The Perfect Anniversary Getaway

I'm either in "party mode" lately, or I refuse to let John spend another year celebrating his birthday, our anniversary, and Father's day alone, while the rest of us are in the states for our summer vacation.  Probably a little of both, but I've decided after this past anniversary weekend John and I spent in Guilin, China, experiencing one of  THE MOST amazing places I have ever seen, I want to stay in party mode forever!

Thanks to Ping, a local Guilin tour guide, who helped me plan an itinerary that more than exceeded our expectations for "the perfect 18th anniversary getaway."  Ping we learned, studied up until the fourth grade, quit school to help her family in their rice fields, later picked up English by helping to show foreigners around her city, and now works full time as a local guide.  To Ping, life in Guilin is completely typical, or unadventful.  However, for us visiting for the first time it, was something I had only seen in books or magazines......completely National Geographic!!

From the moment Ping picked us up at the hotel, to the moment she dropped us off at the airport, our adventures did not stop.  I had never been on a more physically-demanding tour (I think Ping chose not to tell me the extent).  We hiked, we biked, we rafted, we hiked and biked, and then hiked some more.  Obviously to a farm girl this was simple stuff--John did great, and for me.....well, I'm proud to say I made it--even through major disasters like a couple chipped figernails, and my new pink tennies are now mud-colored black (:

First....Rafting down the Li River--Beautiful, Calm, Peaceful....

A quick stop for a few photos with wildlife along the way...a bit too close for me.  I think I've seen a few too many episodes of "When Animals Attack!"

Next...a full day of bike riding through the countryside....interesting and eventful to say the least.  By mid-day, legs are feeling the burn, but hardly noticing because of the surroundings.

A bit of every day life along our route.  Non-stop photo op's---mostly while riding (risky business!)

This picture literally cost me.  After taking their picture they made a blockade until I paid up.....

It was worth it for this.....

Ping's house was along our route, so we stopped and she and her husband cooked us lunch...I'm not a fan of Chinese food, but that was some good stuff!

Next stop--hiking to moon hill (or farther it seemed)

After a full day of biking and hiking.....the only remedy....

Our next adventure-bamboo rafting.....(probably not the safest of rafts-would never pass safety standards in the US, and what about Chinese crocs--just a couple of the many concerns I had here, but John didn't seem to mind (:

And just when we thought we had seen the best, it got better.  Three hours from Guilin in an extremely remote and poverty-stricken part of China is Longji--a village still known for their numerous minority groups and traditional customs.  The people were amazing, but the rice fields we hiked the entire day were undescribable.

The people here are willing to do anything for just a small bit of money.  This petite woman begged to carry our luggage to the top of the mountain to our hotel.  Following closely behind her up the steep stairs John and I felt guilty for letting her carry our bag that was probably half her weight.  I stopped a couple times before arriving at the hotel to take a breath.....she never did!

The following day, we hiked rice paddies and mountains, taking in local life, and witnessing a few traditional customs along our way. 

We met this minority group along our way who helped to dress me in a few of their wares....

I was surprised by how many friends I gained just by participating.....

But this was the biggest surprise.....

Seriously, there was nothing that could top what we had seen!  From here we hiked back down the mountain.  My mind was full of thoughts for sure, but mostly so grateful for this opportunity to see this extraordinary part of the world with such an extraordinary man I was blessed with 18 years ago!! 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Oh, and for the next holiday we surely don't want to forget--Father's Day...does a full pack of OREO'S count (:  ??