Hello!

We travelled into China yesterday by train from Hong Kong where we had been for 4 days. Hong Kong was very impressive. Most of the buildings were over 10 stories high and covered in neon lights which were incredible at night time. Sadly, Simon was not very well for most of our stay there and the weather was not good either. We didnt get to do many of the things we wanted to, but we still enjoyed visiting the markets and trying out some of the local food! The train journey couldnt have been more different from our experience on the Indian railways. The train was spotless, brand new and very comfortable as well as being a double decker! It was one of the new high speed trains and we were impressed. We are travelling by sleeper train tomorrow to Guilin which we hope will be as comfortable.

Today we went to the Baiyun mountains just a few miles north of our hotel. We got a cablecar to the top of the peaks and had an enjoyable few hours of wondering around. We have had a few problems here in Guangzhou so far as very few people speak any English. All of the menus are in Cantonese and we have got by so far by pointing at pictures and hoping for the best. Luckily we have learnt the name of the local (and incredibly cheap, 35p from the supermarket) beer. There is a lot of polution here but in a very different way to the obvious rubbish piles of India. The city is in a perpetual state of pink fog which gives you a sore throat. Having said that, China does at least appear to be considerably cleaner than India.

We will hopefully write again in a few days with a bit more to tell!