At The End Of The Rope.

The first square Jesse and I found on our search for Tiananmen.

Across from Tiananmen.

The contrasts between Mongolia and China were felt immediately: some people - many people, savory food - spicy food, vast deserts - huge urban sprawls.  I could go on, but suffice it to say that this border crossing changed everything.

Any ideas we had of big crowds, like those seen at football games or political events, were blown away when the National Holiday began on the 1st of October.  At times I could stand still while the current of the flowing mob would carry me along. Obtaining a hard-sleeper train ticket to Yangshuo during these festivities will probably be remembered as one of our greatest achievements (it only took 3 more days than expected).

We were lucky enough to share our time at the Great Wall with a few locals.

A rare view for us of no crowds at the Forbidden City.

Apparently I was famous in China.  Everyone wanted a picture.

Guards for the flag raising.

We were up early with the crowds
for the sunrise on National Day.

Beijing was our time to learn Chinese history: paleolithic, imperial and modern, try new foods: sea-cucumber, donkey and frog, and exercise: biking the city, walking the great wall and climbing the not so great wall.  I felt that the city had a soul, unlike Vienna, and this will help me keep it lodged in the memory banks.

Jesse biking by Mao

Jesse at our first belay station in Yangshuo.  Banyan Tree.

Climbing at The Egg.

Our time for touring was in Beijing and our time for climbing was in Yangshuo.  We'd read that this small town was the golden grail for rock climbing, so what better place to finish our trip?  I took a couple of pictures, but most of our time was dedicated to getting up as many routes as possible.  Though the whole area was shockingly beautiful, climbing had to take a precedence over photography.

The Egg.

The approach.

Not a satellite image, just us looking down at the farmer.

At the bottom of the 6 pitch Thumb.

Half way up.

At the top!

At the top, with 5 rappels needed to get back to ground zero, we realized the sun was about to set.

This led to our first, and hopefully last, night descent.
 We had no light other than the flash on my camera.

We survived to climb Moon Hill the next day.

The swampy forests of European Russia, the rugged wilderness of Siberia, the unpredictable deserts of Mongolia, and the towering limestone karsts of sub-tropical Southern China have made up our traveling/climbing playground for 80 days.  Not only have we left these beautiful jungle gyms behind, but to add insult to injury, we are forced to dearly miss all of the great friends we've made in the past three months together with the ones we treasure back in our 2nd home-Bulgaria.

While it was a fun experience creating this window for you all to get a glimpse of our exploits, with the separation from my friend, and belayer, the rope tour has come to an end.  The camera and rope will continue to travel with me, though we are officially going dark.  Realize that this gives me the opportunity to secretly surprise some of you, no matter where in the world you hide.  Maybe I will see you soon!