Preparations

Backpacks have been tried, tested and generally taken apart and put together again in some hope of understanding what the variety of pockets, straps, buckles and fastenings do or can be used for. Much different to the normal suitcase with wheels for the usual 2 weeks in the sun.

We have ended up with a different backpack each, Vaude Rock 45+10 for my wife - a very generous birthday present from her cousin, a (cheap and cheerful) Vango Feedom 60+20 Travelpack for me and a Karrimor 70+20 Travelpack for my son, as he intends to go longterm backpacking next year. It will be intersting to see how each bag takes the strain during this trip.

Our bibles for the journey will be the new (May 2011) edition of the Lonely Planet Guide for China and DK Eyewitness Travel China. Lonely Planet reads well and appears to packed with detailed information. The DK guide has all othe glossy pictures for easy identifcation of sights. Only being in China and using it will tells us if they are actually useful. We'll let you know as we go.

         
Link to Lonely Planet                                            Link to DK

We are also taking the Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook in the hope that it might help with communication. Pointing at phrases in the book might be better than mispronouncing them with the risk of insulting someone.

So with 6 days to go until we board our flight the time has come to prepare everything. This week will see the final check list of clothes, toiletries (don't forget the toilet paper!) and medications of all sorts - anti this, anti that, stuff to stop and start anything and of course sunscreen - being put together and packed.

The excitement is building.