Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Karen's Travels
Not quite in Hong Kong yet, but heading there tomorrow by overnight train. I rose to the challenge and went cycling today - first time on a mountain bike and I needed it for the rough terrain. The weather was kind to us. Although it was still very hot, it was overcast for most of the day, which I was grateful for. The first ten minutes of the journey was on the roads out of the town - very scary with trucks and cars and mopeds and other bicycles all around me. From there on, it was beautiful scenery - limestone karsts, paddy fields, the usual variety of animals and humble homes of rural Chinese people. Cycled for about an hour and a half to a karst called Moon Hill because it has a circular hole in it. While the others opted to climb goodness knows how many steps in the heat to admire the views, Nikki, Bill and I thought it much more sensible to recover from the ride with a cold drink, sitting in front of a fan! From there, we went to our guide's home (Christina) for a spread of Chinese food - lovely. Then it was time to cycle back; just over an hour. An even prettier route but it was getting very warm and my knees were given out by the time we got back. Needed a very cold shower and a lie down! This evening we took a boat along the Li River to a family-run restaurant on the river. Again, stunning views of the karsts and fisherman on their bamboo rafts; women scrubbing their clothes in the river (what a luxury washing machines are!). Last night we went out for a Chinese meal and dog was on the menu. I couldn't bring myself to try it - it didn't seem right somehow. Some other members of our group, who went on a Chinese cooking course yesterday, were taken to a market and Ronnie showed me his photographs of the dog carcasses hanging up - not very pleasant. He also saw the dogs in cages that are for consumption. I did, however, try large black snails, which were mixed with a king of meat and tasted nice. Also had rabbit and beer fish - fish cooked in beer. Also very tasty. I do like to try new dishes. Well, tomorrow is a souvenir shopping day where I itend to barter hard for the best prices. Also having a massage. Then it's off to Hong Kong. Love to all.
- comments