Jerome – the rogue also called Hunhun (混混) in Chinese, lazy and insolent; decided to that he could do with some arbitrary university education in the same dreary town he has grown up in and may be receive a formal qualification to certify his intelligence.
Eva Mengling – the elephant, clumsy and thumping, always has the dream to fly; took the longest flight she can possibly dream of to England, to study in the romantic Roman Bath.
By some magic, those two were put in a same business study group;
The rogue always carried a pink glowing heart with him. The elephant discovered it by accident and was so fascinated by that beautiful heart. she kept peaking at it every time they were working together and contemplating a little crime. Meaning while, the rogue found the elephant very cute and must be some precious foreign princess. A plan of the greatest bandit is conspiring in his mind. A perfect opportunity arrived for both of them, just like in the Mid-Summer Night’s Dream.
Now it is the time of night That the graves all gaping wide, Everyone lets forth his sprite, In the church-way paths to glide: And the fairies, that do run By the rogue’s bicycle light shine, From the presence of the sun, Following darkness like a dream, Now is an elephant: not a mouse Shall disturb this hallow’d universe, She thumped towards the path, And fell in the middle! Right in front of the rogue’s bicycle
The rogue thus picked up the elephant on his bicycle and run away with her. The elephant takes this opportunity to steal the rogue’s heart but didn’t realise she herself was stolen by the rogue.
This is the story of our perfect crime.
And if there was ever a reason to not have children…
The local detectives have found out some more details…
Wedding venue:
大理金达酒店
大理市下关沧浪路174号
671003
Accommodation:
Your accommodation for the 18th and 19th is on us. It is in the same building as the wedding venue for most of you, so that you can roll into your bed after wedding party! Unless you prefer to stay somewhere else, please don’t book anything for those days.
All day ceremony and party into the evening. Summary…
Part 1– The Battle Early morning start. Grooms side will travel to the Bride’s ‘home’ to ‘win her over’. They will then take her back to his ‘home’ where further trials await them, as well a traditional ceremony of union.
Break! (for guests…) Around midday…
Part 2 – The Banquet Afternoon at the booked hotel. First of all it will be the main ceremony, followed by speeches, food, some dance and performance.
Spontaneous activity – depending on how much we drink.
21st Oct: Looking towards a brighter future
A day to enjoy the wonderful mountain scenery. Expect lots of steps, fantastic views and clear air.
22nd Oct Onwards: Moving on
Celebrations over, maybe you have had enough of us. Fair enough – make your own plan! There are plenty of great things to see in the local region or beyond.
If you can still handle a bit more, there is potential for group activities or tours around the area.
Most non-Chinese nationals will require a visa. Since Nov 2018, it is necessary to visit a service centre to take fingerprints as part of the application process. See the website for more information: https://www.visaforchina.org
Getting to Dali
Dali is a beautiful germ hidden in one of the tail of magical mountain Himalaya. However, I would like to draw your attention to the word “hidden”. It means, it is not so easy to get to – unfortunately. But it is one of the fact of life: good things takes effort!
“Dali is definately one of the places to go before you die!”
– Mengling Pu, Marketing Executive, Dali Travel Agency Ltd.
Fly to Kunming (KMG) – The provincial capital.
No direct flights from UK but the airport is much larger and more internationally focussed. This would be a good idea if you want to explore more of Yunnan before or after the wedding. It also makes for a simple return flight.
Kunming to Dali
Train (recommended) (1-2 Hours)
Taxi (3-4 Hour)
Coach (4-5 Hour)
Car hire (Sort yourself out!)
Fly to Dali (DLU) – Local Airport.
Smaller airport with Direct Flights from Major Chinese Cities.
Great for those planning on seeing other parts of China!
Yunnan literarily means “south of colourful clouds”; as its romantic name suggests, is one of the most colourful and vibrant provinces in China, consists of 36 ethnic groups with their own unique cultures and traditions! (56 in total in China.) Being located in the remote wild southwest, it preserves a lot enchanting traditions.
Dali old town is the place where I grow up and I have so many beautiful memories about it. Maybe 10 years ago, I can tell you about every marble paved alley way, every singing streams and take you to dip in various snack booths to try out tasty snacks. It has changed so much since I have left. But still, this beautiful gem has so much to offer. Just pick up a road and let the romance unfold itself.
Dali old town was built by ancient kingdom Nanzhao (8th centry). The four city walls, guards the traditional homes, pavilions and towers from Bai ethnic group people. Another treasure from Dali is the flowers. Almost every house-hold in Dali grows flowers and proudly display them in their garden and in front of their houses.
ErHai Lake
Erhai, is a beautiful highland lake, located in the east of Dali. One can take a boat tour around lake and do some island hopping. If you are feeling energetic, you can cycle around the lake, taking in the fishy breeze, picturesque sceneries and taste local delicacies from vendors by the road side. You can also take an afternoon to cycle to one of the fishing villages, cross golden rice fields, chasing grass hoppers (you can eat them!), pick lotus root…
ErHai
Three Pagodas and CongSheng Temple
The Three Pagodas inside the temple was built 1,800 years ago. It is a symbol of the history of Dali City, and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area.
Three Pagodas
Natural Hot Springs
simple and clean, an hour away from Dali. Contact Mengling if you are interested.
Butterfly spring
Above this spring, there is a famous ‘Butterfly Tree’, so called as in the short interval as spring turns to summer, its fragrant blossom attracts thousands of butterflies. These small multi-colored creatures fly around the pool and settle on the tree in great clusters as they sip the nectar from its blooms. Unfortunately, due to bloom of tourism the environment is no longer suitable for the butterflies. So you will see lots of people leaning over the pool taking selfies instead of butterflies.
CangShan Mountain
The snow on the mountain is the best of the Four Famous Scenes (wind, flowers, snow and moon) in Dali. The snow is dazzling and resplendent when the sun rises, especially in March. Cangshan mountain has wide diversity of plantations, intricate marbles, crisp streams, fascinating stone features, mysterious temples and enchanting cloud.
There are lots of tourist trials one can follow, by cable cars, by horses or just on your feet.
There are lots of tourist trials one can follow, by cable cars, by horses or just on your feet.
We will organise a (6-8hrs) hiking tour on the 2nd day (21st Oct) after the wedding. Please let us know if you are interested.
Kunming Area
Capital city of Yunnan province. If you are flying to and from there, you might as well spend a couple of days there. Attractions
Cuihu garden – beautiful garden lake in Kumming
ShiLin (Stone Forest)
A spectacular set of limestone groups and the representative of south China’s karst landscape.
ShiLin
Yunnan Nationalities Village Museum
A good place to go if you want to learn a bit about various ethnic groups of people living in Yunnan and their cultures.
Lijiang Area
An attractive ancient town, is considered a fairyland blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snowy mountains and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by native Naxi people.
Lijiang old town – 800-year-old area of the city with cobblestone streets, streams, bridges & traditional Naxi houses.
YuLong Mountain
Beautiful snow caped mountain, up to almost 6000m. Stunning sceneries of glacier, snow, lakes and yak
Yulong mountain
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Deep, landmark canyon with river vistas. Large natural gorge, one of the deepest in the world, offering river overlooks & trails
Tiger Leaping Gorge
For Lijiang, we are planning to organise a 2-3 days (22nd Oct – 24th /25th Oct) trip after the wedding. Please let us know if you are interested.
XiShuangBanNa
The only tropical rain forest nature reserve in China, the area has surprising biological diversity in the virgin forest.It’s culture is very similar to Thai people. And amazing food!
Our Perfect Crime - 19/10/19 