Heading to our last night in China. Day19, May 7

A bit of a sleep in and breakfast with the Hostel owner Mr Wei from Yangshou Culture House Hostel.

During Brekkie Mr Wei kindly offered a lift to the bus station and because it was pouring with rain this was greatly appreciated!  He also told us that we could go directly from Nanning to Ha Long rather than via Hanoi which could save us a day travelling!!!

Our first long distance bus trip was uneventful, stunningly beautiful with Karst peaks most of the way and rice paddies and horticulture and rivers all the way.

Arrived in Nanning to the heaviest rain we have seen so far. Kim and Lesley charged with purchasing our on tickets from Nanning to Vietnam, the most difficult ticket exercise so far, no helpful young people around, no English speaking staff and hoards of people!  Not willing to be defeated we finally decided to ask the Information staff and found that not only could they speak English but they could book our tickets!  Eureka.... Mission accomplished.

Off on the local bus, two stops to the Hostel according to Mr Google and once again he was right on track.  Checked in to a lovely modern high rise hostel another first for the Intrepid travellers.

Nanning locals turned out to be just as helpful as other cities, had a lovely meal ordered completely by a young office worker!  Then went off to see the sights of Nanning by night!

Last stop was a brand new 300,000 sq metre upmarket shopping centre including a mini city surrounding it ..... amazing!

Next stop Vietnam!