Thursday 5^th August, 2021 1200

Intercontinental Hotels Resort, Lijiang

Well, I really thought last night that today I would be posting a considerably more upbeat blog.

I was hungry last night and had a decent amount of pizza (a big slice), so resolved that this morning I would brave breakfast. I'm still taking the anti-emetics in case, so after giving them half an hour to take effect, off we sallied.

I must say the breakfast buffet is quite the spread but I still find it inconceivable in the country that owns half the world's pig population that I still can't find a pork breakfast sausage! Pork is the most-consumed meat in China for God's sake!

Anyway I broke my fast somewhat heartily given my dearth of appetite lately – two small fried eggs, braised cherry tomatoes and two rather overdone hash browns. It was very pleasant, for we ate out on the terrace, the only ones to do so. Nice and sunny but not hot. I was feeling good.

Until it was time to leave.

Alice had intended to part company and go on another jaunt, leaving me to my own devices. As I decided to stand up, before I did I became vertiginous yet again. Maybe it was the sun, said I. I rose and made it as far as one of the fixed decking lights and plonked down on that in the shade. It didn't help. Once again, Alice suggested a wheelchair. Oh God no! The ignominy of being pushed through the restaurant past the other diners........

Ultimately I had to acquiesce if I was to get back to the suite. The staff kindly offered oxygen – which I probably should have accepted in hindsight – and a wheelchair duly appeared. A nice chap actually pushed me in it all the way instead of just taking me to the buggies and so now outside our door sits a wheelchair!

It cannot be the BP medicine, for since the airport fiasco I have taken half in the morning and half before bed and anyway I have been taking those things more than half my life. Sure my legs are getting more tottery every month but dizziness? I am at a loss but perhaps we will find out tomorrow as we ascend to the zenith of our travels, Dali at almost 8,000 feet.

I'll not be leaving the hotel there of course (quelle surprise) but Alice will go out to play. I think the Shanghai contingent will notice a marked change (not for the better) when I get there.

Another thing I have been trying to get is a pedicure, well just my toenails clipping really, but so far it has proved impossible. Alice volunteered and I may have to take her up on it.

Anyway, here are some more photos she took at what look like really beautiful spots.