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.