Well... It has been such a long time since I've written that I don't know where to start. I suppose a good place is to wish everyone a very happy New Year... From Oman!

... And I suppose the next best thing to do would be to describe the circumstances surrounding my arrival in Oman...

Not long after my last journal entry, the departure of so many friends, a desire to continue my travels, and the wish to give the relationship between Paul and I a chance, meant that I decided to leave Nanjing. The fact that China had become very cold, where as, Oman is beautifully hot, also pushed Oman up the 'Places Emma Would Like To Be Right Now" list!!!

I was still doing my indecisive "shall I stay or should I go?" type-thang, when an incident occured to push me firmly in the GO direction...

Back in September, when I found out that my friend John was coming to visit me from the UK, I booked a weekend off work. I then commenced reminding the school of my planned holiday every time I worked. However, it seems they forgot?!? I don't know how, but they did!!!

So... On the Friday afternoon, I received a phone call informing me that I wasn't allowed the days off, and that I'd have to find a replacement teacher OR ELSE!!! I didn't take kindly to the threat, and it was too late to find a replacement (plus, it wasn't my responsibility!) so after a lengthy argument I refused and hung-up.

Well... Early on Saturday morning, I was happily sleeping on my pull-out spare sofa-bed type-thing, when the door bell rang. I tried to get up, but the stupid sofa folded up around me and slowed my progress towards the door dramatically.

I eventually freed myself from the aforementioned obstacle and progressed to trying to put some clothes on... Which is when one of my male employers decided he had the right to let himself into my apartment, with a key that he shouldn't even have!!!

So, there I am, semi-naked and going ballistic at a Chinese guy that can barely speak a word of English. I must have looked quite a sight!

I'm not sure what he was trying to achieve by breaking into my apartment, but my only guess is that he thought I wouldn't be there, and he could therefore steal my passport to gain a greater hold over me. Well... After I'd thrown him out, I could hear him trying to get back in, so I took that as a definite sign to pack my bags and get out of there as quickly as possible! I mean, how many times had my employers been into my apartment before? How many times would they do it again? Scary!!!

The wonderful Mike was kind enough to let both John and myself stay at his place for a few days, and didn't die of shock when we turned up with so many bags that it looked as though we were planning to move in.

During my last few days in Nanjing, John and I saw some of the sights on Zhongshan Men (Purple Gold Mountain) including Zhongshan Ling, Dr Sun Tatsen's Mausoleum. Zhongshan Ling has the most impressive marble stairway which, once climbed, provides a great view back down the stairs across the misty mountain and city below.

We also ran the Nanjing Hash House Harriers' Christmas Hash... Which was a real laugh! Angus and Mike had mapped out a great route on Purple Mountain, and a large bunch of idiots (John, Mike and I amongst them) ran in fancy dress on a freezing cold Sunday morning. The run was then followed by a great Christmas lunch at Swede and Kraut... And numerous beers during the 'down downs'... Due to the number of stupid things that came out of my mouth during the run! Will I never learn?!?

I must also hasten to add at this point that Mike made a fantastic Father Christmas (see the photos!) and should consider giving up his job at Ford to persue this alternative career! I'm not sure that the fag hanging out of his mouth is such a good santa look though?!?

One of the most memorable final evenings was organised by my wonderful Chinese friend, Winne. She very kindly invited me to spend an evening with her family over a dumpling supper... An offer I would never have turned down for two reasons... One... It was such a kind thought, and two... I absolutely adore dumplings!!!

I wasn't sure what to expect, and realised that it was unlikely to be just Winne and I at the dinner table. However, I did not expect her whole extended family. I was greeted, in spectacular fashion, by Winne, her mother, Winne's aunt and uncle, her grandparents, another aunt, and Winne's two brothers. So that made ten people around one kitchen table.

I have never known such hospitality in all my life. Wow! Despite the language difficulties, everyone did so much to make me feel welcome, and we communicated through the universal language of smiles and laughter. A communication style that, sadly, is becoming less international by the hour.

I had a wonderful time, eating my way through my own weight in what were definitely the best dunplings and duck's necks I have ever, ever eaten!!! After supper, Winne's family continued to fill me with tea and oranges, and even filled my bag with small oranges before I left. I nearly cried as I walked out of the door. I just wished that I had the words, in Mandarin, to express just how grateful I was for their warmth and kindness. I think, and I hope, that my face and eyes spoke a thousand words!

I also had great fun (amongst a few tears) saying goodbye to my friends John (Skrip) and Julie, who were a constant sourse of (usually drunken) entertainment. It was also John's birthday, so childish balloon fights broke out, and large quantities of beer and cake were consumed.... Raaa!!!! Great people, who I hope to see again!!!

Saying, "see ya later" to Tania was soooooooooo hard! She's one of my few Nanjing girly friends, and it was great to have a friend that I had so much in common with... Which is why I'm determined that it's "see ya later" and not "goodbye". Tania is not only a beautiful and intelligent person, but she can also make me laugh out loud and can drink like a fish... What more could anyone want from a drinking buddy! Meeting up to go diving and drink copious amounts of beer is on the cards very soon me hopes!

However... The prize for the hardest goodbye in the world... Ever!!!.... Has to go to Mike. I can't even begin to put into words how much intelligence, charisma, and life this man has... I swear... He puts the 'Voom' into 'Va Va Voom'!!! On top of all that, he's totally gorgeous, kind and funny.... And doesn't even realise it... How rare is that?!?

He has been one of the best friends I have ever, ever had... And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he'll always be part of my life in some way (... Even if it it is just as Father Christmas once a year!!!)

So... After a sad goodbye to all these great and memorable people, I left for Suzhou with John for a couple of days of sightseeing. We took in some beautiful gardens and saw China's version of the leaning tower... And consumed even more beer... Which was a novel concept... I don't think!

Then... Onwards to Shanghai!!! John and I wandered round the city streets, and took in some sights before meeting up with Mike and Angus for the best shopping experience ever... At the markets near Renmin Square. Haggling was such a laugh, and we managed to pick up some dodgy watches, clothes and DVDs for seriously low prices... So all was good!

We then had even more of a laugh buying Chairman Mao watches (he waves in time to the tick!!!... How tacky is that?!?) communist hats, and more dodgy watches... At one point we had an old woman running down the street hanging off our legs, desperately trying to flog us some seriously dodgy watches... Which Mike ended up buying for about a hundreth of the original asking price... Championship haggling at its best!!!

Then... Off John flew to the UK... Off Mike flew to Australia... And off I flew to Oman.

So... Watch this space... My thoughts on Oman, and accompanying pictures will be posted here in the next few days. But don't worry... It'll be a much shorter entry than this one... There is nothing here but sand!!!!