Yangshuo, China

Do you have any idea how long it's been since I rode a bike? Neither do I. Actually I think it was 4 moves ago, in Columbus. Still, you know what they say. We had so much fun riding bikes and (for some of us) feeling the wind in our hair:) Love you , Jon Jon.

Just in case you want to dine while you float the river on a bamboo raft.

We took the bikes from our hotel toward an "ancient village," but when we came to the bridge it had become a waterfall. That didn't stop the locals - they were even driving their cars across!

Which would you rather use: honey bucket or rural chinese water closet???

After a little peddle pushing we wound up at The Banyan Tree. It is a 1,500 year old tree that is massive. They say it takes 6 men with their arms outstretched to encircle the trunk.

Upon entering we encountered these helpful "Tips," and thank goodness! I was this close to bringing my roulette table AND poison. Another day.

After all that bike riding we had worked up quite an appetite, though not enough to order the Yangshuo dog meat.
After lunch we wandered around Yangshuo - you guessed it - for more pictures.

This color is not altered. It is really that green.

It's when you look closely that you see the strangest things...

Yep, they're snakes - or at least so I thought until my buddy pointed out the stems (they're actually orange peels). Ha! Not so strange after all;)

Paradise!

These are the cormorants I mentioned before. They were pretty big with their wings outstretched.

Despite the scowl, there is little in this world Jon Jon enjoys more than an ice cream sunday from McDonald's. Doesn't this photo remind you of Golem and his "precious?" Me too. :)

On our final morning of vacation we decided to hike up to the arch of Moon Hill.

I have never been so sweaty in my entire life. Probably not even half as sweaty! I could have showered and not gotten any more soggy. (Of course, as Jon pointed out, I had never played high school football or I might nave been accustomed to that level of sweatiness. True, my little Box Elder Bee!) It was HOT and so humid that we couldn't even take pictures until we reached the top because the camera lens was steamed up. The hike consisted of staircase after staircase, going straight up. I felt like a super wimp, being so winded, but the air was so thick and it was so humid it literally felt like I was inside a sauna! The view for the top was totally worth it. Amazing.

Maybe next time. After I up my game...a lot :)

These hills are very famous and are even printed on the 20 yaun note. They call this area a "fairy wonderland," and it is really magical!