The hotel where I’ve been for two nights is lovely and so are the family running it. That’s a continuing theme here in Yunnan. It’s such a nice setting. They all greeted me in the morning, then the cat started playing with the straps on my bike, then the little kid chasied the cat while the whole family and I laughed.
I finally got away and made my way down to the lake but first I found a coffee guy where I wouldn’t have expected. His small shop was well away from the tourists and in a very locals only area. It was great, and he was an interesting guy. I have no idea how he makes money in this street, but that’s not my problem.
Down to the lake and I rejoined the cycle / running / walking path that I found yesterday after picking up the bike at the station – 20kms away.
What a crazy ride. There were people out enjoying themselves walking, running, skating, taking photos and getting married. You read that right. I must have seen more than a dozen in a hundred metres. I bet it’s a lucky place with some significance. I refrained from voicing my opinion of the institution they were entering into 😁
I also realize I don’t have any photos of the happy couples but I’ll try and drag some off the Insta360 later.
I followed the lake for 40kms in total but it was very busy for the first half. There were lots of swish hotels with restaurants overlooking the lake and every few kms, there were food vendors, photographers and bike hire places.
I stopped at a coffee shop with a sunny verandah and relaxed in the warm sun. Unbeknown to me, a lady inside, took some photos of me. Creepy right ? As I left, she ran out and told me that she wanted to send me the photos. I finally agreed and the one at the top of this post came from her. I still feel a bit weird about it.
Pretty soon, the crowds thinned out and it was almost serene for the last bit. I met some local riders circumnavigating the lake in a day. That must me about 150kms or more.
At the top of the lake, there was a small village with one nice looking food option. The ladies just gawked at me. They can’t see too many like me here. Lunch was nice, then I left to tackle the small hills to Eryuan.
At one point, I went past a few kilometres of stonemasons. The air was full of dust and everything was covered in it.
The hills were relatively easy and I was soon in Eryuan which is the county capital and remarkably big. I found the really nice hotel and couldn’t believe my luck. I had all of the essentials – nice room, a street food market 50m away, a supermarket around the corner, a coffee shop and a bakery. It doesn’t get better than this here !
Dinner breakfast and coffee were sorted.