Rainy and misty afternoons ...

are perfect for reading and sleeping and writing blog entries especially after cycling all morning out to Moon Hill near Yangshuo in southern China.  What a morning!!!!  John was very patient with my frequent stops but we did it together and covered the 12 or so kilometres among the karst mountains and bursting rivers in the morning sunshine.  Although Yangshuo is quite the tourist retreat, we have enjoyed our time here so far with good food and great hospitality at the Stone Bridge B&B owned by an Aussie and his Chinese wife.  Amazingly they used to live near Fernvale so we had immediate common ground.  It is a beautiful area - one of the prettiest in China and we look forward to the next couple of days.

We came here from Nanjing.  Caught the train there from Shanghai.  Although it wasn't a bullet train it reached speeds of 300 kmh and we covered the distance in no time at all.  We liked Nanjing and walked the walls and visited the Southern Gate where the Japanese broke through.  Also went out to the Yangtze River.  But without a doubt the highlight was a visit to the site commemorating the Nanjing Massacre.  Nearly 400,000 Chinese citizens - men, women and children - were slaughtered by the Japanese here in 1937 and this site respectfully and fittingly pays homage to those who died.  It is more than a museum with memorial parks, cemetries, peace parks etc.  The Chinese might not see the irony of promoting peace throughout the world - think the Tibetans might have something to say about that. 

We have found the Chinese people pleasant especially when I practice my exquisite Chinese on them which Patrick taught me.  Food has been a challenge at times especially in Nanjing where not many menus had English translations.  When you know that pig brains, tripe, intestines are on the menu you tend to be a bit careful. 

Of course, all social media sites are blocked as is my blog site so Lynda is putting these posts up for me.  Hope you enjoy the photos (not arrived yet). 

Deb and John