丽江黑龙潭 (Lijiang's Black Dragon pool)

丽江, originally uploaded by Jerry Tok.

Sorry, I didn't go into Hei Long Tan. The entrance fee is a hefty 60RMB. Yucks!! I really hate this about travelling China. Every tourist attraction also must pay. I refuse to pay 60RMB to see a pond and some hills. Can you imagine that you need to pay 10 Sing every time you visit Macritchie Res. How about 5 Sing to enter Botanic Garden? 5 Sing for upper and lower seletar res, upper and lower pierce?

So instead of going back to my hostel to sulk, I venture further down the road. It was a good choice. It was a sunny day. Locals are out suntanning. People are hanging out in the park (outside the boundary of Hei Long Tan but equally beautiful, I think). There are couples, mothers with children, middle aged men chatting and playing card.

I took a few pictures of the pond. It was so captivating- Blue sky, nice houses and perfect reflection on the pond.

It was only 3pm. I decided to find a place to sit down, suntan... relax...read my bible...practice writing Chinese characters.

You see, I didn't spend a single cent yet I can enjoy a good afternoon.