Day 6: Ping An - Dragons Backbone Rice Terrace

There was a massive thunder and lightening storm last night that lasted hours. The sheet lightening lit up the room and the bathroom leaked from all the rain but at least it cleared some of the thick fog. We had breakfast and checked out in time to meet our taxi to Ping An at 10am. Having run out of money we went via the bank of china then on the road for 3hrs.

There are rice terraces all over but as we approached Ping An they became larger and more impressive how every inch of the mountain side had been utilised. The ones we are visiting in particular are called Dragons Backbone which is what they are supposed to resemble as the sunshine bounces off the water logged fields. Unfortunately, as we have climbed into the fog once more we are afraid we shall not be seeing much at all. We are not sure of the exact elevation but we are high enough to make your ears pop.

The taxi dropped us off at a gate where we had to purchase a ticket to the rice fields then we had to walk with all our luggage up and up and up so many steps that we lost count. When we finally reached the clouds we found a hotel that looked ok so we sat in the freezing fog not being able to see the hand in front of our faces let alone the Dragons Backbone surrounding us.

We took advantage of the free internet and to our surprise the there was a break in the cloud so we set off on a hike round the terraces to see as much as possible before the clouds came back. We headed for viewpoint number 2 which was cloudy by the time we got there then carried on to viewpoint number 1 which was half an hour away. On the way there were a few brief cloud breaks but it wasn’t until half way back down to the village that the cloud disappeared and we got some great views. No sunshine but at least we could see!

We stopped in the village for dinner, plain rice with sweet and sour chicken and sizzling beef which was delicious. We dined in a restaurant that looked closed, there was no electricity and it was just the two of us together with 4 members of staff. We all sat huddled around a fire pit on the floor of the restaurant to keep warm. They spoke some English so we had a nice chat with them.

We took the long way back to our hotel where again we are the only guests and again there was no electricity and no heating. The lady just brought us a torch that looks like an antique the size of an average car battery. At least its not just our hotel, the whole village is in the same predicament.

I know I have written a lot but if I stop I fear that my fingers may fall off from the cold. I thought I should also just mention that we are both wearing our entire clothing. We each have two pairs of socks on, 5 tops, 3 hoods, shorts and trousers. My nose is like ice. Apparently 2 weeks ago it was 30 degrees!