Epic Cycling Excursion

To get a look at our surroundings we headed out on bikes, all wrapped-up in our new gear for a cold day which just didn't happen. Reaching the lake we found a family of cormorant fisherfolk (though we didn't get the gist of their profession at the time) with a platoon of boats and enough nets to ensnare Nessy.

North up the lakeshore, finally on proper mountain bikes, we had a great time on the dirt tracks between villages and getting lost in the maze of streets in the little settlements. Then for the challenge of the mountains up along some tough tracks and roads, chancing upon the road to Wuwei Monastery and then for a refuelling stop at a village shop, watched by the eleven most despondent aged labourers I've ever seen!

San Ta pagodas with their Disneyland turnstile gates and vast coachparks come souvenir shopping malls once again highlighted the scary way tourism is taking over everything around Dali.

After a huge amount of hunting and disappointment because DVDs were Chinese only or the rooms were in use we finally found a great restaurant which also did great apple pie where we got to watch the Constant Gardener. A bit longer and more deep and meaningful than we'd planned but great all the same.