Finally, instead of doing reports and planning and evaluating I have decided at the many requests of others to procrastinate and get up my photos and holiday details from Lijiang.....AKA Heaven in China!
We arrived in Lijiang to the smell of urine wafting freely and strongly from the toilets in the airport and I was praying that this would not set the bar for our Lijiang experiences. After collecting out luggage from the world's smallest luggage belt we met Alex our English speaking guide and the managers husband (our driver) and started the 1 and a half hour journey to Lashi Lake.
We arrived at the 'Villa' and I got the suprise of my life...it was a 100 year old, traditional Chinese house, situated miles from other tourists and in a tiny minority Naxi town! I was so excited, I have always wanted to do traditional China! Even the lack of heating and a cold shower the first night would not put me off...not to mention I COULD SEE ALL THE STARS!!!!!! No smog in sight! The manager and her family were there huddled around a coal bucket waiting for us with food galore and stories to tell - they even remembered my friends who had recommended the place to me!
After spending a night clinging to our electric blankets (the only heating) we awoke to an amazing view over Lashi Lake and a traditional breakfast cooked by the managers parents in an old open kitchen......the food was phenominal......real Chinese cooking! We even got to try Yak Butter Tea (very rich, not quite my cup of tea!)
After the HUGE breakfast, we ventured off around the lake and through farm land - my skirt and boots wern't really up for the task, especially when I had to jump numerous ditches, holding the camera! It was so peaceful and the views were astonishing.
We decided to get a little bit adventurous and take a boat ride and go horse riding with the locals. The boat ride was a huge dissapointment, however it started to snow (with clear skies) so that made it worth our while! The horse riding we thought would just be along the road and then back, however 2 hours and many muffled screams later (I am not afraid to admit I was scared!), we emerged from the hills and forests - relieved to have survived the muddy, narrow and steep paths that we went on! What an adventure! After all my fuss, they gave us an amazing lunch from an old bubbling pot of tofu, potatoes and greens....YUM!
We finally made it to the old town and froze our butts off as our guide lead us around....secretly we had a plan to try and stay there for dinner as it was New Years Eve, so we put up with it. The old town was very well preserved and I was so amazed to see clear, clean water....the Naxi people obviously know how to respect the environment! Black Mooon Pool was another tourist destination but I would not rate it, however there was a part of the lake which your could make heaps of noise and more bubbles would rise to the surface...a good activity for the everyday Chinese...and they were having a blast!
Lonely Planet redeemed itself from their Chengdu recommendations by recommeneding Sakura in Lijiang Old town, a favourite of our giudes too! We had a lovely dinner (NZ lamb chops...oh so good) and toasted the New Zealand New Year with Margaritas and beer. When we broke out the dancing our guide even lost track of time joined in and we were allowed to stay out until 11pm (SCORE!!haha) We even taught him the Macarena which was hilarious......he was trying to do all the moves the rest of the time we were there!
The locals are all into dancing and singing so I had a great time involved in some dance off's with the most amazing movers, expecially an older gentlemen who could move like anything! We arrived back at the guest house, popped some Champagne and bought in the China New Year looking over the lake and huddling around our warm coal bucket!
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