Eye Max

It started this morning with a face full of blue sky and snow capped mountains. It hasn't stopped really!

We had what has to be the most picturesque journey to an airport ever. The snow storm when we arrived hid its secret until our journey out. We stopped at this deserted Qiang (Cheung) village with their unusual stone houses and most magnificent backdrop with only a few locals in sight. Bliss! The houses were left unstable in the 2008 earthquake and the villagers were moved to a new location uphill (but surely not as pretty).

Once we were up on the plateau near the airport, we were at 3100m and in quite a different landscape, quite barren at this time of year but full of lavender in summer. We walked up to a high point, again with no one, for last views of the mountain range before a traditional and delicious yak lunch. The food for the last couple of days has been poor and I've felt a little stomach sensitive so this was a perfect break from boiled rice and broccoli! 

With fabulous views of Juizhaigou from the air we were transported to Chongqing in a short hop and with a 15 degree rise in temperature. The descent showed the amazing 'mountain city' landscape; a basin containing a massive 32million people, surrounded by stunning hillsides. 

We enjoyed the connecting transfer to the port immensely. We had great views of the buildings, bridges and river against a blue sky backdrop before making our way onto a ship which has just left the port. 

I'd never have associated flashing light bling with communism but these guys know how to light up a town - we're loving the view!

The lights are getting less as we head downstream and we're starting to fade too after a long but exceptionally enjoyable day.