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Up early and reorganised our backpacks as we are leaving our cases here in Guilin. After a very rushed breakfast we boarded the bus and headed to the dock for the ferry up the Li River. Unfortunately the day had dawned not much better than the previous. Really low misty cloud, though at least we could actually see the mountains and boy: were they spectacular! It was one of the most amzing sites/sights I have ever seen. You virtually had to blink to make sure that you really were seeing what you were seeing. We spent hours up on the top deck taking photos despite the conditions and I think we got some good ones between us. There will be a brief delay in uploading photos due to technical difficulties. I should resume normal transmissions by tomorrow night and I am hopeful that they will give you some idea of what this place is like. It is just unlike anything I have ever seen before. We arrived at the dock at Yangshuo afer about 5 hours: the trip was very slow at times because it is the dry season and the river is very low. In fact, we could have actually waded quite easily in the water at times! The ferries must have amazingly shallow drafts! The river traffic was quite chaotic as well!
The route from the ferry took us along a completely covered walkway with vendors along the sides. We walked for approx. 20 mins under this before we finally got to a point where we hired a little golf cart bus which took us through the town to our hotel. The hotel didn't look anything special but the rooms are really nice: very spacious and with a computer even! We had time to settle in for a little while and then went for a walk through the town to a market area. What an incredible place! The mountains are all around the town, and everywhere you look you see them towering above it! The market was interesting, but most of the stuff for sale was cheap touristy stuff. Dad got a couple of snowdomes and a chess set (Y100 but I bargained her down from Y380!). WE returned to the hotel and had a break before going down to dinner at 6pm. Then it was off to the sound and light show. We went out to board the bus and by this time it was dark. What a sight: all the mountains in the immediate area are lit up with lights from the bottom!! They look absolutely stunning. I can't begin to describe it! I tried to get some photos but they couldn't possibly do it justice. Getting into the show was a mad melee as there are some 2000 people attending each performance! Suffice to say, the show was totally unlike anything I have ever witnessed. It took place on and around a lake, with the kaste mountains as a backdrop! The lighting on them changed as the show progressed and the overall effect was almost of being at a picture theatre except that it was real! The whole thing was an old folk tale about a woman who led the farmers in an uprising against the feudal overlords and how she was eventually beaten by the Emperor but is forever immortalised as it is believed that there is an image of a woman on the moon and it is she. It was all in Chinese but Tony, our local guide, told us the story before-hand. The lighting and effects were amazing and the soundtrack was superb. It was produced by the same guy who produced the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony. I took some video which I may upload at some point and we also bought a DVD of highlights. What an amazing night. After the show we returned to the bus and, after a brief panic when we lost two of our members, we returned to the hotel and I am just now writing this before going to bed.
Catch you all later.
- comments
Leigh Stokes Man ChrisO it sounds and looks like you have had soem really amazing experiences - almost probably beyound your expectations. Really look forwad in chasing up with you on a summary of the whole trips and discussing the photos you took. Travel Safe. Meanwhile I am trying to reduce by 59 hours of flex!!! - We are running a third campaign now (ie TBP). Leigh Stokes.
Sue This sounds almost like the grand finale! And you've wet the appetite then make us wait fort the photos!Can't wait to see them. Sounds amazing you lucky things :)
Lauren Wow dad, the sound and light show sounds like it was incredible. Looking forward to seeing the video you took. When you shout me a trip to China we'll have to revisit all these places. Missing you Lauren
Karin Wheeler Stunning Chris, this is the kind of place I love to go. The natural beauty is so amazing. I'll put it on my list.