24-Apr-2003 -- Continued from 27°N 112°E.

Wednesday 23 April 2003 (Day 7, continued) - Three bus rides got me from Jinxing first to Lingguandian, then to Shaodong, where I had an early dinner, and finally to Longhui, arriving at 8 p.m. My jeans were wet, dirty, torn, and just about ready to throw away. I submitted them, together with all my other accumulated dirty clothes, to the hotel for washing, and was assured that they would be ready by noon the next day.

Thursday 24 April 2003 (Day 8) - I took an early bus the 20 kilometres south from Longhui to Shuangpai. Constant drizzle spoilt what was otherwise a very pleasant three-kilometre walk in from the road to the confluence. Midway through my walk I came across quite an impressive temple, built seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The path I was following actually went right through the covered entranceway to the temple, and inside I met a local who was sheltering from the rain.

Without ever having to deviate from the path, I eventually arrived at the confluence, which was in the northern corner of a very wet field. The elevation was 356 metres. I took the standard north-south-east-west photos, then turned and headed back to Shuangpai. I didn't have to wait long before a bus bound for Longhui came past. I arrived back at the hotel at noon to find my clothes ready and waiting as promised. I packed them into my bag, then headed off to the main Longhui bus station.

Story continues at 27°N 110°E.