Beijing Les and kay

Showing off my skills on the Beijing underground I headed off to the airport and without any hitches meet Kay after her flight from Europe. With true style I cruised the underground back to the hotel in the centre of Beijing without any mishaps and we caught up and then went out exploring and eating a great meal at the Chinese local eatery. Kay was a bit jet lagged after the 14 hours of flying and needed some TLC including an 80 min foot and back massage for both of us around the corner which effectively put both of us into seventh heaven!! Eight heaven came this morning for us when we headed to the Silk Markets for the endless bartering for the best price after 8 hours with new baggage and too many bags we headed out to the subway and home to the hotel. It was a bit of a mission carrying the numerous goodies including a telescope!!! on the crowded underground also requiring us to change trains midway. Heading out for dinner and a bing pi jue ( beer cold ) now to the lakes restaurant area Chow

Tomorrow head to the airport to fly south to Guillen for seven days of exploring and seeing the real China.

Now in Beijing

The weather unfortunately was not to kind on us for the climb up the famous Mt Hua Shun although we still managed to get to the summit of the west ridge. The rain was continuous but there were a few clear patches to see the absolute awn of the scenery sear cliff faces dropping up to 1000 ft. The track was made several 100 years ago and is all stone. Had to climb chain ladders and narrow passes with major drop offs but we survived. Spent the night on the mountain in a homestay and returned to Xian in the afternoon then boarded the overnight train for Beijing at 8.30pm. Train trip was 14 hours and very comfortable.
Arrived Beijing about 9 the next morning , organised the hotel and then did a bike orientation trip around the city through thr Hutong village area passed the Forebidden City and the other sights.
Day before yesterday headed out to the Great wall to part not open to the public and treked the wall for 7 hours before getting to the homestay and a much needed beer. This morning had another 3-4 hour trek before being kicked off the wall as we were not allowed to be there and then returned to Beijing passed the Birdnest where the Olympic opening ceremony will be hold. Back in our hotel and have our final group dinner before everyone goes there seperate ways. One couple are heading to England to start new jobs, via St Peterberg. Another to Hongkong before heading back home to the UK after 4.5 months of touring the world.
I have 3 days before Kay arrives from Europe and then have planned an 8 day trip back to southern China so she can experience the real China.
The Olympics start on the 8th and the city security is increasing. Had our bags put through the x ray in the underground the other day and our passports checked and recorded. Large highays are closed and all the cars have odd number plates on the odd days and even on the even days. Very exciting.
Hope everyone well and enjoying life.

Spit Czech style feeds two hundred plus seconds

9am two guys set up the spit under the trees tradionally cooked over a wood fire and 7pm sampling began with beautiful rye bread, hunks of basted beef and the obligatory three choices of mustard and soukrate. The smell and taste was divine.
Sergey (KAZ) and I show the size of the beast

Roudnice nad Labem

It's the day before racing begins and everything is starting to hot up except for the weather again cold and wet but Friday is supposedly going to be great for racing warm and sunny!!! I am hanging out for it. I think James must have got the best of the European summer lucky bugger. Last night had a lovely evening socialising with the judges and sippping a vino or two on the banks of the river. The Czechs put on a great show and feed for everyone in typical CZ style. Tonight they have planned beef on the spit and live music to dance to so I will have to show off my moves maybe I will leave the camera back on the boathouse. NZL team is looking smart and ready to race. I have caught up with Mike a few times and shared a breakfast and dinner with him which has been so lovely. Loving my boat house as I was lulled to sleep by the gentle lapping of water on the banks and boat last night.
I could get used to this
Only 35 countries this year at the Junior Champs which is about 20 less than normal perhaps because of the Olympics?

2008 Kay's epic trip to Roudnice nad Labem CZ

After the longest flight ever to Europe I arrived midnight to Roudnice about 40 mins out of Prague, crashing on the nearest bed in the local kayak club bunk room. Jet lag kicked in and now after strolling around the small town and enjoying some sunshine and sleep I feel like I am in Europe. I have now moved out of the bunkroom and onto a boathouse which was moved up the river for the judges. It's great right beside the course and in typical CZ style it has its own keg of the local beer on tap for consumption!!!

2008 Kay's travels- Cook Islands

Oh those lazy hazy days on the islands didn't quite eventuate as the winds howled, white caps appeared, rain fell and a cold arctic stream snapped across Rarotonga leaving the islanders reeling and in winter clothes and searching for more blankets. Saying that while snorkelling wasn't on the agenda it was still lovely and I enjoyed a leisurely cycle around the island 32 kms of total flat pedal pushing. I am sure I found the best fish shop in town so treated myself to fresh local fish which was melt in the mouth fresh Yum!.

Now in Xian

Spent our last day in lijiang bike riding around the outlying countryside and meeting with the local hill tribes. Met the famous Doctor Ho of Michael Palin fame. He is a chinese medical doctor and has the ability to cure all sorts of medical problems including cancer and has patients from all around the world. He examined my knee and gave me some medicine to cure it. The examination took all of 30 seconds. I may also have a problem bringing it back to NZ. This guy is referred to as the most admired man and you can google it.
Margo is an Ozzie from Sydney who has been guiding in the gorge for 11 years. She was excellent with everything. We had 3 days in the goge trekking by day and staying in Homestays at night. Great weather and absolutely amazing scenery. Some long uphills and I must admit in one case I did succumb to the use of a horse for half an hour. Best $8s I have ever spent. Said to myself I could have walked the 28 bends but wanted the experience of doing it on the back of a horse.
At the end of each day had a much deserved cold beer and delicous chinese meal. We were so lucky with the weather.
Yesterday headed back to Lijiang airport and flew to Xian. So hectic an busy after the laid back nature in the south. The people here are nowhere near as friendly and helpful. Took 3 goes at getting a taxi. The drivers just did not want the hassle of picking up foreigners. Anyway the taxi we go had an accident with a bus which became an argument so we left without paying and walked the rest of the way. Went to a visit at a charity for mentally retarded children. They did a show for us and we had tea and discussions. Really hit home how difficult it is for these people especially compared with us having fun travelling around China. Returned to the hotel via the Moslim quarters where we had dinner at a roadside restuarant of kebaks and arabic bread, Delicous.
This morning went to the famous Terracotta Warriers which lived up to expectations. Trueky amazing to see this in real life. To hear the story of Qin the ruler and his need to have an army to protect him in the after life taking 4 decades to build.
Have a free day tommorrow in Xian and will probably hire bikes and ride the city wall some 14 kms long. Monday we head to Hua Shun mountian to do our toughest trek climbing to the summit, staying over night to see the sunrise before heading down by cable car.
From there we head to Beijing to the great wall and other sights.
Hope all is well with everyone reading this.

Now in Lijiang

Had a fantastic walk up in the mountains above Dali yesterday, some 5-6 hours. Took the cable car up and walked on a cobbled walkway across the mountain to a second cable car like the ski lifts that brought us down again. The scenery was magnificent with waterfalls and step cliffs and drop offs. To get there was a real experience negotiating the local buses to the cable cars. Had the best Chinese foot massage last night. For a guy that can't handle having my feet touched the massage was unreal. Planning another massage tonight. Arrived Lijiang today at lunchtime and spent the afternoon doing the shops. We are staying in the old town which would be like living in China 200 years ago. Cobbled walk ways but 1000s of tourists.
Tomorrow we have a planed bike trip around the town and outlying villages and paddy fields etc.
Leave here day after tomorrow for the tiger leaping gorge and the first of our major treks. We trek in for 5-7 hours, stay overnight at a home stay and trek out the next day for 4-5 hours.
The crew have turned up to organise the events for the evening and tomorrow. Will update further when I can.
Have a great time.

Crossing the border

Yesterday we left Sapa, a great time had negotiating with the hill tribes and buying things you don't really need. When a girl walks on a trek for hours to hold an umbrella over your head to shade from the sun you must buy things.
Travelled to Lai Cai by bus. Then walked thru the Vietnam side into no mans land. I had lost my Exit Visa so was expecting a rather large fine. Some good strategy and managed it at no cost. On the China side lost my copy of the Lonely Planet which apparently is banned in China because it includes Taiwan as a separate country.
With these delays had to run to the bus keeping there with no time to spare. Then settled in for the 13 hour bus trip to Kunming. Due to the conflict between Vietnam and China and the drugs etc the crossing is very dicey.
After another 5-6 hour bus trip we are now in Dali, a beautiful town overlooking a lovely lake some 3111 feet above sea level. The weather has broken. From the 38 degree days in Sapa it is now cold and raining.
This is quite a resort town for the wesa large number of both western and eastern restaurants and hotels. Excellent for biking and trekking.
Still manging to keep up with the rest of the group and at times they struggle to keep up with me, not too often. The group works well with us all getting on. Lehong our group leader is Chinese and has been taking tours foe 18 months and is excellent. She is lively and intelligent and has planned things really well. Can handle the tough situations with ease like the border crossing, getting us through the border and to buses with seconds to spare. Also using the local buses in cities with 4.8 million people. I cannot speak highly enough of her.
Dealing with the local Chinese is fun and interesting reverting to sign languages often. Lehong has given us all Maderin lessons but we do get the blank looks all the time. I know the n\most important phrase being Bing Pi ie Cold Beer and they come in 641 mill. Was fun ordering at the roadside food shops and also in the local restaurants. You quite often don't know what you are going to get. Got ripped off on a peach for 3Yuan last night.
Have tomorrow here in Dali and then off to Leaping Tiger Gorge and more trekking
Keep well

The trip continues

Sapa is like Queenstown only without the snow and the temp is signifantly higner with humidity. Am rooming with a great guy fram Adelaide training to be a pilot. After recoverring from the overnight train trip explored Sapa and met the lovely tribe people with the cute smiles and friendly manner. You just could not not buy things from them even though what you were buying you did not need or what. May lose them on the travel.
Yeaterday left for our first trek to an outlying village down the valley. The local tribes woman and girls followed us most of the way hoping to sell us things. The held umbrellas over our heads as we walked to shade us from the sun. Showed us the easiest ways and which bamboo to held when you went past a difficult spot. How could wou not buy what she is selling.
Arrived at the Homestay and made very welcome. Reasonible basis whish the swhat toilets and the bowl and scoup for the shower. Plenty of mossies but the Bushmans seems to keep them away.
Once unpacked went for the best swim in a local river and back for the best Vietnam dinner I have had. This was followed by the visit to the local Kaoroki Bar to show our talents. That is the others. The last thing I would have exoected in such a place. Great fun.
This morning spent 2 hours in a hot pool, had lunch and started the trek back up the mountain in the sauna hot weather. Also dead at the top but managed to keep up with the rest of the group, the oldest being 27.
Managed to attend a local wedding latter in the afternoon. Great experience. Met the bride and groom and all the relies dresses up in their formal gears. Had to bail as the rice wine was heating th head and have to cross the border into China tommorrow.My roommate is still there so should be worse for wears when he returns.
Leave early for the Chinese border tomorrow which is meant tobe a little hairy. Have to hide my Lonely Planet book. Travel back to La Cai by mini bus and then walk over to the border. This is followed by a 12 hour bus trip to Kunming.
Hope all is well back home.

The travel continues 7-9 July

The Intrepid Travel continues

Last night we left Hanoi on the night train and headed for Li Cai close to the border into China. The carriage was 2nd class and realy very comfortable. Learned to play Chinese Chess, really exciting and strategic once you learn the pieces and what they do.
Arrived 5.30 this morning and travelled to the mountain town of Sapa high in the mountains. The teraced agriculture is amazing on the mountain ridges. The town is a little like Queenstown only 50-100 years ago. Slowly being spoilled with all the tourist. Apparently most head up here from Hanoi for the trekking and return to Hanoi. Our party is one of the few heading to China. We have another lovely two star hotel with ensuite. Sharing with a guy from Adelaide.
The city is infested with cute young and older girls and ladies from the local hill tribes trying to sell you things you dont need like embrioded bags, wall hanging and pillow covers. With my pack the size it is I have tried to resist. They are so cute they make you feel like such a heal.
Arrived about 700am , had breakfast ,took a much needed shower and attacked the sales ladies and girls before doing a trek to a scenic lookout over the whole area.Absolutely amazing. Returned having a late lunch in a locals restuarant. Port with rice and a beer for the total cost of $2(NZ)
Planning a motor bike out to a waterfall scenic spot this afternoon followed by another delicious Vietnam meal. This place is great.
Hope everyone is having as much fun as I am working back home.
Will keep you posted

Hanoi day 2

Had a fab day testerday touring the city and just experiencing the life. Motors bikes are everywhere. Even hard to cross the road. You have to just walk steadly across not looking at the traffic. The 1000,s of bikes just fan out around you. Its difficult to do seeing these vehicles racing toward you. Havent seen any accidents yet.
Picked up a guide in the morning and visited the army musuem. Then met Ho Ghi Ming. The poor guy died in 1969 and has been perserved in this massive tomb in the centre of the city. High security and very cold in the tomb. It was Saturday so there were 1000,s of nationals cueing. My guide allowed us to jump the cues.
Met the group last night. Great bunch of young kids. I am the oldest by 20+ years. Had the best Vietnem dinner last night. Almost broke the bank. It cost 75000 dong or $6.
You can get around the city by taking life in your hands and get on the back of a motor bike. Wasnt too keen so selected a responsible young girl to drive and it was sweet. 15 minutes travel fo .75c not bad.
Tonight we head of on the overnight express into the mountains. Leaves at 9.15pm arriving at 5.00am tnen a few hours in a local bus. The standard of accomadation I fear may deteriorate somewhat. Today the tour states proper with a trip in ricshaws around the city and the afternoon free to explore the old quarters of the town.
Having trouble putting the photos up. This computer tells me its too slow.
Managed to see the last 20 minutes of the All Blacks match. Its amazing the technology.
Will try to update at the next spot.

Well I have made it to Hanoi after an initial 1.5 hour delay in Tauranga. After that everything flowed pretty well. Managed to get a reasonibly good sleep on the leg from Auckland to HongKong. Arrived here mid day 4th July with the big trek not starting until tomorrow night. Will be a good chance for some R & R and a bit of sight seeing.
Went for a walk this afto. Hanoi is really a pretty hectic city with motor bikes everywhere. Everyone is trying to get you to hire them and their motor bike to take us on a one hour bike tour of the city. Too be honest it looks a bit dangerous. Although I haven't seen any accidents yet. I don't want to be a first. Also it does not pay to hesitate when crossing the road. The drivers wave around you as long as they can predict where you are going and at what speed. Have tried to download some photos but the computer I think is a little too slow to manage it. Will try again on the other machine.
The prices of things here are real cheap. Large 1 litre of mineral water is 80cents and a cold beer in a pub $1.50. The only problem is the currency is dong with 12000 dong equal to $(nz)1. You thing you are paying a small fortune.
Thanks Landi for the language lesson. I get a good reaction when I say karm urg for thanks.

Last Night Out Before The Big trip

The last night out with Kay, Abby, Hamish and Nana. Tomorrow I head off to Vietnam and China. Great night with the family.