Hey Hey and a Big G'Day to you

Woke early, finished packing and after saying seeya to Kylie I headed to the Prague Café to meet the girls. After an awesome breakfast we walked to the bus station. The next bus wasn't until two so after buying tickets we headed back to the 'old town' for a honey and ginger tea.

The bus journey to Qiaotou was stunning.

We were stuck in traffic at one stage for over an hour but with the Yangtze River raging in full force beside us we sat and watched the debris as it passed. We finally made it to Qiaotou and said a huge G'Day Mate to Margo who owns one of the guesthouses in Qiaotou. I think her guesthouse is called Margo's.

Margo is an Australian whom is married to Chinese Sean who owns Sean's Spring Guesthouse in Walnut Grove.

It's around the halfway mark on the Gorge Trek.

This is a great thing as for I think it was 10 Yuan you can actually leave your bags at Margo's and Sean will collect them on his way through with the Intrepid Tour group and drop them off in Zhongdian, that is if you are going that far. If not, you'll have to carry them the entire way, so PACK LIGHT or leave your big pack in Lijiang if you are returning and take a day pack only.

Margo was happy to see another Aussie and soon we were all chatting over a huge steak!

Oh yeah, just like home! As there was no power we walked around in the darkness to what there was of Qiaotou which wasn't much at all. A street on either side of the Yangtze, one large traffic bridge across and that's about it. Margo's guesthouse could do with a few renovations. At one stage they some were started but never completed. An indoor toilet would be good or even one upstairs with the showers. The toilet is outside and you freeze walking over to it. Makes no sense really. The guesthouse has a great area on the roof but nothing has been done to make it inviting. She's been there for seven years.

It's a pity really as it could be the perfect place to stay prior or after the Gorge Trek.

Beers N Noodles toya...shane