Sorry for the lack of updates recently i think i got a little to comfy in Beijing, enjoying just strolling around in the sun without a care in the world. But i`ve been on the move since then and am currently in Xi`an. We`ve spent the last three nights here and in a few hours we`ll be heading to Chengdu.
The beijing set on flickr is up to date now with new photos.. i didn`t get up to too much in those last few days after the parade, we all visited the 798 art district which was good fun, i learnt to play mahjong (kinda) and also made a return visit to both the temple of heaven and wafujing market. The day before getting the train i again rented bikes, and at the nightime after doing the hostels BBQ made a trip to the visual arts building.
Ok Xi`an! we arrived to rain which to be honest i`d had enough of in Shanghai, but at least this time i had company from john and lauren who`d travelled down with me. (extra kudos to lauren who snuck me from the soft seater i`d booked onto and into a spare soft sleeper bed) In the queue for the hostel pick up we bumped into another manchester couple (shell and rich) who were both a proper laugh as well. We ended up staying in for the most part of the day, braving the weather every now and then for beer runs, the big bottles here are 2.5 yuan (25 pence) so a few turned into many and many turned into many more, so much so we ended sneaking two bottles of vodka into the bar downstairs and only calling it a night once every drop had been had.
Yesterday we did the terracotta army, which despite people in the hostel claiming it to be a disappointment it really wasn`t. We ended in pit 1 which probably went some way to help as it was by far the most impressive of the tombs, 3 and 2 were a little uninspired its got to be said.... 1 was vast though, hundreds of warriors perfectly restored, they looked ace and i`m glad i got to see them.
The day after and yep, more rain, not as much as the previous day but enough to be warned against renting bikes, but not so much as for us to take any notice. We rode as a 4 with one of the bikes handles slightly broke (a lot broken actually) and that one obviously being mine, we rode to the Muslim quarter, through back alleys and markets. It was so wet and i didn`t take many photos but we stopped off for indian esque chinesse dumplings and had such a laugh it really didn't matter.
Before returning the bikes we stopped by the bell tower for a music performance and some food, then back again for the night and a few more quiet beers.
Yesterday we did the terracotta army, which despite people in the hostel claiming it to be a disappointment it really wasn`t. We ended in pit 1 which probably went some way to help as it was by far the most impressive of the tombs, 3 and 2 were a little uninspired its got to be said.... 1 was vast though, hundreds of warriors perfectly restored, they looked ace and i`m glad i got to see them.
So that`s that, Chengdu from here to the pandas and hopefully a day trip to leshan. It`s a 16 hour hard sleeper for the 4 of us. Just need to go stock up on pot noodles for the ride :D
2 comments:
25p a beer!!!!
Why haven't you been taken off for "re-education" yet weaver?
Post a Comment