V’s cold has gotten a lot worse and she hardly slept. She can now qualify to hock and spit like the rest of China. We may have to resort to some traditional Chinese ‘medicine’ to knock it out of her (yeah right). We were up at 6 to get to the gorge.

The minibus ride out to Dragon Gorge was long and made longer by a major traffic jam and having to wait to link up with another tour group. The 3 hour transfer turned into 4 hrs before we finally arrived at what looked like a theme park. The Chinese are great at taking something that is a natural wonder and converting into a tourist Mecca. To get up the the gorge you take a set of elevators climbing a few hundred meters inside a concrete dragon that is stapled to the side of the mountain – like having esculators up Table mountain. Once above the dam the scenery is unbelievable. Steep norrow gorges covered in vegetation. As you cruise around the valleys, stunning scenery eventually gives way to more traps (little bungee jump, high wire act, temples, viewpoints etc.)

Having little time at the gorge and with V sick we opted for a little wooden row boat so we could explore a little away from the crowds. You have to pay for everything in China. Even to take a photo at a scenic spot, but the boat only cost £5. My rowing (and the paddles were not up to scratch) but it was a bit of fun. Getting back we decided to have a paddle each but V’s short little T-Rex arms were letting her down as she patted the water 🙂

The free lunch and the trip back were uneventful. Out of the tours we have down with the hostel I would say this was the least value for money but worth it for the scenery – looking forward to more of the same in the month to come. One problem on the trip back was the inconsiderate cow in the seat in front of me pushing her seat right back making it impossible for my legs to fit. We moved seats and it happened again. What is it with people ?! If I were 30kg heavier I would have pummeled a couple of travellers today.

Anyway. Tonight is our last night in the excellent Beijing Leo Courtyard Hostel. We have lots to get sorted out for tomorrow…

[Pictures: ooooo pretty cliffs – V got a cute new hat so I’m using her old one until I find a suitable replacement.
GPS position: N40.54685 E115.99634]

– Posted from my iPhone