Dali mountain and the bike debarcle

We met up with a few guys and decided to go round Dali, bike style. My usual pink bike with the seat so low, my knees were in my ears, needed a few adjustments. After the seat was raised and the fee was paid, we were able to start off on our adventure. I knew things were not going to go my way when as soon as we left the drive way my seat went south and the boys took off oblivious. Back to the bike hire man, he fixed my seat, again, Ed came back (only to get air when he saw me) and we attempted a second leaving. Off down a hill we came to a stop to decide the best mode of action to get to the lake, when my seat, again, went south. Finding a repaire man was easy considering we stopped at the local bus station and soon I was peddling my way through the carpark. Not for long. The first bump and my knees were well past the top of my head and I was heading back to the guest house. On arrival the bike man had gone, who knows where and no one else was there to help me. When I enquired at the guest house reception they told me to go hire another bike from some one else and when he returned he would return my deposit. Deposit! I want my whole fee back considering the bike was cactus and I didn't actually go anywhere! After a little lost face and me calling the manager Vietnamese (an insult considering their history)
I decided that a bike ride was out of the question and was happy just to read my book....When I realised that Ed had the key and I was locked out!
Luckily I didn't go because after 8 the boys still hadn't returned...Where did they go...Bamuda? ( Yes I was still locked out and a tad unhappy too)

The following day, after being joined by a few more people we decided to "climb" one of the mountains surrounding Dali. It consisted of all of us walking to the national park entrance and getting in to a heated debate as wether to go up by chair lift and walk down. Or walk up and down by cable car. Or up and down by mechanical help and just enjoy the 12 klm walk for what it was going to be...12 ks.
Eventually and after saying do what the buggery you bloody well want. We split in to 2 groups...The boys who were too macho and out to prove themselves a hero and those that wanted to have a good day with out requiring an ambulance at the end. I was in the latter.
Going up by chair lift was so lovely and we were able to look out over the mountains and city.( Idiots who wanted to walk.) At the top we took in a few temples and did our little pray to Buddha (for a rediculous "donation") then set off for our hike. Now the Chinese have the idea. A hike consists of a paved walkway cut in to the side of a mountain. Their idea is, that everyone of all ages can take in this great site with out killing themselves. The breath taking senery of mountains, city and waterfalls was something to take in at a lesurley pace. This was easy for my little group of 4.
We stopped at the caves and ran into a little Chinese man sweeping a path. He pionted us in the direction of another cave that was situated up a rather steep climb on the side of a mountain top. I attempted to climb up but as I was one with snot, being the proud owner of a runny nose, I found it a bit too hard to breath. I took the easy option of hanging around the bottom for a rest. Apparently not missing much anyway.
This is where our little Chinese mate told everyone that he was a guide and could take us climbing to the top of another mountain. Well, everyone except for me. I was far to fat to be climbing mountains and was far surprised I was up there now. I was going to mention Mt. Kinabalu but instead took great offence and took off down the path in a flurry of tears. When are people ever going to learn not to judge a book by it's plump little cover?
After a few minutes I was joined by the rest of the group of the fab 4, telling me not to worry about it...not bad coming from a girl with the body of a super model. I wasn't going to let him spoil my day and we kept up at a great pace. Eventually we reached the end and was trying to find our way to the Cable car station when we happened apon a bunch of Monkey's. You can imagine my delight considering how much I hate the little buggers, due to our last few meetings. These poor guys were, however, tethered to a wall, with little, if no room to move. It was awful and I was more than happy to go. On the cable car I was a little panic-ie as we glided over the canyon of the too mountains. I even had to hold Rachel's hand a few times. The older I get the more rediculous I am becoming. Back on earth and stable land, we all headed out for a Tibetan feast to celebrate our mountain climb...Macho men and all.