Monthly Archives: September 2008

China day 5 – Beijing

Posted on Tuesday, 30 Sep 2008 by Hattie

Today we are signed up for a tour of the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs, or at least that’s what we thought we were signed up for.  It turns out that our tour also includes a visit to a … Continue reading →

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China day 4 – Beijing

Posted on Monday, 29 Sep 2008 by Hattie

Today we decided to take it easy after two hectic and exhausting days.  So we did a Hutong tour by rickshaw with an English-speaking guide.  The tour included a visit to the home of Song Qing Ling who was the … Continue reading →

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China day 3 – Beijing

Posted on Sunday, 28 Sep 2008 by Hattie

The Golden Week holiday starts tomorrow and the area around the bus and rail stations is a mass of people carrying all manner of baggage – suitcases, bedding, piles of boxes and parcels of all shapes and sizes – as … Continue reading →

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China day 2 – Beijing

Posted on Saturday, 27 Sep 2008 by Hattie

Wow!  Beijing, what an assault on the senses. This is definitely a city of contrasts – on the one hand ultra modern, enormous tower blocks, impossibly wide streets, clean, bustling and on the other, narrow alleys, hutongs with primitive facilities, … Continue reading →

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China day 1 – Beijing

Posted on Friday, 26 Sep 2008 by Hattie

Spent the night on the train and woke at 8.30am to see China in the daylight and what a contrast to Mongolia – dramatic scenery and widespread cultivation.  Part of our journey runs parallel to the Great Wall which we … Continue reading →

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Mongolia day 7 – Trans-Siberian to Beijing

Posted on Thursday, 25 Sep 2008 by Hattie

We transfer to the station at 7.20am for the last leg of our journey to Beijing.  This train is definitely the best yet;  spotlessly clean and the toilets have proper toilet seats and loo freshener, so they smell nice too!  … Continue reading →

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Mongolia day 6 – Trans-Siberian, Ulaan Bataar

Posted on Wednesday, 24 Sep 2008 by Hattie

Today is sunny and warmer, but still quite chilly particularly out of the sun. 10am we transfer to Ulaan Baatar by coach and a 4* hotel.  Back to civilisation and the delights of a proper shower and comfortable bed!  We … Continue reading →

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Mongolia, day 5 – Trans-Siberian, Tourist Ger Camp

Posted on Tuesday, 23 Sep 2008 by Hattie

It’s sunny but very windy making it quite chilly.  We have a free day at the Ger camp.  Andy has decided to go for an hour’s riding which is arranged with local Nomads who bring horses to the camp each … Continue reading →

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Mongolia day 4 – Trans-Siberian, Tourist Ger Camp

Posted on Monday, 22 Sep 2008 by Hattie

Today is Andy’s birthday and the weather is sunny but windy.  We are leaving our Nomad hosts and making the long 8-hour trip to the tourist ger camp, which is on the other side of Ulaan Baatar.  It is a … Continue reading →

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Mongolia day 3 – Trans-Siberian, Nomad Ger Camp

Posted on Sunday, 21 Sep 2008 by Hattie

Today is our third and final day with the Nomads.  The weather is windy and cold, which is a shame as we have a free day around camp.  Not surprisingly, after mixing his drinks, Andy has been very ill in … Continue reading →

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