On the web site the Riverside Retreat looked lovely, just 4km from Yangshuo with views of the Li River and flowers all around. Indeed it was lovely and FREEZING! The stone floors radiated cold. Luckily our rooms had heaters that brought the temperature up enough that you couldn't see your breath. You can imagine getting Li to take a bath was a challenge.
Luckily our host and tour guide Kate was gracious and accommodating. The first day our friend Bob Klaw and Steve went off exploring the town and surrounding area dressed for arctic conditions. Li was pretty sniffly so Bob's wife Naomi and I opted for spending time in the kitchen learning local dishes from the cook and massages from the masseuse who came to our hotel room. Mine was relaxing for about 20 minutes until Li came in having vomited all over during her nap! The next day we braved tourist alley and shopped in town. Most importantly we found fleece lined pants for Li that she would wear! Bob and Steve went to a local clinic to watch the medicine and were intrigued by one doctor and horrified by another. Both vowed not to get injured on this trip.
The next day we decided to go rafting on a bamboo raft on the Li River. Since it was Li's birthday what better way to celebrate than making her freeze on a boat on a river! But is is her river... A brisk walk through the rice fields to warm up and all was well. That night Naomi and I shivered in the kitchen watching the cook make dinner-that meant we could avoid eating the snails that Bob and Li devoured. Post dinner we celebrated with cake and a bottle of wine. Li didn't like the wine, but approved of the cake.
Yangshuo truly is beautiful and I can imagine it would be delightful to walk through the karst hills-in the spring!
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