When my alarm went off at the butt crack of dawn I was tempted to tell them to just leave me and let me sleep in. So glad I didn't!! We left and it was pitch black outside. We only had directions that were written down and half of it was in Mandarin, so we were hoping to make it to the top for sunrise at 6:30. Holy poop it was so hard! Probably one of the hardest hikes I've ever done. And well worth it.
You had to hike up these awkward stone stairs that were completely falling apart! They would wind up the mountain and I was waiting for one of them to break and fall. One of our girls wasn't feeling too hot so she told us to leave her behind. After about 40 minutes of a straight up hike we made it to the top! And it was GORGEOUS!!!! There were a bunch of Asian men taking photographs by the time we got there close to 6:30. Clearly they had been there a while before us!
You better believe I took a lot of pictures while up there! I was always have that view ingrained in my mind. Absolutely breathtaking. Either side you'd look down you could see the villages and people getting ready for the day by taking their boats out. The entire hike up there was this silence that I loved! I didn't feel like I was going to die like I have on some other hikes. It was well worth having no sleep and waking up at the butt crack of dawn. Also, it's kind of disgusting how much I sweat here, but who cares! I'll never see these people again haha I am in love with this place.
After our hike we came back down and went right to rafting down the Li River. Once again, breathtaking. We took a golf cart down to the river and these little old ladies were selling these flower headbands. Of course I had to buy one! They were so cute and made pictures even better. Haha We walked down to the water and 4 of us climbed onto each raft. It was only a 40 minute trip but, holy crap! These mountains are some if the coolest things I've ever seen. The way they rise and fall. All morning the sun was hidden behind some smog, and the mountains all looked shadowy.
This place really is amazing! I would love to be able to come back someday. After floating the river and walked around and looked at the cute little shops they had everywhere. It's so funny when the old people want you to buy something from them. You almost can't say no just because they are so little and adorable!!
Today was a jam packed day! After this crazy morning we ate some brunch and hung out for maybe an hour. Then off again!! This time we went for a hike to a nunnery. Buuuuut there was no nunnery to be seen. We followed the directions exactly as they were, and ended up hiking FOREVER! It was cool because we went farther and farther; higher and higher up but all we could find were hidden villages, and orchards for miles.
Tonight has been a lot more chill, thank the heavens! We got some dinner and ice cream, showered, relaxed, watched Up at the hostel, and bought some pizza at the hostel. It was baked in one of those fire oven things and it's probably some of my favorite pizza! You would never think you could find that good of pizza in China.
Today was crazy full of adventures and I am pooped! So far it has been my favorite day in China. I wish my family and friends could be here with me to experience this!! Especially today I learned a lot of patience:) The rest of this weekend should be just as fun hopefully! I'm excited for more to come.
loves.
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