Yangshuo, China

[Written by Elizabeth Leonardis for our old blog, So Civilized]

Dragon Bridge in Yangshuo

We were to spend a week in Yangshuo, so we settled into a fancy hotel, that cost us all of $15/night where Alex could comfortably work. Sarah & Lisa were taking classes full time, while we were just part time, so I had the mornings to explore while Alex stayed back at the hotel to work. For about $1.50, I rented a bike and headed for the roads and paths outside Yangshuo where the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. There are a few villages that you pass through and plenty of dirt roads to turn off on and get lost in the rice fields. The only drag was the 90ºF + weather with about the same percent humidity. It sticky and hot all the time.

Longji River

Bamboo boats being built

A water buffalo plowing a field

Rice fields up close

A typical Chinese home with red banners lining the door for New Year

The actual town of Yangshuo was a bit over run with tourists and the locals were always in your face trying to sell you something. We spent a bit of time riding bikes outside of the city. We managed to get in a bit of sport climbing on the days when Alex wasn’t holed up at our hotel working on the glider data from Antarctica.

A bit incomplete but we need to get moving. More soon…