Lijang

After just two days, Lijiang was added to my list of potential retirement spots. (Currently: Okinawa, the Loire Valley and Yangshou). In the NorthWestern Yunan province, Lijiang is already at an elevation of 2,300m. The air and skies are clear and refreshing. The canals and eateries of the old town reminded me of Amsterdam. The culture is vibrant and varied, with representation of 40+ of China's ethnic minorities. The food is hearty and warm: soups, vegeatables and wild mountain mushrooms. The journey up to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is breathtaking .... literally: at 4,300m the Oxygen levels are rock bottom.

I can't wait to go back and hang out by the old town canal's again, but we still have so much to see: Shangri La, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yak Meadow and 18 holes on the world's highest golf course.... the list goes on!

Macau Grand Prix

The Macau Grand Prix was on this weekend. I could try and pretend to be a moto enthusiast, but apart from a few misspent years playing F1 Grand Prix on my Amiga 600, I'd fold under light interrogation on the subject.

It was spectacular to watch the cars and bikes whizzing around on the 3.8 mile street circuit. It was also worrying to observe the gaps in the fencing that an unsuspecting pedestrian might wander through.

After taking in the sights for a full five minutes, we continued on to Sands, where I proceeded to lose this months rent.