Where Are We Going Sis? (姐姐去哪?): Day 4 - Xilamuren Grassland (希拉穆仁草原)

It's the season of the plums. :) Tyler stopped by the road to get us some. :)

Bag full of plums for our stay at the grassland today. :)

It's only Tyler driving us today as the journey from Shangri-La to Xilamuren Grassland is less than 2 hours. 

I love colors! Stopped by sunflower fields to take pics! :) I'm awake. :)))

Wheat! :)

Buckwheat

Potato flowers

Removing mud & soil from our shoes! :)))

Continuing our drive. :)

Before we had time to orientate, we were offered wine upon arrival. :)

Our premium yurt.

The yurts are managed by local operators but the linen and toiletries are provided by Shangri-La.

The bathroom is in a dire state! Horrendous. :O The shower doesn't work, & we had to bathe using cups. The flushing & drainage system doesn't work too. What an experience!!! :)))

Lin's in shock! : / She's a diva when it comes to accommodation and transport.

She insisted on sleeping outdoor???

There was some miscommunication and Tina ended with the wrong luggage. Her luggage of clean laundry was at Shangri-La Hohhot and the one that followed her to Xilamuren were soiled laundry. :))) The nite before she was still telling me "it's easier to take out what you don't need, than what you need." :)))

As such she had to wash her laundry. :)))

Laundry dries quickly under the scorching sun. :)

We waited in the shade for Jun Feng to take us for lunch. :)

Dining hall. :)

Began with another round of drink.

Too much food!

Not liking the spread...

It's always good to have back 
up. :)))

It's horse riding after lunch. :)

Exploring the grassland on the horses. :)

Stop for afternoon tea at a local nomad's yurt. :)

Salted milk tea :)

Home made snacks: Cheese balls

Cookies 

Cheese sweets

Crackers 

Tyler was worried we weren't back yet and a nasty storm was looming. He was intending to drive out to look for us and we got in just in time. :)

Time for dinner. :)

Dinner by Shangri-La chef. :)

Smoked salmon with grilled peppers 

Soup

Pan fried salmon

Chef at work :)

Recooking our beef as it was still too red for us :)

Fresh fruits to end our meal :)

Not quite. Tina & I made our way to the kitchen and we saw the Shangri-La crew having these. :)))

Lamb kebabs

I stole some bites. :)))

Stormy nite...we were stuck in the dining room & poor Jun Feng had to run between the kitchen and the dining room to care for our needs. 

The crackling sound got louder and louder. We thought the folks were playing with fire crackers. :))) It was actually hailstones hitting the yurts. : /

Jun Feng picked some for us to have a look. :)

Merry making until it's clear to go back to our yurts. :)

There was some camp fire going on but Tina & I were too lazy to head out after our shower, which by no way is an easy feat. :) We had to use cups to bathe. :)))

The music was blaring late into the nite. :( I hope we get up in time to catch the sunrise.