Today I decided was going to be as peacefull a day as possible after too much hustle and bustle Beijing style... I went to visit two temples, the Buddist Lama temple (2nd most important temple for Buddists in China) and the Temple of Heaven park. I started off the day with the temple of Heaven, which has many important old Chinese buildings in it. Including the echoing wall, which I was most looking forward to seeing as if you whisper at the very start of the ...

Today was an early start in Beijing as there was much to see. I arranged to meet Marie, a friend of Vivians friend, at 8 AM at Wudaoku underground station. Wudaoku is the student district Im staying in. It took me nearly 2 days of jetlagged pondering to figure out where I was in Beijing, and also what time it was. This can now be looked back on and laughed at, but at the time it was rather painful, trying to mime clock and alarm clock at shop assistants and I eve...

Ni Hao, Well here I am again, same internet cafe, same computer and same can of empty cold tea drink sitting next to me. Hope everyone is getting on ok at work, school, etc good luck to heather in her exams! I should really stop now... Yesterday I made it to the Great Wall of China, and it was a pretty magical sight to behold. Im sure I saw it from the plane on my way in though and have to say its even more impressive from the air just to see a thwack of...

Well thats me arrived safley in Beijing, and although I may not of been so nervous abut comming here it has deffinatley been more challenging than South America so far. Most Chinese men seem to proud to be letchy towards me and most beggars (whom there are many of) are too proud to try and steal. So from a saftey aspect its much improved, however the language barrier is huge, and as Im staying on my own western faces are few and far between. Although a couple of ...

Its 2:04 AM and I feeling very much awake and a bit saucer eyed. Looking forward to this journey to Beijing more than going abroad last year, no feeling of mounting dread yet. However still a bit antsy about being pulled out of comfort zone by yours truly. Looking forward to having someone to meet me at international airport, so exiting after some lonley (hairy) moments last year seeing lots of other names on placards Im hoping to have mine on a placard. However...