3 days to go!

Hi Everyone

Have eventually got around to setting up a Blog in the hope that we will get reasonable internet access on our trip. It seems to make more sense than sending loads of postcards & you'll probably get a lot more info too!

For those of you who don't already know - i.e. those of you we haven't already bored with the details(!) - we are off to China & Hong Kong for a 20 day tour this coming Thursday 20th September. Our excuse for such extravagance is so that we can mark our 25th year of being married (although I'm sure we'll be able to think up equally good excuses for future trips!)

The last few weeks have been rather hectic what with taking Charlotte back to Lincoln just before the Bank Holiday - having achieved a 1st class honours degree in International Relations and having done some voluntary work over the summer, she has decided to move back to Lincoln to live with 3 girls from church and is temping until she finds something more permanent.

The first weekend in September saw me with my car loaded up yet again taking David back to Stafford for his second year 'reading' (not much of that I think!) Music Tech with Film Production. Then last week we were back up to Lincoln again (with more stuff!) for Charlotte's graduation at Lincoln Cathedral.

So.. not had too much time to draw breath and think about what we need to pack.

Anyway we have our visas, passports, currency & traveller cheques; all vaccs are up-to-date and have got plenty of high-strength DEET for those balmy nights on the Yangtze. Just need to find the right clothes to pack - John doesn't know what all the fuss is about as he plans to pack his case on Thursday morning - who does he think does all the washing and ironing?

Really beginning to look forward to the trip now and have attached our itinerary below for those of you who are interested:

DAY 1 (Thurs 20th Sept): UK - Shanghai.Overnight flight to Shanghai.
DAY 2 (Fri 21st Sept): Arrive Shanghai.On arrival in Shanghai, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. The rest of the day is yours to begin exploring this vibrant city. (D)
DAY 3 (Sat 22nd Sept): Shanghai.Sometimes known as 'Hu', Shanghai is a bustling metropolis that was once a centre for adventurers, tycoons and millionaires. Today this fast-paced city epitomises modern China and yet still offers a rich tableau for sightseers, much of which you'll experience on a full day tour. From the Jade Buddha Temple, with its superb jade buddhas, to the lively old town, exquisite Yu Yuan Gardens and fascinating Shanghai Museum, it's a wonderful introduction to this enthralling city. After dinner at a local restaurant, enjoy an acrobatic show. (B, L, D)
DAY 4 (Sun 23rd Sept): Shanghai.Enjoy a day at leisure in this cosmopolitan and exhilarating city. In the afternoon, transfer to the pier in Shanghai to join your ship, Victoria Prince, for an eight night cruise. (B, D)
DAY 5 (Mon 24th Sept): Nanjing.Arrive in Nanjing to explore this enchanting walled city, once an ancient capital of China and home to some wonderful cultural treasures. Your sights today include the Mausoleum of Dr Sun Yat-Sen, leader of the 1911 Revolution, and a captivating Qing dynasty style bazaar around the Confucius Temple area. (B, L, D)
DAY 6 (Tues 25th Sept): Huangshan.Weather permitting, today brings a visit to Huangshan, the legendary 'Yellow Mountain', one of China's greatest symbols and breathtaking for its scale and beauty. If the weather is against us, an alternative excursion to see Jiuhuashan, the Mountain of the Nine Lotuses, may be arranged. (B, L, D)
DAY 7 (Weds 26th Sept): Wuhan.Spend today on board, enjoying the ship's amenities and views of the passing landscapes before arriving this evening in Wuhan, an ancient town with a rich revolutionary history. Visit the Hubei Provincial Museum, with its fascinating collection of imperial relics or enjoy a walking tour. (B, L, D)
DAY 8 (Thurs 27th Sept): Yangtze River.Sit back and relax for a full day of Yangtze cruising today. Admire the surrounding countryside as it glides by and enjoy all the activities on board. (B, L, D)
DAY 9 (Fri 28th Sept): Three Gorges.This morning your ship sails through Gezhou Dam, the first built on the Yangtze, before travelling to the Three Gorges Dam site, one of man's most incredible and ambitious engineering schemes. Later, cruise through Xiling Gorge and the Three Gorges Dam Five Stage Ship Lock. (B, L, D)
DAY 10 (Sat 29th Sept): Wu Gorge.Enjoy an excursion to the Daning River Small Gorges with its incredible, steep-walled gorges, before passing through the magnificent, cloud encircled peaks of Wu and Qutang Gorges, said to embody supernatural spirits. (B, L, D)
DAY 11 (Sun 30th Sept): Fengdu.This morning you'll experience the remarkable 'ghost city' of Fengdu, said to be inhabited by immortals from China's underworld, and bursting with ancient shrines and temples dedicated to these 'gods'. Note: Due to high or low water levels, it may sometimes be necessary to replace your visit to Fengdu with Wanzhou, White Emperor City or Shibaozhai. (B, L, D)
DAY 12 (Mon 1st Oct): Chongqing - Xian. Arrive in Chongqing and disembark after breakfast. Enjoy a short city tour around the atmospheric old town and city zoo before taking an evening flight to Xian for a two night stay. (B, L, D)
DAY 13 (Tues 2nd Oct): Xian.Today, a full day tour to see the remarkable Terracotta Warriors, built in around 250BC to guard an Imperial Tomb and comprising thousands of full-size, hand-carved clay soldiers, chariots and horses. Later, stroll along Xian's ancient city wall before enjoying tonight's dinner at a Tang Dynasty music show. (B, L, D)
DAY 14 (Weds 3rd Oct): Xian - Beijing.After a morning visit to Xian's Wild Goose Pagoda, a revered Buddhist pagoda built around 600AD, we fly to Beijing for a two night stay. After a short tour to the Temple of Heaven, an impressive example of Ming architecture, where sacrificial rituals were staged by the Emperors to ensure good harvests, transfer to your hotel. (B, L, D)
DAY 15 (Thurs 4th Oct): Beijing.An included full day tour of the legendary Great Wall of China at the Juyuonguan Pass. Stretching 6,000 kilometres and dating back to the Ming period, this startling edifice will stay in your memory forever. Other highlights include the Summer Palace, a park of lakeside pagodas and the site of the marble boat made for the Empress Dowager Ci Xi. In the evening, enjoy a Peking duck dinner. (B, L, D)
DAY 16 (Fri 5th Oct): Beijing - Shanghai. Another fascinating day lies ahead with a sightseeing tour of Beijing. You'll visit vast Tiannanmen Square and the Forbidden City, seat of China's emperors. After lunch, take an afternoon flight to Shanghai. (B, L, D)
DAY 17 (Sat 6th Oct): Shanghai - Hong Kong. Transfer to Shanghai airport for flight to Hong Kong.
DAY 18/19 (Sun/Mon 7th/8th Oct): Staying in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong at the Eaton Hotel.
Day 20 (Tues 9th Oct): Hong Kong - UK via Shanghai. Transfer to Hong Kong airport for your return flight to the UK via Shanghai.

Will try and post a few preview pics if I can work out how.

Hope you enjoy reading this blog and that this doesn't end up being the only entry I manage to make!!

Will post all our pics on our website on our return home if you want to see what we really got up to!

Lots of love

Carol & John xx