Li River (Li Jiang) - One of the Top Sights in China

As recommended by Rough Guides and also Askmen.com.

Think about traditional Chinese paintings of mountains and rivers, and this is what you'll see here on the Li River. Karst peaks of all shapes and sizes. The waters of the river is very clear and shallow. At this time of year (late Oct), the waters were already very low. And at many points during the cruise, the boats had to manoeuvre gingerly around the winding rivers. And the problem is compounded by the sheer number of tourist boats. It's like an armada of Chinese tourists. I thought the golden week was just over 2 weeks ago!

So, I paid 240Y for this cruise and carried my backpack with me as I intended to stay in Yangshuo and not return to Guilin. My boat had 2 storeys: lower level for sitting and eating, upper level for sight see. There are 3-level boats too, but are generally about the same size. 240Y included lunch. But once the cruise starts, the guide will give a talk on the special fish and produce that's only found in this river, and recommends everyone to order their special lunch now in order to have this once in a lifetime taste. It turned out that the lunch that came with the ticket price was very simple: just rice, eggs, bean sprouts, some chicken. It's worse than army food back in my BMT.

Throughout the cruise, I carried my backpack with me. Reason? Another lone Chinese backpacker was doing the same. I suppose he knows better. I wouldn't want to end up losing my clothes or backpack. I didn't even buy travel insurance!

The mountains were really of all shapes. And many had a special name, like 9-Horses Painting Mountain and Waiting For Husband Mountain. Basically, the Chinese had really wonderful imaginations (and lots of time to stare at mountains). The mountains were named after the objects or people they resembled. The 9-Horses Painting Mountain even had a story: only the brightest minds can see all 9 horses. It's a bit like those optical illusion graphics. You really had to bend your mind to see the horses. This cruise is famous because even Bill Clinton took this cruise when he visited while he was still president.

The cruise started about 9am, and it was 4pm by the time we reached Yangshuo because of all the "traffic jams". I'll say the cruise was the highlight of the China trip so far. Though full of boats and tourists, it was still a nice, relaxing cruise in the China countryside, with unique landscape. Too bad the weather was terrible. Hazy and glaring. So my photos all turn out pretty poor.

Photos from Bangkok

Here're some of my better photos from my Canon Ixus 50, not in any particular order:

L: Handheld sewing machine in JJ market. R: Lunch at JJ. Chicken drumstick noodles.

L: Countdown clock outside Siam Paragon. R: X'mas tree

L: Open air chillout area outside Siam Paragon. Looks really cosy. R: 1 of the 3 witches

L: Nah, I got no idea what they are. R: Outside Central World

L: Some model outside Central World. R: X'mas tree.

L: The lucky 5 outside McDonald's Erawan. R: The road where the Countdown concert was to be held about 2 hours later.

L: The police getting briefed. R: Heineken beer garden ticket stall.

L: The Countdown concert. R: The crowd

L: More crowd. R: The group of policemen whom we saw before the crowd started fleeing.

L: Outside a club @RCA. Shld add #11: Possession of explosives. R: X'mas is over but I'm not complaining.

L: Laser show at the club. R: Local superstar?

More Loy Krathong Babes

Day 3
Giant Krathong parade. Just enjoy the photos. ;)

Back to the Land of Smiles

It's coming to a month since my vacation in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I was there for the Loy Krathong Festival and it was my 3rd time in as many years. I know I'm not the only one who keep returning to this wonderful festival. Even the locals say that Chiangmai is the best place to see Loy Krathong. Why? Maybe this little travel diary will show you.

Day 1
Flew by Tiger Airways. 0605 flight. Gosh! Gotta wake up at 4am and then rush to the Budget Terminal by taxi. Not that budget here after all, because taxis are expensive in SG, especially after midnight. Touched down at Chiangmai airport and passed through their new extension. It must have been built just in time for the huge legions of tourists that are expected to flood the Royal Flora expo. Took the Songthaew to my hotel. 50 baht, after some bargaining. And slept for much of the day.

Evening came and it was time to check out the Loy Krathong festivities around Thapae Gate.

It was Sat, but the Sunday Walking Street was open! The street was closed off to traffic and the street vendors will come and set up their stalls on the roadsides by evening. Lots of goods here, mostly home decor, fashion accessories, art and food (of course!). Many more varieties and handmade trinkets here than at the Night Bazaar.

At Thapae Gate, a stage was set up for performances to entertain both the locals and tourists. I saw this traditional dance and look at the GIGANTIC crown this dancer had to wear! She was supporting and balancing the heavy thing with one hand all the time and still manage to keep on the megawatt smile. Amazing!

It was getting late, and time to check out the local clubbing scene. After all, it's a Sat night! Went to a club just 5 min walk away from Thapae. Boy did I regret my choice. Spent about 1 hr in there watching soccer on the TVs inside as there wasn't a big crowd yet. They do have a cute lady DJ though. The Thai singers and dancers then came on but the entertainment value has dropped since the last time I visited this place. Not to mention, the ratio of guys to girls is about 7 to 3. Saw many gays and lady boys too. Definitely feeling out of place and called it a night before the clock hit midnight.

To be continued...