Some things are worth the effort. The train from Xian to Guilin was 27 hours of bumps and trying not to track whatever was around the squat toilet back into our cabin. After a bit of worry and wait, we found the driver and took another terrifying 90 minute drive from the train station to arrive in Yangshuo around midnight. We were definitely worn out on the night of our 59th day of travel, but as soon as it was daylight, I realized that we had arrived in a fairytale land. I can think of no other way to describe the scene that surrounded us. Intricately designed buildings with mountains (technically karst formations) on all sides. Pictures say a thousand words, so I will show you about a thousand pictures from our time around town. – KLaff
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- The Gang. GiGi and Marcy were still with us for our first few days in Yangshuo.
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- Our host suggested Genny and Marcy see the area from atop Husband Mountain before they leave for the airport.
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- Yangshuo, China
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- The view from our front door. With our travel companions headed home, we decided to walk around town.
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- First bamboo raft sighting.
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- Bananas overhead.
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- Fishing
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- Exploring the local area.
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- We found the market where the locals shop. These vendors are outside. We went around the corner and found all kinds of things to eat.
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- Those may be the prettiest carrots ever!
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- I am not sure what some of these things are, but they look tasty.
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- Mushrooms. Since we cannot read most menus, we order using pictures. We ordered these one night (the dish was presented as vegetarian) thinking they were a type of noodle. Not my favorite.
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- Blue eggs and grains
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- Slithery things.
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- Live animals.
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- To add some realism to our day, I took this picture of the whole chickens for sale. It wasn’t until I reviewed them on the computer that I noticed what appear to be dogs. Anna noticed this while we were in the market. She was very upset by it and asked to leave immediately. Now I know why.
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- Next stop is the barbershop for Caleb and Andrew.
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- Dancing in the streets.
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- A view atop a pedestrian bridge.
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- We found the famed West Street (otherwise known as the touristy area). We started calling it Westerners’ Street.
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- A look down West Street.
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- Peppers and garlic. Our host serves this with breakfast. Spicy — and fantastic.
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- Another star rated toilet. It should read “WARNING DO NOT ENTER!!!” I am now on the lookout for toilets rated 3 stars or above.
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- Passion fruit — sure we will give this a try.
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- The tops are cut off the passion fruits and the inside is eaten with a spoon. Surprisingly tart and sour. Anna and I ate it: the boys did not like it so much.
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- We found a pizza and Coke! Coke is actually everywhere, but the pizza was a nice taste of home. See the brick ovens in the background?
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- This pizza topping combination is not one we would ever put together. Is there some place in the world where this is a good combination?
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- View at the end of West Street.
Great to see you summary and so fun to have run into you guys in both Xi’an and Yangshuo.
Hello Thom! Thanks for the comment. I hope you and your large group had a great time with the rest of your adventure. Tell the little one we said hello!