I know if one looks at a map the most direct route from China to the east coast of Australia does not include Perth!!!! But hey who am I to argue with Qantas......a five hour stop over gave me time to have a lovely hot shower and breakfast in Qantas club so I now feel half human again .....2 flights down....2 to go.........and I still don't like flying!!!

Beijing is regarded as the most important city in the most populous country on earth, a place with a fabled past facing a 21st century future as one of the world's great metropolises. Beijing is not only the political capital. It is the economic, cultural, diplomatic, and educational heart of the nation. I have been booked on a couple of organised tours here so it was an early pick-up at 0800 on my first day to head out and see the Great Wall of China at Badal...

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...

Woke up this morning to realize that this was our last day of cruising ：（：（。 ; The last few days have gone so quickly but the magical sights and sounds will be with me forever。 Today's excursion was to Fengdu – the "City of Ghosts）-The ghost city is a collection of fascinating temples – Buddhist， Taoist，Confucian- atop Mingshan （Ming Mountain）。 To the Chinese the social...

Nice early morning start again – it must be all this fresh air!! I even started this morning with a Tai Chi class and then about 0730 we sailed through the towering cliffs of Wu Gorge (aka Witches Gorge) and could admire the unusual rock formations, long canyons and deep crevices. The changing colours only add another dimension to an already magnificent view ….. all this and I hadn't even had breakfast yet!! After breakfast we boarded a ferry boat t...