Hiking and Enjoying Autumn in Anji

Anji has started to turn "yellow" this week, filled with the rich fragrance of the harvest. The rice around the guesthouse has ripened, shining with a golden glow. Following chestnuts, the hawthorns and persimmons on the trees are also about to mature. Grab a basket and take a stroll in the garden; the harvest is quite rewarding. Then head to the bamboo forest behind the mountain to catch some chickens and ducks. Join the kids in making rice cakes and mochi, and fish by the stream. In front of the earthen stove, the adults have started to get busy, slaughtering chickens, ducks, and cleaning fish and vegetables. Smoke curls up, and the aroma is overwhelming. At night, everyone gathers around the bonfire, singing songs and chatting about all sorts of things, while the children play with sparklers nearby, watching the moon slowly climb the hillside, under a sky full of stars.