Shan in Japan

Now in the cool high mountains of Northern Sichuan.  Spent a few days horse trekking with some Israelis and a German girl.  The guides were crazy Tibetan lads who loved to sing and drink.  Despite the crappy weather and sore butt from the horses, it was great fun.  Being so close to Jiuzhaigo - with the famed emerald lakes, I decided to check it out.  Certainly was beautiful, but with the bus loads of tourists rambling up and down the valley and the whole commercialization of the place very much devalued the experience.

 

Now I'm back in Songpan and spent the day walking the backstreets hopelessly and humorously trying to talk with the locals. 

Soon to embark on the backdoor route via the southwest plateau of Sichuan into Yunnan and down to Kumning.  The Chinese national holidays are about to start on the 1st of October, so accommodation and transport will be a mission. 

 

It is now coming up 2 months spent in China and I really want to learn Chinese.  Could be something in the future to come back here and do a language course.  Met so many interesting people, I could write alot about it here.  But cold beer and food beckon, so I'll leave at this! 

After the cities, Yangshuo comes as a refreshing break.  Beautiful little oasis here - just enough tourists to give it a buzzing atmosphere.

Extended my visa for another month here in China.  I have barely scratched the surface of this place in one month.  I'm going to spend the next month just meandering around Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. 

 

Yangshuo just has amazing scenery.  Will up some photos when I find a faster connection speed.  First day here I had a guide show me around.  A very talkative local guy who spoke pretty good English.  It was like renting a friend for a day.  It was a nice 'cultural exchange' as I haven't really engaged in a decent conversation with any Chinese here.  I will take few Chinese lessons over the next few days to further my survival Chinese, which I think will be very needed when up in Sichuan. 

 

Seems to be Aussies or Kiwis running adventure sports tours and activities in every "out of the way place" in the world.  Met an Aussie who has been running climbing and biking tours here for the last few years.   He loves it here and I can see why. 

 

Ate beer fish -my newfound favourite food.  Going to cooking school to learn how to make it, so will put the recipe up;-)

Pig penis, dried rat and whole roasted bunny are some of the other delicacies I've discovered here.