Chejiang Drum Tower
Note the difference in head wear from the Miao.
We got to participate too.
After the singing we had some time to wander
around the village. These are some of the centuries
old Banyan trees that grow along the river bank.
Rock sculptures of all the Chinese Astrological Signs
were designed in the path through the Banyans.
Boats for transporting goods and people.
This elderly woman had just finished
doing her laundry in the river. We
saw agood number of severe cases
of osteoporosis and related illnesses.
saw agood number of severe cases
of osteoporosis and related illnesses.
Lots of grandparents with grandchildren.
In most villages they raise the little ones
while the parents work.
The town hall where all the elder men were meeting.
This walkway had wonderful drawings along its sides.
There were 3 dozen or so telling of different
aspects of their history..wish someone had been
there to explain them all!
The dong are famous for their embroidery &
weaving. It was a wonderful couple of hours here.
weaving. It was a wonderful couple of hours here.
Off into the wild blue yonder as we took a short-cut
to the new fancy highway. I was glued to the window!
We had a surprise birthday party for Pat during lunch!
Bet she'd never had a cake like this before!! Very
creative! The Oreos in particular disappeared fast!
creative! The Oreos in particular disappeared fast!
On to the super highway they are building into the
minority areas to provide access for tourists.
We didn't count all the bridges....
and tunnels...many of both...millions of yuan to build!
Lots of areas like this where they are taking down
mountains to provide the materials for the roads.
They use local resources whenever possible.
After several hours, we arrived at the parking area for Zhaoxing Village. They are constructing a new entrance and improving the roads for the future tourist industry so no large buses etc are allowed in town right now.
Near the parking lot this carpenter was cutting wood and marking
it for the tongue and groove holes and notches.
These are his measures...no aluminum tape measures!
Ready for assembly...
No nails or staples in here!
The new entrance to the village...
New walkways, underground cables and mud everywhere!
One of the 5 bell towers and the covered bridge
located right by our hotel.
Very nice....though we did find the walls were paper thin.
It was one of our favorite places to stay...charming!
Just out the door and a little way up the road were
rice paddies and garden areas. This man is smoothing
the soil so he can plant his rice.
the soil so he can plant his rice.
Up the other direction these ladies
were creating wonderful designs
in the walkways with just stones.
were creating wonderful designs
in the walkways with just stones.
Great use of local resources and talents.
Shades of Belize. Note the level tool...plastic tubing.
They are very skimpy with their mortar and we fear that
as we have seen in a lot of China, their hard work
will be falling apart in a few years.
Among the shops several of us had found one that
had wine...perfect time for Happy Hour on the
porch with our Great Wall wine. Not half bad
and outstanding company!
Another very interesting day!!!
