All,I am back now after a terrific time. (Photo link at the bottom for the time poor)
Spent the first couple of days wandering around Shanghai with my brother Andrew and his girlfriend Mei Juan. It is a great city and The Bund at night-time is an amazing place and really feels like a global city.
We then took a flight up to Chengdu (no idea how to spell it) and looked around town, some working temples, out for dinner with a guy call The Revolution who immediately was getting discounts all over the place and we settled down in a small dining street with 6 of his friends and many bottles of beer.
Met up with our other travellers and did the food shop and then the next day took off in our 4wd up into the mountains. The first day was a big one with 11 hrs of travelling but the scenery was second to none and we followed river after river up some massive valleys and then over a 4000m pass with about 1 m visibility, the driver is a legend.
We finished up the day in the most picturesque village I have ever seen. The Tibetan people have built these amazing large homes on top of a small mountain flat, about 900m above the river below. Golden wheat fields, white washed 700 year old homes and the people all traditionally dressed working the fields.
We stayed with a local family and the treated us very well. I took off for a morning stroll and only took 60 photos... ended up climbing to some prayer flags for a great view. I return very tired. took in some lunch before Andrew stating that he wanted to climb the mountain behind the village - well as you know I can not let him go with out me so we climbed straight up almost 900 vertical metres through mud and found ourselves a great and very dodgy rock ledge to complete the mountain tradition - yes the flag is on this trip as well.
Back in the cars and up to a new village that was great as well, back along the valley floor for about 5 hrs to where I am now. We head off today for Aba which is just on the edge of the Tibetan plateau.
We left Dunbar and visited some more amazing hill top towns before having lunch with the former miss whatever province - let's just say that it was a while ago - I hope.
On wards and upwards, following amazing river valleys with steep walls. Stayed the night in a largish town where I played basketball against some monks (quite surreal) and then did the morning exercises with the local hairdressers as they had their pep talk and ramp up in the morning.
That day we visited a Chieftains 6 story house (before all of the Dynasty's there where local rulers) and the place was very well preserved and full of great cultural pieces. Continuing up to the Tibetan plateau and stayed with a local family just outside of Aba. The place was great, rammed earth but yet pristine in appearance and massive. Went for a walk and got some great photos of kids. Dinner was Yak butter tea, Yak minced meat dumplings, Yak meat, rice and Yak yogurt for desert.
We spent the day walking around town, Aba valley has over 40 monasteries and over 15% of the population are monks. The rest of the town is a shambles.
We arrived at our destination, the sacred Jade mountain. Only to find out that they have had 20 days of rain and snow and no guide would take us over the high passes. So we set up camp and made some alternative arrangements. Hiked that afternoon to the top of a ridge and had 360 degree snow covered views -amazing. Overnight temps of -9.
After a freezing night we woke to crystal clear blue day. The best day all year we heard. Walked up along the lake and while resting for lunch some locals came down to say hello - or to check out what a white person looked like. We hiked up the valley a little further and set up camp.
Another perfect day and Andrew, Phil and I climbed directly up the hill looking for a lake at the top of the waterfall...no lake but a great view. We climbed up a little higher and then spotted a perfect frozen mountain lake a little way over. Traversing across the mountain and down to a great little lake. We then headed down and up the next valley to meet the others - returning home absolutely knacked.
We hiked out the next day and met up with the drivers who took us across to the next camp site. We set up in a rush as a storm was brewing - and a storm did dump. At least 80km winds, hail and a stack of lightning, all in a tent and I will be sending a letter to Mr Salewa the maker of my tent - not a drop came in.
An overcast day, but we wandered around the valley up to another lake. Sitting around after lunch out of nowhere came a band of local's dressed to the hilt in traditional dress. It could not have been bought and was perfect.
Out and then back to Aba for the night, this time a hotel with a hot-ish shower to wash away the dirt that had been collecting.
Back in the cars and down another set of valleys. This one was full of hydro plants and some of them where huge. Of driver called ahead and organised to stay at some hot springs for the night - love that. So spent the afternoon in hot springs drinking beer whilst looking up at mile high mountain peaks.
Off the next day and we continued down the valley through some amazing scenery. This is panda territory but I could not find one of the allusive animals. We then took off back up one of the hills to a valley that Andrew had found previously - supposedly it is amazing green river valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks...if only there was not thick low lying fog. We went hiking anyway.
Stayed that night in a government hotel - I ask for the Mao suite but no luck.
We split up the cars as Team Irwin went off to Wolong Panda reserve and the others off to Chengdu for an early return and then a different panda place the following day. We got 2 1/2 hrs up a bad dirt road and then turning a blind cnr a car size rock fell out of the sky just missing the car in front. And let's just say that it was an easy decision to turn around and head back to Chengdu with the others.
The panda reserve at Chengdu ended up being pretty good and had a good little tour - the driver used to work there and got us all in for free.
With Andrew and Dad feeling ill I took off around Chengdu and got very lost. Returned home and then out for a great local restaurant - go the hot pot restaurant it is great.
Flew into Shanghai and spent the next two days shopping and trying to escape the heat.
Until I can add them to the Inner Eye site I have added a couple of the images to Flickr - have a look and let me know.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandirwin/sets/72157600475316606/show/
