Biking Around Banna

We had so much fun biking around Erhai Lake that we decided to rent bikes again in Jinghong. Luckily, this time around ferries weren't even an option! We rode southwest of town past rice paddies, corn fields, small villages, and a large temple. We meandered around back roads and dirt paths, figuring that we'd be able to follow our noses back to town. We were right. After we got back to town, we returned our bikes and had a fantastic thai dinner at the aptly named "Thai Restaurant." We walked around town after dark on our way home and saw all the neon turning on. Several streets were impassible because restaurants had taken over the sidewalk and were encroaching onto the road with giant tables packed with patrons. Banna seemed very lively--particularly after dark!

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It only took about 10 minutes to feel like we'd left a big city and were deep into the country.

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This yak was sitting right in the road and he (she?) hardly even seemed to notice us. Note that instead of a bit in its mouth, the harness goes through its nostrils.

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We rode through some really beautiful small towns on the water.

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satellite dishes are EVERYWHERE!

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We parked our bikes outside of what we thought was a school. A group of small girls stopped by to gawk at us, particularly at Bill. They giggled whenever we acknowledged them, especially when Bill tried to say "再见" (zai jian or "see you later")

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Giselle, standing in front of the gates to a temple, modelling her venerable Brown Barbaloot shirt. It's been around the world a few times now!

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