and Green Tea for breakfast. Within an hour of walking the sun was baking us. Within another 2 hours we had just about made it to the end of our trek to 'Tinas Guest House'. This is apparently where 'The Tiger Lept the Gorge'. It was pretty but I liked the views from higher up.

We boarded the first bus and drove for about 40 minutes, over massive rocks and through thick dust until we hit the first landslide.

We got out and walked for a while then we saw what we had to literally climb over! The previous nights dynamite explosions left overs. They have been trying make the road wider so have been blowing sections of the hill off.

We were told to go around a large rock on a small ledge, but we were sure we should go over it as it seemed safer. We stupidly thought they would know better. The bus driver went round, Tom went round, Garath went round, I went halfway round and the small ledge went from underneath me, down a very large drop straight into the bottom of the gorge into the river. Garath grabbed by left arm and Anna my right, my feet laft dangling.

Could this be the cliff hanger ending you've all been waiting for!

No!

Garath pulled me up! Anna, Nichola and Annie went over the large rock. I had a bit of a cry as I was a bit shaken up, as you get after near death experiences. Anna began to bawl also as her fear of heights had just worsened, thank god she was there to help Garath save my life. We all carried on climbing over the next few rocks a bit slower and more causiously. We got in the next bus all a bit shaken up and jittery.

Tiger Leaping Gorge was amazing but none of us would recommend it until the widening of the road has been finished.

We got back to Lijiang that night and toasted to good health and the Womens Festival, and ate with the staff of the Garden Inn hostel.

Were off back to Dali tomorow and will be glad to see the guys at the Lily Pad again.

My Birthday soon Yay!

hope you are all doing well? and have enjoyed our little blog!

Loves and hugs!!!! xxxxxxx