Beijing to Xian
Trip Start
Feb 21, 2007
1
15
39
Trip End
May 19, 2007
Xian,
China
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Our new group seem very nice, but like to go to bed at 9.30pm making us look like freaks when we suggested perhaps a second beer would be a good idea! It's quite nice though as there's loads of free time and we're no longer sharing a room with other people!
The first day of this trip we climbed the great wall, which was stunning. It was a bit overcast so the views weren't great but very atmospheric all the same. However we did have to turn back early due to there being load of snow
Early morning wake up call!
! Can't believe we made it all the way here only for snow and cold to finally beat us! We did get to go up another section, which was great for working off all the duck we would be eating later. In the evening we went to see some acrobats, which was totally amazing. loads of young children bending into all kinds of positions, and standing on each others heads, spinning each other around by the necks, twelve of them on a bike! Slightly weird but fascinating all the same! Turned out that Harry and Lara, who we met on the trans-mong were sitting in front of us but had paid three times as much! Nice to see them again, but slightly worried they may be stalking us!
Up early the next day to visit Tiannamen square and the Forbidden City. Unfortunately couldn't see anymore waxy looking dead people as Chairman Moa was off having his face renovated!
Forbidden City was beautiful, although the most important sites also being renovated, as the Ellson scaffolding jinx continues! We walked up the hill behind for a cracking view of the smog over the city! Then we set off for the Temple of Heaven, which was probably our highlight
Just in case you didn't wake the first time!
. It was so peaceful and pretty we could have stayed all day. Great to see what the Chinese get up to. Largely singing, playing cards and playing keepy-uppy with a funny feathered thing, which of course we had to buy! Managed to keep up 1 so far! Then it was off on another overnight train. Shared with 4 others this time, in open compartments, which was sursprisingly comfortable. Arrived in Xi'an yesterday, straight to Terracotta Army. Absolutely brilliant! We couldn't believe how well preserved they were and the shear amount of them. Unfortunately China seems to think the Unesco sights give them the opportunity to tear up the countryside to build new road and build lots of shops (some even selling alsation skins!). We stayed there for the morning and then headed to our hotel in the centre of the city.
Took our washing to the chinese laundry and sent our warm stuff home. Saw a couple of the sites but generally walked about the place soaking up the way of life (didn't fancy the live frogs or eels in the market)! Out for some more food, this time bbq meat, very tasty again and luckily they forgot the lambs kidneys!
Up early this morning to bang huge drums in the drum tower and huge bells in the bell tower! Great fun, we turned into big kids again! not sure how many people we woke up but Dunc's getting a new mean streak! Hurrah we're in t-shirts! Have had to buy some cooler clothes, but backpacks seem more heavy than ever now! We've just checked out of hotel and are off to Louyang very soon, then another overnight train tomorrow, to join our Yangste cruise!
