Day 8 (27th May)
Wake up at 5plus am, leaving the place very early as we need to catch a morning bus at Zuo Suo (a town near by) to leave the place and continue on another trip (to Tibet).

On our way we passed by some villagers hitching a ride to the town. The driver didn't really want to, but they managed to squeeze into one seat infront (2 of them). I am pretty ok, as I know if we don't give them a ride, they will have to walk all the way there. It is about 1-2 hours ride!

This marks the end of our fruitful trip to Yun Nan.

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This trip to Yun Nan, I have alot of first time. First time to :
1. Such high altitude area
2. Ride horses myself, even to the extend of galloping!
3. Dui Ge
4. See a gorge
5. See snow, play with snow
6. See a life piglet to be slaugther infront of me....(omg ><)
7. Track a mountain with such steep slopes and path without any rope by the side to help. (but I enjoy such tracking more than climbing stairs!) More dangerous though...but all you need is grab onto your friends, help one another.
8. Go to toilet without door!
9. See a toilet that is full of maggots! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
10. Of course, not forgetting the local food there that were not found in anywhere else.


Tips for handling High Altitude Sickness
1. Overcome your psychological wall, stop worrying about it and best is forget about it! I believe most people have such problem is because they kept thinking about it and believe they will have problems there.
2. Although I said don't think about it but still must do precaution, bring medication to counter high altitude sickness. This will help to put your mind at ease.
3. Try to plan your trip such that you move from lower place to higher place. E.g start from Kun Ming then to Li Jiang, then Shangri La. This will help you adapt to the lack of oxygen.
4. Never be lazy, bring the jacket around! If you caught a cold in high altitude area is harder to recover.
5. Bring lots of cholocate and mint sweets. Instead of taking medication, when you feel you have some reactions, like mild giddy or lack of breath etc, sit down eat some chocolate and mint sweet.
6. If you are sick for more than 2 days and is turning from bad to worse or have persistant severe headache, go to the local hospital immediately!
7. Lastly ... relax and enjoy!

Travelling tips:
1. Be brave at bargaining ... don't afraid to be scolded.
2. Be careful...not to be chopped. E.g. we heard of some sedan or horse cheaters...they will carry you / let u ride some distance then after that ask for more $$ if not you will have to walk on or back yourself! So when you are taking these, ensure to check with them that the amount of $$ you pay is for the whole journey.
3. Although you have to be careful but be nice to people...if you are nice to them they will be nice to you too. (nice but careful though)
4. don't be afraid to ask your way.
5. Stay longer in each place..there are more places in Li Jiang and Shangri La that we never been to.
6. Get to know other travellers, exchange travel tips.
7. Note that we were travelling in off peak season so it seems easy to hitch a ride (e.g at the town in between Li Jiang and Shangri La), but during peak season it may not be so. Especially during CNY, labour day (1-7th May) or national day (1-7th Oct).

Hope you enjoyed my Yun Nan Trip, feel free to leave a comment or question! Click here.