Backdate: Xinjiang Jun 2026 Day 6

17/6/26 Weds: Woke up at 7.45am and went over to the main area for breakfast at 8.30am. *The washing machine's dryer door did not opening after PY accidentally pressed washing mode... phew it was resolved before we leave.* After that, we left at about 9.30am for the shuttle bus and was back at the carpark at 11.15am when we began our drive to布尔津县萨尔鸟尊国家级沙漠公园：白沙山. 

阿力木recommended desert off-roading to us beforehand since we have a long drive today. Got there at 1pm and we took the most expensive package (RMB 1,500 for five of us). We sat in a five-seater and went up and down over the vast sand dune~ Some drops felt like rollar coaster drops to me so I had to "scream" to avoid vomiting lol. It was very hot in the afternoon and we realised how difficult it was to walk in the soft sand after alighting from the car. Took pictures of a lake in front of us.

At one part, the driver told us to do a rather steep climb up to a "peak" to admire the scenery around and FIL made it first! *even beetle was struggling lor~* He was good for his age. Potato ran up next. PY and I had difficulty trying to climb up. *I think I probably broke my SE3 watch and my dress shoe "opened mouth" there... albeit it still lasted another day for me.* Nevertheless, we tried again and made it~ Fran also did it! FIL decided to "slide down" using his butt and PY followed suit haha~ Potato and I did so too in the end haha!

On the drive towards the sand sliding area, either we were too heavy for the car or something was wrong with it, so the driver told us to get down as the car could not go up the sand slopes. We had to walk quite a bit in the soft sand and man the hot sun and difficult steps made it very tiring. *Impressed how Potato can still remind us to walk where the plants are because the roots in them hold those patches of ground sturdier. I cannot think anymore lor lol!*

We came to the sand-sliding area. It looked steep and Potato ran there to do it first lol. PY even held her camera all the way sia~ I was the second last to go, and though the heights looked a bit intimidating for me, there's an advantage when I did not have to look down while sliding down, so it was not as fast and scary as I thought phew~ Then again, climbing back up was a horror in such weather and conditions! *airing our armpits felt shiok~ but probably got more sand onto us in the midst of doing it lol~* 

Back at about 3pm and we had to blow sand out, and my shoes were especially heavy. There was also a lot of fine sand everywhere else~

Had lunch at 3.30pm. The 肉碎拌面 (RMB 25) PotaTOHs shared was not bad. The凉拌木耳had pepper corn taste straight in the face omg. The土豆丝 (RMB 28) was good because it was thin and crispy. All in all, it costed RMB 110.

Next up was五彩滩at 5.30pm. We spent about an hourr there only because there was nothing much to do. *It was so hot I think I even had a bit of rashes then on.* There were many people around and some really don't take care of nature by just ignoring the signs to climb up nature's works. 

It was another long drive where we stopped halfway for some photos with random camels spotted.

Arrived at魔鬼城 at 9.15pm to take photos but we have had enough of deserts, so we did not go in. 

Ate BBQ stuff for dinner from 9.45 to 11pm. The BBQ food were all great really, including the馕Fran wanted to try. The桑树牙 was nice... but weirdly, the枸杞牙 also taste the same. The chef looked like he couldn't tell which is which either lol. Costed us RMB 297 in all. That was also when we first had卡瓦斯, a fermented honey and apple drink, and I was slightly addicted to it the next few days haha!

Checked into海棠酒店at 11pm and we only slept at 1am. Our trio room was quite big. PY and I shared a bed while Fran had one to herself near the TV. She also used the bathtub~ I think I felt asleep at 1+am...