Avatar remains as one of my favourite movies.
I am bias. Much of the movie is in shades of blue including the Na’vi. Since blue is the colour I will always choose over
all others, how can I not love this movie. This scene of the floating mountains in Pandora
was inspired by the massive quartz sandstone pillars 
in ZhangJiaJie National Forest Park, Hunan, China. Thus, when I was told there was a trip to "Pandora" in 2019, I was one ecstatic girl. Our flight was at 6.10pm, I was in the airport at 9am, 
with my packed
egg sandwiches and my hooty pouch! I am a simple girl - I like blue, I like birds, I am happy! It did not matter I had a 9-hour wait, I was gonna see "Pandora."
The trip started with a long trek to the Muzium tomb of the Han family and by the time we arrived at the Yu An Academy in Hunan Uni in Changsa, we had walked 12.7 km. Our laoshi (teacher) believes in keeping his group fit, and walking 18,000 steps is just a "walk in the park." Amen!
It was only on Days 4 and 5 that I got to see the floating mountains.
It was not just a joy trip, we practised qigong too.
We reached YuanJiaJie Scenic area on a gloomy drizzling morning and wow, it was crowded.
We stepped into the Guinness World Records highest and fastest Bailong elevator. Since everyone wanted to face the mountain view, tiny me squeezed to the front and knelt down.
A mere 2 minutes of breathless view as we followed the needle-like karst monsters from bottom to top.
We walked 13.44 km, 19,175 steps from morning to dusk
just taking in the "dragons" 
rising and disappearing into mists.
The rains came and I untangled my purple rain coat. Savvy K said I looked like Barney, the purple dinosaur. She was just envious she had to stay home!
This is the "one thousand metre" cliff. Karst mountains form when hard sandstone structures are pushed up. Weathering, water erosion and collapse of the surroundings produce the vertical faces. Just when I thought I had seen the best platform ranges,
the next corner brought an even better view. The trail was crowded.
We didn't complain as our 20 plus member group
contributed to the jam.
The Five Fingers Peak of Huangshizhai.
WHAT an amazing trip, and stupendous views. Lucky, lucky you. I don't think I could climb all those steps though.
ReplyDeleteI was really lucky to go on this trip. Seeing the mountains in pictures and videos is good already, but seeing the real stuff, I realise how "unimportant" I am when compared to these age old structures that have stood for generations.
DeleteGreat trip. I shudder at the crowded conditions you were faced with. I would have become claustrophobic. If there has been one good aspect of COVID it has been to keep us well spaced!
ReplyDeleteI am not good with crowds too even when shopping. If the mall is crowded, I buy the necessary and go home quickly. Yes, Covid has certainly changed our mind set.
DeleteWow! that should cover it from my point of view. Amazing photos of an awesome trip. If the walk was slow paced, I would love that. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, we were never hurried, you would have enjoyed every minute of the walk, Patsy. It was only our hungry tummies that kept us moving faster.
DeleteWonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteThe group made the trip even more wonderful, Ashok
DeleteOh wow thanks for share the photos of your trip
ReplyDeleteIt was hard not to keep taking pictures. I had to tell myself to see the real thing instead!
DeleteAbsolutely a marvelous composition of nature, and you sound really excited visiting! These mountains and cliffs transport us easily into the Avatar, which is my favorite movie as well.
ReplyDeleteHaa... good, another Avatar fan. I hope they make a sequel Jeevan. We will be the first on the opening day
DeleteAbsolutely stunning! Huangshizhai is a fabulous place to visit. It's easy to see you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture of your member group.
Congrats on climbing all those steps!
All the best,
Giorgio
Maybe you will visit there one day Giorgio if you like mountains.
DeleteI have never seen Avatar.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Catch the movie if you can Dora. The colours are beautiful in Avatar
DeleteI didn't watch Avatar. I don't think I have the courage to take the elevator right up to the top of the mountain. My legs will turn to jelly. But the view is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you can when you are there as there is only ONE way up, and down is on the other side so NO choice. You will love the mountains, Nancy.
DeleteTQ. Si, el paisaje era hermoso
ReplyDeleteThanks Rajani, the trip was mind blowing too.
ReplyDeletefirst off, let me get this out of the way ..i love your HOOTY ...pillow pouch, whatever. Anyway I also think I love your life - all that nature and hiking and such in these beautiful places. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete