Ko Samed to Bangkok to Beijing

We are back where it all began two and four months ago.....Beijing, China. The four of us flew in exactly 2 months to the day to begin working for the Olympics and since then have meshed as a group of traveling buddies and friends. We have had the experience of a lifetime. To try and recap some of this, in case you need the short version, we worked the Olympics in Beijing for 40 days, well David was working for longer than that. Nevertheless, we worked for the Olympics, and following that we left via overnight train for Xi'an for a one day stop over, where we were told it would be impossible to get a train ticket to Lhasa. Somehow, we managed to accomplish what no one said we could (later we would find that it was only in an effort to make more money from us) and after touring Xi'An and the Terra Cotta Warriors for a day we boarded a 36 hour train to Lhasa. On the train, we read, slept, chatted, watched movies and took in te scenery. This is also where we met Dan and Susie, the husband and wife who were traveling around the world for a year. UPon arriving in Lhasa, it was sensory overload, the mountains, the Buddhism, the monastary, the simple way of life, the YAK....everything was perfect and for five days we were in Lhasa with Fran and Mirjam. We departed ways with Fran and MIrjam from here and then took a flight to Chengdu, in the SIchuan Province, where we would meet up with Johns friend Kate, whom David and I had never formally met. After 3 days in Chengdu and much discussion about our next destination, we decided upon Mt. Emei, and Leshan. Traveling via bus through the Sichuan Province was a learning experience in both travel customs and purchasing tickets through certified travel companies. But we survived a two day climb up a mountain, an attack by crazy monkeys and a night sleeping in a monastary in the mountains. FOllowing this we headed back to Chengdu in order to catch a flight to Guangxou and then another flight to Bangkok. Bangkok was also a learning experience and a first for all three of us. Three days later it was off to the island of Ko Samed for a week of relaxation. It rained a lot as it is rainy season ut overall it was a very very pleasant experience. FOllowing Ko Samed, we took a boat back to mainland Thailand and then a bus to Bangkok for an overnight stay and then a flight to Beijing, where it all began. As i sit here on the final night of David Daldwin advuenture tours, I think back to all of the unbelievable times we shared, the memories, the craziness and most of all the friendships we formed. It will be tough for us to all part ways but i know this is not goodbye, it is see you later.....David Daldwin Tours or DDT Inc. will reconvene again at some point in time......to be continued!!!! Thank you all for following along on the crazy adventures of two midwestern USA boys, one Canadian, and the random cast of characters that completed this trip. I wish everyone the best in their next chapters, safe travels and good luck...