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Hi there,
Finally had a chance to update the website a bit! Unfortunately can't put any photos on for some reason (maybe the Chinese censorship!). Were now in Xi'an, and heading out to Shanghai this evening! We were planning on going down to Guilin, but we couldn't get any train tickets (even off the black market!). So were going to cut a week of our China stay and head on out to Oz a bit earlier and add a week to our India section of the trip!
We had a great time in Beijing and went around the Forbidden City which was amazing! Its absolutely HUGE, and all the buildings look amazing! Tiannamen square was really impressive too, and was also massive, with a strong Communist presence about it! The city itself seemed really polluted and busy, and everywhere you walk there is a big construction site, although the people are really nice! We went out to one of the Thirteen Ming Tombs which was really interesting, and then headed onto the Great Wall! It was really impressive going right over the top of a rugged hill, although climbing to the top of it was pretty exhausting in the heat! It was amazing though, and defiantly worth going if any of you ever get the chance! Apparently your 'Not a man until you have climbed the Great Wall', and Helen's beard is coming along nicely now! We then got an overnight train on a 'Hard Sleeper' to Xi'an, which was a bit of an experience! Not being able to speak Chinese or really communicate with them in any way other than pointing can be quite challenging sometimes!
When we arrived in Xi'an it was raining, but we still managed to walk around and see the Bell and Drum tower as well as some cool markets! The food here is amazing and really cheap although I never thought I'd say this... Chinese food can get a bit repetitive. We went to see the Terracotta Warriors yesterday, and they were awesome! There are literally hundreds of them it this huge Train Stationy thing covering the pits! Once again another thing I would highly recommend seeing if you ever get the chance! Hopefully in Oz I'll finally be able to upload some photos of it all!Were off on another Sleeper Train tonight to Shanghai and then on to Oz, so hopefully you should here from me soon!Hope your all well, and not missing me too much!Nick- comments