Hi everyone,
This is probably the last chance to put any comments on the blog.
The banquet on the river boat was fantastic - the variety of food was tremendous and we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Yesterday we went to Hangzhou and experienced our second banquet at lunchtime. The food was even more delicious (if that were possible!) - the dishes kept coming and coming. Most of the time we didn't know what we were eating but...... it was extremely good.
The shopping was also good and everyone found a few bargains.
Today the weather is really terrible. we are at the edge of a typhoon the is over the Phillipines at the moment. It is unlikely to blow over before we go so we are prepared with our umbrellas and kagoules. At least it is warm. This morning we aere given the chance to visit a local village with a lecturer from the University. It was an amazing experience - the local people were so friendly and welcoming. We saw their houses, saw the men playing ah Mah Jong (sorry - don't know how to spell it!!) and cards and went into their small shops. Most of the people were migrants who have come here because it is a prosperous area and the recycling 'industry' has taken off so they collect plastics, paper etc to sell on. We also visited a printing factory - well, a printing room. The quality of the finished items was extremely high - it was hard to believe they could have been done in relatively primitive surroundings.
We are now on our last task - East meets West. Then we have the Closing Ceremony - possibly karaoke again!

I must go but I will try to get a few more pictures on the blog. JMG