There are no road markings. No traffic lights. They are awfully fond of using their horns here. Do China have a Highway Code? Because if they do, no one follows it. Ever. It took me three times to pass my driving test. Here I think they just buy a car and hope for the best. They are all crazy fools when they drive. I think I'm going to check my insurance policy before we get in their buses from now on because I feel like I may need to claim before I leave this country. Ben Norris, help me out?
3 hours later..
I made it here in one piece you will all be glad to hear. This place is so pretty! It's like whatever way you look there are just mountains or hills (same difference) but inside of those, it's the strangest thing! This little town of Yangshou has some proper funky little shops selling the nicest little souvenirs and there are bars and restaurants. There is even this shop where you can write a postcard for the future! Yeah I know right, so I've wished myself a happy 30th birthday from China - because I can! It's like a really young, cool place for tourists and there are so many more westerners here than I've seen in the whole of China!
After we got rid of the baggage, we went to this little restaurant where this lady called Jenny (obviously her 'English' name) was going to teach us how to make traditional Chinese dishes. I WAS SO EXCITED. like kid at Christmas excited! So we went to the market to buy our ingredients, not so excitable about this as cats, dogs and rabbits were all in cages waiting for their fate.
So this is what I cooked..
1. Braised eggplant with garlic and chilli paste
2. Steamed dumplings with pork and vegetables
3. Gong Bao chicken
I know, impressive huh? Yeah should have seen my face when I had some, it tasted decent and I'm still alive a good 6 hours on..
So been a busy day, ahh remember when I was all proud because I had booked a flight? Yeah hadn't booked a hotel. Clever Laura. Well in 3 days I will be in Hong Kong with only a flight out of the country! Luckily for me but unlucky for my bank balance I've found somewhere last minute. Why is it that every weekend in China there is some festival or some grand prix race that means everywhere is expensive and full?! I'm travelling on a budget don't you know?! Donations welcome..