Fri 12 Aug - TGIF

Another hot and sticky day but with a bit of merciful breeze. After breakfast, we had 1.5hrs of Shaolin power stretching. We were pulled and stretched in impossible positions, so much so than I thought I tore few ligaments. Hobbled back to the room for 20min and then off to running, warming up and on to shaolin formations. I have finally grasped the basic 5-6 step formations..Lunch, pack our bags for the next 2 days on the road and catch some sleep before the 3pm workout. Running, warming up and chinese kickboxing. Although we were hurting we did not mind as we were 1hr away from leaving. We got taxis to Qufu and had dinner at the hostel. The Qufu train station was very impressive, huge, modern, clean and air-conditioned would put to shame most western stations. The same with the fast train from Jinan (Shadong's capital)to Zhengzhou.it was not quite a bullet train, it was what they call a D train. Very new and spotlessly clean. Every 15min hostesses would come round to pick up trash and sweep the corridors. The only reminder we were in China was the horrible hawking and spitting they do..almost 4hrs later at 11.20 we arrived to busy, dirty and hot Zhengzhou station. Theo and I left the others to find a hostel and with some guilt took off for our 5star hotel - Sofitel. I cannot describe the relief and pleasure of rolling in our beautifully clean, luxurious rooms and bathrooms. First time in a week we could sink our aching bodies in soft beds. Heaven!!