Today we went to the Great Wall!!!!! It was amazing and actually brough a tear to my eye. Tracy got us the train times and wrote out for us that we wanted tickets to Badaling - the section of the wall we wanted to visit. We all met at 8.15 and walked to the metro, caught it to the train station, managed to buy return tickets and got on the train, good eh! Only 32Y, cheap cheap! The train only took an hour through some really gorgeous scenery, we saw lots of t...

Well spent the morning in the Russian Embassy again - but for the last time as Claire finally got her visa, granted it is only a transit one for 11 days, and that unfortunately means she missed out on St Petersberg, but it is better than all the other options!! Was a massive relief and with the feeling of sickness subsiding we made our way to have some lunch. Had rice noodle with beef, like Pho in Vietnam - we needed a pho bib! Claire and i decided to visit so...

Hello. We havent done very much of note today... the visa problems are ongoing - went to the embassy again this morning and spoke to a diplomat, but nothing new. Looks like leaving Russia ealier than planned but not to worry. Made our day to 'Cultural street' - not much doing, it isnt really tourist season, so not very much to see. Walked and saw 2 big parks, but had to be back at the hostel for 5 for the first meeting of the tour. Thats it really. Its very ...

Well we have walked our little feet off today! Started out at the bakery again for breakfast and then (what i hoped would be) a visit to the back to get some travelers cheques changed to dollars (easier for Mongolia) 40 mins later i was done... it took forever! They werent used to it, but they only took a couple of dollars commission. Then it was onto the underground and to Tian'amen Square. By the time we got the Mao's Memorial Hall (yep going to see another ...

Up and off and first call Bakery - had a danish and some cake and orange juice, a very good breakfast! Went straight to the Russian Embassy - and the trouble started. They said Claire cant get a tourist visa here and can only get a 10 day transit visa, but we are in russia for longer... anyway, we are seeing about our options and emailing and not panicking just yet! Annoying though. We even sought out the British Embassy, but they couldnt do anything to help. A...