Back to the Waterfall Hotel we retrieved our case (there was no point taking two with us for 2 nights so we sorted out stuff and left one case in storage) and headed to the room.
Taken in the loos at reception.
It's quite funny really sometimes when we're out and about (usually in the more modern shopping malls) there will be one loo like this which we all queue up for and the locals all leave empty. Even the younger generation consider it unhygienic to sit on a public toilet seat, which I'm in total agreement with and always make sure I have paper to sit on otherwise I hover above the seat. Try as I might my aim is not very good for holes in the ground.
We were then due to visit a South China Pearl Factory but that had apparently closed down during covid and never reopened. Instead Raymond told us we'd be having a lesson in traditional Chinese paintings and the gallery we went to was actually the one we'd already visited with the lovely Panda painting outside.
Some of the lovely artwork for sale.
We then sat down at two large tables and were given paper, brushes and a small amount of ink.
The guy doing the demonstration is a well renowned artist and he showed us how simple the drawings were.
Ian showing off his efforts.
I'm usually completely hopeless at drawing but I was actually quite pleased with my panda and also the lantern. Obviously teacher thought so too as he gave me A++
Given a bit more practice I'm sure I could produce something like this - not!
It was actually really good fun and far better than the pearl factory would have been solely focussed on selling.
Next we walked around the lake yet again, but this time with Raymond and Sam so we could go inside the pagodas.
We went into the Sun (on the left) and used the lift to reach the top. A couple of signs we saw in the lift.
A great view from the top over the lake and to the surrounding countryside.
And this of course is the Moon Pagoda.
The two are connected underwater by a glass tunnel and although the paintings look really old I'm sure they aren't as the pagodas were only rebuilt 20 or so years ago.
We could have gone in the Moon Pagoda as well but would have had to climb the stairs as there is no lift. Instead we carried on walking around the park and lake with its many little decorative features.
This I assume is a prayer wheel.
Along one walkway were little statues of the Chinese zodiac symbols - rather than an animal for each month like we have, theirs is for a year.
I knew I was a Rat but I hadn't realised until now that Ian was a Pig!
These ladies appeared to be conducting some kind of service and Sam said they were going to release fish into the lake. We hung around for a while but nothing seemed to be happening and so we moved on.
A couple of randoms to finish with - similar to the piggies, these swans were used in place of plain bollards.
This photo must have been from lunch today as we didn't have dinner (too full and an early start tomorrow).
Our room is at the back of the hotel this time and overlooks the large concrete square.
It's a family room and when we arrived it was full of grubby toys, a tent, a toilet step and all sorts of things for kids - it rather gave me the creeps so I chucked everything in one corner and threw a cartoon bed cover over the top.
Oh and this is what it's like inside when the waterfall happens.
