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Turkey is a place I have had my heart set on for a long time. I really only chose China because of my brother being there. Now I think about it I prob wont return to China anytime soon. Firstly, because I would prefer somewhere new and secondly thewre were so many local tourists that...

Time to wind this up. Not much new to add. Spent a few more days in Beijing then flew home to Sydney. My diplomat brother escorted me through all the diplomatic channels at the airport. One tricky bit was the fact my bags were overloaded with gifts and parcels for my brother. He showed me...

Went out for dinner the other night with a bunch of people from the Embassy. We went to a local lake which was ringed with restaurants, markets and other brightly lit businesses. Was quite spectacular. They rent out little electric boats and these were silently cruising around the lake adding...

Yesterday my back was quite sore after my assault on the wall. Some of the local staff here suggested I visit a local medical centre for a massage. They were even good enough to write it all out in Chinese for the taxi driver. So I end up in some basement out in the suburbs, walking past...

Springtime - I owe you a beer! And not a 20c Tsingtao Beer either! I have had about 15 different beers across China and what is amazing is that they all taste identical and are about 25% the price of a coke. That is Socialism in a nutshell. Finally got ahold of Ting last night and booked...

I visited Tianamen Square this morning followed by the Forbidden city. T Square is a big public area with some communist inspired statues of workers and soldiers and the odd flagpole. No sign at all of the infamous student suppression days. Wandered across to the Forbidden City. Was...

Haven't felt sick yet and I have eaten all sorts of things in all sorts of places. Knock on wood ...

I have met a lot of lone backpackers both male and female. Was discussing safety with my brother last night and he reckons China is very safe esp for women. His wife often ventures off alone or with the kids with no troubles. Don't let this stop you!

Here I am in Beijing relaxing in a four bedroom apartment inside the Australian Embassy. Nice setup here. When you enter the gate it is like you have been transported to another land. Not quite Australia but eerily close... Since I wrote I have done some white water rafting in Yongshou. I...

I do need to sit down for a bit ...

Sitting in a cafe enjoying my $1 beer and free internet. Playing some pool later... Michael - that was the Pearl Tower. Just tried to climb a mountain with two chinese friends I have met. Six years of good civilian life saw me quit halfway and nurse my sorry **** back to the hostel for a...

Well I have finally found an internet cafe with a decent speed connection and hotmail etc comes up in english. For some reason the other times I used it was all in chinese and I couldn't find how to make it english. i am in Yongshou which is south west of Shanghai. It is famous for the...

Just hanging around Coogee beach waiting for my flight tonight. I gave myself 2 days for the visa but they were amazingly efficient so I got a spare day. I will try to answer some questions but I am no expert on the subect. I have no Chinese language skills except for Hello. i am not...

Just been to the Chinese Consulate. All very officious and impressive. Was just like a bank counter but in shades of grey. A smart young girl took my application and told me to return at 1140 exactly. They close at 12 it seems. I don't understand the need for the visa. They asked for...

Well can't sleep - always happens when I am off somewhere. Driving down to Sydney this morning to the Chinese Consulate to try and sort my visa. Got a flight into Shanghai on Thursday for short three weeks backpacking. Itinerary is vague. Turn up in Shanghai and spend 2 weeks wandering...