Left the Luminn GH with a note to give to the nice lady or man at the bus station. Travelling in China gives one that 'child' like feeling – you walk around somewhat helpless with notes firmly clutched in your fist – scanning the crowds of people to try and determine who might take the time to read your note and point you in the right direction. I do pride myself on reading people and situations, usually quite well….but, here in China, ...

Yes - it really is this beautiful.....

Lijiang... is a mecca for domestic Chinese tourists and again, very very few westerners.Said farewell to Nick and Rach in the centre of town - 7 am.  Made my way to the guest house I had booked (eventually) and it was kind of surreal - a beautiful place but no one there. I had the place to myself - a huge room in a beautiful big wooden traditional guest house. I was kind of beyond tired and feeling very 'off'. Too many days and nights on trains an...

Signs...

Daylight broke as I sat in the little restaurant in Lao Cai. I was worried I might need some of the very little cash that I had saved from Hanoi - it is impossible to trade back Vietnamese Dong, so it is difficult to budget down to the last thousand dong when leaving.....19,500 dong = 1 dollar. The restaurant was charging exorbitant prices - even had their prices in US dollars!!! They wanted $1.50 for an omelet - crazy expensive in these here parts!!!! Instead...