tiger leaping gorge

On our drive out to the gorge, we passed a big group of Chinese people in matching red jackets & backpacks, running around stopping cars. Apparently they were in a local version of the Amazing Race! I wanted to help them so I got on TV! (Later on we saw them being lectured by the cops!) We briefly stopped to view the first bend of the Yangtze River (not very exciting though), then met our guide Margot (an Aussie) who was accompanying us on our trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge. She also had 2 gorgeous puppies with her who walked with us the whole way! We had absolutely perfect weather- blue skies & sun (I even wore shorts!). The first part of the walk was quite easy, passing through beautiful surroundings, with the snow capped mountains visible at each step. After a massive, delicious lunch at a guest house halfway, I was unkeen for the next, difficult part of the trek. The "28 Bends" was a rocky, uphill section, with 28 changes of direction on the path. For about an hour I was really struggling through this part, but then it was thankfully over! The next section was an easy, downhill stroll in the forest, very relaxing. We reached our guest house for the night, and freshened up before a beer & a huge dinner. We watched the full moon rise into a very starry sky, then I was so exhausted I had to go to bed! Enjoyed a sleep in & a big breakfast, before heading off for Day 2 of the trek. It started off nice & flat, overlooking the gorge, and passing some pretty little waterfalls. We saw a mini avalanche in the distance. The final section was dowhill, rocky & bendy, so took a bit of effort and concentration. As we walked along the road towards our guest house, we spat off the bridge into the river- we were so high up, it took AGES to land! Bummed around in the arvo, going for a tiny walk down the street and back. Had another amazing banquet dinner, then watched Babel (in Chinese) on DVD. The Tibetan family who ran the place brought us yak butter cheese & yak butter tea... interesting to say the least! We left in the morning for Zhongdian.