Cormorant Birds and Fisherman, Li River, Guangxi Province, China

It is an idyllic scene: clean, fresh water… green foliage… dramatic karsts… bamboo rafts… a fisherman on the rocky shoreline with his loyal cormorant birds.

What you don’t see:

Eager Tourists Pose With Cormorants, Li River, Guangxi Province, China

There is always more to the story! The Li River cormorant fisherman can be found at multiple stops along the river and in the city of Yangshuo down river, as well.

More Photo Friday, featuring travel photos at Delicious Baby.

West Street in the Rain, Yangshuo, China

Yangshuo, in southeastern China’s Guangxi Province, was once a relaxing stop on the world backpacker trail. Now it has exploded into a full blown tourist town, particularly popular with large Chinese tour groups. West Street runs from the nearby Li riverbank to the center of town and is lined with souvenir shops and cafes. It is mayhem, even in the rain.

See more Photo Friday travel photos at Delicious Baby.

Welcome!

I introduced you to Gumby, my latest blog mascot, back in Whistler, Canada. While it doesn’t exactly have the same ring as “Debbie Does Dallas,” I thought a little travelogue of Gumby’s travels would be a nice overview of our trip and a springboard for further posts on our adventures. 

And just a warning, folks, this is by the far the dorkiest thing I have ever done, (so says the DH), although it brought me great joy doing so!

Shanghai May 19 – 20

We spent Tuesday, our first day, in Shanghai’s French Concession neighborhood,
walking & walking along the shaded streets.

Gumby met up with his cousin, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo mascot.
I think a lot of Shanghainese are confused by this guy.

Wednesday we braved the rain and walked down Nanjing East Road,
a pedestrian shopping wonderland.

Gumby’s cousin was there, too, evidently showing his support for the LBGT crowd.

In the spirit of international harmony & cooperation,
Gumby walks hand in hand with Chairman Mao, on the Bund.

After a little tai chi along the Bund, with a view of Pudong,
our stay in Shanghai unfortunately comes to an end.

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Yangshuo May 21 – 24

In Yangshuo it rains everyday, but that doesn’t stop us from riding bicycles into
the countryside. Here Gumby poses next to rice fields and limestone karsts.

Although Yangshuo is overrun with tourists, calm moments can be found
at the cafes overlooking crowded West street.

On Saturday, we head by car to Yangdi Village, where we catch a “bamboo” raft
for a leisurely cruise down the Li River.

Photo opportunities abound!

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Guilin May 24

Before our flight to Shenzhen, we spend a couple of hours wandering around Guilin. 

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Shenzhen May 25

We stayed the night of the 24th in Shenzhen’s Shekou district at the Cruise Inn, an actual cruise ship that has been dry-docked and converted into a hotel. Here’s Gumby & DH with an aquarium in the lobby. We took a ferry from Shekou to Hong Kong on Monday afteroon.

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Hong Kong May 25 – 31

Our first full day in HK found us on the MTR to Lantau Island.

We caught a cable car up and over several hills, with spectacular views.

There we saw the Big Buddha statue and

visited a monastery. (Bonus mullet shot!)

Gumby said a prayer (lower left hand corner).

That night we had an excellent sushi – sake – asahi dinner with our friend C.

We finished out the night with a drink at the Peninsula Hotel’s top floor bar, Felix.
(Probably the swankiest place I’ve ever been. I recommend the bathroom.) 

What a view of Hong Kong Island!

We spent Wednesday night at the Happy Valley Racecourse, watching the ponies.

We bet 20 HK Dollars on the wrong horse. Oh well. ($2.58)

Thursday was Dragon Boat Festival and a public holiday. We took a bus across Hong Kong Island to the beach-side community of Stanley. We hoped to see a dragon boat race, but it was raining pretty much nonstop, so we wandered through a market and headed to the Aberdeen Boat Club for dinner.

The rest of our time was spent walking around Causeway Bay and window shopping.
The windows are fabulous!

We also did some lounging in our hotel suite.

And sleeping in, too, this was a vacation after all!

Obviously some of these photos were “post-production,” and I enjoyed making them so much that I think I might have just created a new hobby. Now I feel like Gumby needs to be superimposed on all of my photos… He’ll require a wardrobe and props, too… This could get out of hand!

For more Gumby visit his gallery. More holiday photos will be uploaded soon.

How’s the vacation?

The sun came out today for like, five minutes, and I immediately burned. I would believe I am actually a vampire if it weren’t for all the mosquitoes eating me alive. Between the rain and the humidity, my mullet has morphed into an afro. In addition, I think I might have contracted African Sleeping Sickness because I am sleeping in every morning and napping every afternoon.

So how’s the vacation going? Awesome! Despite all of the above, I’m having a fantastic trip. Yangshuo is tremendously touristy, but it really doesn’t matter. Just hanging out with DH and the cuñada is enough. We’ve been for a bike ride into the countryside, a mini-cruise on the Li River on a “bamboo” raft (made of PVC), and a terrifying night time trip on bicycles from Yangshuo back to our “retreat” hotel along a dark mountain road. (We left our flashlight at the hotel when we set out early in the day.)

I am sitting on the balcony of our deluxe room at the Li River Retreat. To my left is the Li River with the occasional boat passing by. Straight ahead is a panorama of limestone karsts and the city of Yangshuo. Everywhere I look is plush and green. We’ve had thunderstorms, rain, drizzle and sun all in a matter of hours. It is exceptionally calm and peaceful – just what we need to prepare ourselves for the week ahead in chaotic Hong Kong.

More soon!

Sorry folks, not much to blog about. It rained all weekend and I got a haircut, which depending on your definition, may or might not be a mullet. 

It’s not exactly what I wanted (who wants a mullet?) but I am going to live with it for a while. Although I’m not sure I want anyone to see it, I will probably be posting pics in the next week or so.

I’m leaving for Shanghai this evening to begin my two week holiday. On Monday evening I will pick up Cuñada from the airport (cuñada being Spanish for sister-in-law) and we will indulge in three days of shopping in Shanghai before meeting up with the DH in Yangshuo for a weekend retreat on the Li river. It will likely rain everyday but oh well. Then a five day stay in Hong Kong and possibly Macau will complete the good times. 

You know how I am about blogging while traveling – terrible! But I will try. I hope I try more than my credit card companies! You know how you’re supposed to call them before every little trip so they don’t think you’re committing fraud by <gasp> actually using your card? Well, I have three credit cards. Every single one of them is down for “maintenance” and why don’t I try calling back after 10AM Eastern time? 

Bamboo raftsmen on the Li River, Yanghsuo, Guangxi Province

Mantra: I’ll be on vacation within hours. I’ll be on vacation within hours.
I’ll be on vacation within hours…

Itinerary:

18-21 Shanghai

22-24 Yangshuo

Night of 24th in Shenzhen for our first ever stay in a cruise ship hotel

25-29 Hong Kong

Blog updates will **hopefully** include logistical info for those of you who care about details!