One huge mistake

Back on the streets of Yangshuo, I was watching this military guy get a haircut from a "barber" on the street. There were barber shops all over town, but I thought this would be more interesting. It only cost me 30cents to get this haircut, but my hair now looks like a rice bowl. Doh!

Cormorant Fishing

This was really cool - as seen on Survivor China. They tie a noose around these birds and let them go hunt for fish. They can't swallow their catch, so we get to eat it instead. Sometimes, life's just not fair.

 
 
The light is to guide the birds back to the boat. I asked a local if he still fishes this way, and he told me he has a better method - drop an electric heater into the river and electrocute the fish. I asked him to show me, but since it's illegal, he'll only do it in the middle of the night.

Down the Li River

An hour bus ride away from Yangshuo is the village of Xing Ping. We met a couple of students on their way home and they took us to their house, which conveniently, is also a little guest house.


The scenery as depicted on the back of the 20RMB bill. I think whoever drew it took some artistic liberties.

 
 

Nice bike ride

I was surprised to make it back to Yangshuo town without getting lost (with no GPS)! It was a nice half hour bike ride through scenic countryside.

 

Bike rentals 10RMB, lunch 5RMB. A whole day's worth of entertainment for a twoonie! Not bad.

Runaway bull mayhem

Okay, so it was actually a pretty slow water buffalo.

Bamboo Rafting

These rafts are more stable than I thought! I paid a guy 80RMB to paddle me down the river, but ended up doing a lot of the paddling myself while the guy smoked and talked on his cell phone. Well, at least when this challenge comes up again on the Amazing Race, I'll be ready.

 


An old lady selling fruit for 1RMB. Felt terrible for her...she shouldn't be working at that age. But now, I've got a pomelo to carry around the rest of the day.

Backpacking in Yangshuo

I was shocked to find so many foreigners in this tiny little town in the middle of China. It's very backpacker-friendly. Most restaurants on the main street (West St.) have English menus.

 

The cobblestoned streets, mountains, and rivers, all remind me of Whistler Village back in Canada. Except here, you can find a decent room for 85RMB (~$12/night). We stayed at the "Holiday Inn" - no affiliation with the real hotel chain.

"We are not mentioned in the Lonely Planet, but I'm sure it's a good place for you"

Best advertising I saw on this trip. The food actually wasn't half bad. This restaurant can be found right beside the bus station in Yangshuo, Guangxi Province.

Unsafe paddleboats

I wonder if these cars are still sea-worthy? Taken from a nice park beside the University of Yunnan in Kunming.