Writing this from TIANJIN

Yes we have now left Beijing and have travelled about 150 miles SE to Tianjin - we came here by the Chinese bullet train so it was pretty fast and very efficient though there was a scrum to get onto the platform - which was not necessary at all as the ticket was seat specific.

Anyway back to Beijing after the last post .... we eventually caught the bus to the Summer Palace (Lonely Planet states the wrong bus number so we were searching and asking quite a bit) - which is just on the outskirts of Beijing.

The Summer Palace is beautiful, on arriving we clambered up the hill going through a range of Budhist temples and buildings, then we descended down to the Kunming Lake - like everything else in China - it is enormous

We went for a peddle boat ride for about an hour - just to tire the legs - very much so.

Then we walked half way around the lake and back - leaving about 5pm - At least we knew which bus to catch.

For our last day in Beijing we went to the Lama Temple - where everybody lit loads and loads of insence sticks - again the temple was enormous with the tallest Bhuda in the world carved from a single tree - amazing but very difficult to see the top bit. There were in fact many temples on the site.

After this we caught the bus and went to the Drum Tower - the biggest drum in the world so they say, then on to the Bell Tower - again - guess what posibly the biggest bell in the world, both were impressive - but the steps were a bit steep.

For our last meal in Beijing we had steamed Catfish, which we cooked on the table ourselves - I have never seen so many garlic cloves in a meal - hundreds there were - and very hot - but wow so tasty - David ... must try it ourselves when we get home.

After our last night - the next morning we set off to catch the train to Tiangin.

So what have we been doing here - well after arriving we went shopping and searched out the dumpling specialist - good but not as great as we were expecting.

And today we went to the old town and checked out the - guess what - the local Bell Tower and the Guildhall which was in fact a museum for the arts - this was wonderfull - I nearly got up on the stage and danced - but decided - better not.....

We followed this by a little more shopping - clothes are so cheap.

I thought that Beijing was a building site - but Tianjin is even more so - unfortunately they are knocking down the old buildings - including a temple and some old colonial style buildings - which is a crime..........

Still enjoying ourselves - walking miles each day.

We are staying here 1 more day this hotel by the way is better than the one in Beijing.... The star rating is a bit wierd.....

Sorry for any typoes and lack of photoes - but Internet is time - time is money - the internet is not cheap here...

Will update again shortly - We are both well.

Bye 4 Now