I found a really good deal for 2d1n tour to Lugu Lake 泸沽湖 at only 390rmb and the package would include full meals and accommodation. There were a lot of tour agencies in Lijiang Gucheng selling at such low price due to the low travel season in Lijiang. Sounded like a scam but cheapo me decided to give it a try. So began my tour at 5.30am, I walked out from my inn in total darkness to the big water wheel to be picked up by the tour guide. After a while, a guide greeted us and took us to a mini bus.
Along the way, the bus picked up more tour members. The guide started getting impatient along the way as some members seems to get the wrong waiting points. At this point, I began to regret taking up the tour but soon after picking up everyone, his temper subsided and he smiled and became a nicer person. Weird. But according to him, Mosou people 摩梭族 were quick tempered, straight talking but warm and hospitable. Un-huh, I guessed that as long as he don't direct his temper on me, I would be just fine. Soon the guide started collecting 100rmb extra in order to get us better meals. It was compulsory but the tour agency failed to inform me on this. Hmmm my scam alert was blinking...
It took 7 hours to reach Lugu lake from Lijiang as we needed to go up and down the winding road along the mountains. But the roads were pretty smooth and I never get bored since the scenery along was beautiful.
One of the long winding road to Lugu
It was afternoon when we finally reached the lake. We took a leisure boat ride out on the calm lake. The lake matched the sky and were a clear blue which had a soothing effect on me. The Chinese ladies on the boat started singing some folk songs while we slowly cruised along. It was truly entertaining and relaxing.
Clear drinkable lake water
For dinner we were taken to a traditional house of a Mosou family. We had fun eating and drinking the free alcohol. After a few round of drinks, we loosened up and started chatting among ourselves. I befriended a Chengdu couple, Shuhai and Yumin who were very entertaining as they joked and poked fun at each other. Shuhai was very sporty as we keep downing him with alcohol and he graciously accepted. The food were not great but the company were fun. After dinner, we went for 歌舞晚会 where we danced and sang by the bonfire. The Chineses seemed to enjoy this type of gathering a lot and most of the tourist areas in China would have their version of 歌舞晚会. I guessed when there was nothing much ado after dark, this would be the only entertainment.
On the way back to our hostel later that night, a group of elderly ladies commented that the Shangrila's 歌舞晚会 was much better that Lugu Lake's and had a argument with our guide on that. I find it unnecessary since different places had different cultures and their own idea of fun. We should be more receptive towards the local culture and their way of life when we travel. I strong believed that if we open our mind a little, we would be happier. Lugu Lake was quiet and beautiful that night. Away from city lights, the black sky was lit with millions of stars. I enjoyed the view as it was a rare sight for us back home in the city.
The next morning, it was time to go back. But before that we visited a Mosuo family house and saw a demonstration of walking marriage 走婚. In Mosou, they have a Matriarchy culture where the ladies manned the household. When the ladies gave birth, the child belonged to her family and the child will be brought up by her family and brothers. Her man would take care of his sisters' children instead. 走婚 means night visit for uh hmm..sex. When a couple is interested with each other, the unattached man can visit the lady's room at night. But first he needed to sing underneath her window. If the lady reciprocated, he would climbed up the wall into her window and spend the night with her. All these can be done without upsetting the lady's family or any vows of marriage. Mosuo people did not believe in marriages and they are allowed to have multiple sex partners. Hmm...
Mosou walking marriage demonstration
Shuhai attempting his first walking marriage. Haha!
Sky and lake become brighter blue the next day!
I slept all the way back to Lijiang Gucheng. After we got down the bus, Shuhai and Yumin invited me for dinner with them. Along the way, Yumin and I decided to sign up for horse riding tour the next day at 150rmb each. Shuhai will not be joining as he do not like horse riding. During dinner, I learned that Shuhai is from Chengdu but is currently working in Lijiang airport. Yumin is currently working in Chengdu airport where they met each other. I thought they are lovers but obviously they are only good friends.
Yumin said that Lijiang is a 艳遇之都 so at night, we went for a girls' night out in one of the 清吧 along the pub street. The house's singer had a good voice but we were more engrossed in our girls talk. I learned that Yumin needs to get marry by this year but she is only 23 years old. Apparently her parents' house will be taken by the government soon and they will get compensation by the number of headcount in the family. Since Yumin is the only child, her mother wishes that she get marry by this year in order to get an additional share of the money. Personally I thought it is a wrong reason to get married and I do not think getting a guy that would agree to marry into her family in such a short time span would be easy. But I hoped for the best for her. Sadly we did not get any 艳遇 that night. Ha!
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