A sprint through China

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With only a week to see China it really seemed like doing the travel equivelant of the 100m trying to keep up with Linford Christie. After another long and painful midnight border crossing on the trans-Siberia train we were in.

Our first taste of China was wandering around the train station supermarket at 1am in our pajamas strarving hungry. The up-side of this was we discovered these amazing lemon and custard pies - pure heven after Mongolian mutton hell.

Our China sprint consisted of 3 days Beijing, 1 day Chengdu, 2 days Gulin and 2 days Hong Kong. In that time highlights have included: The Great Wall in 40oc heat, Chairman Mao's dead body preserved in plastic, Giant Pandas munching bamboo, paddy fields and amazing limestone scenary in Gulin and the best light show on earth that is Hong Kong by night.

Low lights were the constant spitting and hacking up flem that seems to be totally socially acceptable in China. I swear one guy we heard nearly brought up a lung. The driving is also a heath hazard. I can only liken it to the same reckless abandon as my mate Atoshi (after 10 cocktails) on the Dodgems at the Unilver x-mas party!

Anyway, by the time we got to Hong Kong Dawn and I were both burnt out, so we treated ourselves to a hotel with pool. I know, I know I'm meant to be on a budget! So, to cancel out the hotel costs I did my laundry in the bath and dried my clothes by the pool - classy stuff.

For a girl on a budget Hong Kong is hell. Everything is so cheap it would be a crime not to get at least one little fake bag. Poor Dawn has been sent back to Scotland with my purchases, so now it's time to go it alone to Thailand. I will miss you fake Todd's bag - oh and you too Dawn.

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Photos

Handsome young man
Handsome young man

Great Wall
Great Wall

Comments

[Lynsay]

Hello Iona
Hi Iona, I am so jealous, even the bits you don't sound too keen on are still adventures. Just think hideous mutton in Mongolia or what type of cup-a-soup flavour to have for lunch in Britain! I can't wait to hear more about them in two weeks time. xx

[ruth and dave mackay]

Hi Iona Thinking of you on your travels. Have a fabulous time. Hope you enjoyed China. let us know if you can get back to Shanghai as Rob and Chris will ensure you see the real China - the high life and the low life!!

[Faye]

Still looking stylish girl
Hi Iona, Been reading your blog with interest - wish I was with you (although not the train part I have to admit). In all your photos you ook as stylish and groomed as ever and so not like the usual backpacker - do you ever look rough???? Take care, Faye xxx