Chinese tour groups. Yikes. If you want to know what it's like to be a sheep, herded about by yapping dogs, book onto one of these.

Our "English speaking" tour guide didn't speak any. Her main job as we saw it was to part us from our money for extras that were not included in the original price, then to ensure that we got off the boat when our trip concluded. I have painful memories of her banging on the door at 6AM, shouting, "GO! GO! GO!" only to have us wait around on lower decks for half an hour.

There's an expression that expats use here: B.I.C. - Because it's China. We are starting to understand.

So we saw amazing stuff, under less than perfect arrangements. All part of the adventure I guess. We learned a lesson, that we like to be in control of our time and what we do, which is why I think we will enjoy chilling out in Yangshuo for a while.

The journey is still good, we are still healty and having fun. More again soon.