Wuyuan

There were 6 of us going out on location, all guys, and from the very first night, I got the impression that this might turn into something quite amusing.

Despite looking very cool, we're not posing but waiting for.... (you'll see in next photo)

Essentially we were being looked after by the Wuyuan County Tourism Board, who laid on drivers, meals, accommodation etc and were generally extremely hospitable. So hospitable, in fact, that they were desperate from day 1 to get us all suitably drunk at any possible opportunity. As consummate professionals but polite guests, we were torn (at least some of us were). I don’t think I’ve ever turned down so much free alcohol in my entire life. Luckily we had in 1 of our technicians, Yangge, a hero of epic proportions. A person willing to shoulder all the drinking, so that the rest of us didn’t have to. The kind of man who would challenge Dionysus (the greek god of wine) to a drinking contest and probably drink him under the table. Yangge, I salute you! If it wasn’t for you honourably protecting me from so many of the glasses of WuJiu (wuyuan rice wine) that were being forced my way, I think my liver would have gone on strike.

Our Team bus....perching on the side...

There are so many highlights that spring to mind, but rather than list them off, hence lessening your urge to watch the show, I’ll pick a few of my favourites.

Wuyuan county has literally dozens of villages scattered around, each one with a story, or lots of stories to tell. We managed to scout out some of the most remote, as well as the more well known places.

I loved the tranquility of Dazhan Shan Ding. No tourists and extremely clean fresh air. You’re up over 1,600 metres and you feel as far from Beijing as you’ll ever feel. I’m not saying that Beijing is bad, I absolutely adore Beijing, but sometimes it’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle.