Happy New Year

Internet abroad does have its challenges. I'm not sure if any of these posts are going through as I can't view from this end - so have my fingers crossed. All sorts of good pictures but the internet isn't cooperating and I can't post any pictures - so you'll get to enjoy those later. On the up up side - the luggage arrived last night - Happy New Year!!





Beijing is beautiful, gearing up for the Olympics - which means everything will be tip top and shining for the visitors or so I have been told numerous times. There is so much energy here from the ancient bicycle hauling recyling to the lamborghini gliding by in an elegant blurl. The rickshaw drivers are getting new bicycles on January 1 in anticipation of the games. We saw the bird's nest olympic stadium today. It's an incredible feat of steel and amazingly it does like a large metal bird's nest. Beside the stadium is the aquatic centre which looks like giant bubble paper and somehow suits its intended purpose.



New Years Day - the Great Wall of China - can it get any better? But that's where we were today and despite cold and chilling winds that threatened to dislodge the cable car we made it safely to the top where we spent a few hours walking the wall, tasting history and admiring an incredible engineering feat. Although walking the wall can be slightly trecherous especially with high winds and crowds. On New Years Day the Chinese chose the Great Wall to launch their Olympic teams to the Olympics. That meant athletes and non-athletes were all sharing the wall today. It isn't often that you see a traffic jam made solely of people and I never expected one on the Great Wall. Fortunately that was only in one section and it was all part of the experience.



Tomorrow is an early day - Siem Reap by afternoon - we're taking off from Beijing at 8:30 a.m.. Yes, Ratri I'll be waving as we fly over Bangkok. Take care everyone until the next post - be brave - venture far.