Here is an entry about staying in hostels as since our travels began we have stayed in five hostels so far (and two budget hotels) at time of writing (28th April) and while they each have their endearing qualities some are, by far, better than others. But it's the day to day or rather night to night that preoccupies you - well me - as you could be sharing the same living/ sleeping space with 4 - 8 other strangers. A few equitte rules and observations, should you ...

Being in a mixed dorm whilst being cheaper, has its drawbacks. Cheifest of which is the snoring! Reason two why female only dorms look appealing. Sorry lads, typically the odds are against you on this one 'Planetyse' 3 men, 3 women, 2 snorers - one loud fat old man snorer (the other is a known snorer). 'Khaosan' 2 women, 7 men, 4 snorers all male vocals - one (the known snorer), one snorer sounded like he was making a "shh-ing" noise, another was puffing and snor...

Fri 27th April The weather was hazy on our arrival and a warm 23°c. Our journey was full of a consistantly built up landscape, city after city, every inch of land was cultivated in some way. Dusty and hazy, we rolled in on the fast train which took 5 and a half hours and then a hop on the metro. It was around 4:30pm. We asked a traffic officer for directions to Laomendong International Hostel. A 500m walk. "Welcome to China" he smiled. Cool! It was a dusty walk...

Wednesday 25th April Worst nights sleep so far. I say sleep, I don't think I actually slept, as everytime I seemed to drift off, someone would walk in rustling/talking loudly/ looking at other people in the dark with their phone light on! Set of course to the background sound of immense snoring. Lovely. 4:37 came 'ah sod this I'll sit on the decking'. So I did. I got a unque chance to see Shanghai in the early hours. The roads were quiet, the haze hadn't set in ...

Tuseday 24th April Another bad nights sleep - due to snoring mostly. Lights being switched on after midnight another reason. Pot noodles for breakfast. We were thinking we could keep the empty bowls for cereal, although having consumed our hot breakfast the pots didnt seem upto it when emptied. Today's activity was to be the Jade Temple. Off we trotted on the metro, scouting out places for a spot of coffee later. The Jade Temple seemed a sureal place, calm and ...