I can't access blog any more while I am in China. Going to Tibet for 8 days on 27th November, reach Nepal on 4th Dec (2 days before my birthday!!!!!).
See you on the other side!!!!
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Terracotta Warriors
I quick update with a few pics from the Terracotta Warriors:
It was amazing:
Now off to find a pub to watch the North London Derby
COYS
Could manage to post that before the match but here is me in the bar street Xian after the match (taken by a Gooner..)
It was amazing:
Now off to find a pub to watch the North London Derby
COYS
Could manage to post that before the match but here is me in the bar street Xian after the match (taken by a Gooner..)
Friday, 19 November 2010
Xian
This morning I arrived in Xian.
My last couple of days in Beijing were pleasant involving wandering about and chilling out. The last night was a bit crazy as I went drinking with the owner of a Beijing Irish bar and his mates which led to a hungover train journey to Xian.
The train ride itself was fine, I went hard sleeper this time (as opposed to soft sleeper in Russia). Hard sleeper meant that I was in a six bed open compartment with three levels of bunks. I was on the top bunk which gave me about two foot of headroom I.e. None!! The journey took 12 hours, I slept through most of it.
Tomorrow I'm booked on a tour to see the Terracotta Warriors....
My last couple of days in Beijing were pleasant involving wandering about and chilling out. The last night was a bit crazy as I went drinking with the owner of a Beijing Irish bar and his mates which led to a hungover train journey to Xian.
The train ride itself was fine, I went hard sleeper this time (as opposed to soft sleeper in Russia). Hard sleeper meant that I was in a six bed open compartment with three levels of bunks. I was on the top bunk which gave me about two foot of headroom I.e. None!! The journey took 12 hours, I slept through most of it.
Tomorrow I'm booked on a tour to see the Terracotta Warriors....
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Touristy stuff
I've spent the last couple of days in Beijing on the tourist trail.
Yesterday I went for an explore of old Beijing by foot. It was really nice to wonder down the hutong alleys and get a taste of the real place.
Today I went to the summer palace and gardens. Based around a huge lake, these parklands and temples were probably the nicest I've seen in Beijing. Here a few pics:
On another note Mike and Pete have headed off to Shanghai. With me going on to Xi'an its the end of our two week adventures. It's been a blast, all the best guys!!! Watch out for them pesky taxi drivers....
Yesterday I went for an explore of old Beijing by foot. It was really nice to wonder down the hutong alleys and get a taste of the real place.
Today I went to the summer palace and gardens. Based around a huge lake, these parklands and temples were probably the nicest I've seen in Beijing. Here a few pics:
On another note Mike and Pete have headed off to Shanghai. With me going on to Xi'an its the end of our two week adventures. It's been a blast, all the best guys!!! Watch out for them pesky taxi drivers....
Sunday, 14 November 2010
The Great Wall
Today we went on a tour to the Jinshanling stretch of the Great Wall of China. It was a 3 hour drive and meant a 5.30am start, but was well worth it.
Jinshanling is one of the less touristy parts of the wall and also one of the most authentic as little restoration has been done so far.
The walk along the wall itself was tough going, I considered it practice for the Himalayas. The views from the higher towers made it worth the climb though:
Anyway I'll leave you with a few pictures:
Even with a dodgy iPhone camera you certainly get the idea!!
Jinshanling is one of the less touristy parts of the wall and also one of the most authentic as little restoration has been done so far.
The walk along the wall itself was tough going, I considered it practice for the Himalayas. The views from the higher towers made it worth the climb though:
Anyway I'll leave you with a few pictures:
Even with a dodgy iPhone camera you certainly get the idea!!
Saturday, 13 November 2010
More Beijing
Time for a quick update on my doings in Beijing since we last spoke...
I started off by visiting the Forbidden City. Although it was amazing to see, I was a little bit disappointed that Roger Moore wasn't doing the audio guide commentary as promised in the Lonely Planet!! That said it was really interesting and certainly huge! I ran out of time walking around so missed the treasures :o(
I also happened to be leaving as the sun set and the Chinese Army marched across Tainanmen Square and lower the Chinese Flag. Which reminds me, it was weird at the start of the week to see the Union Flag flying alongside the Chinese flag from all the government buildings when Cameron was in Beijing! Anyway I digress....
A trip to Beijing zoo was worthwhile for seeing the Pandas. It was certainly a depressing zoo though with, in particular, the Lions, Tigers and Elephants in tiny cages. It reminded me of London Zoo when I last went in the late 80's before the new animal cruelty standards came in.
Last night was again a night out clubbing and again it was expensive, full of westerners and okay, no better. It was call Vics though which I found funny... As it's my Sisters name)
Today started in the afternoon so I thought it would be a wasted day but we actually managed to achieve a lot. We stared off by visiting the Temple of Heaven Park which was really peaceful with some stunning temples and lovely grounds.
The lads I'm with had always planned to go and see a Chinese Acrobat show. This wasn't really something I was worried about but but I went along anyway. I was really glad I did, I was blown away! It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. In my life not just on my travels! I can't really explain how great it was. Have a look at their website to get an idea:
http://www.tianqiaoacrobatictheater.com/
We topped of the day by going to a local restaurant for some Peking Duck... Great day
Tomorrow we've got an early (5.30am) start for a trip to the great wall, so no staying up for the footy for me (not that I'd be able to watch it anyway)
So all that's left to say is COYS
Hopefully some pictures from the wall tomorrow...
I started off by visiting the Forbidden City. Although it was amazing to see, I was a little bit disappointed that Roger Moore wasn't doing the audio guide commentary as promised in the Lonely Planet!! That said it was really interesting and certainly huge! I ran out of time walking around so missed the treasures :o(
I also happened to be leaving as the sun set and the Chinese Army marched across Tainanmen Square and lower the Chinese Flag. Which reminds me, it was weird at the start of the week to see the Union Flag flying alongside the Chinese flag from all the government buildings when Cameron was in Beijing! Anyway I digress....
A trip to Beijing zoo was worthwhile for seeing the Pandas. It was certainly a depressing zoo though with, in particular, the Lions, Tigers and Elephants in tiny cages. It reminded me of London Zoo when I last went in the late 80's before the new animal cruelty standards came in.
Last night was again a night out clubbing and again it was expensive, full of westerners and okay, no better. It was call Vics though which I found funny... As it's my Sisters name)
Today started in the afternoon so I thought it would be a wasted day but we actually managed to achieve a lot. We stared off by visiting the Temple of Heaven Park which was really peaceful with some stunning temples and lovely grounds.
The lads I'm with had always planned to go and see a Chinese Acrobat show. This wasn't really something I was worried about but but I went along anyway. I was really glad I did, I was blown away! It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. In my life not just on my travels! I can't really explain how great it was. Have a look at their website to get an idea:
http://www.tianqiaoacrobatictheater.com/
We topped of the day by going to a local restaurant for some Peking Duck... Great day
Tomorrow we've got an early (5.30am) start for a trip to the great wall, so no staying up for the footy for me (not that I'd be able to watch it anyway)
So all that's left to say is COYS
Hopefully some pictures from the wall tomorrow...
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Birdsnest
I've "borrowed" a VPN connection so I'm back for the time being.
Quick pics from the last blog:
Birdsnest stadium:
Quick pics from the last blog:
Birdsnest stadium:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)