We have now done 3 days in Beijing and this entry is to update you on days 2 and 3.

Day2

We visted the Lama temple which is close to our hostel which is in honour of 3 incense budha. Before we entered the temple Suzie tried to take a picture of me but a chinese lady rushed forward and gave Suzie her Camera and then proceeded to rush up to me and put her arm around me for a picture, very strange! We do feel like aliens here don't think they see many fair haired english girls!!! The Lama temple was very impressive and colourful and were glad we went. It is obviously a famous place to worship budha nearly every chinese person we saw was burning 3 incense sticks and praying.

From here we took the subway to try and find Suzie some clothes her bag still hadn't come :-( which proved more difficult than expected (where's a new look when you need one!!). It appears a size XL in chinese sizes mean a size 10-not me!!! We eventually got a nike t-sirt in the men's area! Not impressed and also not impressed by the price!-Although Caroline tells me this is a normal price for Nike! I wouldn't know!

After being shamefully british but to be fair we hadn't eaten all day and it was 4pm we went to PIZZA HUT (i know it's dreadful but it was very good and much needed). We then came across a market called the Silk Market which was 6 floors, my idea of heaven Suzie idea of hell! So did the first floor and left, might have to drag Suzie back at some point if we have time!!!

From here we decided to explore a bit more, Suzie wanted to take a picture, at this point two chinese students started to talk to us and invited us for a drink so they could improve their English. They took us to a traditional tea room with our own private room!Very nice until the bill came! (We nearl;y fell off our chairs! Nearly twenty pounds just for the two of us! (Most expensive cup of tea we've ever had!) It must have taken a good chunk of their student budget as well! Their English teacher recommended it to them! (Thanks mate!)

DAY 3

Well woke up today with a bag! Thank god, and yes Fran, Caroline was very happy that it was mine not hers!!! She sure of hell couldn't have coped without the hairdryer!!!

We took the underground to Tian'anmen Square and visited The Forbidden Palace also known as the Palace Museum. Very big and we spent a good 3 and a half hours there. Large buildings, temples and what are commonly know as rooms! Very big rooms! It is in honour of the Quing and Ming Dynasty and has been there since the 14th Century. Could have been there a lot longer but Caroline got bored! Some good views as well. Second picture of the blonds taken here-now we know what Posh and Becks feel like!!!!

From here we headed over to Tian'anmen Square-very grey and busy! Elaine you have your photo!!! We had to go there but now know what the guide books say is fairly true!! Many a guard was under threat from the bum pinching dares we kept giving! But decided it was best not too get arrested as we didn't know how to get bail!!

We then took a walk to the left of Tian'anmen square passing the great hall of people and on to the National Performing Arts Centre-near closing but we took a quick look inside including using the facilities! This centre took from the 1950's till 2007 to finalise and build-they must have had some serious wet weather!!

Continued on walking through a park and down a side street via an art gallery (Students asked us to take a look-we couldn't afford to buy). Then went on to food/snack street-a night market, all food and an experience in itself! Loads of savoury and some sweet-but very easy to get more than you bargained for! Caroline also realised at this point she had been eating starfish the other night!! Must be a delicase! We then came across a shopping street called Wangfujing Dajie (Wish we had known about this yesterday!) From here we saw some bright lights and in need of a beer thought we'd give it a try! Lots more eateries, many a eager restauranteer and a beer in sight!!

Lots of Love

Suzie and Caroline xxxxxxxxxx

P.S. Thank you for all your messages and keep in touch. We'll E-mail you all shortly as we can't return messages off this blogg.

P.P.S. No arguments yet!!! Record!!

Day 4

Today we took the underground to Bognu, the very last stop on line 10. From here we were heading to the Summer Palace, the only thing being we took a left out of the tube station and then had too walk the scenic route, the very scenic route! Well if you can call fast moving traffic scenic. What should have been a half hour walk turned into over an hour. So even though we had gone out earlier than usual it still made no difference!

On arrival at the gate to the Summer Palace we were greated with a very large lake/river and lots of street vendors. After a quick bottle of water we headed in to find out the Chinese really don't que! I (Suzie) was stood all nicely waiting to get tickets when this big guy just shoved me clean out the way and slapped his money on the table! Shocked! And then his mate dared to give me the dirty look!!

The first think we noticed was how big the grounds were and how green, even though it was a particuarly foggy/smoggy day! We were armed with a huge map of the palace but it still took a while to find out where we were in the grounds. We were just expecting a palace with a garden and a little bit of water! Not at all, the lake itself took up half the grounds with boats and peddalos avaiable (at a price) to see the grounds from the water. We decided on walking, and thankfully we went left which took us on the various paths around the lake. Alot quieter and very pretty. Hundreds of willow trees and flowers, lots of interesting briges to cross with interesting names such as Willow bridge and Mirror bridge. All relating some way or another to a poem. Eventually the paths lead to the side where all the temples/palace/buidings were. A contrast in its self, the lakeside walk was peaceful and nice. The other side was heaving. With all the different tour groups. What a difference a path makes!!! By this point we were in need of food and preferably a sandwich, no chance! All the eateries sold exactly the same things and the option of fast food was heated in a microwave and very glupy!!! Take your own its safer!!

After food we went for a look around the various streets leading us too different sections of buidings. This also led us a very steep hill, climbing up old temples with some great views. Hard on the legs though! After alot of dodging big groups and trying to get some nice photos (difficult when everyone just walks straight in front of your camera!) we found ourselfs sitting at the lakes edge people watching and watching some kites flying above the lake. This was all viewed from 17 Arch bridge. We left about 6pm either though it was meant to close at 5:30pm, nobody seemed to be leaving! Summer Palace was beautiful and you can quite understand why locals would just pay the enterance fee for a nice place to sit with a picnic!!

On exiting the palace we were tempted to get a taxi but none appeared to be licensed and they were trying to rip us off! So we walked and thankfully my sense of direction and improving map skills kicked in this time! Back within half an hour and straight back on the tube!!

Day 5

Back on the underground today too the Olympic Stadium. We first visited the Birds Nest, very impressive. They were playing music, tv screens were playing various athletes winning there various medals. There were lots of people there at the same time and the atmosphere was just one of sheer excitement!! This was another spot where our blonde hair and English faces had lots of people wanting lots of photos especially lots of very sweet school children. We both deffinatly had a sense of feeling proud whilst being at the birds nest. (Aid we have lots of photos for you!)

From here we went across the walk way to the Aquatic centre to see the swimming and diving area. Another chance for them to make more money! But both of us not wanting to miss out we went in. The ticket office was a good ten minutes away from the actual Water Cube. Once in we had a look at the main pool and diving pool. (The diving boards don't look as high as you would expect, but I'm sure once up there they will be a lot taller than they look!). It was very colourful inside and nice to see, but really it is just a pool.

We weren't that fused about seeing the other bits so we took the tube to The Temple of Heaven. Once again we were told Exit A which we went out of, but we weren't told which way so went with the people and turned left. Mistake, if we had turned right one of the enterances was just there! So once again we went the scenic route, but this did mean we could get some food on the way.

On arriving and paying the enterance fee, 15 yuan for park entry, we went a wondering. We din't pay for the temple as it was getting late and really we had only gone down there for the grounds and the locals. Everywhere we walked there were people dancing, singing, playing sport, doing ti chi and lots of other things to occupy their Sunday afternoon. (Dad we werre thinking instead of the Wheatsheaf on a Sunday afternoon why don't we all head to Hubbard Hills for a game of football and dancing?!). Whilst walking around we also came across a adult play ground. Basically a gym in a park with no fee! Good fun and we were amazed to see 50 plus year old doing handstands on bars as well as stretching their legs in places I didn't know exsisted!! We had to have a go and although we got some look we weren't bothered! During this afternoon we also kept avoiding being dragged off to dance an we also bought very cheaply these things that you can kick about in a group or on your own, like a football but not shaped like one! Don't know what there called but all the old woman kept trying to show us how too do it. (We will take a picture soon). caroline better than me!!!

Day 6

Today was a booked tour of the great wall of china, the bus picked us up at 8am (bit early for us lol). First we were taken to the Mings Tombs which was just another temple but quite interesting (Never seen so many temple's in my life than I have in the last 6 days). Next we were taken to a Jade factory which was very impressive, we were shown how they make the various statues and jewellary with the jade, we couldn't buy anything though soooooo expensive!! We also had lunch there which was a traditional chinese lunch very nice!!

When we arrived at the great wall we were given the option of the Cable car (although not really an option as we all had to enter on one ticket and also the walk up was too far!) The cable car cost extra but it took you straight up too the wall. We then went walkling and climbing! We had been going for an hour up and down, across various sections when we realised we had been walking for an hour and we had too be back in another hour. Some sections were very steep and I discovered going down hill backwards was easier and walking on tip toes going upwards works as well. In the sections with steps the sizes varied greatly! At the end of the first hour we came across another enterance with many a stall, we thought it was near our coach park but no it wasn't! And by the time we had realised it was too late too walk back the way we had come! So after using the very dodgy facilities, we had to pay and there was no doors on the hole in the ground so where do you look??!!! We then tried to get back but had to give in and get a taxi!! Cheaper than missing the bus!!

On the way back to Beijing we stopped at a Silk Market, again very interesting, we found out how silk is made and the various stages from cacoon too silk. But again too expensive and what we would do with a silk duvet???

Once back at the hostel we had intended to go for Beijing Peaking Duck but I was not feeling well so food in the bar and bed!!

Day 7

Today wew have packed up and checked out. We are due to catch a train at 16:43 to Xian. An overnight train getting in at 05:22. So not alot to write at the moment.

Catch up soon xxxx