On the mainland

Our ferry arrived into Guangzhou and we were greeted by our Gecko's tour leader, Rocky. Nice easy name for me to remember.

We then got on a bus and headed to a hotel in the city where we could leave our bags and wash up, if we wanted, for a couple of hours in preparation for our first overnight train to Guilin(Gwee lin).

It was sweltering hot and we all walked to a nearby resturant for lunch. Our first group dinner and it was quite good although the private dining room that we were in had a small insect problem. I thought to myself if there were a blue insect light around I could quote "how's the serenity" Anyway lunch only cost 31 yuan(about 5 Aussie dollars)

We then had a chance to head to a local supermarket for some supplies to get us through the train trip.

It was quite a comprehensive supermarket and I was happy to get some fruit and water along with a few snacks.

Having some time up our sleeves, Chtris, Emma & myself spotted an irish bar and thought it would be rude not to head in for a quiet frothie. It was a good little bar and had a few tv's one with some afl on.

In the afternoon it was time to get our packs and head to the train station.

What an experience!

Firstly the taxi ride. Traffic is absolutely chaotic and the only rule is ther are no rules. Somehow we made to the train station and were greeted by a thousands chinese eyes glaring at us. The waiting room had no seats available so we all set our bags down in the isle and gathered around them like security guards. This was quite a long hour and a half before boarding, especially as a big white guy, but we made it through to boarding in a mad rush and into our carriage which was to be our bedroom for the next 13 hours.

The sleepers were not quite as bad as I was expecting. Although quite narrow the were reasonably comfortable. Easy to say when I had the bottom bunk. Anyway the night was spent with some card playing and a warm beer which Chris and I managed to get from the dining car with some difficulty.

Lights out at ten and my first overnight train experience was in full swing.