A new year, A new adventure!

Two months in China seemed to go very fast. 

This was my second time to the country, a place I am very much growing to love for many reasons.

From the spectacular volcanic Weizhou Island in the South to the tongue sensations of Sichuan in the West, I managed to meet a variety of people, accents, festivities and wonderful landscapes.

WeiZhou Island, seen here to the left, is the youngest part of China, born around 225 million years ago. On mainland China we were wearing long johns, thick coats and hats to keep warm but here on this island, the sun was incredibly hot. Walking around the coastline for most of the day, myself and others all had sunburn down the right side of out bodes! A good look!

The wonderful thing about this island is that currently it is fairly unknown. It's incredibly quiet with only three small hotels being built. The majority of the land is covered in banana trees and the coast is lined with tiny fish restaurants here and there. The best fish in the world I must say.

Coral rests on the base of rock pools and multicoloured fish tickle your toes.

The Chinese new year was out of this world.

Never have I been more amazed or scared for my life as on the eve of the Spring festival. As a child I saw fireworks on bonfire night in the UK, but nothing prepared me for the sheer scale of fireworks in China. Virtually 15 nights in a row fireworks and firecrackers could be heard everywhere.

The first night, it seemed as if everyone in China was on the streets with fireworks. On more than one occasion  fireworks fell sideways causing mass panic as we ran for cover, other times we would be surrounded by the gentle humming of small spinning fireworks that fly up 10 meters of so ever so gently. Every possible direction you looked a firework was in action. From tiny children to the elderly, they all had them.

Climbing up Emei Shan was one hell of a task. One of four holy mountains in China. Usually from the top the mountains of Tibet can be viewed. But due to the season, we would be lucky to see 20 meters ahead. A hard climb that involved thieving monkeys, strange socks and many beautiful views.

I'll be heading to China again next year. I can't wait!