To travel through China requires much planning which must be made in conjunction with an approved Chinese Tour Company and an itinerary that’s approved by the Government. Additionally a guide must travel with us for the complete journey, staying with us in a tent or in our vehicle, or in a hotel at our expense. This of course adds up so to help defray the cost we had planned our China leg of The Long Drive with four other Australian couples. Phil and Mads, Guy and Cheryl, Rob (ert) and Rob (yn)) all traveling in similar vehicles/motorhomes to ours. Jon and Jude are the fith couple, younger than the rest and traveling in a Land Rover with a camping tent on the roof.
All
five couples met on the border the night before our Chinese journey was to
begin and on the 9th of May we crossed into China and into the city
of Mohon. What a change to Laos! We were
met by our guide, Andy who chaperoned us through immigration, customs, vehicle
check and issue of Chinese vehicle registration and licenses. All went very
smoothly in stark contrast to Malaysia, Thailand and Laos
Here Roadee gets a check-up by the Chinese
authorities
We headed north in Yunnan Province through mountainous country with some spectacular roads made of tunnels through mountains and bridges over valleys
Phil and I discuss issues with these two
gentlemen. Of course none of us could understand a word the other was saying
but the conversation was long and animated
A coffee break at a great view point on a provincial road. Nothing like the National roads and very slow traveling
At one camp site we had a downpour signalling
that the beginning of the wet season is near. The result was a stunning rain
bow and…….
………a beautiful sunset. (One for you James)
There’s always something on the road. While it
means that you must always be vigilant it also makes the journey so
interesting. Here mum, baby, water buffalo and the dog are heading off for a
day’s work
Chinese baby pants. No naps used here - just the
back and front cut away – ready for action at any time.
Yunnan Province is home to many or the 52 minority
groups in China. In the south the Hani have been living for over 2000 years.
Today they still live traditionally and wear there beautifully made costumes as
part of everyday life
A group of Hani women share the gossip of the day……..
As we edged slowly through the congested streets
of Luchun we were stopped by a funeral procession. A deafening roar of firecrackers thrown from
a slowly moving truck preceded the procession. It was quiet a spectacle which
Andy our guide advised must have been for a very important person
Hani life centres on Yuanyang where they are
famous for their rice fields. For two thousand years they have been building
terraces and growing rice which now such a spectacular sight
Over 12,500 hectares are intensively cultivated
with I believe two and sometimes three crops per year
………and ploughing is still done by water buffalo
Small nurseries are tendered to produce the young plants……….
……which are still planted out by hand
Perhaps that’s why this poor old lady has such a
back problem
The ancient city of Jianshui goes back to early
Chinese times and still retains much of its old charm. An impressive wall and
gate used to be the main entrance to the old city…….
………now it’s a meeting point for those who wish
to play cards and board games
This elderly gentlemen was dancing a lively jig
while impromptu musicians played their numbers
T his Confucian Temple was finished in 1285
The streets although remodelled have retained a
good impression of past times
The Twin Dragon Bridge is one of the 10 oldest
bridges in China
Just out of Jianshui is the Swallow’s Cave. It’s
a huge set of caverns which form the nesting home for swallows which number in
their thousands if not millions. A very impressive site and well worth the
visit
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