Nanning...almost to the border of Vietnam - It's turning out to be a little more difficult than expected getting to Hanoi. We left Yangshuo this morning by bus. (We ended up trekking through town with our packs on since the "pick up" arranged by the travel service was actually a person arriving at the hotel with an umbrella and walking us all to the bus stop 10 minutes away.)

The bus ride was bumpy, noisy and smelly but we all arrived here in one piece. At the station, the guys found two english speaking locals at the KFC, which is as commonplace as Starbucks in Vancouver in the cities over here, and they took care of finding us a hotel and taxis when we learned we couldn't travel any further south today. They were incredibly helpful, as the Chinese have been throughout this trip. We can't say enough good things about the people. So, it turns out that we are now enjoying an unexpected stay in Nanning ... and an unexpected stay in a 5-star hotel! The kids swam in the pool, we just had a great (western) meal and everyone is now tucked into their cozy duvets and special scented pillows. It's just the best service - they bring you a pillow depending on your ailment - lavender for insomnia, green tea for stress, etc. 

The new plan is we're getting the bus at 8:30 tomorrow morning for Hanoi. We should arrive around 4 pm. 

A word about the kids on this journey. It may sound unbelievable, but there hasn't been a hitch. The six of them are getting along really well and barely need the adults around. And they've been troupers every step of the way, living on bread and peanut butter when there's nothing else, and humping their packs down alleys and up hills. I think we'll all - adults and children - miss each other when the time comes in a few days to part ways. 

Til tomorrow.

g