Monkey Magic and the Big Potato

They were right – the pancakes for breakfast were amazing, Martyn ate a whole double layer pancake with chocolate, honey, apple and banana!!! I think the next Shrove Tuesday will be a little disappointing for him.

 

Martyn very happy. He came down at least half of the 1185 steps from the temple with our local guide ‘Nathan’ who knew all about ‘Monkey Magic’ with Monkey, Pigsy, the other one (can’t remember name) and Tripitaka! Much reminiscing over story lines – well Nathan reminisced and Martyn realized that only now he’s had it all explained does the series actually make much more sense!

 

After that he had a lovely conversation with Jerry our main tour guide. Martyn said he was going to walk with ‘the big cheese’ for a bit. Apparently they don’t call the boss that over here – they call him ‘the Big Potato’.

 

Anyway, back down more steps, narrowly avoided the Gangsta Monkeys again, forged a small stream, visited temple we didn’t stop at yesterday with red ribbons and padlocks – apparently couples in love bring their wish on the red ribbon and padlock it to the chain so their love never splits. Cynically Martyn wondered if someone comes and unlocks the padlock and throws it away if there is a divorce. I hit him.

 

At that point we split up. 5 of the group carried on straight down the hill. Martyn and I opted for the extended walk with Jerry. He said another 4 hours, very nice. I lost count at about 2200 steps. I thought they would never stop. I am never going on the stepper machine in the gym again. We have calves of steel and thighs of jelly now. Or is it the other way around. At least the knees held up. Jerry walked at the back all the way up. I swear once it was just the three of us someone released a catch somewhere coz he shot up the steps like a rocket. My only consolation is that when we stopped he was sweating as well. He was good enough to tell us that usually with other groups he stops two or three times on the way up but he knew we could do it in one go…….I think this was a compliment, I’m not sure my legs agree!!

 

It was a lovely walk though. More temples swathed in ethereal mist, lots of forest and best of all – only 5 tourists (and they were locals) for the whole time. Very nice!

 

Back down in time for lunch, repacking, buying of snacks for lunch tomorrow and other important things and hopefully a good nights sleep!

 

Maybe no blog for a few days again as we are off to start our Yangtse River cruise tomorrow!