Ni Hao!

Wow it has been a while since I last wrote. Whilst in China we are not able to use certain internet sites which made it difficult to update the blog.

Lots has happened during my time in China and I will try not babble on otherwise it might get a little boring, but I will certainly upload of photos as they might be a little more interesting!

Anyway, when I first arrived in Beijing, China, it was a little shock to the system. I arrived at midnight (China time) although this felt like midday to me due to the time difference from America, and after some confusion about my taxi to the hostel I was staying at (which was difficult to sort as I couldn't speak Chinese and there was very little English spoken) I finally got to bed.

China certainly felt like another world and every sense was overwhelled with new sensations, even the smells were different!

A few days later I met the people I would be travelling through China with, who turn out, thank goodness, to be an amazing group of people and I hope to be friends with for many years to come! There were a ixture of nationalities: English, Norwegian, Dutch and Australian. Together we travelled through and explored 6 very different areas around the country. Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai - Longji - Yangshuo - Hong Kong.

Beijing

In Beijing I had the opportunity to climb and walk the Great Wall of China as well as learn about the Chinese history of their emperiors and dynasties. We visited the Forbidden City, Tiannamen Square and The Temple of Heaven,. Unfortunately pollution that Beijing is renound for was unbelievably high while we were there, in fact it was to such a level that poeople where being advised to stay indoors :S.

Xi'an

After Beijing, we caught a sleeper train (well not actually caught it, that would be difficult) it was an unusual experiences with 6 of us in tiny compartment, 2 sets of 3 beds on top of each other, but we were all with a few people from our group. After about 14 hours we arrived in Xi'an (pronounced Shee-Ann))

I was looking forward to Xi'an as I was particularly excited about seeing the Terracotta Army. Something I had learnt about when I was in Year 3 and had wanted to see ever since! This army had of pottery warriors had been buried for thousands of years to protect an emperior. It was spectaular, it was unabelievable how much work it must have taken, and since it has been discovered too! When discovered many of the soliders had been crushed and shattered and archeologists are now piecing them back together, it is like one giant jigsaw with no picture to help you!

Xi'an was also generally an amazing place. Lots of temples (a bell and drum tower) ad we got to discover real CHina in the Muslim Quarter where there was lots of street food (although I didn't have the courage to try any at that point) and lots of stalls where I got to try my bartering skills and buy some souviners, this was followed by nearly being run over by bikes and tuctucs that were flying through the market.

Shanghai

After Xi'an we boarder another sleeper train for Shanghai, which was a much more modern city with amazing architecture. We climbed the financial tower which gave us a stunning view of the city and all the skyscrapers (which were actually below us!) as night came and all the lights came on. The next day we went to the cities gardens which was actually a temple for the city god which they would pray to for a good harvest. We also had a tea ceremony and got to test a variety of teas.

Longji

After Shanghai we had yet another sleeper train, but then also had to get 2 buses and walk for 30mins up a mountain to get to our next hotel. It was a real trek but that was where we needed to go to get the rice terraces of Lonji. The view from our window was amazing! The mountains and the terraces surrounded us. on our only full day there we went on a full day hike through the terraces and little villages built into the mountains. All the residences were very happy and friendly. I put this down to the fact we were away from the crowded cities and they were living a simpler life. AT one of the villages we had a lovely lunch, fried rice with pork. It was at this stage of the trip that we were starting to talk about food....a lot! CHinese food is very flavoursome and I loved using the chopsticks, but we were all starting to miss western food! But it was here that I tried fried grasshopper! Yum! It actually wasn't that bad, like the crispy bit of a fried egg.

Yangshuo

After Longji we moved on to Yangshuo. This was my favourite location. The scenary was absolutely stunning! Mountains that surround the town like sleeping giants are lit up at night like they are guarding the streets. Here we had a bike ride through the countryside to allow us to appreciate the area, we hiked up Moon Hill, walked through a water cave, bathed in a mud bath and hot springs in the caves, had a local farmer's lunch and also went on a river cruise on the Li River.

As well as all that I saw a light show on the river which was stunning and choreographed by the same person who choreographed the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics. I also learnt Tai Chi in the park, tried some Chinese calligraphy (learning to write my name in Chinese) and also took a cooking class.

Hong Kong

And now I am in Hong Kong! I spent one night in a hotel and been to the Peak (the highest point on Hong Kong island) on the world's steepest tram line to look at another city from above. Sadly I have had to say good by to my group, with whom I have become very close to. We are all now continuing our travels of heading to our home countries and spreading across the world. Fingers crossed we will see eachother again some day.

I am now staying with friends on Hong Kong island and hoping to explore this country a little more in the next few days before heading on to Sydney, AUstralia!

Again I hope you are all well and can check out the photos that I am about to load up for each place I have been too! Hope you get some idea of the fab time I am having! :)