China, Hengyang: A Temple in Hell

We were not as brave as some locals who decided to swim across, and therefore we had no choice than to look for other means of transport. People started offering their transporting services. The price they offered was so high, we thought they should guarantee us at least one week of travel for that price. When one elderly gentleman understood that the foreigners, we, cannot be fooled (or at least not that much). He waved at his son and few minutes later we stood on the shore of the island.

And really there was something to watch. As if suddenly we jumped from the concrete jungle to Cuba (I hasn’t been to Cuba, but it looked exactly as in my imagination). We walked through modest houses, until we discovered the magical temple in the northern part of the island. It seemed deserted, except for a boy driving around on a tricycle, but the opposite was true. Residents of the island maintained it carefully. In addition, will take care of the hungry pilgrims - when I ask them to cook you some of my good vegetarian dishes.

However, we continued in the research expedition. We admired the garden, dotted with a variety of pumpkins, peppers, courgettes ... and we resisted the temptation to pluck some of the huge pomelos and oranges.

But as we wanted to get back, it seemed that we really would have to swim across the river. Our boatman was not anywhere, in the house, where he ran, we were did not dare enter. Picturesque island . So we enjoyed the island a little longer than we would have wanted.

The next day with packed backpacks we explored the peak of Hui-Yen-Feng (the 'tip of returning wild goose "). According to a legend, wild geese stopped there to rest on their way to warmer southern countries, and so the hill gained its name. Today is not difficult to get to him, just hop on a city bus.

In the evening we spent waiting at the station, tickets in hand to a location Hunan - in Nanchang. Another night train to another of the many Chinese cities. We knew, however, that even there something will definitely surprise. So we climbed on chairs in a sleeper car and while we were falling asleep we were imagining our following destination.

Text/photo: Hana Bašová