Mon 30th April
The weather is still sticky, humid and hazy. Also getting hotter, 27-28°c.
This morning near hostel as we ventured a few more sneaky photos were taken - par for the course. Fuzimiao was our destination and on the way we spied a scooter shop. Brand new big scooters for ¥3200 (£450), no wonder they are everywhere. Approaching Fuzimiao we got directions from a Canadian couple, who lived and worked in China and talked chinese food with them. Asking them about chickens feet, the stuffed breads, steamed buns. Here is where we found out about stinky tofu...Now we know what stink is! It's tofu in a brine of fermented milk, vegetables and meat. Well at least we know where that smell is coming from and it's not something unhygenic. Still, can't get our heads round how you could eat it, I would rather take the smell of dissections in a hot summer classroom over THAT smell!
Walking through the hustle and bustle a man was making bird noises along the high street. Ya see, not all the mad people are locked up!
Outside of Confucius' Temple we took some photos, when it was Franks turn to pose infront of the temple he started laughing. Lining up behind me were loads of blokes also taking photos, getting Frank in their shot, tapping each other's elbows etc. Mad stuff, but funny. Confucius Temple, was very informative and a piece of tranquility in the middle of a bustling food centre. Whilst walking through, a little girl with a phone (possibly mummy's?) was getting rather a lot of photos of where we were. Hmmm. He-he.
After the temple we got ice cream and sat on a bench, cue lots of stares, hellos, photos including from police men, cleaners, kids etc. all taken in good fun. Even on our way back to Laomendong a boy and girl in 'howdyscv' shop (our cheap water shop) asked for a photo. Very sweetly mind.
Our evening walk, another stuffed nan bread thing and some very nice chinese fried chicken pieces in a bag. Later we chilled out at the hostel, catching up with home.

Tue 1st May
Late in night a young chinese couple checked in whilst we sleeping and had gone before we woke up.
A warm 27°c. During breakfast we were watching a painter doing his thing, however the hostel's dog, an old ailing labordor cross had other ideas - constantly barking at him. The younger lad on the staff thought he should introduce one with the other. Not a good idea, as the painter didn't seem keen on dogs and then the dog went after him, knocking him over flinging paint everywhere. Well, food AND entertainment in the morning. Anyway, sending our postcards was the day's priority so we headed back to Fuzimiao fueled first by some more street food - Seasame seed buns. Lots of types of buns in China and all worth trying. These had a christmas mince pie pastry texture with black or red bean filling. Very tasty, if a bit salty.
The first port of call for stamps was a tourist information office, we needed 5 stamps per postcard...we had 8 to send! Not to swipe all their stamps in one fell swoop, we were directed to the main post office. On our way, knowing we were near, I asked for more directions from what looked to be a swanky hotel (more english speaking staff/guests, I figured). Sure enough we were escorted to the post office by a very friendly hotel worker. Sweet chap, he gave us a big smile after we thanked him at least 3 times. Postcards stamped, glued on and sent, we ambled back in the hostel's direction via Fuzimiao. In an instrument shop girls were playing an ocarina along to a backing track, very nice. Into Walmart and bought mosituriser and hair removal cream. A technical achievement given most of the words were in chinese.
Back at the hostel we had a new dorm mate, Martin. We also noticed Josh and Callum had checked out... and Franks things had gone. Phone charger, wash bag, and shorts! Martin was now in Frank's bed. We swapped beds with Callum and forgot to say to the staff. Buggar! Having told them of our predicament, one guy headed off to the cleaner's cupboard and returned with a black bag, inside were Frank's things. Thank god! Martin arranged another bed in another dorm so our chatting was brief. He works in Hong Kong, think Niles from 'Fraiser' t.v series in mannerisms but a little shorter.
A little later, after showers, a new dorm mate arrived. Alex from Sweden another student in Beijing. We spoke music, food and beer in China.
Dinner in the hostel again, something different of off the menu. New York steak for Frank and chicken curry for me - now becoming a habit really. We noticed there the painting was finished but there was no sign of the dog. Hmm? Whilst eating our dinner the staff had theirs, seemingly the boss was giving the younger lad a hard time - we couldn't work out what for though. Apparently it was something to do with the rice they were eating?!?
We had bought a couple of tinned beers to try out for the evening while we played card games for our entertainment. Martin joined us and soon enough, after 11pm, the other staff did too. We all had a drink together, learnt some more Chinese, talked about music, language and China etc. It was a lovely evening sharing stories and connecting with things in common.

Wed 2nd May
23°c misty then cleared and warmed up to 25°c.
After the labour day holiday, by comparrison, our area was sooo quiet. Much much much fewer people there. As most folk, if not all, had or were going home. We walked around with so much ease. We had been bumping into people since we arrived really, you couldn't help it, nor could they. There were just so so so many people and then it seemed only a handful were left. Almost amusing really. Our train wasn't until the afternoon so we had time to kill, allergy tablet taken as we were going to walk along between the Ming wall and the River Qinhuai there were those dusty trees lining the path. Along the way we saw some old people working out, singing karaoke and practising their waltz steps. One guy even gave us a little vibrato performence. Very cool.
Checked out, bags picked up and off to the metro. Now I need to mention here that along with walls China loves it steps, in metro and rsilway stations - many of them. And we have felt EVERY ONE of them. Particually when wearing our big backpacks. Big flights of stairs, next to our escalators, which everyone takes, of course. But not us, indulging in the opportunity for exercise - and mainly the queue for each esculator is as long as the queues for the trains anyway! We certainly have noticed a strenghtening of big muscles since arriving in China. A benefit of course. What they master in stairs and walls they lack in smooth pavements.  When arriving in Nanjing we witnessed men mixing up concrete with shovels (no mixers here), relaying the pavement, then... well thats it. They dont cover or corden off the cement, which is why you'll find big deep foot prints, paw prints, even dirty great tyre marks from cycles and scooters. All of this adds to the tripping hazard that is China. There are bolts, cables and metal rods sticking out of the pavement, as well as the usual ankle high concrete bollards. It's all part of the excitement especially when your head is looking upwards for your supermarket/metro/hotel location, as well as avoiding the onslaught of scooters coming at you. Such fun.

Through the railway station, which is three stages. After purchasing your tickets from a adjoining building, you go through one gate showing your ticket and passport (natives show their ticket and I.D cards). Then you put your bags through an airport type scanner and you walk through a metal detector (or security pat you down/scan you with a electric paddle). The metros are similar but you do not need to show your passport as you are not entering another province. In the waiting area we had a conversation with a Chinese man, no english -  all through his phone's translator, a nice bloke. He asked us where we had been and where we would be going. Guilin (or Yangshuo) is on the back of the ¥20 note so that location was easy enough to point out. His train was next to go. Then it was ours. We left Nanjing at 17.47, it was a 5 - 6 hour train ride to Qingdao top speed 302kph due to arrive at 11:30pm!