Sunday, 8 August 2010

"Very good food, very healthy, best in the region"

That was the evaluation of the restaurant we ate in this evening.  Not from a guide book or the local tourist office.  The comments were made live, while we were eating, by the owner of the establishment.  We had just put in our order of yak-meat and vegetable stew when the boss arrived, introduced himself, poured himself a beer and sat down beside us.  There he stayed throughout the meal, commenting on almost every mouthful: "ah yes, you like the yak meat - cooked for six hours!" and so on.  It was a bit odd to say the least.

We had after-dinner drinks in a great music bar.  The owner and one of the barmen took turns performing.  They sang and played flute and various stringed instruments.  The songs sounded beautiful, but I didn't understand a word.  Next time I come to China I'll go back to that bar and sing along.