Biking and Rafting on the Yulong River

What a day! With our rented bikes, we set off for the Yulong River to soak up some scenery. Before we got to the scenic part however, we endured much pollution on the main thoroughfares from the contraptions they call cars around here. We raced through two tunnels, trying to protect our nice pink lungs from the continuous black exhaust pouring from all sides of every engine. But, of course, the day quickly ramped up from its polluted start.

We soon found ourselves passing vendors selling rice hats, floral crowns and beverages as we cruised along. Before we knew it, we were in rice paddy land and the hills shot up around us in every direction. We pedaled and pedaled until we could pedal no more. Passing village after village, the locals said either 'hello' or 'bamboo?' The whole county is on the bamboo rafting scene. At the end of the paved road we began to follow a young girl to Baisha where we could eat lunch. The sun pelted us as we wound through small villages of brick on dirty, rocky roads, crossed bridges over clear water, delighted in the lush, green feilds of rice and avoided dogs, ducks and water buffalo.

Although we were headed to Baisha, our unofficial tour guide took us to Yulong instead. That was ok though. We had a delightful meal there and a nice break from our long bike ride. From Yulong, we hopped on the bamboo rafts with the bikes strapped on the back and floated down the Yulong River with our feet dangling in the clear water. The captain of our raft failed to drop us in the water as we crossed small waterfalls along the way. A couple of times, I think she tried though. We safely made it to the shore and climbed back onto our bicycles and we tiredly rode back to our hotel, where we enjoyed the last of the sun on the terrace with a pair of banana milkshakes and a springroll before turning in for the night.

What a day!