3 June - Tibet- Lhasa to Tsetang We feel like we are on the 'Roof of the World Mystery Tour' I mentioned earlier that we only get enough information for the day. We have an skeletal itinerary from the travel agent but never know what the next move will be. For example- our itinerary was to go to Namatso Lake for tonight & stay in tents so we pack accordingly. Last night we get told we are heading to Samye monastery & our plan says sleep in shared gu...

2 June - Tibet-Lhasa We feel privileged to have got this far ... before we left I registered our details & plans with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade via www.safetravel.govt.nz. Today we received the following via email. Travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region Travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) by foreigners is subject to change by the local authorities at short notice. Even if they already have been granted a travel permit, New Zealande...

Xian to Lasa by train Our trip to the train station went smoothly, we collected a lovely young Australian couple who turn out to be our cabin mates too. Great - life is looking up - we will be able to converse ;) They are as relived as we are as contrary to what you hear not many Chinese speak much English, not even the young ones. It also means we can negotiate space & privacy. Anxious moments once we are left by guide as the waiting room starts to heave...

Xian - the Terracotta Warriors Our lovely guide Melody started us off at the 'biggest Terracotta warrior producing factory ' which is really a foil for a humongous warehouse selling all types of souvenirs. We must have been a total failure as buying tourists as were out in 10 mins much to Melody's disgust. Onwards to the warriors which were truly amazing. The whole area had had major overhaul in the last 10 years, apparently for the Olympics, and it is a very s...

Beijing - the Great Wall - train to Xian A group of 8 of us set off for the 80km drive to the Great Wall. Once underway we learn we were going to the Ming tombs as well as 'the biggest Jade factory' in China!! The Ming tombs were interesting if a little rushed..... But we have plenty of time to spend in the jade factory. The works are beautiful & worthy of a good look but if you dare to look to long at a piece or ask to try on you are under pressure. Slim p...