Tuesday

Day 4.
Oh how early can a day start. With about 3hrs sleep it was up & packing for the leg to Xi'an. The back-to-work traffic wasn't as bad as we imagined - but we did leave the hotel at 0640. The madness on the road still amuses is all.

Group checkin meant no ID needed. But I did lose my portable phone charger to the powers that be (too many aMPs) but at least he let me recharge before he took it.
Bus to the plane, flight to Xi'an & on to our new bus to continue with our old stuff tour.

Our new driver speaks old dialect & very little mandarin. Our new guide, Leo, is well spoken & very knowledgeable of his hometown.

The airport is about 50km from town & was a lot bigger than expected. The trip into the city we passed large mounds that dotted the fields. We're told they are mausoleums of important people (emperors, dignitaries & the likes). The bigger the mound the more importance they held. Over time the tombs have been pilfered & raided for their spoils so much of the historical evidence has long gone. There are a few still intact, but archeologists are still waiting for the development of technology before they will open those still pristine.

A short stop at the local museum to get a glimpse of what this area has offered the world & to see how advanced they were.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda to see opulence first hand. The room that is ceiling to floor in jade design depicting Buddha life is a new feature....no one knows it's cost. The timber wasn't as beautiful, but the workmanship was brilliant.
A lesson in calligraphy & a chance to purchase more ...but alas we've still one more 20kg flight to contend with.

Dinner & a show tonight. Dumplings were fabulous & the dancing was an interpretation of what they enjoyed/endured during the Tang Dynasty.

A new hotel & bed.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda. And fruit on a stick