Greetings to all,

It's been an absolute age since i sent an email to everyone but i hope to keep this short and sweet. Those who have been following our travel blog probably won't read anything new so continue at your own boredom. Also, as bebo is one of the many internet sites banned and therefore blocked here in China (along with the likes of BBC News, etc) i haven't been able to reply to people's comments, sorry.

Since i last wrote we been through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, back into Thailand, Hong Kong and now China. It's been an absolute blast.

Thailand (1 month) - Thailand was exactly as we thought it would be, very touristy and easy to travel around. We travelled by local bus most of the time which was good craic and alot cheaper than the tourist buses. We started off at the islands (Ko Phi Phi, Ho Samui, Ko Phangan) and had a great time relaxing on the beaches lying in our hammocks. Apart from a few days where the heavens opened up, it was monsoon season afterall, it was really good. Then it was off to Kanchanaburi to see the Bridge over the River Kwai and the Death Railway, onto Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam, and then Chiang Mai where we met up with mates from home (Ciaran & Gerry who were on route to OZ) and done a bit of trekking through the hills. Then it was off to Chiang Rai and finally to the border crossing into Laos.

Laos (10 days) - Laos was totally different to Thailand, very laid back and quiet. We crossed the border and got a slow boat down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang which took 2 days. After that it was onto to Vang Vieng, the backpacker capital of Laos. It's a small town full of "Friends" bars, all they do is show friends continually. While we were there we took in a bit of river tubing which consisted of floated down a river in a huge rubber tube and being pulled into the many bars that line the bank. Vientaine was next, the capital of Laos, which i found to be really quiet and boring. A 24 hour bus journey from there to Hanoi later and we found ourselves in Vietnam.

Vietnam (1 month) - Vietnam was absolutely mad and crazy, i loved it. Didn't really enjoy Hanoi, maybe it was due to the fact that the manager of the guesthouse where we were staying followed us around after we refused to book tours with him. Leaving Hanoi behind we went to Halong Bay, really beautiful, and did some more trekking through the rice paddies in Sapa. It absolutely poured down with rain while we were there, had to wade through flasg floods in many of the tiny villages along our trek, and i loved every minute of it. Then it was onto Hue and then Hoi An where we bought some suits and clothes for life after travel, depressing stuff. Nha Trang next for a spot of sea fishing (caught the smallest fish i have ever caught in my life) and then Saigon (Ho Chi Min City). I really liked Saigon, alot more history and character than Hanoi. We went to the Cu Chi tunnels which were used by the locals during the Vietnam War (really small, barely got myself through and these tunnels have been made bigger for western tourists!). From Saigon, it was just a short bus ride to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Cambodia (1 week) - The only real reason we went to Cambodia was to see Angkor Wat at Siem Reap which was brilliant. The place is huge, we spent 3 days exploring and still didn't get to see all of the temples. Arriving at sunrise and leaving at sunset made for long days but was thoroughly worth it. Cambodia was also the poorest country we have been to. Some of the beggars we saw on the streets of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap made for tough viewing, a result of continual wars and landmines which still scatter the countryside. Travelling along what is easily the worst road i have ever had the joy to travel upon, we left Siem Reap and re-entered Thailand to get our flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong (5 days) - Hong Kong surprised me, i really enjoyed it. The city is expensive and so western but it has a good mix and feel. While we were there we sorted out our trans-siberan trip getting our Russian and Mongolian visas, visited Disneyland Hong Kong (great craic) and wandered around under the towering skyscrapers. A short ferry journey later and we were in China.

China (1 month) - China is very strange. It's more expensive than any of the other Asian countries we've been to and tourism seems to be only taking off. Everywhere we go we get stared and pointed at, people come running up to us to get a photo taken with us. At first we found this very strange but after 2 weeks we quite use to it. We saw some beautiful landscape around Guilin and Yangshuo where we stayed out in a country village and took an early morning balloon ride, breathtaking. After 25 hour train journey from Guilin we were in Chengdu to see the Giant Pandas, now one of my favourite animals, and to sample the famous Schezwan Hotpot, delicious but hot. From there we went to Chongqing to catch a 3 day cruise down the Yangtze River, through the famous three georges and into Yichang. Luoyang followed Yichang where we saw the beautiful Longman Caves, ancient Buddist rock carvings in caves and then onto Xi'an. Xi'an was brilliant, easily the nicest Chinese city we have yet been to. Of course we took in the Terracotta Army which is a definite trip highlight and wandered around the city wall. And now we find ourselves on the small cobbled streets of Pingyao, a small town which hasn't really changed over the centuries (apart from all the tourists). Next we go to Datong and onto Beijing from where we begin our trans-siberan trip on the 16th.

We were originally supposed to be home a few weeks ago but we've extended the trip to keep going as long as the bank balance is still healthy and the plan is to be home some time around December, just in time for Christmas.

This email is longer than i expected so i apologise for boring you all. Hope ye are all well and i'll write again soon (promise it won't be as long).

Paul

P.S. My excuse for doing so poorly in the Fantasy Football is that i haven't seen any of the games, EPL is not big here in China, but i shall return to my winning form once these travels are complete.

P.P.S. Congrats to Celtic and Rangers (it's not often that i congratulate Rangers so enjoy this Derek) on their big wins during the week. Maybe Spurs will follow suit and rise up the league to regain our rightful place at the top!!!!