Longji Rice Field Terraces

I went on a road trip today. Sounds simple enough & for most tourists, probably is. simply hire a driver & be “limo’d” point A to point B, easy peasy - but honestly I just don’t like to travel that way. 🤷‍♀️ I like to be “with the people”. I like to see people interacting - even when I understand zero what’s being said. I understand watching humanity - and for me, I don’t get that from the back seat of a sedan alone. So I got on a not so fancy shuttle bus filled with locals going to work - then transferred to a second bus on the side of a highway! The whole journey took about 3 - 4 hours, cost $8 and I can’t believe I made it. And honestly, I wouldn’t have without the kindness of strangers who figuratively held my hand & got me from one bus to the next. I’d probably still be on that bus if not for them! 💙🇨🇳

So I made it to the village, had breakfast & got on the slowest moving “ropeway” (what they call a gondola) ever. Will be the first of many here in China.

As I rose, I was overwhelmed with the beauty. The rice fields are turning because of fall so are a beautiful golden.

I Took just a daypack with a change of clothes & some toiletries which turned out to be the best decision ever. I had arranged a hotel - a whopping $60 at the top of this mountain! But once I stepped in and opened the curtains I knew it was worth every penny. What a view.

This area is home to the Hong Yao people. There are only 18,000 in China so a significant minority. They cook in Bamboo tubes - dating back 2000 years. So I had Bamboo Tube Rice for my lunch (and again for dinner) cause it was just so yummy & apparently may not get it again anywhere else. I watched it be cooked on an open fire for me.

Today … I was in awe of this world. I marveled today - I’ve missed this feeling. The kindness of people I would otherwise have NEVER met, the sheer natural beauty of the world and the simple pleasures of a great meal. It was a good day. 💙

What I miss: Unlimited data/wifi

Steps: 10,808
Miles: 4.43Read more