"It has been quite a day!! It all started well with an on time departure from our hotel at 8 am. As we left Kunming, we were slowed down by new roadwork and were often stationary.
The fumes and pollution were hard to take and one of our number was quite ill. (The uncomfortable bus didn't help either.) Just as we began to move a bit, the bus was pulled over by Transport Inspectors. At that time, Faye discovered that she had left her overnight bag behind at the hotel. This contained essentials for the next couple of days. She scooted back, literally, on the back of a motor bike that she hired,
and told us later that she had to hang grimly as through Kunming traffic it reached speeds of up to 80 kmh! (Not for the faint-hearted.)We girls experienced a new toilet
- no door and just a continuous open drain to squat over. 
Despite that, Sandra could still smile, though Graeme didn't seem too sure.Cleanliness was an unknown word and was only exceeded by the one further down the road where you actually squatted facing each other with urine all over the floor - and you paid for the privilege!!" (Us guys have nothing to complain about - quite happy to stand next to each other and chew the fat.)
While we waited for Faye to rejoin us, the group decided that it was obviously in need of exercise and our 'strong man', Adam, led us most ably in T'ai Chi movements:
Oh, and by the way, if we thought we had problems, think of another Wendy Wu Tour that shadowed us all through China. Their bus broke down, but the driver was finally able to nurse his vehicle into Dali. And yes, finally.....Dali!
We were told to expect lesser facilities in Dali, being further off the beaten track, but were greeted by this good looking establishment:
And see what welcome greeted us as we entered into our room:
It was all pretty comfortable:
We found the place most acceptable, except perhaps for our breakfast. 
But hey, it was only for two nights and we managed quite well.And just see the contentment of Chris and Christine in the delightful setting of the courtyard of our hotel - or perhaps it is the Great Wall Red wine?:
Dali was just one of those places that everyone loves at first sight. It hasn't lost that 'village' feel and it was fun to share village life with these old men playing Mahjong
(I even had my shoes cleaned while sharing time with these people.)Just to see people taking time to chat, instead of rushing traffic and no time for anything much was great:
At the same time, there are things to be done like drawing water and carting stuff around:
As I walked in the early morning into the town square, the scenes were both peaceful and idyllic
- even with tourists:
The silversmiths are in abundance in Dali
and were early starters to prepare for tourist trade; and every thing was so CHEAP!
Our local guide was Shirley who, when she heard that Carol's sister is also named Shirley, immediately associated with her as her Chinese sister:
Dali people appeared very industrious as the above pictures have already shown. On our way to a local/traditional market, we stopped to see families hard at work in the rice paddies:
The market was very different. There was so much tradition here and I loved observing the people marketing their goods, both men & women engaging in their trades and crafts, and seeing how life really ticks over in Dali. There was even a dentist in attendance - no steriliser said Chris, though I did not personally see him:
Their transportation to the market was also rather different:
The Dali dress was very colourful and we saw lots of that both in the village, the market and the historical buildings:
There was also a dramatised wedding ceremony with lots of different teas that were offered to us:
In the afternoon a visit to the restored 3-pagodas. It is good to see the restoration following the cultural revolution under Mao. Carol chose to view these from a distance as her back was playing up, and this is what she saw:
And this is what I saw:
The evening atmosphere in Dali is to be experienced. My hassle was that I was feeling pretty crook and missed out on some of that. Just a delightful relaxing place that we all enjoyed:
Our final activity in Dali was a cruise on Lake Erhai on one of these boats
It was a very relaxing morning as we cruised across to an island 
and wandered around the local market, taking in the sites and the people:
And a final photo of me with Shirley's lovely daughter. She told her mother she wanted very much to touch my moustache but then was too shy to do so. But, she got round to it eventually.
As we left there was a shopping frenzy for T shirts. These guys and one doll chose to show off their purchase:
Dali was just lovely and a special highlight, particularly because we connected more with the people. Now it is on to Guillin....
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