Very early start this morning with bags packed by 0700 and out for pick-up before heading to breakfast. Last check of our cabins before we were very quickly farewelled by the crew and disembarked in Chongqing – understandable as the crew were waiting to be able to go home and enjoy New Year with their families so we didn't really mind. Met at the dock by my guide and driver who transferred me to Chongqing Airport to head to Beijing.

All I can say about my quick glimpse of Chongqing is that it looks far better by night than by the light of day. Truly a concrete jungle covered in fog – in fact it is well known in China as the "city of fog" in winter and one of the “three furnaces along the Yangtze” in summer…..not a place I have any desire to return to. Got dropped off so early I couldn’t even check my baggage in so spent 2 hours trudging around the airport – which I can assure you is no more exciting than any other in the world!! Arrived in Beijing and got to my hotel about 1630.

Hotel is wonderfully located near some famous hutongs, Lama temple, Confucius Temple and the Temple of Earth so in between touring around I’m hoping to have time to wander through this part of the city. In fact my hotel is located in Beixinqiao Santiao which is the longest and straightest hutong in this district!!! Woo Hoo…how lucky am I…..