Well I can't quite believe it, my last blog entry...

I'll start where I always start, my journey to. So my journey to Beijing, got the bullet train, which went Shanghai to Beijing in just under 5 hours, that's pretty damn fast! Public transported myself to the train station, and then to the hostel and put my bag down for the last time. No more trying to find my way round train stations, thank god. However, I have found myself just as lost round Beijing as I have the rest of China. Still haven't got a clue really, and I actually slipped on someone's spit the other day, just gross!

Luckily I've stayed in a nice hostel (The Drum Hostel). I've got a little pod room and everyone here seems to be living/working here. So super useful for local info but during the day they are all at work. So not so good for sight seeing with people, but nice to come home and always have someone to talk about your day with.

Done some of the standard touristy things while here; Temple of Heaven, Summer Place, The Birds Nest (purely because dad and brother asked for a photo), and the walking street. Tried to do the Forbidden City but it was SO crowed and decide against it. Also the Tianannen Square was closed the day I went, so a little gutted about that. Had some nice sunny days while here, which made sigh seeing a lot nicer.

Then today, my last day travelling. Wanted to end on a high, so saved the best till last, The Great Wall of China. Slightly put a lot of pressure on it, wanting to make sure I had a good last day. Also decided to go with a tour to make sure I could share the experience with other people.

Well it did not disappoint. Its rare when things are so hyped up and spoken so highly of, that they live up to those expectations. But it was everything I thought it would be, it really is out of this world. Ended up forming a great little group with a French guy and two English guys and we spent 2.5 hours hiking the Mutianyu Wall section. It was one hell of a work out, but the views made it more than worth it. A buck list ticked and a day I'm sure never to forget. Couldn't have wished to have ended my trip on a higher note, just pure perfection.

But after 175 days, 10 pairs of sunglasses, 9 countries, 1 stolen phone and a whole load of amazing unforgettable memories later, my trip has come to a sweet end. Taxi is picking me up at 4am tomorrow morning to take me to the airport for my 7am flight.

Travelling has been everything I've dreamt it to be, and so much more. But as my mother would say... The best journeys are those that lead you home ❤️