I am so behind on my blogs, so just want to get a few out there!
We went to
Binyu Gou in the Binyu Valley not last weekend, but the weekend before - just for a Sunday day trip.
Overall assessment: Not worth the 3.5 hour drive. The highway was closed (of course!) for 61 km, so we had to take a detour that extended the drive by over an hour. Then our driver didn't know quite how to get there, so in addition to my one requisite bathroom stop (at a gas station that literally was a cement outhouse with cement holes in the ground) - we stopped a few more times for directions. The kids were not happy to be cooped up in the car for so long, and just wanted to MOVE when we got there. But after paying 120 RMB per adult to get in, we found they nickel and dime you to get everywhere within the park. Having thought this was a pay-up-front and everything else is free type deal, Alex left his wallet in the car. Fortunately for us, our driver (whom we paid for and who accompanied us through the park) brought cash, so he could pay the 1 RMB each to get across the very dangerous bridge (see pic below) and then the 2 RMB each for the short boat ride, and same return prices. Return trip only took 2.5 hours, and we ate only snacks for lunch - so everyone was famished by the time we got home. Ah well, it was pretty for the hour and a half we were there...! My recommendation would be to wait till the road opens up and pack a picnic lunch.
Fam at Binyu Gou
Big Buddha Reclining at Binyugou:
Freaky scary 1 RMB bridge - could not find another way across the river - it had ROLLERS of all things - I was petrified of slipping and grasped my way SLOWLY across. Alex had to carry Lucia - not an easy feat!
Well, at least there was a Tigger:
So it is kind of pretty... the rock cliff formations are due to the rain pelting the side of the limestone cliffs in the winter, according to our driver:
I was petrified that Lucia was going to fall in on the boats or in the water, so made her wear her life jacket:
Worth the drive? You tell me...
Magdalena had to walk across this bridge:
And here we are again - I just love this pic, especially of Lucia:
It's beginning to sound like none of the nearby tourist attractions are great. You'll have to let us know when you find a really good one :) Although I do like the Buddha in this one. Your girls are sure getting big though!
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