NIGHTIME ACTIVITIES ..... So the group has finished its draining trek and we are all sitting round on the last night when Anson, our tour leader, asks if anyone wants to have some 'nightime activities'. Assuming he means some traditional Naxi dancing or something I'm just about to say 'yes please' when I realise he means the type of 'nightime activities' that the Catholic Church only like married couples to do. And it seems his question is directed inparticularly at Andy & Nuala who he has only just realised are a couple and who have been sharing a triple room with me for the last week! His master plan it seems is to offer me the spare bed in his room to allow the not-so-young love birds a bit of privacy for one night. Just as I'm coming round to the idea of spending the night with a pretty funny and none too shabby 24-year-old tour guide, he looks disgusted and says "No, I have room till 3am - then you have room till breakfast." Blown out in China and I haven't even started trying yet !!!

Quite appropriately we were in the Supermarket today and the three of us decided to buy a bottle of spirits each. Obviously there's no such thing as Malibu or Bacardi Breezers so I had to make do with a sickly looking red substance that claimed to be some sort of wine. On the way back to the hostel Anson sees us and asks to look at our shopping. I proudly show off my colourful looking bottle which he examines before saying "Ahhhh, Gooseberry wine!" Pretty appropriate wouldn't you agree!