We were cycling downhill towards Lincang on a road with a lot of colourful bougonvillias. 100m ahead of us a car stopped and two smiling Chinese, mother and sun, steped out. With hand, feet and phone we learned that they are going to spend a joyful weekend with friends in Lincang. The mother was wearing outdoor clothing and indead loves to be moving around the mountains. They ar happy and impressed to here about our itinary. They placed a huge watermelon in our arms and happily wave good bye after a compulsory picture. On our bikes there is always more space, also for a watermelon…
In Yunxian we were searching a nice place for dinner. As we were looking at a nice small spottlessly clean noodle-restaurant the young owner calles us in. As he realises, that we wanted to eat vegetarian, he declined but was obviously disappointed. We kept walking along the road and back again on the other side. As the young chef saw us he waved and called eagerly. He could arrange a vegetarian noodle soup! Well we sat down closely observed by the only other guest. We are served a nice soupe, and as often can add spices, herbs and sauce as we like. As we ask to pay the happy chef took out his phone and asked for a picture with us instead of money.
The little town Gonglang was a great choice. It is still authentic, but in build up for Chinese tourism. It is situated in a mountainous valley and consists of a labyrinth of winding lanes. The majority of the inhabitants seem to be Uigur. Our experiances with these friendly muslim population have so far been very positiv, especially with their cooking. We again chose an uigur restaurant therefore. After duscussing the menu one of the staff came to us smiling cheakily. She showed as a picture on her phone: the two of us having dinner in Shuangjian two nights earlier in a restaurant of one of her friends. Our picture has travelled ahead of us!
