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Day 8 and 9 - Rice Terraces of Longji
An early morning flight from Xian sees us arrive in Guilin to a much more South East Asia feel in terms of climate and greenery.We had arranged for a driver to pick us up and take us the 100km or so north to the Longji rice terraces of the "semi autonomous" Zhuang people (whatever that means).
Golden week is still haunting us as the traffic into the area is bad - basically city chavs from out of town driving through the countryside for something to do (although our type of tourism and the ill effects on the world environment is totally acceptable - the reality is that as more and more Chinese have the means to travel and explore, not only their own country but the rest of the world, there is going to be quite significant problems).But once we have climbed our way to Ping An village in our state of the art Chinese fiat panda type car (there is a good reason they are not exporting Chinese cars to the UK yet - they are badly made hence they bought and now make Rovers in China) we are dropped off and two ladies of latter years carry our 20kg bags half a km or so to our guest house further up the mountains (we feel slightly guilty but a) not sure we would have made it up ourselves; b) we are supporting the local economy and c) fat Germans are getting carried in sedan chairs up the mountain).
We have amazing views and spend the rest of the day relaxing and reading before a full body massage which relieves some of the aches from the climbing the Holy Mountain and being cramped in taxis, buses and planes of the last few days (not sure we will get much sympathy at home).The rice terraces are a truly picture book back drop and possibly the best view from a hotel ever.
We spend the rest of our stay here exploring, reading, and drinking the occasional beer whilst being surrounded by hordes of Chinese tourists in their best clothes and the odd German tour group.Lil has taught me how to play Mah Jong (Chinese game using dominos with Chinese characters on them) which makes a change from cards. I win 3-0 although Lil says it is a game of luck and not skill!!! The following evening some of the Chinese staying at the hotel can't resist a quick game and my beginners luck seems to have deserted me.
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