Wandering around Guilin

I woke early and went down to the bamboo lined river outside our hotel. The river was so alive with activity. People swimming, singing, fishing, washing their clothes, walking & exercising. Elderly women and men were happily swimming against the current and being wisked down stream backwards. - Deb

Then Deb joined me back in bed and we slept a little more and started our day together around ten. We decided to walk by the river and go exploring toward Seven Star Park which contains the famed Seven Star Caverns, a zoo, the largest man made water falls that I have ever seen, and a Stone mosaic wall made of semi precious stones, and the tombs of 800 soldiers.

We decided to head off toward the caverns. It was extremely hot and humid and there were thousands of steps to climb. We got lost on the way to the cave and ended up at the tombs, then on the trail Deb was being lead up some unknown path. Soon our stone path became a small foot path of dirt, then very little trail at all leading straight up on rocky points of a mountian through dense forest. After climbing for some time and getting near the top, we eventually were not able to climb any further and had to turn around. Precariously perched on sharp jagged rocks, Deb decided to clear the spirits of all the lost warrior spirits (just as we begin clearing we start to hear thunder,) and then proceeded to clear all of China (which didn't take as long as we expected.) We were thanked and shortly after were blessed by the sighting of an irridescent violet butterfly.

As we descended the mountain we came across a mother monkey and her baby. It was such a precious and auspicious moment. We left a little offering of macadamia and cashew nuts. Which were graciously devoured.

At this point we were starving and extremely thirsty but decided to push on to the look-out at the top of the mountain, back on the stone path of course. The views were amazing. Then after a brief rest we headed off to find the Caverns. Thank God they were selling water outside the entrance. After the caves, the nicest woman with her family helped us find some much needed food. We enjoyed the famed Guilin Rice Noodles. (Deb says: please disregard my earlier post about losing my baby fat. We are sampling lots of fine Chinese foods)

Back at the hotel our short lie down turned into a three hour nap. A fantastic day and looking forward to tomorrow. We still can't believe we are going to be parents in a couple days.

Love & Blessings from 1/2 way round the world, Justin & Debbie.