OMG- What a highway! To get over a range of mountains this modern highway gains altitude coiling its way through a tunnel inside the mountain!!

And as we emerged from the tunnel we were inside a cloud!

Sadly it was essentially impossible to get photos of anything. It was cool/ cold outside so the windows were foggy and even if you tried to wipe them enough for the camera, they fogged tight back up!

And after bursting out on the other side of the mountain, the highway began a steep descent. At these high altitudes, sheep were grazing on slopes that looked to be at a 40 degree angle.
And now as we dropped down a bit- herds of yaks! chortens! Tibetan temples on the hillside! Prayer flags! As we the bus descended and near enough to see some sheep up close, you could see they had horizontal twisted horns jutting out to each side.

As we dropped yetlower, villages and agricultural fields appeared. And the population was once again Muslim. By their appearance they looked Hui. Women with head coverings and the men wearing either skullcaps or the kind of short flat topped beanie that is usually white, though some are lavender.

And finally are descent was complete as we were once again along the Yellow River.

There were still some Tibetans here and there though.

When we finally got to Xunha, I checked into my room. Luxury!!! An angled view of the mountains. OMG, when you approach the toilet the lid opens itself. (After some discrete interval, the lid closes itself. Bidet with wall controls. OMG! I’d be more than willing to “slum it” in this room for a week and enjoy myself without even leaving!

But, no rest for this old man. I need go poke around and see what this down is like!