4-11 Guilin and the Reed Flute Cave

 The four of us (Tim, Lisa, Michael and myself) flew to Guilin on April 11.  We left very early in the morning because of the traffic, which is always terrible.  It took an hour and 30 minutes to get there so we would be two hours early for our flight.  Lisa ad Tim had lounge privileges because of a benefit on one of their credit card.  So at least we could relax before heading to our gate.  We have the same card and need to activate that benefit for ourselves.  It gives you access to airport lounges in many countries in Asia and around the world,  just no where in the U.S. or Europe.

We had a full itinerary once we arrived in Guilin.  Our tour guide and driver picked us up at the airport and off we drove to Reed Flute Cave.  On the way our guide, Lily, told us much of the history of the area and serenaded us with folk songs..  

Once at the cave we caught our first view of the mountains and hills the area is famous for.  They look a lot better when there is some sun - not just thick clouds.

Inside the cave are a multitude of slippery steps leading down - down into the cave.    There are no hand rails on any of the steps.  If you need to catch yourself - the wet walls of the cave are all you have to grab onto.  Areas of interest are highlighted with colored lights.  

As in all caves I have visited each special formation has a special name for what ever it resembles.  People everywhere have very vivid imaginations.  Most of the time it is hard to see what they are telling you it looks like.  I just nod my head and smile.

Just in cast you need to know how to write "Reed Flute Cave" in Chinese.

Six to seven hundred year old graffiti - you would be thrown in jail for doing this now!

This one was called "the Curtin".

This man paints pictures of the scenery around the cave by dipping his hands or parts of his hands in ink and forming the features.  Lisa bought one of his paintings.

A scene across the lake.

From here we drove to Guilin and to our hotel - where we had the largest bed I have ever seen.  Lily recommended a restaurant which was very good and close to our hotel.

We ordered two kinds of dumplings - both excellent.

This is like Moo Shu pork - without the plum sauce.

This is a bathroom along the way.  First off - very lucky it has a western toilet, as most bathrooms just have squatters.  Basically a urinal on the floor you squat over.  There usually is no toilet paper - you should bring your own.  You are lucky if there is cold water - no soap or towels/dryer.  This is a duel purpose room - all the trash is tossed through that open hole.

Got this photo later - a picture of the four of us in Reed Flute Cave.