Hello,

Well we arrived in Xi'an yesterday morning at about 5am after the worst train journey we have ever been on. The station in Shanghai was a nightmare to get around, but we were then moved into the VIP area to wait until directed which was good (obviously felt sorry for us!). The train didnt seem to bad at first, but as the 20 hour journey began and we stopped at hundreds of stations it got worse and worse. We had never seen so many people squashed into one carriage, they were standing and sitting in the aisles, and pretty much one on top of the other inbetween the carriages. The smells were unbelievable, we had to starve our selves as we refused to eat what they were selling - chicken feet mostly!! We felt very unwelcome on the train, we certainly know how it feels to be the on the other end!! It was so uncomfortable, an experience we never want to repeat again, think we are still recovering.

Xi'an itself is nice, much calmer than Shanghai, and we are in a much better area. There are lovely sites around, though the pollution all over China makes it hard to see clearly. Our hostel is fab, only 2 pound a bed, but the room is very clean, with dressing table and lockers. The hostel is huge with a restaurant and bar with huge tv screens. Unfortuantley only staying 2 nights, and then another 15 hour train(this time we have a bed!).

Have just come back from the terracotta warriers which was fantastic. We firstly visited the factory were they make replicas then went to the museum itself. There were thousands of them, and still they are working to uncover more. We loved every minute and would highly reccommend a visit if you are there.

Weather is still very warm, unbearable at times, though better than rain in Shanghai. We have a hotel booked for the next few days, our own room with hopefully a bath!! Hotel has a swimming pool and a hot tub, luxury now!! Was the only hotel available in Yichang before our cruise.

We had our first trip into a local supermarket yesterday, very few things we wanted to get!! Ended up with buscuits and crisps!! Will keep us going on the train!! (Parents - Yes we are eating ok!!) Going to try chinese food again soon, have to admit we have been avoiding chinese food - the chinese arent the cleanist of people, and restaurants seem so dirty - local foods arent that great either!!

Anyway hope everyone is well.

Danielle and Martin