Dear Charlie,
We have now come to the end of what has been a magnificent tour of China! We have to say thank you for making our trip so enjoyable, as it just went so smoothly. Last night's Beijing Duck dinner and today's visit the Great Wall in brilliant sunshine - where a spectacular way to say goodbye to China.
We have enjoyed the variety of hotels, modern and traditional. Courtyard 7 is a lovely peaceful place in the midst of a very busy city, and we have made good use of the courtyard outside our room.
We have nothing but praise for our drivers - negotiating last minute detours, horrendous road works where sometime there was only a mud surface, and traffic jams in the big cities.
Our guides have been excellent, with a real understanding of English and were able to joke with us and we have had lots of laughs.
Thank you too for the lovely scarf that you asked Mary to give us - we will certainly make use of it in our new home.
We have given Eric the phone and charger and he has undertaken to give it to his boss, and hence to you.
Our journey back to a chilly Dunedin begins tomorrow.
Best regards
Bruce and Sue
PS We will be recommending Easy Tour to our friends.
China Odyssey Tour
Day 1 Shanghai Arrival
Day 2 Shanghai: Yu Garden, Yu Market, Jade Buddha Temple, Xintiandi, the Bund
Day 3 Shanghai to Guilin: Zhujiajiao Water Town with boat cruise
Day 4 Guilin to Yanghsuo: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Day 5 Yangshuo: Free day, Impression Liusanjie Show in the evening
Day 6 Yangshuo to Longji: Longji (Dragon Back) Rice Terraces, Ping'an Zhuang Village, Walk about 30 minutes up to Ping'an Village, No. 1 & No. 2 Viewing Points
Day 7 Longji to Chengyang: View sunrise. Chengyang: Chengyang Dong Village, Wind and Rain Bridge (Fengyu Bridge), Drum Tower
Day 8 Chengyang to Zhaoxing: Basha Miao Village, Zhaoxing Dong Village
Day 9 Zhaoxing: Tangan Dong Village, Zhaoxing Dong Village
Day 10 Zhaoxing to Tingdong to Rongjiang: Tingdong Market, Black Miao Village, Shui Village
Day 11 Rongjiang to Kaili: Datang Short Skirt Miao Village, Langde Long Skirt Miao Village
Day 12 Kaili to Guiyang to Lijiang: Kaili Market, Matang Gejia Village
Day 13 Lijiang: Lijiang Old Town, Wangu Tower, Mu's Mansion, Black Dragon Pool Park, Dongba Museum, Baisha Mural
Day 14 Lijiang to Shaxi: Shibaoshan Scenic Area, Shaxi ancient town (Sideng Street)
Day 15 Shaxi to Dali: Wase at the eastern shore of Erhai Lake, Dali Ancient Town
Day 16 Dali: Morning Market at Xizhou Village, Bai people’s Residential Houses at Xizhou, the Three Pagodas
Day 17 Dali to Chongqing: Eling Park, Ciqikou Ancient Town
Day 18 Chongqing to Chengdu: Kuanzhai Alley, Chengdu People's Park, Teahouse in the People's Park, Wenshu Temple
Day 19 Chengdu: Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Jinsha Site Museum, Wuhou Memorial Temple
Day 20 Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou
Day 21 Jiuzhaigou: Jiuzhaigou Reserve
Day 22 Jiuzhaigou to Xi’an: Hanyangling Tomb, Ancient City Wall
Day 23 Xi’an: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Small Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarters
Day 24 Xi’an to Beijing: Temple of Heaven, Jingshan (Coal Hill)
Day 25 Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong Tour on a pedicab, Beijing Roast Duck Dinner
Day 26 Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall, Olympic Green
Day 27 Beijing Departure