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I packed my trunk, and said goodbye to the circus!!!
A few more fairwells have been said since my last blog, and Matt and I were on our way to Guilin. Sunday was complete waste of the day, we spent it traveling, and by the time we arrived in our destination we were to tired and headed straight to bed for a busy day next day. Scott arrived early on the Monday morning and we set off for Elephant Trunk hill. First impressions of Guilin was that it was much more touristy than Changsha, however seemed to have kept the rural chinese feel that you don't get in big cities. The hill was ok, not worth the money though - since apparently Guilin doesn't do student discounts. A short river cruise was then partaken in, no sickness (river li is very flat) in which we headed north up the river, to see some spectacular mountain ranges.
Tuesday was an early start, as we went on an other river cruise to Yangshuo, a small farming town south of Guilin. The two hour cruise on a traditional styled boat was pleasant and well worth doing, except our boat broke down and we just drifted for a time, until he could get the motor started again. Once there we hired some bikes - believe it, Karen riding a bike!! and cycled to a giant tree, which is over 1400 years old (apparently) also went on a bamboo raft which we got to steer and power, much more difficult than it looks. If you ever go to Yangshou you must eat beer fish, specialty for the area, and worth the money. Bus back to hostel and early night had by the three of us.
The tiger and bear mountain village - our destination for wednesday. I read online that they feed live cows and bulls to packs of tigers, which may sound disguisting to watch, however it is advertised as "allowing the tigers to maintain their natural instincts" The boys really wanted to see this . . . I was indifferent, part of me really wanted to see it, whilst I also felt sickened by the thought. But of we went in search of some mauling. There are other things to see there to, first stop was an arena with performing tigers. They had them jump through burning hoops, ride on a horses back, roll over - can't even get cookie to do that, let alone an animal that could eat me. Next was the bears, which were doing summersaults on a pole, and walking like humans. You know when you really don't like something, and the feeling of sickness in squirming in the pit of your stomach. That doesn't even begin to describe the feeling that I had when sitting there. But the show was almost hypnotic, you couldn't look away. If animals had the ability to feel humilated, then they definitely would have for this show, I felt it for them. We also saw the bears doing walking handstands and riding bikes, and a goat walk over a tight rope, all of which were just as bad the previously seen acts. So the thing we came for, the killing of a bull . . . the only "natural" thing that exsists in this park - cause clearly the rest was not natural instinct.
CANCELLED!!!! - we paid 80yuan basically just to watch a circus act, waste of time and money, i'll know for next time.
I then went to Seven Star park, without Matt and Scott. The only thing that I wanted to see when coming to Guilin was the cave that is within this park. It is a big tourist attraction, meaning big prices to get in. The park entrance was resonable, and worth it, lovely park with nice temples and great hills and views. The cave, 60yuan was steep, but really nice inside, shame the guide was in chinese, could have got much more from it if I understood what was going on. Also in the park was Rob and Thore, two guys that were in Beijing with me, so that was nice - meeting them. The five of us went out for dinner and few drinks before Matt and I boarded our train to Sanya. We can't get direct train there, and so we are now randomly in a small rundown village place very far south of China, awaiting the next train. Until next time
- comments
Bella Oh man, that Toboggan ride looked like it would be more fun than anthiyng ever. It's no Space Mountain , but it's still a mountain =) Almost feel bad for those people going down the mountain in the cable car. I wonder what they were thinking when they saw you with your camera out lolThink about it, why not buy cheap knock-off purses at the top of the mountain, Did they sell bottled water up there? If so, where else would you put those bottled waters on your way down? I think you may be on to something, sir! I think if chinese take out restaurants actually served authentic chinese deserts, they would increase sales by a good margin. Think about it, no more needing to ride to Publix for ice cream or pie when it can be delivered along with your food!