This morning we had a big breakfast then went out to the wet market to stock up on some fruit etc. for snacks on the train journey tonight. Our guide "Mango" turned up at the appointed time and informed us that we had to walk dragging our cases to Mongkok East Station. This proved to be an exhausting task as we battled the teeming thronging Saturday crowds. When we eventually got to the station we were forced to lug our cases up staircases and then down again. Made it at last and got on the train to Shenzen. Off the train and our first experience of going through immigration in China. Once that was done we walked for a long way through the station to a waiting room where Mango left us. At last the boarding announcement and we fought more crowds and stairs and found our compartment. Thank goodness we had paid to occupy the whole thing as it was minute. However we got ourselves organized and went off to the dining car to find some dinner. We chose what others were eating because there wasn't any English spoken. It was a fish dish and FULL of tiny bones. I ended up eating the rice. No hot drinks either. A banana and an apple from our snack pile completed dinner. The beds in the compartment were very narrow and very hard. Like sleeping on a rock platform so what with the noise and the rocking it was a fairly uncomfortable night. Fortunately there was a western toilet at one end of the carriage. No breakfast service so a banana and an orange for breakfast.
At 8.20am we arrived in Guilin and our guide for the next few days, Jenny Chen, was waiting for us with a comfortable car and we drove to Yangshuo. After she sorted out a little difficulty with our hotel she left us to get settled and go and find some breakfast. Wandered through the city and found a pizza place at 11 am for breakfast. Then found KFC, where we were to meet Jenny, and had an orange drink. A bike ride was on the programme and we discovered it was to be a long one out into the countryside. It was very hot and humid (35) so it was decided that I would go pillion on Jenny'e electric scooter and Bill would ride along behind! Set off through the milling thronging traffic and eventually cleared the city. We then went through some lovely countryside, past crops, rice, fruit trees etc. The scenery was very picturesque as the road threaded its way between tall limestone peaks. All very lush and green. Our first stop was at a 350 year old farmhouse where we met the two little old ladies of the home. They took great pleasure in showing us around, the water wheel and pump in the courtyard, tofu making, their kitchen etc. In one of the rooms there was a coffin all ready to go when it was needed. The building was of stone and wood and truly charming. Further on, we passed a pretty clear river with bamboo rafts. Decided to take a raft down the river and the bike was transported to the end point. We sat on the raft in chairs and were poled gently down the river, over little weirs and past some delightful scenery. Keep your feet up as you go over a weir as the nose of the raft buried itself in the water. A lovely interlude. Continuing on we reached Moon Hill for lunch at 3 pm. Moon Hill is a high limestone Karst with a crescent shaped moon through the centre. A delicious lunch of sizzling duck appeared. By the time we got back to town Bill was rather hot and tired so a shower and a rest before we hit the evening town. Crowds everywhere! The streets were lined with stalls and restaurants all had tables on the footpath. A colourful happy scene. So ended our first day in Yangshuo, a nice city with no industry so no pollution.
Li River
Collecting sea grass
Limestone peaks and Li River