motivation-challenged

here we are, HOM and i, shooting the breeze whilst our travel mates hike up to 280-odd steps to the scenic spot and back.

anthem

today we shlepp to the altay peak to ooh at the boundaries between the 4 nations. the views are even more stunning than over the last few days and the sun keeps up a sizzling presence.

shortest day yet

the bus decants us into the hotel at 6:30 PM. there is a collective gasp of relief from all the women in the group. laundry finally gets done. the hair gets washed. and we are in time for a late dinner instead of supper!

the guide promises us payback tomorrow. 

duku highway

if you ever think of adding a highway to your to-do list this might be a candidate. you'll get expanses of jaw-dropping scenery interspersed with a nerve-wracking drive along hairpin bends. throw in a supremely confident driver in a poorly suspended vehicle and you also get hair-raising. altogether memorable.

nalati grasslands

much hyped and justifiably breathtakingly gorgeous. but just a little bit greener in the photos and just a little bit better as a concept than in reality, owing to the blazing sun and abundance of dung of the bovine dromedary and equine variety.

another long day into night

during which we visit many spots take many photos have lots of pointless discussions and walk many steps.

today's lesson: in the profusion of numbers lies an explosion of frothy interactions opinions distractions and impediments.

long day into night

the xinjiang tour is shaping up to be the modern day equivalent to cecil parkinson's pre-retirement tour for civil servants*. as in, the program is packed and inexorable the pace is relentless the cheer is distressingly hearty and the loo breaks are fewer than i need.

i don't need to do so much! i want to whimper. i want to stay in the hotel and rot! unfortunately we move to the next location hundreds of miles away tomorrow. and tomorrow's morrow. and the morrow after.

note to self: try not to be part of a group tour again.

*per Parkinson's Law (c. n. parkinson, 1957)