We had a textbook transit day today. Our flight was at 12:50 so we didn’t need to set alarms. After we got up, we had breakfast noodles and then left the hotel at 10AM.

Since there are no cars in the old city we had a porter come and help with our bags. We kept being guided one way while he took other routes with all our stuff. I thought about how he could have easily opened up our bags or just taken them while separated from us, but I set that anxiety thought aside and trusted in the goodness of others. This is such a key lesson of this trip. At home we don’t need to trust strangers much, and often actively distrust them. But here, we have no other choice. I am constantly reminded that people, for the most part, and good.

We got to the airport with enough time and got to our gate without issues. Our point system for airport behavior continues to deliver and Millie got some gum with her earnings.

Our flight was short but still they gave us these badly translated and very romantic little snack boxes.

As we landed I spotted the mountains that this area is known for.

When we were debarking we were hit with heat and humidity. In a <2 hour flight we went from dry mountain air to hot jungle air. This may explain why my skin and hair have been in shambles on this trip. I feel like I’ve aged 5 years.

We figured out how to get the bus from the airport to the small town of Yangshuo just over an hour away.

The bus was not air conditioned and we continued to sweat. When we arrived in the center of town it took us a while to get a taxi. I ducked into a corner shop to get a cold drink for us to share and it saved us from spiraling into heat-induced despair.

Finally we got to our hotel and then all the transit was worth it. It feels quite remote but we have an incredible view and a large family suite with separate rooms.

The room included stuffed animals and Millie wasted no time playing with them and setting them up in an elaborate tea party.

We had dinner at the hotel. Millie accidentally spilled and shattered a glass which was quite dramatic but we recovered and had a nice meal.