more trip fun

First up, a group photo from the train.  These smiling happy faces are good encouragement as we head out tomorrow morning for the trip back home :)  It's just a long trip, no matter how you slice it - but we're riding the shirttails of success and I'm looking forward to another shot at actually sleeping!

We arrived Tuesday about 5pm.  Matt took the kids for a quick walk before dinner - and their first look at the scenery.  It really is a special place.

Wednesday was the "B" travel day - bus, boat, bike.  A short bus ride up the river, and then straight on to the boats!

It's really a great way to see the scenery, and I enjoyed visiting with an old friend (even older friend of Matt's.... he and Betsy grew up together!)

The boats are 3-5 passenger size and sit right on the water, powered by a small motor.

Pretty nice way to view the area, huh?

We stopped a few times - this area is famous for cormorant fishing and this older gentlemen looks like he's been fishing for quite a few years, huh?

Yangshuo scenery is a "famous" scene in China .... it's the image on the 20 RMB note.

We ate lunch with some Korean friends and the kiddos learned that you can play UNO without a common language :)  Their 6 year old speaks only Korean but these problem-solving kids worked out a few kinks and made it happen.

After lunch and a short rest we were out again, this time on BIKES!  So fun for everyone!  Unfortunately there were no kid-sized bikes available for rent (only Julianna was tall enough to ride a small adult bike) but they did have plenty of two and three seater options.  

Lydia and her Granddaddy made a perfect pair.  

The crew on bikes.

Thursday (all day) and Friday morning Mom and Dad helped with some child care.  Matt and I stayed busy with other things.  Now, Friday afternoon, the sun is peeking out and we are exploring options for how to spend the afternoon.  Maybe visiting a cave?

Tonight I'm sure we'll aim for early(ish) bedtimes in prep for the big trip home tomorrow!  It's the entire trip in reverse.... bus to bullet train to taxi to night train to HOME!