Monday, 23rd January 2006

Today we hired a van and driver to take us around some of the sites that you can't get to by bus or too far by bike. There were the 3 Americans from Beijing, Judy and I and 5 others. In one van we had 3 Americans named Josh. A fun day a head! First stop was at Menglun at the Tropical Plant Gardens. It was a beautiful little reserve with a short aerial skywalk. We all made it to the end and wanted to continue. There was no where to go but back. I don't think it was worth the 30 Yuan entrance price but it was beautiful.

The second stop was a place called the 'Green Stone Forest'. The park had been closed for renovations so it was a free entry for us. Every little bit helps. Here we walked and walked. In fact, I began waiting to find a group of lost school girls appear before my eyes. It reminded me heaps of 'Hanging Rock' in Victoria. There were huge rocks and massive trees everywhere. Once it may have been a beautiful park, but like most things in China, it had been left to decay.

The major upset for the day was the lunch we had across the road. All of us had been in China for nearing or over a year, some over 3 years. We ordered what would usually cost around 150 Yuan between 10 people. When the bill came it was 450 Yuan. After much arguing we got it down 50 Yuan and left. This is China and this is what happens to foreigners in China. Luckily it's usually only in the major tourist places, but down here in the Banna I didn't expect it at all.

That night we all headed out for Thai again as it was American Hannah's birthday. Here we found Tiger Beer too. Oh Baby, bring it on! After dinner Hannah wanted to go to BBQ Street and it took a lot of persuading to get her to go to the Mekong Cafe as Uli (German) and Vikki (Chinese wife/Owner) had made Hannah a huge chocolate cake. The night was spent with many peoples singing Happy Birthday. After everyone left Holland and I headed to the Dai Guesthouse. I arrived home around 4:30am.

Tuesday, 24th January 2006

Woke early then slept late. Headed to Mei Mei's for brunch. I read most of the day. Many were feeling a bit sluggish this day and Mei Mei's was full of reading foreigners. Around 4pm I walked the Americans (2 Josh's and Hannah) to the bus station. I had had a great time with them and it was sad they had to head off to Hong Kong and then back to Beijing. After they left I spent a few hours walking around town. On my return to my Hotel I heard someone yelling my name from across the street. WOW, it was an Australian couple I had met 6 months before in Dali. Of course we planned to meet in an hour for a beer. Nick and Shannon have been in China for a year studying Chinese, she from Melbourne and he from the Gold Coast. Six months ago we all had a heap to talk about and we picked up where we had left off over Thai food and cold beer. They had only arrived that morning after the 14 hour sleeper bus journey from Kunming, so after dinner they headed home. A few of us then headed to the Mekong for apple pie and long hours of chatting into the early morning.