Got up at 5:00 this morning to be first in the queue at the bus station. Unfortuately this didn't help and I couldn't get a bus to Chengdu for 3 days! Got a taxi back to the train station to see where I could go, and it seemed our best option was to go to Emei where we could base ourselves for the Emei shan and the Giant Bhudda and then go onto Chengdu. The train wasn't until 9:00 in the evening, so we had a day to kill in a place which is not even mentioned i...

Went for a wander this morning along the lake then we decided to hire a boat to take us for paddle around the large island in the middle. Bought a book about the history of the place which is known for the walking marriage's practised by the Mosu people. This is where women never marry or cohabit - instead they can choose as many lovers as they wish with the lovers arriving at night and then returning to their own homes in the morning!! Had lunch and then went...

Spent the whole day on the bus to Luga Lake. Despite the fact that it is only about 150 km between Lijiang and Luga, the journey is up and down mountains and took 8 hours!! It was worth it though as the lake is stunning. Booked into a simple hostel on the water front and went for a walk along the lake to find a restaurant for dinner.

The hostel lady insisted on inviting us as her guests for breakfast this morning - so more butter tea and baba bread. She has been trying to learn a few words of English since we arrived (don't think many foreigners stay here) and spend most of the breakfast telling us she liked us!! After breakfast we got the bus back to Lijiang where I was to be finally reunited with my luggage after 4 days!! Checked into the Panba hostel in Lijiang and went for lunch in the...

Got up early this morning as we had heard there was to be a big show to celebrate the New Year in the Town square. When we arrived the were lots of people there all gathered around in their minority costumes while each group put on a performance. The children did dances and there were dragon dances. After this we walked around the town and then went with Tanya and Jonathon to the bus station to see them off and buy our tickets back to Lijiang for tomorrow. We...