A picture doesn't really tell 1000 words

I am in absolute heaven here in Yangshuo, am already planning a second trip at some point. The scenery is just unbelievably beautiful, everywhere you look is gorgeous. The pictures don't do this place justice, you really have to visit it to appreciate the beauty. Yesterday, I braved the Chinese buses for the first time (22 seats? No problem, how many more can we fit on?) and got off at a small village called Yandi. We then spent the next 5 hours walking to XingPing - we walked through rice paddies and other farming patches, along side the river, through bamboo forests and small villages, where the locals were trying to make some money selling water and fried fish to the walkers. It was one of the best walks I have ever done, I absolutely loved it. Today, we hired bikes and set off to explore another route, this time on a smaller river and along farmers paths. At one point, we got stuck, and had to carry our bikes across the river, much to the amusement of the Chinese tourists going the easy way along the river, on the bamboo rafts! Again, the scenery was amazing, although my Chinese bike was definitely not made for the farmers trails! Tonight, I am off to see a show on the river - it involves 600 locals and is directed by the guy who did the opening and closing ceremony of the Olympics. Take care, Anna.