After our two days in Kunming we gathered our gear and borded an overnight sleeper bus. The bus has two levels of beds all about a foot to short. We arrived in Lijiang the next morning after a not so refreshing sleep on the bus and walked through old town to our hostile. Lijiang is set up into a new and an old city, the new city is just like any other city, but the old city is all small cobblestone roads and small traditional shops. We spent a few days in Lijiang preparing for our Mekong trip.

Stone Arch Bridge with Reflexion: ISO:200 F-stop:5.6 Shutter Speed:1/1

The old city of Lijiang is set up as a series of cobblestone walkways among river channels. This is an old stone arch bridge that crosses one of the small river channels. At night the channels are lit up by lights and you can purchase lotus flowers made of paper with candels in them that you can float down the rivers.

Morgan on a Horse: ISO:200 F-stop:5.6 Shutter Speed:1/125

Old style people dressed in fur carrying guns and swords walk around with horses that you can ride for a small fee.

Young Monks: ISO:400 F-stop:4.5 Shutter Speed:1/60

We rented bikes and rode them about 7 miles out of Lijiang and then hiked about a mile into the mountains to a Buddhist Monastery. We each burned incense, left a donation, and received a small prayer bead. We were not allowed to use cameras or wear glasses, shoes, or hats inside the inner building.

Morgan, Tino, and Dave: ISO:400 F-stop:4.8 Shutter Speed:1/80

Morgan, Tino, and Dace are watching a guy pull ginger candy. It is similar to salt water taffy except it dries up and tastes like ginger.