On the way back, as my ice numbed feet drag slowly, I notice more of these numerous spice shops that dot the sides. They had funny names, with some of them labeled as fungus even. The big mushroom at the center? That was one of the fungus labeled ones. It seemed quite popular, all these...
These locks in various shapes, the most popular being a heart, can be found all over the sides of the huge courtyard at the summit. Remembrances of love. Tied by couples, as a prayer to hold their love steadfast.
Finally the summit! This is what greeted me. The sun, unspoilt blue and a huge towering Buddha. Though there were crowds of tourists, I felt exhilarated at reaching the summit, at being able to see such glorious sunshine and the Buddha of course.
See those glistening steps? One wrong step and you could land at the bottom. This was how it was for half the way till the ice thawed out and warmer winds kept the steps dry. In a few places, there was no way but to slide down because it was so slippery!
One of the many temples I passed along the way to the summit. Many of them including this one, named Wannian Si, offer accommodation and food for trekkers.
This is the sight that meets you on the trek to Emei Shan. Endless steps, unfurling for miles and miles. When I started out at the base and perhaps till half the way the steps were dry and surrounded by green trees. As I ascended more and more, they became snow and ice encrusted with...
Yesterday I finished a four-day trek to Emei Shan, one of the four sacred mountains in China. It was a grueling climb – 50 km one way. That means I walked, climbed and descended more than a 100 km. And the fact that the path up the mountain consists of neatly hewn stone steps does...
A bucket of rice. Yes, that’s what most restaurants serve here. I don’t know if rice is so abundant that they dish out so much! The other picture is one of my MOST favorite dishes. It’s called Mapo Doufu (maa-pu d0-foo). It’s silken soft tofu mixed in a hotbed of spices including ginger, chili oil and...
Had gone to Carrefour. They are all over Chengdu. This is the grocery and food floor in Carrefour but it is pretty much the same as in any other big supermarket in China. Rows and rows of vegetables and fruits. Anything related to food, you name it and it’s there.
On Sunday, 20th February, when I went to Tianfu Square I had no idea about why there were police and military men swarming all over the place with menacing sniffer dogs. And the policemen in China look tough and mean business, you wouldn’t want to mess with them. The next day I read about the...
