Up early as we are not too sure to where we should catch a bus. Two options, Guilin, a big town about an hour from where our hotel for next few nights is situated or Yangshuo where we are actually staying. Info and travel forums on the internet varies a lot. Buses to Guilin are every half hour ( amazing considering it is a 430 km journey) and start at Langdong bus station we think, which is five minute from our hotel, which is why we chose it. Some info states that these buses start at another station. We also think it might be possible to get a direct bus from Nanning to Yangshuo which would be great but these are less frequent. Some forums and info dispute that there is a direct bus. Before breakfast we head for the concierge who has good English and is really helpful. After a few phone calls she confirms that there are four buses direct to Yangshuo, 10.00 and 11.00 plus two in the afternoon.
Downed a quick breakfast and headed for the bus station to find the normal manic situation. Millions of people going somewhere. Queued for ticket( had most info we needed written in Chinese, no hope in English at the bus station) but could only get on the 11.00, so had to hang around for hour and half. For the last two days on our travels we have not come across a single Western person. We are not on the normal “backpacking” trail, even they don’t come this way. Are we mad?
Five and a half hour journey and arrived in Yangshuo. A few taxi touts around so phoned hotel and they spoke to a taxi driver on our behalf.
Had a nice dinner at our rustic “Tea Cosy Hotel”and as usual ordered too much.
The last two days of bus journeys have been great fun but have caused quite a few moments of anxiety and we are both pleased that we only have one more bus and train trip left which will be to Hong Kong.
