First up, one last batch from Kunming before moving on to Dali.
That means this one’s gonna be a doozy, ’cause there were four nights and as many busy days in Dali.
Enjoy the old town, again, with a nice dinner in an old house of a rich woman, cocktail street, and other night moves…
Next morning’s breakfast followed by a train ride and a taxi ride to the Spirited Silky Inn, on the outskirts of old Town Dali. Then, a walk around Dali, including a hang with some local bluesmen…
This batch starts with a “Visual Ear Cleaning” shop where you can watch your ears being cleaned, including a couple live snaps of the deed being done. Then, more of a walk down the main tourist street in Dali, ending with a shot of the Spirited Silky Inn’s interior courtyard – a splendid atrium with a big pond & smoke on the water…!
Next day, the first of three zipping around on electric motor scooters, a nearby spot on Lake Erhai where there were many folks getting pix taken, often in local indigenous costumes – a continuing theme in China these days…
The very impressive Chongsheng Temple in Dali. Actually, it is a large area on a hillside with numerous temples and shrines, just adjacent to somewhat more famous Three Pagodas…
More of the Chongsheng Temple complex which is just above the Three Pagodas, shown here mostly one at a time…
Later in Dali, the discovery of Angel Bar, a very cool corner spot next to and affiliated with the Carnavores Restaurant. Down the street were many barbeque restaurants on the street. Note the fun example of smart phone translation apps. Such a life saver, in spite of the occasional (often!) mistranslations. A lot more in and around Dali…
Above and below, the next day’s trip to another anciet town further up the lake (almost an hour by electric scooter). First in this next batch is an actual antique shop – different from the myriad other tourist spots, filled with cool antiquities. This batch also shows a local town square, off the tourist track…
Had to go to a peninsula that reaches into Lake Erhai. Then, stumbled upon another photo shoot area amongst some rice fields, but also feature a miniature train track set up. I’m trying to encourage this young man to stop smoking, but he just laughted at me. Back into Dali for dinner, etc…
Next day, a trip up into the Cangshan mountain via cable car. But first a trip into the local museum…
On Cangshan mountain and the seven dragon maiden pools, a cascade of waterfalls, and swimming holes (that you can no longer swim in).
More of Cangshan mountain, and the walk from one cable car to another…
Last batch of Cangshan mountain, etc…
Back in Dali, back to the Angel Bar for a great dinner, and a last stroll around town…
I wanted to go to Dali because Jeff Fischmann, Dan Leanse’s cousin, recommended it enthusiastically years ago. Years ago it might have been cooler, more funky, known as Dalifornia. Those days have passed, but it’s still pretty cool.
What’s next…?