Steps in the clouds
Trip Start
Apr 04, 2004
1
11
34
Trip End
Jun 07, 2004
Dali,
Yunnan,
China
Friday, May 14, 2004
14th May 2004
Todd and I are going up into the Cangshan hills to do a day's walking. We need to clear our heads a bit. Unlike my previous excursion up here where I used the cable car service, this time we walk to the top. It is not an easy task. Its been raining a lot making the mountain slippery. We've also been drinking and smoking a lot making it possible heart-attack material. But we are of course champions of men and will take on any challenge. The climb through Chinese tombstones is steady and we have a rest stop part way up. Cable cars are whooshing above our heads. "Ni Hao" call the occupants, waving down at us. Amused by the crazy foreigners below them scrambling up the mountain in the dirt. The last part is where I struggle the most. Then it's not so bad. We appear on a path that leads to a temple, compose ourselves and begin walking.
This 'cloud road' affords us views right across Dali and the ear-shaped lake. We see huge elongated waterfalls cascading down to earth below us. And again, horses for hire. It gets better as it goes on and I think the path must continue almost as far as Xiaguan. Approximately 7 kilometres along the trail, we choose a descent which begins as a muddy track. Here we discover more marijuana plants and see farmers in pointy-hats harvesting cherries. We hail a bus once down at the roadside. And back in our familiar surroundings we share noodles and beer. Filthy dirty and completely satisfied. Todd now speaks of joining a voluntary project to build a school out in the sticks somewhere. Good luck mate.
Next ; The Kung Fu bus to Shangri-La
