After getting up at the ungodly hour of 0430 I prepared for my airport departure at 0530…that proved to be the first glitch ……over 8000 taxis in Nanjing but not one available to take me to the airport!!! Luckily I have the most fantastic colleague at NMU - Roshan - who ever so kindly got up and drove me to the airport – how's that for going out of your way to help someone.??? As an added bonus he also took me inside and we got through the ...

Arrived in Chengdu at about 2030 hrs on Friday night, I was met by my guide Billy and taken to my hotel ready for an early start in the morning. My hotel is in the Tibetan district so I see monks wandering around the streets and the Wuhouci (Temple) is just 50 metres walk from my hotel. Hotel is VERY average with a "box" breakfast and cold showers….only 2 nights thank heavens. Chengdu is the Capital of Sichuan Province and the 4th largest city in China (po...