Came back last night from two days of hiking in the Yading Reserve close (3 hours by minivan) to Daocheng. Quite tiring given altitudes from 4000m upwards. The reserve is a paradise of nature surrounded by 6000m peaks. Unfortunately the peaks were mostly covered by clouds. It was still beautiful. And reminded me a bit of home.

I am very very much looking forward to come home. It is in the back of my mind all the time now.

Today I relaxed a bit in Daocheng. Slept in, then got a bike for the day and cruised around. As I took some pictures, a little Tibetan boy approached me, telling me he had come to see me. He invited me to come to his home. I was offered butter tea, tsampa, yakmilk and yakyogurth. He showed me around, asked all kinds of questions (one of them: he showed me a piece of broken mirror and asked me if I knew what it was) and finally brought me back home. Fantastic.
Travelling alone has so many advantages.

I also bought my bus ticket for tomorrow. I will leave for Zhongdian in northern Yunnan. The bus ride is supposed to take 10 hours and is, as I hear, once again, spectacular. High passes, endless mountain ranges, rivers, valleys, creeks, grass lands, Yaks, and from time to time little Tibetan towns; that is the scenery in this part of the country. I was informed, that the bus might have to take a detour as the roads are too bad. It rained a little bit here. In that case, so I was told, I would have to give the bus driver some cash.

I will leave Sichuan tomorrow. Had an amazing time.