Huashan

actually it was planned later in our trip, but because they predict rain on wednesday, we go today to huashan. One of the most beautiful mountains in china. It is famous for natural vista of steep and narrow paths, precipitous crags and a high mountain range. Its five peaks are the representative attractions and each has its distinctive charms: East Peak is the best place to enjoy the sunrise; South Peak has the highest altitude; West Peak is the most elegant; North Peak is famous as the Cloud Terrace Peak and Middle Peak is also called Jade Lady Peak.The Mountain is also home to several influential Taoist temples. The entrance is quite expensive. 180 rmb per person + 40 rmb for the shuttle bus . 

The walking is though. everything went well until we reached a small pass. The sign said, don t watch left or right, only the stairs in front if you. Jinthe was next to me, seth and mr p behind me , suddenly I don't hear seth anymore, which is very strange. So I stop and turn around. What a mistake to make. It was so scary, I immediately knew, if I go higher, I won't be able to go back down. Jinthe next to me, makes the same mistake, she immediately sits down on the stairs and don t want to move anymore. This was not the hiking that I had expected. 

      

a medal for my brave mountain climbers.

We travel more to the north and stop by a small town where the time stood still. No real road, no flashy sign, no fancy shops. Just an old town. mr p didn't understood what was special about this town. But I found it the most beautiful city of our trip. It was like stepping in a novel. It was so real ( not a tourist attraction like eg pingyao ) but just a sleeping town forgotten by everybody. But I can't imagine living there.

we reach the famous yellow river. Known as the mother river by all the Chinese people, the 5464-kilometer. Yellow River is the second longest river in China after the Yangtze. The Yellow River is called "the cradle of Chinese civilization", because its basin was the birthplace of ancient Chinese civilization, and it was the most prosperous region in early chinese history . We eat some fish of the river. Very spicy. people here like to cook with a lot of chili peppers. Sometimes you need to look for the food between the peppers.  People here are nicer, although this is also meaned to be a tourist place. The region is know because you can make beautiful pictures here. Especially of water birds.( qian chuan zhen ) It is not my piece of cake , so we skip the attraction.

we sleep in a small town. They don t have mc , KFC but a HFC. The people follow us, and we really the talk of the town. Foreigners in town. The disadvantage of this kind of towns, is the lake of accommodation. We stayed I the best under the worst hotels. under the sheets the matras was wrapped in plastic.  ( you sleep uncomfortable like this) , the smell of the room, the dirty bathroom,... A nightmare . I couldn't sleep. the strange thing was, it was not cheap at all to stay here.
a night without sleeping  grrrr.