Guilin Fubo Hotel

... br>

I had chosen the cheaper option of 'hard bed' which is not as the name suggests without bedding, but a 6 berth compartment in the same space as the 4 berth 'soft bed' option. If you took an old style 1st class train compartment and removed the aisle door, the seats and replaced them with 3 stacked bunk beds on each wall, then it would give you an idea of how tight the space was. As I heaved my bulk up to the top bunk ...

... and a bit miffed that the lights never came on for us. At the end of the cave we noticed a deep cavern which looked as though it would have water at the bottom. Nigel decided to put an end to the wondering and without really thinking it through, lobbed a stone down it. Instead of clunk, clunk, clunk, splash, we heard clunk, clunk, clunk, smash! Guess that section of caves spectacular lighting, won't be as impressive as the others :-/ And now to ...

... to the counter and select skewers of vegetables and meats and then pass them inside the window to have them covered in a spicy mix and barbequed. A lady then brings out your selection on some paper plates. We tried a selection and Ben was pushed into trying the pigeon. I have to say, it was very tasty, though there were tears it was so spicy! We walked home hoping we wouldn't regret the meal later.

... I got a bit annoyed. I told them I just wanted a Coke (Kula) and I was going to sit and rest for a couple of minutes. Even as I sat drinking they kept after me about going on  the "bamboo", buying a cold cucumber, or staying the night in the fishing village. I smiled, nodded my head and told them I was going to wait and rest a while. After looking around the village I took one of the bamboo raft boats back up river to Xingping.  

... of people at 5pm in the park by the river and we have open discussion. Some times there is only 3 or 4 and other times as many as 30. It is great fun. They call me teacher and I call them my students. As always with English language classes here one of of 15 is a boy. These students come from all over China to spend a week to 6 months to learn English and meet foreigners ...

... extra notes; If you go, take the local bus and experience the local flavor, it will be much more eye opening and satisfying. Don't worry about finding a place to stay there are many families and hotels that are more than willing to host you and can easily accommodate you. Bring your camera because you will want to take many pictures to remember the time spent. Lastly, when you reach the top of the mountain, relax for a moment, have a cool drink and don't forget to buy some tea from the old woman.

... last about one hour. Along the u-shaped route, visitors can see those oddly shaped rocks, stone pillars and your guide will give you interesting story about them. Illuminated by ...

... on the northern outskirts of Guělín, Reed Flute Cave has been drawing curious visitors since the Tang Dynasty, as can allegedly be seen by the inscriptions they left behind. I didn't see those inscriptions, so I can only take the word for it that indeed people have been visiting it ever since then. But seeing the queue in front of the entrance, I was ready to believe anything. The number of tourists the Reed Flute Cave receives annually is cracked up to be the highest among the ...