I haven't been able to blog because of China's restrictions on such sites. . . until now :D.
We sit now in Kunming, the gateway to the South having endured 14 hour trains in a 4th class carriage with no seats or aircon, sat in taxis that seem more happy on the other side of the road and battled days with stifulling humidity.
We will move out to Laos in a few days time, I cannot wait as China hasn't been all I'd hoped - it definately is not Japan's younger brother, but more like a distant cousin who's tie with the family does not run in the blood.
Apparently, if you can travel through China, you can travel anywhere. . . .