Little Li River

The Yulong river is a mini me of the Lijiang.  It exudes a similar sense of peace and serenity as the Lijiang, but the traffic of Bamboo Rafts gives it a more authentic Chinese feel.

Cormorant Fishing is very traditional in China and a main source of employment in this area.  We got to see a demonstration of it, which at first seemed quite clever, but by the end of it seemed quite cruel.

Taking advantage of their predatory prowess to capture fish, the Cormorants had the base of their throats snared.  Apparently it was only tight enough to prevent them from eating big prey, but it still seemed a little inhumane.

Prior to coming to Guilin, one of Teachers' friends had told us about some of the activities that they had done in YangShuo.  One of them was jumping off an old bridge that crossed the Yulong River.

We were told that it was quite high and to make sure we covered our 'holes' before jumping in.  However we got a little put off when we found out that people had been paralysed by doing this in the past.

A ride on a Bamboo Boat meant that we could sit back and enjoy the scenery around us.  Half way through the journey we came across a mini weir.

My initial thought was that the crossing would only generate a small splash, only to realise too late that it was actually quite a big drop in the raft.

Then if that wasn't surprise enough, I look up to realise that our entire soaking had been photographed.  Teacher bought me a picture as a keepsake.  It is sadly a little bit grainy but I think the look of surprise is still evident on my face.

Cruising Down the Jade Ribbon

Hullo, Hullo

The people behind

The roadside stalls,

Call to attract our attention,

Before we board our boat

To cruise the Lijiang.

The mountains on either side
Stand like sentries,
Guarding the river.

The peasant children
Swimming in the river,
Call to us
Waiting for coins and lollies
To be thrown to them by excited tourists.

A dragon fly
Lands on the window
To rest his wings,
Before flying to fields
Across the Lijiang.

The peasant wives
Wash by the riverside.
Their men - fork fish
And laze on their bamboo punts.

Hemp poppies nod their heads
From the hillside.
Bamboos grow tall at the river's edge.

We are tired from our long tour,
We welcome the Lijiang
As she welcomes us.
- Book: Kath Walker in China

Beneath the Haze

A pale grey, smoggy, hazy sky, streets decorated in China's National flag, buildings decorated with brightly coloured signs and the streets crowded with people.

Some walk past me, some double take as they realise that my black locks don't belong to a fellow Chinese, but to a Westerner.

Others look out for me and roll along side me on their trainers with wheels shouting 'Hey Lady, You want a bag? Louis Vuitton? Prada?

There are others who are oblivious to me taking pictures, as they pose for another to build a pre-wedding photo album; a Chinese tradition.

The streets and buildings are connected together by electrical wires that hang above your heads in a haphazard manner.

The wires are not only a source of electricity, but have a multi-function as a clothes line for laundry.

Street food is on every corner.  Squid and chicken on sticks are key favourites of cooked food.  Fruit on skewers are the uncooked alternative.

There are people that cycle by with massive loads to carry.  This guy is carrying a 'small load' compared to other pictures that I have seen.

There is a continuous hum in the air filled with chatter and horns beeping from cars and scooters, as they navigate around obstacles (a.k.a people) in the road.

The peace amongst the chaos is People's Park.  Cards and board games are how some spend their afternoons; either playing or watching.

Others take a moment out of the humid heat to wander around the various exhibits.  Dior was my favourite choice.  It was interesting to see how creative geniuses started, how their art evolved over time and how all the pieces were created.

Ni Hao Shanghai

Jet lag and last nights introduction to Shanghai night life had taken its toll and left me craving grease. Dim Sum, which can only be described as the East's version of Spanish Tapas, was the answer. Jasmine Tea, Turnip Cakes, Xiaolongbao (Shanghai's famous soup dumplings), Hot and Sour Soup, Roasted Duck, Pork Belly; it was all delicious.

Yuyuan Garden was my first experience of Chinese architecture sat on water.  It was very picturesque.

Inside the rockeries was a tea house, where we sat and went through the chinese ritual of drinking tea.

The Lychee tea was my favourite; known to be good for the stomach.  Apt considering the delicate state of my stomach following last nights drinks.  I also liked the concept of the teas that bloomed in the cup, although the taste wasn't my cup of tea.

The Chinese culture is heavily into ornaments, objects and animals that symbolise certain meanings.  Sat with us on the table whilst we drank our tea was the Bull Frog with a coin in its mouth; symbolising wealth.

There was also an abundant amount of Koi swimming in the ponds.  The Chinese believe that Koi symbolise good fortune and prosperity.

As I wandered around Shanghai, I realised that the Chinese were quite quirky.  They were perfectly happy to leave their laundry, (hopefully clean, although you can never be sure) hanging openly in public spaces.  I even got a picture of one lady hanging out her fish...

There was also the parading of disabled people, which I found quite shocking.  One man was carting around another without limbs to soulful music in an attempt to get cash from those passing by.

The hardest thing to get used to was this incessant need for the Chinese to spit.  Hearing the sound of them clearing their throat from deep down and then horking it out, always got the gag reflexes going.  An eye opening and interesting first day in Shanghai.