China: The Beach, The Power and the Return of SoCo Vinny

Right then. Lots to catch up on.

First things first, my two week beard is going pretty well. It has turned from stubbly to furry. Next step full on carpet.

After our night train slumber time, we arrived in Qingdao. We arrived in the morning, showered and headed out to the beach. This was the beginning of an immense relaxing/party time. After a kip in the sun, a few sips of a few Tsingtao's (local beers), anda dip in the icy cold sea, we headed back. Indeed, over the next few days this kip, sip and a dip formula would prove highly successful.

We met a whole host of people that evening from around the globe- Ben (Welsh) and his girlfriend Cecilia (Danish), Blake (a pleasant Australian chap) and 3 Norwegian girls, whose names momentarily escape me. After quite a few beers in the hostel bar, we chartered two local taxis and asked them to take us to another watering-hole. In the taxi we cranked up the stereo and me, Stu, Vinny, and one of the norwegian girls (Christina - perhaps) sang along heartily to Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On'. This was clearly to the absolute delight of the our taxi driver (let's call him Pedro for argument's sake). After a rip-roaring taxi thrillride, the taxi driver certainly dropped a bollock, as we ended up at Club New York. This place was dead. And was closing in 5 minutes. And was incredibly expensive (for China prices). But we got a few down us. The highlight was indeed a miniature train which inexplicably circled the top of the bar. After this little soiree we attempted to fit 7 people into a taxi. The driver was not pleased. Especially since Vincent was lying across people's laps. Understandably, another taxi was swiftly flagged down. No Celine Dion this time though. Disappointment!

Qingdao day two was similar to the first. Same beach, same activity, same beer. However, one vital difference. The Chinese X-Factor equivalent audtions (sponsored by Sprite no less) seemed to be kicking off on the beach. Before this really got going though a Chinese rock-classic cover band rocked the stage like your dad drunk at a wedding. They gave us hearty renditions of Bryan Adams' "Summer of 69" and that song which goes "I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now". It was pretty funny. However, after we had obeyed our thirst for cheesy rock tunes, we resumed our day of rest. Later on though, after the X-factor gubbins had finished, and just as we were leaving the beach, we caught a few songs from some local emo band and then after that 4 young roister-doisters started pulling some seriously dodgy moves, as they attempted to body-pop on stage. Before heading back to the hostel we strolled through the Qingdao Botanical Gardens, and walked up to the highest point of the city next to the TV Tower.

We headed back via a night market which had sprawled over the high-street. Here we saw little puppies being sold/man-handled willy nilly by enthusiastic shoppers. I neglected to purchase a little dog and got some black low top Converse for 3 quid instead. Bargain.

That night we hit the notorious eastside of town to go drinking. After a few quiet ones in a place called Jack's Bar, we stumbled across La Banga. 80 yuan for all you can drink! 2 hours. Job done. We made friends with a Colombian girl called Catalina, who then directed us to another place called the Corner Jazz Club. No jazz was to be heard but some modern day English/American pop. I ended up chatting to some local kids. There names were- Chemi, Jimi, Will, Mia and Power (incidentally I now want to change my name to Power as soon as physically possible). They taught me some Chinese swear words and I returned the favour. Providing them with a few choice English words of my own. Then we chatted about the Nanjing Massacre and learned a bit about the history of the city where we would be heading next. We got a taxi back, and Vinny was at his "SoCo Vincent" best. Meandering walk, sweaty, scottish incomprehensible banter and vomit. All the trimmings! Indeed, we have missed you so "SoCo Vinny"!

Qingdao - day three. Hungover to say the least. This was a serious bed-day. Stu and Vinny slept longer though, so I went for a stroll to a local food market. Saw some dogs in cages, chickens in cages, what looked like doves (also in cages) and then loads of weird fish and shellfish, which incidentally were not in cages. I decided to not buy a weird looking fish, but got some steamed pork buns instead. The rest of the day was spent hanging out at the hostel. Then that night me, Stu, Vinny, Blake, Ben and Cecilia headed out to a local Steak restaurant called Jazzbeefsteak (all one word). I'm not gonna lie, it was quite a strange meal. For a 35 yuan set meal we got a fillet steak, with a super peppery sauce, a fried egg, pasta and a shot of sweet wine to accompany it.

Qingdao has an absolutely different atmosphere to anything else I have experienced in China so far.

Roll on Nanjing.