Hey Hey and a big G'Day to you all

Today was Jinfeng Temple day and what a fantastic day it was.

We caught a bus to the bottom of the hill making evil eyes at the other hill with the lights on it as we passed. After looking at the map when we got home that night it was the Jinfeng Temple that Judy thought was on the hill.

Tee Hee, no really it was me. I take full responsibility for nearly getting us both lost and killed by two dogs. I've been wrong before, I think it was a Tuesday in 1984. Tee Hee! It was a fun day though.

Anyhow, back to Jinfeng Temple.

From the bottom of the hill you can't see the temple. What you can see are run down Temply Things such as Gate Ways etc. Judy wasn't too keen on the idea as she was still buggered from the Rabid Dog Hill Climb. Come on Mate, you can do it! We made our way slowly up the hill on broken steps. Several of the people coming down motioned for us not to go on by saying Boo Hao or No Good. I was keen to go on and dragged Judy along to help her fitness level increase!

At the top of the stairs was an old Pagoda with a beautiful view. Several ladies were selling incense and other Temply Things. We continued up the road and finally reached the temple. It was beautiful. Not splendid but quietly beautiful. I stood looking at it for a short time in the light rainfall. It just gave of a peaceful vibe. It was set amongst a heap of trees and everything was quiet. Very strange for China believe me!

There was no entry fee, you were not allowed to take photos in most places but you were left alone. The only time we were followed was when a lady spotted my phone/camera in my hand as I entered one of the buildings. Elderly men and women were making Temply Things and were happy for us to watch them. I took some pictures of some children on a big turtle, probably wasn't meant to but it was too inviting.

The rain became harder so we sat eating bbq'd potato whilst chatting. Soon a young Chinese couple joined us and we watched in amazement as the girl absolutely covered each piece of potato with chilli. My eyes watered just watching her. I had a few sprinkles on mine and that was just enough. You actually couldn't see her potato the chilli was so thick. Here's where it is hard to comprehend for me, I'm sure the Chinese in Sichuan are fully adapted to chilli. Everything is red hot in this province. But surely having that much chilli would still make you run to the toilet every five minutes for a week even after twenty years.

When the rain finally slowed we began our journey down. This time I gave Judy the option of which way to go. She chose the road so off we want. HUH! This time it wasn't my fault at all. HUH! The road never wound its way around the mountain, instead it left us on the wrong side and took us further out. I was happy though as I love to walk for as many hours as possible. Surprisingly Judy didn't mind either. We made it to a little village and the rain began again. We ending running for cover and sat with a family outside their home.

Here Judy got to use the most awesome toilet she used so far in China. You weren't actually in with the pigs but just on the other side of the fence in the little shed. Just a little dug out that went into the pig sty. I tried taking a picture but none that I took actually worked out. Bugger!

We continued our walk through the country side with a slight idea of where we would end up. We believed on the same road that took us to the 'Ancient Town'. We made it to another town and on our right was a very long and dark tunnel. For some reason we said bugger it mate, lets go though, so we did.

It took about five minutes to go through. It was very dark and very quiet. In the middle you could see two little dots of light which were the entrances. We knew it led somewhere as before entering we could see and cars going past on the other side. When we exited we were surprised that we were just around the corner from Ya'an. Right at the entrance was little bbq stalls with people gathered happily eating.

We took a Tuk Tuk the rest of the way back.

After dinner we spent some time on the net and I got my reply from Buckland's as to the where abouts of the school they wanted me to go to. The school had never had a foreign teacher but asked if Buckland's could try to find one whom had taught before. I had left my school so I decided I'd head to where ever it was to have a look. I knew it was in the north and wasn't too excited at all about the idea but I'm into China to see China and not just the south of China.

Baiyin in Gansu Province was my answer. When I looked in the Good Book and read what Gansu was like I really wasn't too keen on the idea at all. I knew I didn't have to take the job if I didn't want to but I was eager to try something new. So here Judy and I added Baiyin City into the summer adventure. The plan prior was to visit some caves in the very south of Gansu so Baiyin was just a hop Skip anda jump away.

Beers N Noodles to ya...shane