Xishuangbanna 2

I’ll try not to bore you guys with all the details of the trip. Let the copious amount of pictures do that for me.  I’ll try and write the highlights and stuff I may have found interesting.
Since I write these posts after the travel, I can say the following with confidence (even though I realized it during).  Tour guided bus trips in a foreign land with  a language you don’t know sure does make everything that occurs seem like a surprise.  I mean half the time the translator was not sure were we were going next, even getting dinner was like Oh boy its chi fan time.

First stop in XiShuangBanna 西双版纳 was the Wild Elephant Vale.  The elephants were wearing wedding vales? No silly, but they did have a yellow/red vale on there foreheads. Which seemed appropriate, I mean big foreheads Yikes, am I right ? Or what?

We traversed our way through a mini museum with a couple skeletons and some brief history of where they live in the asia area.  Then we went up to an elevated wooden walkway through the forest.  That was fun.  Had some great stream views with a traditional building near.

The views were breathing taking and to think that bamboo can grow 2-3 stories high.  One thing I liked was that some trees were so old that they cut a hole in the platform and the tree keeps growing through it. There were signs of what some species were but being that they didn’t have a picture on it, and vegetation was all over, it was a bit tough to figure out what the sign was actually referring to.

Next stop in XiShuangBanna 西双版纳 is the WEV was a semi-wild-bird show.  There were a handful of macaws and some other bird, but they were trained to fly to people’s hand, pose for a photo (that you can buy later) and then fly back to the handler.  One landed on me but it was to quick for Ling to get a free one.  Sure it may have been a lame type thing, but when the bird landed on you it still made you smile and get all happy.

Walking out I saw these really big upside down orange dangling flowers.  I mean you could put your fist in side the opening of the petals, but you shouldn’t because the flower is poisonous.  Glad when I pulled the flower closer to my head for a picture I used the limb…regardless I dowsed my hands with sanitizer.

Next was a butterfly exhibit and you should check flickr for those photos.  Great patterns I tell you, and there were enough flying around to make it worth while.  All that walking and heat in Feb called for a piece of momma’s beef jerky and some freshly squeezed mango juice while watching a handful of elephants perform.

Come to think of it, if I was a circus goer as a kid I bet I would have seen most of the tricks.  Four elephants standing on each other hind quarters, sitting on a stool, walking a tight rope/bar, kick a soccer ball, hold people up by the trunk, kiss a girl after giving flowers, and of course I climbed on to one of them and got a photo… I don’t care if it cost $5 bucks… cheaper than america.   BTW and elephant can pee like a full gallon at a time, because I saw a guy grab a bucket to catch it all.

Primeval Forest Park in XiShuangBanna 西双版纳 was next.  Walked across a suspension bridge and then watched a little minority group dancing.  Off to the right you could here some hooting and it was a 2 course zip line.  Just slip your legs into a couple straps and off you went…better keep your balance because it wasn’t set up like the ones in North Carolina… you could slip out of these.  I passed on it.

The main attraction here was the peacocks being called over to feed.  I mean they were held up in cages and finally let out.. But it was still fantastic to see a flock of peacocks fly over the pond, land, eat and then fly back.  Never saw that before and I must say I’m glad I took video.  In all honesty I knew that part was coming because my g-parent age roommates had just went about 2 weeks ago.
Tropical Flower and Plant Exhibit: Big highlight here was seeing these naked trees that never get leaves.  Got to see a bunch of different fruit trees too: durian, mango, tamarind and some pineapple.  Also , a huge exhibit of some kind of flower tree (I think it’s common but I don’t know the name, someone help me) and it came in 4 colors plus hybrid versions.

That night we went to a South Asia production theater.  Nine minority groups were represented. The songs and dances depicted were real and showcased weddings, courtship, rain/sun/harvest type activities etc.  Once in Kunming I went to a show and saw a women do a silhouette dance where she uses her hands to make a peacock shape and it’s accompanied by sensual movements.

Apparently, it’s quite the talent and the lead role of that lady is heavily desired.  Well, in this show a guy was dressed from his waist down in a peacock outfit and his upper half and lots of glitter.  No silhouette on this guy but he would turn around and bring his arms out to his side. Then he would make all these gyrations with the arms and his back.  It may sound silly but this dude had some amazing back muscles and when he gyrated it looked pretty talented.

At the end of the night I took a photo of the 9 statues that depicted the pregnancy process.  After the show in the courtyard of the theater, a fire was made and everyone was invited to perform a few dances.  Much like the dances I do at the square at home.
A couple blocks down the road we stopped by this ridiculously lighted temple and I posed in the lotus position (thank you ex-g/f who showed what that was).  The architecture at this place and some of the statues was pretty awe inspiring.  I know how they build stuff here, so when you see intricate designs I get amazed.

Later that night when Ling and I made it to the hotel, we decided to go get some BBQ street food and ran into 2 young people from our bus. They were on their honeymoon.    End of Day 1.

Day 2 started out at a Dai village.  They had a white fabric hung high on a pole and it was for the dead to find there way to heaven.  There houses are unique because everything is built on the second floor.

Also, in this culture women run supreme.  So the potential spouse man will live in the women’s parents house for 2 years.

His job is to do all domestic chores for those 2 years and sleep on the floor in the living area.

After that though, then it’s back to the women doing most of the chores. The caveat is though, only the women can file for divorce.

The women wear this special belt even as a kid and it reminds me of foot binding because its meant to keep the waist and belly thin.  I don’t think it is as deforming as the feet stuff though.

Tried some of there tea and bought some Thailand coconut candy while at the village (random I know) and ate some fried bananas.    Before leaving we stumbled upon a free area to try on authentic looking Dai clothes.  Ling and I tried on several and then we took a photo with a few fellow travelers.  It was fun bonding with everyone.. No language but you can tell we all enjoyed the experience.

Later that day we went to a Buddhist temple that has a statue 49 meters tallin XiShuangBanna 西双版纳.  The buildings here have great green and red shingle patterns. I stared at them while the tour guide explained what all the stuff was.  There was a rock that people put money and old school 80’s rope bracelet’s on.

One temple had 9999 identical mini statue replicas of the really tall one.  People could pray inside, get one of those 80’s throwback bracelets and I guess be on there way.

Oh and to leave a temple you go in left foot first and out right foot first.

Off to either side of the many many steps up to the tall Buddha, were  monk statues with orange sash.  That was fun to see and pose for pictures by.  Behind the tall guy and around most of the stairways were dragons.  This one featured here I liked a lot and well I was able to have a little fun with it too.    If you are interested, I’ve been wearing a #fitbit and I was hitting well over 18000 steps per day on this trip.

We went on a boat cruise down a river to a dam.  This river connects china to vietnam and is a major transport line.  The boat was 3 stories and more dancing took place.  We were in for a treat though

.  I got to see MAN LADY perform…about 5 of them.  You know like on the hangover part um whichever.  Guys that have feminine feature (normally in the face) and so they grow their hair out, get a boob job but you know tuck the penis.  Some had such broad shoulders.lol   Another came out singing in his girl voice and then BAM switched it up and went man on the next verse.

I think they realize that they are an act, because that is kind of how it came across, but they get paid for it.  Also got a few real monks to pose with me. Don’t get that to often!

That evening was an optional event.  Only the young couple and Ling and I went to it and the rest wanted to rest at the hotel.  The tour guide was glad we went.

First, it was a big ol’ dinner, people wise at least.  They had some pineapple rice steamed in banana leaves and another two sticky rice things steamed too.  Then we had chicken wings and fish.  After I ate, I thought umm well I’ll just get some more BBQ after this thing.  NO SIR!

All of a sudden servers came around with buckets of extra wings and fish.  I ate my self into a coma…so good.  Then we rushed to the WC and found our seats for another performance.

This time it was a showcase of all the local countries dances and costumes: Laos, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, and Tibet.  A great show. It even got interactive by pulling 3 audience members and having us vote on which wedding ceremony was best.  Of course they had 3 actors to instruct the audience members, but it was sure funny to see these people have to improvise on the spot.

Another time they picked another 3 guys to imitate what was just performed on stage.  The guys were flirting with the girls who were quilting.  The audience guys went up and did the same thing, and then after they were asked who they flirted with and it was a riot because one 2 of them picked the same girl. The MC played that up for quite a while.

Thanks to Ling for giving some key summaries here and there… the crowd loved all the participation.  Once that concluded we lit candles and placed them in the pond…then it was another bonfire dance party.
Seriously, I bet 300 people were dancing around.

A tragedy occurred though.  For no apparent reason my favorite white ceramic watch just shattered at the both sides of where the band meets the face.  I was like NOOOO  and we picked up the pieces between foot stomps, threw them in my man bag, let the sadness fade and kept on dancing.

Well that sums up the trip. Enjoy the photos.