Day 4: Yangshuo

We were very pleased to catch our bus from the right place at the right time and was relieved to find that it was reasonably clean and comfy. It departed at 9.30pm and we were asleep before it left the bus station! The journey was meant to be 9hrs but actually only took 7.30hrs thanks to the crazy driver who liked to put his foot down. We woke to a shout from the driver and got off at some gas station at 5am in the pitch black.

Immediately there were 5 or so touts on us asking us if we need taxis or hotels etc. Still half asleep and freezing cold we got in the back of an extended open aired tuk tuk to The Giggling Tree Hostel which is run by a Dutch couple. Soon the concrete road turned to dirt road and the lights died. We were being thrown about in the back of the tuk tuk and could not see a thing. It was a huge leap of trust which turned out for the best as we arrived at the hostel safe and sound.

As it was so early we had to wake the night guard who woke the staff who woke the owner, probably not a great first impression! They showed us to our room where we tucked up in bed until daylight. Our room is amazing, it is a converted old barn and all kitted out very modern yet countrified. We had a bicycle breakfast which was delicious and met Nick and Shane who are from Oz. We all hired cycles and set off for moon hill which is a huge cast/mountain with a whole in it. We walked approx 1,150 steps to the top but unfortunately the view was very cloudy again. Yangshuo is a town set in amongst thousands of limestone casts sprouting from the ground. It is a spectacular place well worth the visit.

We then cycled into town for lunch and had a stop at the supermarket which was great in itself mixing with the locals where we bought random food snacks for dinner. Back to the hostel we showered and managed to get our air con to kick out hot air and got into bed to keep warm as it was 5 degrees today and raining. We attempted to watch a movie but before we knew it we were asleep for the next 12hrs!

The giggling tree staff are friendly, kind and helpful and they have a lovely log fire in the common room which provides a great homely atmosphere. Plus it has a wicked name!