Guangzhou

31st January - 1st February 2010

Since we were only there for a grand total of 24 hours because of the way our train tickets worked out, Guangzhou barely merits its own entry, so I will keep this brief.

Having travelled from the frozen North, we arrived at the train station in the 80% humidity wearing outfits better suited to a trek in the Arctic and immediately felt as though we were standing in a sauna wrapped in cling film. Despite the complete absence of any English signposting, we managed to stumble across the Metro relatively quickly. Luckily, as soon as we set foot underground, it was like being transported to London - all signs and announcements were in English so it was all very straightforward. Arrived at our hotel and spent longer trying to check in than we did travelling from Xi'an to Guangzhou. At least, it felt like it. They looked at our reservation in puzzlement, went away for five minutes to look at their computer in puzzlement then returned and asked if we would like a single room. Well if the statement "twin room" on our reservation didn't give it away, I would have thought the fact that there were two of us attempting to check in would indicate that we required anything other than a single room. Apparently not. Eventually though, we were reluctantly given a key to a room with more than one bed and a bathroom with a sign kindly warning us to beware of 'land slips'.

Spent the afternoon in Yeuxiu Park, soaking up the lush greenery that had been so noticeably lacking in the wintry North. We then embarked upon what we hope will be our final battle to find a nice restaurant. One recommended by the guide book proved to be in a less than welcoming part of the city - we were met by many an inquisitive stare - and was not where the map indicated. I can't help but feel that there is a certain sense of futility in seeking authentic Chinese cuisine in cities seemingly obsessed with Western fast food - there is quite literally a MacDonald's, KFC or Pizza Hut on every corner. Eventually, we decided to retire to the hotel in the hope of finding somewhere nearby. We were directed next door where we ate rice, stir-fried vegetables (for which we were expecting more than the plate of celery which arrived) and fish in ginger, soy and garlic. It would have been enjoyable (despite the false advertising on the vegetable front) had the waitresses not stood in the corner of the restaurant giggling and taking photos of us throughout the meal.

And so our time in China comes to a close and we head for Hong Kong. It is so different to anywhere else I have visited and I have found the whole experience fascinating. It has been challenging, new, exciting and revelatory and I have loved every minute of it!