Just a quick one from Hangzhou, we've spent just under a week here and we've really enjoyed it. The place where we stayed is right on the West Lake which is absolutely huge and surprisingly tranquil for China! We've learned to cope with the hustle and bustle, well sort of, but it's been really laid back here. Not ideal preparation for Shanghai, especially in China's national week. We're off on the train in the morning to Shangers which is only 2 hours away. We've absolutely no idea what we've paid for on the train! It could be first class or we could be on the roof! Hangzhou train station was a sea of people and the concept of a queue has never been introduced to the Chinese.

The internet has been free here so we've been on quite a bit as we've had a few rainy days. We arrived to thunder, lightning and torrential rain. Combined with breathless humidity too, but the weather picked up and has been warm but a little cloudy.

We've got a few more pictures to put online from Xi'an and here, we got some great ones today at the Linying Temple site, where Buddhist images are carved into the rocks and caves. Also we went into an active monastery in the mountains which was great. We both agreed that it was the best place we've been to so far.

That's all for now, next up Shanghai and my birthday celebrations. I've got Ged aka Gary Chuff working on an itinerary of bars for Friday night out. The all you can drink cocktails happy hour at the Marriott sounds too good to miss! Take care all

Ooh, just remembered! We went to a place called Base Bar on Saturday night - cheap beers all round. The music was incredible! We were treated to the sounds of Shaggy, Will Smith et al, but then it went even worse! Dance versions of Que Sara Sara and Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, bizarre!