Jul 23, 2016 - Pékin - 2016

Hey, Hey tout le monde, Après l'exploration des steppes africaines, des îles et des jungles indonésiennes, nous voilà arrivé dans la jungle urbaine de Pékin pour le début de notre aventure chinoise de 48 jours qui nous fera parcourir 6378kms et traverser 11 provinces. Très rapidement, on réalise que malgré le progrès immense de la Chine à s'ouvrir sur le monde, très peu de gens y parle anglais ou par le fait même, toute autre langue étrangère. On y apperçoit encore peu d'occidentaux malgré la venu des olympiques de 2008. Même équipé d'un...

Jun 13, 2016 - A big day out

A hotel's buffet breakfast is always something to look forward to. Will there be a large selection? Will any of it be edible? Will our fellow guests be civilised? Why is it that one feels the need to eat as much as one can? At home we'd only have cereal or toast, but get me in front of a hotel buffet breakfast and it's game on! Five courses for breakfast and three cups of coffee ... I'm fuelled up and ready to sight-see. Our nearest train station is Olympic, about a 10 minute walk from the hotel. Here we each bought an Octopus card for...

May 30, 2016 - Beijing for a while

Arrive at the airport around 6:30 then go through immigration control - which was easy as we were only transit passengers. Then into security which was a bit tougher but it went quickly. We were all searched and patted down but got through without being arrested. We went to look for a bite but very limited restaurants available. We stopped in a place and got some toast - order two cokes but they only had one available. Not the best breakfast. Then off and at 8:30 still no gate announced for our flight so we crashed in some empty seats. We...

May 14, 2016 - Off we go!

Up at 7:30 and get the car packed. David McGee is dropped off by Wanda and we pack his stuff, then he remembers he forgot some things so we had to drop by his house anyway. We headed out and had a breakfast (of sorts) at Hardee’s then drove to the Comfort Inn near the airport, parked the car, then immediately got into the hotel shuttle and got to the airport in plenty of time! We checked in our bags and sad goodbye to David as his flight was much later. Off to the gate and sat around a while, then ate lunch at a fancy airport restaurant...

Apr 30, 2016 - Beijing

Waiting at the airport worst part of any trip stuffed up booking again because of weak WiFi. Only could book room at Hilton till 6pm meshing I have to wait here for 6 hours that's the hand I have been dealt so I will have to make the most of it. At least I had a good breakfast and the burger for lunch although a lot dearer than Maccas would have made about four of theirs. Had a bit of a problem yesterday hotel I booked on the Internet when the taxi driver finally found it had closed down so luckily my translation on my phone worked and he...

Apr 27, 2016 - TIANJIN CHINA

Left Beijing 26th did not have a hotel booked as the wifi at the hostel was not working well. Came on the fast train only took 30 min I will miss those trains, when I got to the station there was seven exits so chose exit seven. First hotel said they did not have a room or I think that is what they said. Next one had three girls behind the desk but not one spoke English so with dificulty I worked out they had a room and it would be 240Y per night.Thats $48 Aus all good. Then they told me I would have to pay 900Y deposit after a bit of...

Apr 19, 2016 - Hong Kong

Survived '18 hours in Hong Kong' today. Took on Hong Kong Island by foot this morning and went up an amazing elevator system the longest outdoor elevator system in the world. Took it easier in the arvo on the amazing Ngong Ping cable car. It wasn't a great day, weather wise, so we weren't sure it was worth the trip. It certainly was, although the boisterous winds certainly assisted it being more of an adventure than we anticipated. Sitting at Hong Kong airport now waiting for flight to London. Glenn's trying to catch a few zeds but a bunch...

Apr 19, 2016 - XIAN

Had a problem getting here no fast train so had to tahke the slow one. Took 15 hours left Nanjing 12:49 got here 4 am. Was a good trip seated with the locals there was a group of six and one young university student who could speak English. They and a lady in the next seat were very interested in where I came from and why I wanted to visit China. While waiting for the train at Nanjing I was helped by a very atractive young girl because Nanjing is smaller than most of my previous stations they only put up the train number up on a stand...

Apr 16, 2016 - Nanjing

Arrived Nanjing Thursday had a bit of fun at station had trouble getting a cab and when I did put my case in the boot . When I showed the driver the address he refused to take me. Dont know why but had to gey out next option was on the back of a motor scooter so thats howI got here. Yesterday I went to the city wall it has been restored for about 5000m at the end you go through a temple. Today I visited the memorial for the people killed in Nanjing by the Japs in the war. 300000. Were killed and all the women were raped if.they resisted...

Apr 9, 2016 - Shanghai

Have had a great day in this great city first up this morning went searching for a church for Sunday mass. Had two options one the cathedral or a St Peters. Both in the same general direction. My first find was a Citi bank atm have been having a bit of trouble with their card but was able to withdraw and get a balance slip so so far so good. Next Maccas for breakfast passable as I left Maccas saw a tourist information bureau have had little success in the past but went in. Girl there spoke perfect English and was very helpful. Found the...

Apr 2, 2016 - Last day at Xiamen

Sad to né leaving the Koala hostel except for the fact I have to drunk alone it has been perfect. The bloke that run's it has been very helpful writing messaged for taxi driver's and he brought me a scotch last might.So now he tanks as one of my very best friends. Today I had to go to Kinman island it is only 30 minutes of the coast. It is owned by Taiwan so going there and them returning fixed up my double entry visa. Not much to see on the island unless you were into temples. Have booked both of my next cities Hangzhou for four days them...

Mar 30, 2016 - XIAMEN

Am now in Xiamen after a great cruise up the Yangsy river chose up river because less crowded. Enjoyed it very much and was treated well as I was the only non Chinese speaker on board. They went out of their way to make me welcome. Food was good but I am lonely at the bar they don't drink much. Rushed over here to Xaimen because I have to fix up my visa seems a bit silly but I have to leave China then return to get thirty more days in China. So there is an island just of the coast here owned by Taiwan where I will go on the 2nd April return...