Second Day In Guilin

Old people enjoy playing cards in the caves.
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I woke up around 9:30AM, comfortably rested. Yesterday would've been a good day if it had not been for the "psycho AIDS syringe" guy sitting by the road. Damn, that was crazy. You read about these things in the newspaper but never in your life would you think you'd actually meet one.

Anyway, enough of the syringe guy. Since nothing happened, I'm just gonna put it to the back of my mind.

Really, once you've climbed one or two hills, you can save yourself some energy and stop.

Looks like right out of a wuxia movie.
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After a long, hot shower I felt like finally doing some more exploring. My first stop, Seven Star Park (Qi Xing Gong Yuan). I took the No. 11 bus to the very last stop. On my way off the bus, I noticed a big sign that read "Seven Star Park, an AAAA scenic spot."

I've been in China for a year but I've yet to visit an "AAAA" scenic spot; not even in Yunnan. I'm curious to see what this AAAA place is all about. With a 25 RMB student ticket (regular 35 RMB) in hand, I was ready to embark on my first AAAA tour!

My breakfast on the second day. Yum...all the delicacies that Guilin has to offer.
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Essentially this is just a huge park filled with pagodas, mini waterfalls, and hills. Couple of hills are worth climbing but after the fifth one, you began to wear out. Really, once you've climbed one or two hills, you can save yourself some energy and stop. I guarantee it, you'll get the same view every time.

After about 2 1/2 hours, I finished exploring just about every inch of this AAAA park. Not bad for 25 RMB. You even get a mini zoo tossed in for the ride.

I didn't waste any time. Once I exited the park, I hopped on to the No. 11 bus and headed straight to Elephant Trunk Hill, my last stop in Guilin before heading out to Yangshuo.

An enchanting lake at Seven Star Park.
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Elephant Trunk is just a 10 minute walk down the street from my hotel, and it really looks like an elephant's trunk. But is it really worth the 28 RMB (student fare) I paid to get in? Don't bother. With that money, you basically get to climb on top of the hill and take a few more pictures of Guilin city. But watch out, it's a rather steep climb!

If you're on a tight budget, just snap a few pictures from afar. No need to actually pay the entrance fee and take these same pictures 200 yards closer. The outcome is about the same. You're only separated by a stone wall.

Peaceful little ravine.
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After 40 mins of the Elephant park, I was ready to move on. What can I say, Guilin is a great city but reminded me too much of Kunming. I was eager for something different. Something perhaps a little unique. I'm tired of glossy buildings and KFCs. I yearned for Yangshuo and after buying a 17 RMB bus ticket, I was on my way. I don't know what lays ahead. But whatever it is, I'm sure I'll be ready for it.