So..we have been busy bees..after being bombarded by a million hustlers we eventually embarked on a tour. 1st stop a crazy tourist trap (very confusing) got back on the bus and settled down for another journey only to be driven to the other end of the car park...The Ming Tombs. Eventually we got to the Great Wall, which we climbed with two new friends who we met on the bus...our only sanctuary from the shouty chinese tour-guide lady who went on for an entire hour without even breathing (Emma there is someone worse than you!!) Did you know that the Great Wall is not only an amazing historical site, but also a house of horrors..with camels, ice rinks, scary mickey mouses, and crazy thigh pinching and bum brushing geezers to contend with! We have a certificate to prove it (the walking that is not the thigh pinching). And of course..as you would expect there was a bear show at the exit!? The day was topped off with a trip to the pub with 4 guys (we're picking them up thick and fast!!!!! only joking Ian!) we know it wasnt very chinese, but they served nice cold beijing beer, and Liz won at pool (naturally) but Cheryl's team did beat everyone about 3 times!! Whatever, anyway the company was cool. Eventually this morning we headed down to the Forbidden City...the history of which, it turns out, was just a great big orgy!! King Long would be proud!! (Explanatory photo to follow when we develop the necessary technological skills to install them!) Our favourite part of the day was hiring 2 decrepid bikes and cycling around the back streets of changchunjie. The sights we saw were humbling but the people were happy as larry, and they had some great little markets going on back there. We are yet to buy a dragon fruit without the locals trying to rip us off....we will not stand for a repeat of the apple buying incident!! To end the day we went for a bite to eat...duck, spicy chicken burn your mouth off stuff and Mmmm chickens feet (we did NOT order this although felt compelled to try it, hence our current feeling of nausea!) Off to Quindao tomorrow by sleeper train (10hrs!!) will keep you posted!...............xxxx