This morning was a little cooler than yesterday, I forgot to mention yesterday was a tad warm, the temperature was around 36°C and I am guessing that with the humidex it was closer to 45°C.
We met up with our guide and driver and headed off to the Dragon Back Rice Terraces near Longsheng, unfortunately the first part of the journey was on the same rod as yesterday until we got to Guilin. 
This is typical of the flowers and bushes along, and in the centre of, the road.
Two Ladies on the Water Tanker Tending to the Bushes 
The vehicle above must have come from the ’40’s. There were a few of them around used for hauling anything that is haulable, as well as a number of things that shouldn’t be hauled. The far side of the engine is more interesting as it has a couple of unshielded flywheels and drive belts. Health and Safety would have a field day with this guy!
From Guilin we headed out through a number of villages on our way to the Longsheng area. Once we were arrived we were given the option of storing our luggage at a secure location until tomorrow morning, or having someone take it to the hotel. It was at this stage we found out that the only way to get to the hotel was a 20 minute walk. We opted to have our bags carried for us. What a shock was in store when the luggage carriers arrived. Two little (under 5 foot) old (over 60) ladies with their baskets would be doing the carrying!
What was interesting was the fact they could only just lift the suit case to get it away from the van, but once it was on their backs they seemed to have no trouble carrying it for 20 minutes up hills and steps.
Easy!
The hotel seemed to be fairly modern with wood featuring heavily in its construction and decoration. We settled in for 30 minutes or so soaking up the views, then headed out for lunch with our guide.
Shower and Bathroom Sink
Wood Design on Walls and Ceiling
But the Best Part – The View Form the Room
We were back in Lyn’s favourite area, hills and steps, and of course lunch was uphill.
Could this be Lunch?
Lunch
We had a local rendition of rice with lunch, bamboo rice. A piece of bamboo is stuffed with rice, corn and other goodies, then cooked on an open fire. When done the bamboo is split open to allow access t the rice. When finished the bamboo is then used as fuel for the fire.
Carrying Heavier Loads
A whole new Outlook on Poop & Scoop
Bamboo Scaffolding is Still Used on Large and Small Projects
General view of the Rice Terraces.
These terraces were started some 800 years ago, and finished about 100 years ago. All the terracing was done by hand!
This is the last calm day of the vacation, tomorrow we head off back to Guilin, then a 3 hour bullet train ride Shenzheng where we cross the border into Hong Kong.