Beijing

We travel through a smog filled Beijing city, towards the Great Wall of China at Badaling. The visibility is so bad, we wonder if we'll see very much at all! As we get closer the smog clears and the sun shines which is such a relief. Its a special treat to take the cable car to the top section and look down on one of the wonders of the world.

It reminds me of our North of England wonder, Hadrians Wall, snaking its way across the hills into the distance.



Never mind the Great Wall, its the Sunderland to Saigon travel team who become the main attraction! Lots of Chinese visitors ask to have their photos taken with us and it feels really strange, but we are happy to pose for pictures and tell them about our amazing project.

Every tourist attraction has its souvenirs, and the Great Wall is no different. I pick up a medal for the Museum exhibition, which says, 'Jennie climbed the great wall of China on 21st February 2007'. Other tourists have a special certificate and photo taken at the top.

The experience is so special I call my partner at home in Washington (at 4 in the morning) to tell him I am at the Great Wall of China. Its a very personal moment to remember.

Its also amazing to reflect that after 30 days of non stop travel, sleeping, eating and sharing everything together, Jon, Kate and I are all still good friends.

Later we find an historical gem in the China Railway Museum. Locomotive number 0 is the oldest ever train in China, and was actually made in Gateshead, North East England in 1881. Being born in Gateshead too, I feel very proud to stand beside this little Engine and tell its special story to camera. It reminds me that the North East of England is the birthplace of the railways of the world, which on this longest train journey of 9300 miles from Sunderland to Saigon is the most fantastic thought to reflect on.

A true railway enthusiast's eyes light up with pleasure at the sight of trains.

Tian'anmen square is a riot of red flags against blue skies. After checking out the Beijing 2008 countdown clock, 533 days, 7 hours and 33 minutes to go, we wander among the crowds of visitors, all recording their family visits with photographs. People fly pretty chains of flags, its just like the Sunderland International Kite Festival! I buy a panda kite to remind me of the visit to China's capital city. The green coated soldiers solemnly marching past, are a moving reminder of Tian'anmens squares bloody history.

The strong wind fully extends the red flags in the square - it reminds me of a flag outside the Berlin Reichstag, many weeks ago....