Xu Bu Village, San You Waterfall, Farmer's House

Xu Bu Village, Xiangfeng Town

                                                                    San You Waterfall

Stunning scenery and waterfall in the Rongshui mountains

 A Safe place for the children to swim - 

and we had it completely to ourselves. 

It would have to be one of the chilliest days of our trip?

But the girls had the time of their lives :-)

Dried off and in the bits of dry clothes that were left,

Our friend from the Women's Association insisted on sharing her coat with the wee one, while Lucy insisted on sharing her scarf to keep the bigger one warm!

                                                 Afterwards we headed down, thro rice fields

                                                              pools of sparkling water

                                                            to the lovely Miao ladies at the Gate
                                                      ( I LOVE the embroidered leg-warmers ;-)

                                               A new tourist hotel/B & B being built nearby

                     ..but we travelled on down to the Farmer's House where we were excited to be staying!
Our hostess' from the Women's Association were most concerned that we wanted to stay here, and were insisting we travel back to the Town to say in a good hotel, but gave up when they realised that we REALLY wanted to stay in the local area with the farmers.

                                          This is the river across the road from the farmer's house

                            This was the family home to which rooms were added for travellers in the area.

                                               Then they added this little "hut" in the front for extra tourists.
                                                                    This was our home!

                                                                   The girls just LOVED it!
                                  This was our Entrance area, with a double bedroom on each side,
                                           with its own very basic but functional en-suite!
                                 The beds were clean and as comfortable as they could be,
                                  and dinner and breakfast were served up in the farmer's house
                                                  where we were welcomed as part of the family

                                                          Farmer's wife with grandson

                                                                              waiting for dinner
                                                                          cooked by the farmer thro here

Fresh rice and vegetables from the fields

and very fresh duck from the pond below!

          Afterwards a chance to look at the exquisite Miao embroidery in everyday use around the home

                                                        and the outfits kept for special occasions

This is the modern style favoured by the young women, 

over the black and turquoise colours favoured by the older generations.

That evening we walked in the silence and pitch darkness of the countryside

along the banks of the river, our way lit by the moon.

Magical, surreal and emotional!

What a privilege to be there!

As the girls and I snuggled in our room in the farmer's house, surrounded by the mountains and the river, the darkness of the countryside, with our Chinese friends next door, we felt truly blessed!

Next morning we woke early to the sounds of cocks crowing and the farmers busy off to work in the fields.

We came out to see the work had already started

                                                        So while we waited for Breakfast,
                                                             we did some exercises :-)

                        After breakfast we got our boots on and headed up the mountain to the Dong Village
                                                  where more surprises awaited us...........................