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Day 21 -
<----- Not Really!
Day 21 - Pandas!
Early start so we could see the pandas get their breakfast.
Lots of pandas!
We both got to have a hold and I got a scratch when he was fussing. Well worth it though and has already faded.
Only lunch time but I am tired because I couldn't stop smiling.
( PHOTOS: ) -
Day 19 -
Day 19 - Lhasa
Spent the day at the Drepung and Sera Monastery's.
It was sad that despite the entry fee and the cost in some places to even take photos, both where in disrepair. Saw the debating monks and again very glad for our Tibetan guide.
After wards we went for another circuit of the temple here in town and a bit of a shop. Very interesting ( Read more... ) -
Day 18 -
Day 18 - Lhasa
Can't move for all the Chinese military. They control both the summer and winter palaces (we visited both today), they run armed patrols and stand on rood tops looking over the crowds. No photos as we would lose our cameras.
Summer palace was very clam and peaceful and we saw the rooms built for the current (14th) Dalai Lama.
Then off ( Read more... ) -
Day 17 -
Day 17 - Train & arrival in Tibet.
Woke up in the early hours when we stopped at the highest station in the world and the oxygen kicked in.
Woke around 6am to find us on the high plains with snow patches along the tracks.
Skylie had a rough night but another slow day watching yaks go by helped. The loos all got nasty, except the ones being used mainly ( Read more... ) -
Day 16
Day 16 - TRAIN
Didn't sleep that well but glad for our soft sleepers when I discover that the hard sleepers have six people to a cabin.
Woke up about 8 and arrived back in Xi'an at 9:30. Have done a bit of a circle but it is worth it.
Both our bunk mates got off in Xi'an and we were only full again later in the day which gave us time to spread a ( Read more... ) -
Day 15
Day 15 -
Spent the whole day traveling but wasn't in any real rush.
Car to airport, Shanghai Airlines to Beijing, Private pick up and drop off to Beijing Western Railway Station with plenty of time.
Was a bit of a relief to be back in Beijing and from our pick-up we don't have to think abut things until we leave Tibet on the 27th.
Soft sleeper for ( Read more... ) -
Day 14
Day 14 -
Our last full day in Xi'an saw us do a very small tour of three to the Han Jindi Museum. Excellent set-up and displays which showed a complete contrast to the goal of the Terracotta warriors.
Got back for lunch before heading out to shop for the train and to find the Great Mosque. Very impressive.
Caught up with the Americans from out horror ( Read more... ) -
Day 13
Day 13 -
One hour mini bus ride out to see the Terra-Cotta Warriors today.
Really great tour as we worked up to the original pit where the foot soldiers are. It's amazing that they still haven't opened the actual tomb yet AND there is a 1.5km gap between the tomb and the warriors.......there has to be something in between.
( PHOTOS: ) -
Day 12 -
Day 12 - Xi'an
Small issue with rooms again but was much easier to fix. Another free night out of it, yay, saved AUS $20!
The hostel is a beautiful old house with multiple court yards with rooms built up around them. Xi'an is special because it is the only Chinese city that still has all it's city walls intact. The hostel is 50m for the south gate ( Read more... )