Tiger Leaping Gorgeous

I did it! I trekked the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge. A really stunning experience, a two day hike up the mountainous paths through Naxi territory ending at the legendary spot where the tiger leaped roaring waters to escape the hunter. This was somewhere I had seen in magazines, a place people rave about, somewhere I assumed I wouldn't make it to. But make it I did! As we were getting on the bus there were the usual trekking sorts with their Hi-tech equipment - fleece, poles, the best boots, the works - and me in my knackered trainers and floaty trousers. I got a look up and down from one girl like "you're going to walk in that?" At the end of the day my trainers held out, as did my legs and energy levels and we reached the guesthouse 2 hours before the Outdoor Shop Expo Girl!! Ha!

Tiger Leaping Gorge is in the Northern part of the Yunnan province, near the Tibetan border. Naxi people (pronounced Nashi, like the pear) who originated from Tibet live here. It really feels like a part of the old China that I wanted to see, it has a special feel to it. The river itself was pounding with energy, mesmerising. We sat down there staring into the roaring white water an hour before the long steep climb back up.

I feel really lucky/happy to be here. Finding a travel companion was almost too easy - "oh you're going this way too? Great! " Its nice to share the journey with someone else, who is chilled out and enjoying the journey. We part ways in a day or two, such is the way of travel! The gorgeous gorge would have been somewhat daunting alone. Its a big climb up and has proved a lethal trail for many a trekker.

I have many many many pictures from this walk, however I seem to have deleted the DCIM folder when I plug it into the computer - the pics are still on the camera...how to get them off? Any advice welcome!!

I remain in Lijiang, in the beautiful old part of town full of winding streets and bridges across streams and Naxi stalls. The town is very touristy but then theres a reason for that! Its lovely. Its a fine town to get lost in, wandering the cobbled streets for hours, drinking Yaks yogurt, eating dried Yak, and drinking Yunnan coffee. We stay at a place called Mama Naxi's. Impossible to find but if you get lost you just phone Mama and she says "Mama come pick you up now". She cooks delicious feasts every night for the small price of 15 yuan (1 pound 50p!).
I decided that clearly I could only see a very very small area of China in my 20 days and so I stay in this province until May 1st when I hop up to Beijing!

All is well xx

PS- Having an AMAZING time in China! The people are really very nice, they can't speak English but they do their utmost to help you out. It feels very safe, and rarely do I think someone is trying to rip me off. The only thing I can't get used to is.....drum roll....the hacking and spitting. Urrrgg makes me retch! Even nice pretty girls do it. Gross gross gross.