Apologies for promising so much and delivering nothing the connectivity here is very limited....I can sometimes get email on my phone if I turn on data roaming but its erratic. No WiFi at all and this from the business centre in the hotel which is very very slow.
Beijing is vast and very very dusty, cool mostly but we have had four consecutive days of blue skies so that is pretty good. Done all the sights, locals mostly friendly and constantly want to have photos taken with the foreigners, food good but a bit same-y and not as fresh nor as beautifully presented as in Vietnam.
We are on the local train later this afternoon to Datong where it is 2 degrees this morning! Doubt you will hear from from me for a couple of days....perhaps the 21st century will be more in evidence in Xian....but I'm not holding my breath.
Had a very long day a couple of days ago that included the Wall....it is very impressive but VERY steep....Peter the over achiever went higher and further than anyone else and received high praise from the guide.
The beds are very hard indeed and I believe will get harder as we get further into the countryside...playing havoc with my hip!!!!
The travelling companions mostly good some interesting people among them including one 84 year old who more than easily holds his own amongst some of the "younger" ones. Mostly Australians apart from 2 kiwis and 3 Poms.
OK will keep you posted when I can
