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Yangshuo - Balloon

Up at 5:30 am to take balloon ride over the valley and river. Fantastic!!!!! Not a clear day but spectacular all the same.

Spent the rest of the day chilling out and writing up my blog. Halloween tonight at Monkey Jane’s Roof top bar

Memorable Points: Floating up above the streets and houses

Yangshuo - Bike Ride

I had booked a guide for the day to show me round the local area by bicycle. Me, the guide and two others set out and headed up one of the riverbanks. The views and scenery were amazing. The cycled through local farming villages where they were harvesting the rice. The images one would have of rural China......rice fields, buffalo wondering around, Chinese in straw hats.........you get the picture.

After a well deserved beer I headed down to the Yangshou light show which everyone had been banging and raving about. Too be honest I wasn't overly impressed, it was very “nice”

Memorable Points: Cycling through the farmlands......stunning!

Guilin – Yangshuo

I had previously booked a ticket for a river trip from Guilin to Yangshuo. The scenery was amazing albiet hazy again. The river meandered its way south, and from the boat I was able to see many of the locals going on about their daily business on the river, with mountains making an beautiful backdrop

Amongst others, I hooked up with a nice Swiss couple on the boat, and once in Yangshuo checked into a local youth hostel. Chatted to several residents of the hostel over a beer or two. One of the travellers here is from Hove, small world.

That evening went out to dinner and drinks with a few people from the hostel, and ended up in Monkey Janes Rooftop bar. After a few games of beer ping pong with Jane and some others in the bar I staggered back to the hostel via several more streets than I had original anticipated. Basically I got lost, since it was dark and all the bars had closed up I got a bit disorientated. More offers a massage........I must have really looked tired.

Beijing – Guilin

Up early to catch an early flight to Guilin. Once at Guilin airport, got the bus to the centre, checked into a hotel, dumped my stuff and went exploring. The park called “elephant trunk park” (see photo). It was extremely hot and humid but the park was worth visit.

Spent the rest of the day in Guilin which is a busy city but nowhere near as busy as Beijing. It had a good feel about it and I welcomed the change. Met a Chinese guy as I looked at my map, we got chatting, and he gave advice on where to eat. I asked him to join me and he later to took me his brothers tea shop where they had a little tea ceremony. As a thank you I brought a little of the local tea. Although as write this I do fancy a mug of PG and hobnob!!!

Memorable Points: I’m now getting tired now of being offered a “Massage” when walking back to my accommodation of nighttime........why do people here have massages so late? :-)

Beijing Sightseeing

Felt rough from the night before so didn't have the early start I’d hoped for. Got the bus to the Temple of Heaven. An area covering 2.73 km² of parkland, and comprises three main worshipping areas and buildings. Very interesting and spent most of the day here. Took time out to explore the surrounding parkland before visiting the Lama Temple.

Upon exiting the underground station the smell of incense got stronger and stronger the nearer I got to the temple. So I knew I was going in the right direction. Very beautiful temples once inside, and many of the locals paid homage to Buddha. The Buddhist monks still carry on with the daily chores whilst trying to stop the tourist from taking photos and wandering into forbidden area.

Found a bar with a wi-fi signal and called home from outside. Since I had spent so long using the bar’s wi-fi signal I felt obligated to get some food. Spent the rest of the evening chatting to Lydia’s boyfriend talking about all sorts of random stuff and drinking the local beer. Had a lovely evening and was made very welcome

Memorable Points: Spending the evening in Lydia's Café, Pizza, Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple and smelling like a hippy

Beijing Sightseeing

Clare had to go home today. I joined her and the rest of the group on the coach to airport in the early hours. I think we both knew it would be difficult saying goodbye given all the things we have experienced in the last few days, and knowing that we wouldn't see each other for some time.

After an emotional farewell returned to hotel, felt somewhat alone. Something I never felt as I’ve surrounded myself with friends and loved ones. It's something I'll have to get used to.

Spent the rest of the morning with those remaining members of the group at the Summer Palace on the outskirts of Beijing. Very beatiful area and again, a mecca for the Chinsese tourists. The rest of the group caught their train to Xi'an and then I was really on my own.

Spent the rest of the afternoon having a wandering before heading to Hoi Han; a lively bar area in Beijing. Felt strange being alone, but a made a few calls home and got something to eat. I was later drawn into a bar where a band where playing led by two Chinese girls on lead guitars. At this point met some Canadians and some Australians so things didn’t turn out too bad.

Memorable Points: Said goodbye to Clare :-(

Beijing Sightseeing

The rest of the group had arranged various things but Clare and I had decided to do our own thing. We headed off for the Olympic Stadium. Obviously still a very popular tourist attraction since it was swarming. Went into the stadium, which was amazing, more so knowing all the things that had gone on only a few months previously. Chilled out in the seats for a bit to take it all in. Headed back for the hotel via Tiananmen Square by which time was illuminated. Looked more impressive than when I saw it last when the city was in smog.

Memorable Points: Tiananmen Square, Olympic Stadium, More photos taken by Chinese and filmed by a camera crew.

The Great Wall - Mutianyu to Juyongguan

A short bus transfer took us to Juyongguan which is very commercialized and touristy part of wall. The acscent was extremely steep with hundreds of steps and hundreds of Chinese clambering up and the wall. Many of the Chinese took great delight in having their picture taken with me and Ian, (another guy from the trip). Very funny.

This was to be the final section of the wall, and to be honest I was “walled” out by this point. Reflecting back on the last few days in has been a wonderful experience and one I'll never forget. A wonderful time and shared with a great bunch of people.

Heading back into Beijing and went out in the evening for a celebratory meal and drinks in the city.

Memorable Points: Having the lots of Chinese take my photo, celebratory meal and drinking in Beijing

The Great Wall - Simatei to Mutianyu

There was a huge down pour in the evening which had cleared the haze which we have had until today. Now clear blue skies and sunshine. Hoorah!!!

The coach took us to Mutianyu to start today’s walk about a three hour drive from the previous location. Not a great day’s walk today since the largest part of it was a long concrete road leading up to the foot of the wall. There was a cold wind today, and it was freezing. Not helped by hanging around waiting for others to catch up.

However, once on the wall again things picked up and we were able to pick up the pace again and appreciate the views. The way down was via a toboggan run. Great fun, despite the safety men telling me to slow down at every corner – spoilsports

At the bottom I was overwhelmed by the local traders trying to sell me all sorts of crap. Most of which I’d seen many times before throughout trip, that said I was very tempted by a waving Mao Tse-tung watch

Memorable Points: Clear Blue Skies, Mao Tse-tung watch (and the extent of crap the Chinese will try to sell you), toboggan run

The Great Wall - Jinshanlin to Simatei

A great and long day's trekking. Very challenging, particularly on the unrestored sections of the wall with the loose bricks and uneven ground underfoot. At the end of the walk the quickest way down was via a zip slide over the valley and river below. A great way to finish the day.

Memorable Points: Fantastic views, zip slide,

The Great Wall - Gubeiko to Jinshanlin

Walk through the local villages and farmland to pick up the wall again. Once walking to the highest point for this section the view was amazing. The wall just went on the miles and miles, which obviously it does that was the whole point, but to see the enormity for the viewpoint was break taking. A great days walking and everyone in great spirits, a challenging but fun day. The final stretch was into Jinshanlin a restored section of the wall.

Memorable Points: Spectacular views, Ice Lollies at the summit (thank you little Chinese farmer man), Beating Emma (14 years my junior) up the final stretch of steps…I’ve still got it!

The Great Wall - Mountain Village to Gubeiko

Said goodbye to our hosts and headed up through the local farming terraces, and rocky hillsides to rejoin the wall, which was not restored and crumbling so we took the path adjacent to it. Great views from the ridge and the highest point. We dropped down through the hillside back into the valley and again though the local farms and villages. Later picked up by the coach which took up Gubeiko, the next point on the wall we would start from the next day.

Memorable Points: Fantastic views. Pringles and Cadbury's chocolate éclairs

The Great Wall - Huangyaguan to a Mountain Village

A challenging days walking. Firstly, headed up on a renovated section of the wall, before encountering ‘Heaven’s Ladder”, a steep climb over precarious steps up the cliff face.

A fantastic view from the top, once we head caught our breath we continued on the path up “undulating” hills and through a forest to the reach the top of the ridge. Here we joined the old wall, and followed it along the contours of the mountains will we made our decent into the valley ball.

The group resided that night in a local farmhouse, to which the tour guide had told us would be a real cultural experience. It was! Very basic accommodation, no heating and the temperature had dropped to nearly freezing, however, it didn’t matter as we had a fire and several beers later I didn’t even notice.

Memorable Points:– Fantastic Views. Open fire at the farmhouse. Little Chinese woman with bound feet (weird!), views. Local butcher selling his wares.

First Day on the Great Wall

Left Beijing and headed for Huangyaguan for the first part of the walk on the Wall. The accommodation was basic but the area is not renowned for it's five star luxury... no Four Seasons here!

The wall and the views were amazing, since it's getting near Autumn the trees had started to turn gold and red. I had done no training for what lay ahead with the exception of Chinese take-aways on three consecutive nights prior to leaving the UK. Fortunately this didn't seem to matter, since the group had a good mix of fitness. Needless to say I knew at this point I would not be at the back. After trekking a moderate walk we returned to the village we had dinner at a local village restaurant.(Restaurant in the loosest term). It was freezing cold that night so the owners lit a fire outside for us to warm up.Very hospitable people and were made very welcome.

Paul being mistaken for the Laughing Budda

Hello Beijing!

Arrived in Beijing in the early hours. A swift exit though the airport and grabbed a cab to the hotel. A bit of a culture shock to say the least. The hotel was near the West Beijing station, and by the time I got there rush was well and truly in full swing. The place was chaos. Finally found the hotel since the taxi driver didn't actually know where it was. It was at this point the realisation that making myself understood in China would be extremely difficult.

Headed out to Beijing in the afternoon and looked around Tiananmen Square renowned for the protests in 1989 among other things apparantly. Excuse the photo it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Since it was now rush hour (again), I got the subway back to the hotel. The system here is efficient and clean, and puts London to shame. Got back to the hotel and met up with Clare and rest of the group just as they were sitting down for dinner. (At this point, I would point out the rest of the group was on a seperate flight) I would have made it back earlier but got lost getting from the subway to the hotel. Again....problems overcoming the language barrier.

Goodbye Blighty

Felt rather smug sitting on the train on cold cloudy day amongst the commuters on their way to work. Me, however, on my way to Heathrow to catch a plane to Beijing. Ha Ha!

Had a swift check in at T5. The flight left on time and was made more bearable by the attentive stewardesses giving me lots of wine.