Travel Day

Today was a travel day - I left the rice terraces and basically retraced my steps back to Guilin on the same buses. Much easier the second time around. I did get up and catch a nice sunrise before leaving.

On the bus ride back a Chinese couple was very friendly and kind. It was the first time anyone has really spoken to me except for handling logistics. She was a doctor, he worked for the transit system - and gave me their “English names” Athena and Kevin. She spoke very good English, he understood it but couldn’t speak it. They offered me fruit and even let me on the hotspot to share some photos. Very kind and it was nice to actually speak with someone.

When I traveled the last few days I left my luggage in “storage” at my hotel. Here, that was very scary. Basically you just roll it up to a wall … and leave it! Thru the translator I told the receptionist that I was afraid to leave it - and he looked at me like I was crazy. “Afraid of what?!” I said theft and he simply said .. that doesn’t happen here - too much surveillance and pointed to the four cameras pointed at them. So I trusted him, walked away and left almost everything I have, and crossed my fingers. Returned 36 hours later to find it EXACTLY where I left it. After googling some, I found he was right … theft is VERY rare here for many reasons.

I went on the “two rivers, four lakes” night cruise once the sun set. I’m a huge fan of boats so try to get on one whenever I can.

What I miss: ICE! 🧊

Steps: 12,130
Miles: 4.97Read more