12th. Jiu Zhai Gou.

From looking at photos and pictures of this place, I thought that they were just stereotypical tacky manipulated tourist images, with everything looking shitter in real life. So on the way to Jiu Zhai Gou, I was just expecting the usual good mountain/lake scenes, nothing special. We were going to spend the whole day here, from about 9am to 6pm. The site is huge, as there are multiple lakes/pools, each one accessiible by foot or by bus. We took the bus from the entrance to the first site, where we were immediately emerged into the beauty of this place. The water was so clear and blue. The mountains covered in greenery and it was a blue skied day. As the sun petered out I was annoyed with myself for dressing for cold weather. The first walk was past a series of small pools, each one as sparkling blue as the next. It was kind of surreal, after being so used to seeing murky watered lakes. We then took another bus to the next stop, "Long Lake". This lake is the one that supplies the water to the other lakes and pools, and is the largest one, at the highest point of the area. The pattern of pool - bus - pool - bus continued throughout the day. I can say that I have never been anywhere as beautiful or as surreal as Jiu Zhai Gou. The water was shades of turquoise, blue, green and some yellow parts. I have no idea how it gets its colour, especially as the water is crystal clear.

My favourite pool is called 五彩池,"Colourful Pool". After getting off the bus, you decend stone steps towards the pool. Before you get to the bottom, you see slithers of bright, bright turqoise through the trees, building you up for what is there. And it doesn't disappoint. I got there around midday, and the sun was still shining through the sparse clouds, making the pool even more bright and shimmery. There were light ripples on the surface of the water, just to remind you that there is actually water there. I spent a lot of time at this pool, just taking photos and appreciating the scenery. It's enclosed all around with mountain stone, like it's being hidden away. It was amazing. Other highlights of the place included 箭竹海,"Arrow Bamboo Pool". This was where that epic lake scene in Hero was filmed, and I'd been looking forward to seeing this. There was also a huge waterfall that I also really enjoyed. The loud, fast flowing water was a huge contrast from the still, serene pools that were seen before. At one of the pools, there was a couple getting their wedding photos taken. The scenery was indeed so beautiful and they looked stunning. Ahhh. I am so, so glad I came to see this place. Photos really don't do it justice. The scenery that you see around the valley is not something you can capture. Even more so the feelings you feel when you see something so naturally beautiful. Of course, like any other tourist place, there are plenty of people selling crap, taking photos for you, and hiring out traditional 帐族,tibetan attire. And yet despite this horrible commercialisation of this place, it wasn't enough to take away the breathtaking sights.

After leaving Jiu Zhai Gou at late afternoon, we went to a Tibetan family's house, to experience their culture, food and traditions. The tibetans believe in polygamy. But with the female having numerous husbands instead of the other way around. This is pretty weird, but I guess it just means everyone is free to get some. Especially since the population of the tibents around here is rather small.. lol. Totally knackered now at the hotel, I feel like I will pass out any minute now. Heading back to Chengdu tomorrow, and staying the night there before my tour of Emei Mountain and Le Mountain. Exciting and scary stuff.. as I don't have anywhere booked to stay tomorrow night. Winging it would be a good term to describe what I am doing.

Today was really an eye-opener. Just.. omg, it was just amazing. The weather was perfect as it cooled down later in the day. The tour has pretty much ended now, and I really feel as if I have seen a lot. The family making up the majority of the group were also great company, and I really ended up feeling a part of their group. I got this warm fuzzy feeling right now.
Might be the electric blanket that I turned on for wayyy too long whilst I was showering..