Fes to Casablanca We woke late after a good night’s sleep, excluding the call for prayers which seems to happen every hour after 4am. The sun is rising rather late although it is the middle of winter. We have dramatically underestimated the amount of clothing needed for this trip, some judicious shopping will be necessary – 6 degrees in Fes this morning maximum 10. Our hotel, The Moroccan House, very comfortable at $95. We are travelling by train to Fes today, always an adventure in itself. We catch a Petit Taxi (small taxi) to the train station, the usual crazy ride although a touch more civil than Asia. The train station is reasonably small and sedate; tickets were easily purchased for 165 dirham’s (9 to 1 conversion). The main language spoken seems to be French, which ... read more

Shangri La (Zhongdian) maybe Diqing Who knows where we really are. The town’s name was changed to Shangri La in 2001 to try and tap into the tourist trade. Anyway we are a long way from anywhere on a plateau, snuggled between mountains on the border with Tibet. The Tibetan influence is very strong here though it is obvious who is in charge and it stems from Beijing. A massive amount of money is being spent. To increase the Chinese tourist trade and appease the locals. We are staying in the old town which has the echoes of culture and tradition slowly being eroded by modernization. Traditional clothed women walk the streets while sports stores selling Nike overlap. The locals know they need the money but don’t want to lose their roots. Shangri La is unsure ... read more

Woke to a rumbling sound. The too much chilli variety. On top of that Natarsha and I have a cold. We visited the Drug Store and with much pantomime purchased some pain killers and cough serum. Reading the leaflet enclosed we discover the cough medicine’s main ingredient is snake bile. Not sure if that is what Benadryl has in it or not. Wandering out of the old town we are soon accosted by a couple of ladies in a small minivan. I decide to try the proper tourist outlet but as usual they are indifferent to our requests. The lady seems to understand our itinerary. First stop – a coat hiring place (and the obligatory canister of oxygen), I realise now the mountain must be high. We drive out of Lijiang, climbing all the time, through ... read more

Dali is situated on Lake Erhai which is 2000 metres above sea level. Behind, the towering mountains set a magnificent backdrop with mount Cang Shan 4000 metres above sea level. We have hired a car and driver for the day, non-English speaking of course. First stop – the famous Three Pagodas which are very beautiful, but during my life I have become church and pagoded out. Next stop is the local Bai market; anything and everything can be purchased from tobacco to pigs. We find every vegetable, herb, meat, cheese, clothes, jewellery, baskets and everything else necessary for day to day life. The local people seem completely indifferent to us, friendly but not staring like every else we go. Kathy has a go at the local tobacco, which was kindly offered to her by an old ... read more

Wake to another wet morning but as usual the rain has subsided by the time we venture out. Heading for Kunming today by plane and our taxi doesn’t arrive to 12.30. So have a nice leisurely morning to fill in. Do some washing (meaning someone else does your washing, 10 yuan per kilo). Kathy and I walk the town while Natarsha and Thomas have a sleep in. Noodle soup again for breakfast. Yum! And cheap 7 yuan per bowl. Off to the post office to mail some postcards. The staff can speak and write perfect English but need a lesson desperately in happiness. It seems all official people in China are not allowed to smile. An uneventful trip from Yangzhou to Guilin airport. We travel on deserted freeways and arrive at a plane less airport. All ... read more