My train is at 18.20 so I don't need to be up super early. Though there are a few things that I need to get sorted, change money, food for the train etc. I ask at reception about getting money changed, Leeshan has some Dong from when she was in Vietnam so she offers to swap it for me, which makes things easy. I also decide that it is probably a good idea to get some USD as that is a widely used currency in south east asia, though you will pay more using dollars. So armed with my passport I head over to the Bank of China to exchange my money. When I walk in a security guard comes up to me to ask me what I'm after. After a few minutes we understand each other. It takes 15mins to fill in various forms and have my passport scanned. Then I think that I'm ready to get the money, ohh no, I get a ticket and have to wait. Only 2 cashiers on, I have 11 people ahead of me. Now you would have thought in China that the banking system would be quick and efficient. Wrong. I have to wait over half an hour before I get to the window. When I get there the guy takes a further 20mins to process, my clearly complex request. Eventually I get my money, over an hour in the bank! I'm glad I did t leave it any later! After this it is on for some food, my last sampling of the awesome breakfast I love, and some noodles for the train. Then back to get my stuff! Elaine sees me off and In to a tuk tuk, at a good price. To the station, where various people talk to me before I get on the train. Bottom sleeper this time, means I can sit up. I'm pretty tired so I try to get some sleep before we hit the boarder.
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About 11.30 we stop and we all have to get off the train, our passports are taken and we have to get our bags off the train to take them in to the station to be scanned. After we get the bags scanned it is back on the train and our passports back, complete with exit stamp from China. A couple of hours later and we are at the Vietnam boarder. Everyone off again, this time just with passport, no bag check. Little longer here to get everything sorted and then it is back on the train. No more stops. Possibly some sleep.