Hi, Just a quick message. Im entertaining myself with the free internet service while Dean is out doing some Kung Fu. He also did some Thai Chi this morning...I was going to go along too but it was very early, the hangover had kicked in, and hey, theres always tomorrow! We are just about to get ready to go out to the torch festival...Dalis answer to bonfire night but with added alcohol. Should be fun. Claire x

Hey everyone This is my first postcard in China. What can I say?! Nothing could have prepared us for the culture shock that is China. The greatest shocks have been the lack of spoken English and the most disgusting toilets I have ever seen. Also, spitting and smoking appear to be two of the most popular pastimes. Oh the sweet sound of people hocking up and gobbing everywhere; who needs the sound of birds singing in a morning when you have that? Hav...

Hi, We arrived in Lijian four days ago, travelling over on the bus with our Chinese-speaking pal Chad (brill person to know out here). After spending almost two hours searching for a (seemingly non-existent) guesthouse which we had had recommended to us (always great fun in the blazing sun with a 20kg bag on your back!) we finally settled for one of the more overpriced rooms (at a scandalous 4 pounds a night!). We are staying in the old town of Lijian which ...

It rained all day on Friday so we hid in our room and read books. Exciting stuff. It was actually really good to do nothing for once...there's always seems to be temples to visit and waterfalls to hike to (it's a hard life this travelling lark!) Yesterday we went to the lake to watch a demonstration of Comorant fishing. Comorants are large birds which have been specially trained by the local fishermen to catch and bring back fish. The fishermen prevent the ...

Hello again, There's free internet at the hostel (hence the daily enteries). Well today I had a lie in for the first time in ages (though still only til 9am; i've gone all native) In the afternoon we took a ride on a horse drawn cart, though it's not as romantic as it sounds; very bumpy and those animals smell! We also went for a ride in a cable car (Which looked more like a ski lift; the ones where your feet dangle out, though i'm sure they're quite s...