We are loving the late starts - Thupten is really spoiling us. After a lean breakfast we departed with Thupten and Tofu for our 200 kms cross mountain adventure that included a visit to Tiger Leaping Gorge and the final destination of Lijiang.And yes, @MrsAngell the temperature differentials continue as we change altitude although we are not noticing so much as we only have to brave a brisk walk to breakfast and then to the car.We gave thanks for our driver as we...

Terrific day of hiking, boating, eco-busing and eating in Shangri-La. But how impressive is that Easter bunny? He found us in this mountain paradise and we started the day with a munch and crunch on chocolate ....the first chocolate we've seen in China. Mac has carried a Darrel Lea Easter egg in his bag for 16 days....my hero (.....and just think, without that box in his bag there is now some room for some shopping! I'm onto it!) I have to admit that I wa...

Well, halfway through our mainland China adventure and here we are perched on top of the world at 3 850 metres above sea levels the beautiful Shangri-La and feeling acclimatised after a couple of days at altitude at Jiuzhaigou.Yesterday was a mammoth travel day. The alarm rattled the darkness at 4.45 and this was followed by the hotel wake up call at 5 am. We had packed the night before so it was really just the electricals, the safe and a few zippers and we were...

Diamonds! And pearls and emeralds......we saw all of the gems today. Truly spectacular. A highlight of the trip so far.And okay, I did get in the car with the driver this morning and he completed a very sedate four minute drive to get us close to the park entrance. Mind you, we have had two other drivers and cars during the day and for the evening activities. Mac had a talk with Kerry today expressing our reservations about yesterday's ride. Kerry informed us...

Some days are diamond and some days are stone.You guessed it, this was the "stone" day. An early start in Chengdu to be sure we arrived at the airport in time for the 10.30 flight. We woke at 6 am to the rumbling of thunder and when we opened the curtain Chengdu was blanketed in an angry black cloud and lightening flashed and thunder roared! A quick breakfast and we were bundling into the car for the ride to the airport. But the rain brings with it it's own c...