January 22 - 28

We had the whole day on the train, it wasn't quite as exciting as we were well aware these were our final days together.

We arrived just after 2pm and went straight to our hostel, the other tour group had joined at this point and we all went out for a meal with our honcho Alex. He ordered us a feast and a half, two whole peking ducks and near 16 dishes! It came to just under five pounds each with beer. It was delicious, it was a million times nicer than restaurants back home. All I could think when I was tucking in was how much my family would love the meal and banter.

After tea half the group went to an acrobatics show and Adam, I, John, and two new members, Craig and Pat went for a few beers. None of the bars had any toilets, so we had to use public toilets, which were open planned. So my first experience of one I had a very awkward wee next to a girl with bottom problems. We also went to a bar where they had a live turtle in the tip jar, I just had to get a picture.

The next day Adam and I headed to Tiannemen Square, but he was closed for new year. On the way to Mao we were scammed by a man on a rickshaw. He pulled up and said he would take us for three yuan. After ten mintues he dropped us off and demanded three hundred! That is about thirty quid! We gave him the money after an argument and then he demanded three hundred for me! I said no and an argument again ensued so we legged it.

We were so annoyed a whole days budget blown on a scam, but worse was yet to come. Once in Tiannemen Square we met a really nice lady who was a tourist as well, apparently, we talked to her for about an hour and then she asked to join us round the Forbidden City. We said yes and then on the way there she asked if we fancied a cup of tea in a traditional tea house. We said yes again expecting in to be a couple of quid at the most, it cost us fourty each... She then abandoned us in the Forbidden City to catch her next unsuspecting prey. I felt so stupid, I thought I had seen it all! Nearly a weeks worth of money gone in one shot.

To calm down we went for a pint and realised we didn't have half as much money as we thought we did. We had to cancel part of the trip if we wanted to stay out as long as we intended. India was binned and working in Australia and New Zealan became the plan. I was excited, but gutted at the same time, I had had to bin India once before a few years ago and out of all the places in the world I wanted to go there more than anything.

At night we drowned our sorrows with Rolf and John and like every meal so far in China we had a cracking meal. We ordered a hotpot of duck, which was an entire duck in a pot with loads of spices, beak and all. We wolfed it down and tried to guess what organs we were eating. I had a big juicy heart.

In the morning we moved to our new hostel independent of the vodkatrain. It was by far the best place we had stayed so far. Tucked away on a small hutong (a traditional alley) full of shops, bars and restaurants. The more I stayed in Beijing the more I loved it, it was a city I knew I would never forget. I couldn't help but think of my mum and dad when I was there too, it was the perfect city for them. The people were friendly, the food the best I had ever tasted at every meal and the sites were breathtaking. I couldn't understand why more people didn't go there.

On new year's eve we went out for a blow out banquet, again a fiver each. We couldn't get enough of the duck and then we headed out to the pubs and at twelve watched the whole city light up with fireworks. The noise, the lights. I had never experienced anything like it. What I really liked was the fact instead of getting drunk like you in Britain and end up in a packed club and buy two drinks all night, the chinese really cherished the fact that new year was not about that, but about seeing and spending times with friends and family. Millions upon millions travel to see their loved ones at this time of year. The bars were empty and streets were crowded, full of people watching the fireworks. They went off none stop for three whole days and I mean non stop.

The next day we went to the Great Wall with the other Adam. They walked to the top and I walked half way. It was too steep and I could feel the panic setting in. Our last few days we spent milling about admiring the local way of life. trying out the different cuisines from hotpot variations to BBQ'ing food yourself in the middle of the table. Taking it easy was good and we saved a few pennies. The meal on the last night was a bit poo, it was full of fat and had no spices. We then went for a couple of pints and said our goodbyes. it was really sad to say gppdbye, but we knew we would see most of them again.

We caught the train to Pingyao the next day after another lazy day. The train was packed and I felt like a nutter. People just kept starring. Blonde hair and freckles must be a real rarity in China.