Quite a few people have written in asking about the size of the dreaded desert cicadas. The first time we encountered them we were so terrified we couldn’t get close enough for a photo that would accurately show their true dimensions.
Amazingly, we came across another herd last week. Drawing upon our previous experience with these dangerous beasts, Brendan managed to squeeze off a shot with the bug and Emma together in the frame.
Be warned: this one’s not for the kiddies!
![IMG_0041fin[1].jpg](http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/walkingthewall/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/IMG_0041fin[1].jpg)
This image may not be suitable for younger readers: Parental discretion advised
Thanks go out to our friend Mark Eadie in Beijing for the top photo-editing job (sorry if we’ve spoiled the effect by telling). We’ve never actually met Mark in person, but some of you may have noticed his well-informed comments on our posts. Mark has a couple of terrific websites that should be on the must-read list for anyone interested in travel in China or Chinese environmental and cultural heritage issues. His travel website is http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/68d05/. His site on tourism in China and Chinese natural and cultural heritage is at http://singleplanet.blogs.com/. We visit both sites on a regular basis to steal material for our blog, and highly recommend them.
Oh, and by the way, in real life the desert cicada is about the size of a normal cicada, i.e. about 4 centimetres. The second photo in our original cicada post is pretty true to scale.
Congratulations Mark Eadie on a fantasitic photo…how clever of you!! Hollywood will be after you for the rights to the movie..
I understand that you, Emma, were heard on ABC radio last night in Tasmania talking from your Telstra Satellite phone…the interview was a big success, we understand, but we also understand that you have been interviewed for ABC 702. Any idea when that is on? And more importantly what TIME? The folk along your track seem to all be kind and warm.how lovely that must be…I am amazed that you still have the energy to write so regularly and with such humour.
Keep that up, and keep up the water intake.. all our love M&D.
E&B, I was unable to print up some of your more recent photos within the body of the BLOG…are you aware of this , or is this intentional?
Hi E&B, How is going? It’s really exciting to see your wetsite up and the photos from your hiking.
I am just back from Thailand. You know what,I’m so upset that I can’t be there with you guys, because I must prepare my exam for IETLS. I really appreciate what you are doing right. I have a lot of friends in China, you can call me anytime when you have some problems in the hiking, and it’ll always be my peasure to help you up!
Hope everything goes fine!
hello there
emma was on 702 this morning at 6:20… it was fantastic … i have neither the time nor the money to undertake such an adventure (and i wonder if i did… would i have the inclination… or just stick with walking to the shops??!!)so it’s excellent to live vicariously… thanks for sharing it with us all.. bon chance
Dear Emma
I heard part of your interview on ABC702 as I drove to yoga in the Sydney dawn, and have just read the blog from the beginning. This is armchair travelling of the very highest quality. The photos are terrific and the text a great balance of atmosphere and action. I’ll be with you and Brendon all the way from here. Thankyou for the journey so far.
I heard your interview on ABC702 this morning. The interview interested me so much that I “googled” your blog. Your photos and narratives are fascinating. I would be interested in knowing how long you walk each day and do you have a target destination each day.
never did get to Ningxia GW this weekend….no seats available on Sunday so went to Zhangjiajie instead. NO GW there.
Looks like next time I’ll be of any use is when you get near Yulin in northern Shaanxi.
btw the guys at the Desert Research Institute at Shapatou are very friendly!
Oh…..and you didn’t tell them that the cicada was a baby one!
Cheers, mark
Hey Brendan & Emma,
Great Great,
Joe & I got married at mom and dads on the 4th of july.
My name is Molly S Fox!!!!!
c ya
molly
veedub man wrote:
Hi veedub man,
So far we’re averaging about 25 kilometres on days we’ve walked. We do have a target each day, which is about 28-30 kilometres from where we start. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as getting lost, unplanned restaurant stops and conversations with shepherds, we usually don’t make it.
We’re going to put up a Q&As post on our next rest day, so keep your eye out for that.
Thanks for the comment, and keep them coming.
e&b
Jiayou! Your stories are great! Keep it coming … Why not try one of those cicade things, …. er maybe not …
I heard your show on the ABC National Radio this morning (11/07) and I felt that I had to have a look at your blog. Everything looks fantastic! Hey I have to congratulate you on your approach to the culture and the peoples there. It’s so different from the stories you hear in Australia which dehumanise China in most cases as represented by the TV commercial of the rabbits and the wall. Well done!