*****I will add more detail later*****

Sunday, 9th July 2006

After rising early and checking out and leaving my bags at the Yin Bin Hotel I spent the day walking around the streets of Nanning. In the early afternoon I sat for some internet where I tried to update Travelpod BUT...when they say you get an hour, you actually do get an hour mate! With no warning the computer totally shuts down and you loose everything you have just done.

Maaate, was I not happy!

Anyhow, I headed across the road to board the good old Smokey Disco Sleeper Train to Nanning. The train was supposed to leave at 3:30pm but of course it took at least an hour to actually board the train. It ws so so so so very hot. Hundreds and hundreds of people waited and waited. It began to smell real bad in that waiting area.

The train finally arrived and like a soccer crowd, the gates were actually stormed and the Chinese being Chinese, ran to the train just incase someone took it away from them. I just sat back and patiently waited until most had had their little 'thing' and found their seats and calmly I boarded the train, soaked to the skin and stinking just like everyone else.

This was the oldest train I had ventured on in China. No aircon, no room to breathe, not much of anything really. Some of the fans actually worked, the others teased us by just being there.

The night was long, it was very smelly, it was bloody noisey and it was so hot. I done my best to chat to those around me. An old man whom had taught himeself some English sat with me and we actually had a great time. We all shared fruit, noodles and our smiles.

Noodles and Beers to you all...shane