Day: May 31, 2006

We are once again navigating on a comfortable, secondary road that is bordered by fields of corn, cotton, barley and tomatoes.  In the distance we can see the snow capped peaks of the Qilian Shan range, some of which reach  more than 5000 meters.  We really feel good in the peaceful haven of this countryside with it’s small villages.  At last we have found quiet and serenity.

At Shulehe, we passed a school where the annual prizes are being distributed to the best students.  For the occasion, the children were decked out in their best clothes and the members of the jury all wore a red scarf around their neck.

The irrigation canals are legendary here so we refilled our water bottles.  Laure washed her hair, whereas Daniel and Thomas washed the 4-wheel drive, which really needed it.  We met villagers who were all smiles.  China, “the land of smiles,” isn’t a legend.  From a shy smile to hearty laughter, we are bathed in “joie de vivre.”

At the 40th kilometer, in Yumenzhen, we took up again with route 312 until the end of the stage.  Serge ran on his toll road and we on our track.  As if this agony weren’t enough, the bee hive truck passed just at that moment, spewing bees, which stuck to our vehicles as if we were nectar filled flowers.  Serge put on his veiled hat.  At the 73rd kilometer we passed a bee truck which had broken down.  There were a few hives that had split open and a veritable halo of excited, black bees made Serge take a detour.  What a scourge, what a day!  We were all exhausted by the end of it.  Serge, as is the case every evening, was extremely tried but he never complains, unless, occasionally, it is to tell us about some pain he has.  His tenacity and willpower never fail.

Clouds are gathering overhead …. advance warning of rain?

Oh yes, before I forget, today there are plenty of photos to be seen in the photo gallery.