Out again we go, it was gone 10pm at that stage, looking for a taxi feeling defeated and tired. Holding out the directions they were snapped up by a bloke grinning slyly, who via his phone, asked for ¥80. We knocked him down to 45 knowing it should be 40. "Ok ok ok", grinning again at us. He beckoned for us to follow him. He began "I bring you to Yangshuo tomorrow? Yangshuo? Tomorrow." "No we're very tired. Maybe another day" we were trying to keep him sweet (...

Population 4.7 million Fri 18th May Woke up on the train, it was werid seeing buildings go by during your lie in. The hours ticked by, we rode through at least 3 rain storms on our way. In our compartment we had the bottom bunks (yay, more room), two men were on the top bunks, a younger fellow in the middle bunk above Frank and a father and son above mine. There was a family with a little girl in the next compartment. More of China went by our window, lots more...

Thurs 17th Breakfast (museli) and coffee at hostel. Lele said before she left that would give us 25% on our drinks for the day. She said even though she couldn't quite understand the lyrics to some songs, she very much enjoyed the music. We were given gum from a smiling  Chinese man from last night - he obviously enjoyed it...or he thought our breath smelt. One or the other. Had lunch (vegetable bake) with Dan and Louise who had decided to get married in India...

Wed 16th New arrivals! Jeremy had left and Dan and Lousie (Lou) turned up. Both from York - the first to identifiy me from Kent, I was impressed, "You sound just like Aunt Tracy." Ah that'd be it then. They had travelled a hell of a lot - South America, South Africa, Thailand and India. Good for future travel tips. A full dorm four men and four women. Yay I'm in a half and not a minority! Egalitarianism here! Now we can ALL walk around in just our pants and -...

Tue 15th In and out of sleep. The open window lets air flow in and also voices from outside early in the morning. Along with a faint clock bell/chime. The Spanish guy and Red head were up and out early. It was then I discovered there was a bloke in the bed adjacent to mine and his girlfriend in the bed opposite to me. Must have been very quite getting in. They were up before us too, couldn't quite catch their accents. Chinese? American? European? The ear plugs w...