Yangshuo

I am in Paradise - one of the most beautiful places on earth - and the warm smiles continue after the rush and chaos of Shanghai. Like getting off a Tilt-a-Whirl onto a gentle canoe. Yesterday we took an amazing (OK a very cliche word, but no other will fit) - up the Li River. Absolutely unbelievable - unbelievable beauty coupled with the unbelievable fact that I am actually here. Pinch me! Tony is on a bartering spree - our luggage gets heavier by the day, but his bartering skills are a bit generous. I try to jump in when I can. We had to buy a new suitcase yesterday. I am writing this post on the sidewalk in front of our hotel. China is WIRED - much more than Canada - everywhere we've been has had free Internet - and it's fast. Yangshuo is not a big town, but Internet is everywhere. We are staying at the Morning Sun - a three star- it's just a jewel. Filled with carved wood and marble - our beds are comfortable and the air conditioner is fantastic. The service, as it is every where in China, is excellent. When you go to dinner here, there will be three people refilling you glass and serving you. Another revelation -the fork is taking over - even in small, family restaurants you can get a fork. Most places have them on the table in the place setting. SO, I am not starving!! (Although, I'm not bad with the chopsticks now - part of the fun) The birds Tony is holding are cormorants used for fishing. Their throats are tied so that they can't swallow what they catch - the fisherman takes the fish from the birds' mouths.