Yesterday I arrived in Kunming, capital of Yunnan, sandwiched between Vietnam and Tibet. It is a 3 hour flight west south west from Shanghai and sits about 2000m above sea level. The afternoon was spent wandering around the city centre.

Spent some time in a lovely Chinese garden; the locals just resting and playing games. One of the most wanderful aspects of China are these kinds of public spaces and their bubbly, but relaxing atmosphere–the gardens are usually well tended without being prissy or intimidating; the visitors active without imposing their noise on others.

This garden had lovely trees, many given the bonsai treatment and in flower. There was a magnolia tree with an enormous flower. I couldn’t help being reminded of the rather odd film of the same name and stood in the Chinese garden with my mind filled with flashes of Tom Cruise trying to emancipate men and storms of frogs. Slightly disturbing.

Later I dozed off the magnolia inspired imagery by Green Lake listening to a number of competing groups singing tradional Chinese opera. Somewhat less disturbing.

On the way home we skirted what I think was the old town which, like most of the past in China, is being rapidly erased.