Off we go..

Sitting on the floor in Munich airport surrounded by the nutters I had to advise my mate what we were waiting to board ... not to be boarded.. although that may have made the delay go a bit quicker..... Although the man that drove his bike through the middle of us made a good distraction

Food is always interesting on flights, especially breakfast... do you stick with the standard eggs or should you be a bit daring and try the rice type breakfasts... I did that on the way back from Oz and I would rather poke out my eyes with a stick than have the salty sludge concoction I had to eat ..

At least I was given the option to chose eggs over noodles.. another member of the group was asked his breakfast choice and didn't quite catch the options and asked " could you repeat?". The stewardess looked disdainfully and said "Western" and slapped the egg tray on his table....

I know my passport photo does not look like me.. I look like a blonde Korean ..... but I have never had to argue that it was me at passport control. Another trekker got told " you looked better blonde" when she got handed back her passport... the charmers!!

I wont do a tourist guide but the hotel was great and certainly had the best breakfast. The brace position shown in the lift, incase of emergencies, however was hysterical. If I am ever caught in that position in a lift it will be for a totally different reason but I may try and use " I was bracing myself, your Honour" as an excuse.

Chinese beds are hard!!! HARD!!! The supplies in the bathroom also include one condom...this of course is now in my flat... I may yet give it as a pressie...

I also loved the glass partition for the bathroom .. not much point really even having it unless you want to shower in the dark... great for couples.. quite funny for sharers....

That night we all met for the first time, chatted, had some drinks and found out what we had agreed to. I wish I had brought back a bottle of " Great Wall of China " Red wine as it was bloody awful but after a few glasses, and knowing there was no other option, it becomes quite palatable... especially when dropped into the soup bowl by accident..

I am not sure if the hotel or other guests had ever seen a group of westerners doing the locamotion around a hotel lobby or crawl across the floor of a karaoke bar whilst singing " these boots are made for walking" and by the open mouths I am sure that they may not ever want to see it again....