Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly

After yesterday's draining day, Christmas morning was very exciting with a trip to the Mongolian embassy to collect our transit visa's for our trip to Russia on the Trans-Siberian. Everything was as simple as when we applied and before long, we were enjoying a Christmas Day brunch in McDonalds. It really is the little things, especially on this special day!!

We returned back to our hostel once everything was done (we really are getting quite professional on the subway) and after a couple of hours of everyone's favourite holiday past-time, lazing around and doing bugger all, I went to do some further catching up on the journal on the internet while my stunningly gorgeous fiance went to try his luck one more time for some decent service in the Traveller's Den.

As the night drew on, everyone started to feel a little peckish and joined by a further group of people from the Leo Hostel, there was really only one option for Christmas dinner - Peking Duck.

It didn't take him long to come and find me to let me know that, surprise, surprise, everything was as appalling as ever. Well, there was no way we were going to let those cretins spoil our Christmas Day so, after I had finished on the computer, we decided to try our luck at a hostel down the road. Walking into the Leo Hostel, we were instantly greeted by friendly, happy staff who were more than happy to take our orders and actually do their job. There was Western music playing rather than the usual unknown Chinese pop which the staff at the Traveller's Den always choose to play and there was a happy atmosphere.

My man and I started off our night playing a couple of games of cards, but it didn't take long to make new friends and before long, we were involved in a hard-hitting game of Trivial Pursuit with Aiden and Dana from Oz and Andy, an English guy, all of whom had the luck to be staying at a hostel with a decent bar. As the questions kept coming, so did the drinks and it wasn't long before we were well into the Christmas spirit.

As the night drew on, everyone started to feel a little peckish and joined by a further group of people from the Leo Hostel, there was really only one option for Christmas dinner - Peking Duck. Brett and I took the gang to our favourite restaurant and the wonderful restaurant and the wonderful staff seated us in our own private room. While we were awaiting for our array of delicious dishes, we played 'The Name Game', an excellent way to get to know people which involves giving your name and what you like, whilst remembering the same information for everyone that came before you. Great fun. Well done, baby for your great idea.

Dinner was a huge success and very reasonably priced but no-one was yet ready to call it a night. Brett and I had bought vodka and bourbon from a local shop earlier in the day, so we thought it would be fun (and funny) to take everyone to the Traveller's Den for further drinks and merriment. When the staff kicked up a stink about us bringing in our own alcohol, (even though there are no signs to stop it) Brett reached the end of his tether and went to fetch the manager of the hotel/hostel. The outcome? Free drinks for all and a bar open till we had finished. Merry Christmas to us!

When I felt the booze going to my head, I decided not to push it after yesterday and retired to my bed, leaving my man to continue on the party without me. He returned home around 4:30am having ended up at some Beijing nightclub, but at least we got to finish off the night together in each others arms. (after finally having enough and pushing our single beds together)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!