We finished our orientation today and were taken out for a wonderful farewell dinner at a riverside restaurant..we were also initiated into the drinking of baijui- a Chinese liquor similar to Russian vodka and quite potent- which is widely drunk in China at all celebrations, business meetings etc. What a wonderful way to finish our week but it will be sad as we go our separate ways all across China...some wonderful new friendships have been made.

What a bizarre experience....we all headed off to Guilin this morning for our Chinese health check to get our Residents Permit (currently we are foreign aliens!!). I've been a RN for nearly 30 years and never have I experienced such an examination. We were split into groups of 3 and then headed off into different rooms, no-one spoke any English and we were prodded along like cattle. Some of us got the giggles and ended up with stern looks from one of the doctors ...

All our group have arrived, about 24 of us, and today we headed off for a walk around the town with Patrick from Bucklands. Although most of us have been aound the town it was great to get an insiders view of the good places to eat, drink and shop. Stopped off for lunch and had my first taste of one of China's top brand beer- Tsingtao. This is truly a beautiful town surrounded by limestone krasts and then there is the lovely Li River. Had to teach a few of my fe...

Headed off to get more passport photos...why do they need so many in China??? And what happens....Well after years of travelling I manage to get myself mugged in the middle of a street in broad daylight. Got punched in the face, had my necklace stolen and left stunned. Cheeky bloody boy.... I'm only sorry I didn't manage to get a decent punch back!! Got back to Bucklands to be overwhelmed with profuse apologies from all the staff (as if it was their fault) the Di...

Finally at 1230 we touchdown in China and I am about to start my new adventure. The airport was deserted and the customs people as sleepy as I was....a very quick entry was to be had!!! I am relieved to find my driver had waited for me and that all my baggage had arrived with me. Walked out of the airport to be met by bright neon lights and wondered if I had been put down in Las Vegas...what a sight so early in the morning!! Will get to see Guilin later in the we...