Last China Post.....phew!

Soh, this is the last part of my trilogy that is China. This delightful creature was parading outside the Terracotta museum just outside Xi'an city. In fact most of the girls in China were very erm.....pretty to say the least. A bit more about Chinese girls later!

Anybody thinking about coming to China must see the Terracotta army. Blimey what a sight to see as all these troops lined up in battle formation, complete with officers, soldiers, horses with flanks covered to ensure nobody gets through. All the soldiers and horses were once painted and must have looked amazing. The ruler who wanted to be buried with his life like army wanted to ensure that his great tomb lay undisturbed and he did this by killing all the skilled craftsmen who created them.......gulp!

There is a man there somewhere. This is recycling on a grand scale and nothing is wasted.

China is a very colourful country full of bright lights and lanterns, just like the ones for sale above in Dali.

Chinese culture is very big with temples and buildings like the one above preserved for future generations. Even some new buildings are still created in the 'old' style to preserve their national heritage - quite right too.

The girls having a bit of a sesh! Oh yes, after this it was hair, eyebrows, cupping and body massages. Yep the entire works was had by pretty much all including yours truly who had a foot massage by deaf masseurs. Probably permanently deafened by the screams of previous clientele no doubt.

This erm.....experience was recommended by someone who I regarded as a friend (you know who yo are). it all started quite nicely with a cup of tea and a nice warm herbal soak...ahhhhhh. Then it all went a bit pear shaped the pain of someone ramming their knuckles around the bottom of your feet which is excruciating by he way and if you flinch, its done even harder because your 'chi' is in need of a lot more work.....apparently. It does end eventually with a back and shoulder massage - thank god!

Soh, back to girls. All the hotels we have stayed in have liberal amounts of lady products and condoms. I have been erm......propositioned in the street, hotel lobbies, in the lift and hotel corridors. I received a phone call one late night and a very nice lady was talking to me in Chinese. I assumed it was Georges wife, so when George came back to the room I told him his wife rang. "No" he said "that was a naughty lady". If only I had known. Who knows what a good Catholic boy could have gotten up to?

So that is China, if you've not been, you must come. You will not be disappointed, it has been the most entertaining and culturally fantastic and interesting of countries I have ever been too. A month here has just been too short and we have only just scratched the surface. Sincere thanks to Charlie, Jim and George for all their unstinting work to ensure we all have the best time possible.

China, I love you!