An early rise so that I could beat the hordes at breakfast, and it worked. Mind you there were two individuals, a mother and son that were well versed on attacking a buffet first thing.

I got my egg on toast this morning without any hassle and I got a Chinese hamburger, which is pulled meat, possibly lamb, in a bun and it was delicious. I should have gone back for more and taken a doggy bag for my trip, but then it’s just one more thing to carry and my case is big enough.

So I’m in a first class carriage on the cheap train, which is also the slow train. It’s cost me $12 for the 90 min journey to Huashan.

It was cold this morning and so I’m expecting it to be a little bit chillier by the time I reach the mountains. Instead of a flash streamlined train, I am in the old conventional green train which are usually used for the masses because they are so cheap. Mind you I was not brave enough to sit with the locals and so I chose first class. Oh, it’s advertised as having its own toilet which is the hole in the floor, so let’s hope we don’t have to use it 🤔

The train was very comfortable and there were only four folk in the car and so it was very quiet.

I got a taxi from the station to the hotel. It’s a small place that also caters as a tourist information hub, which is great. The young lassie running the place is extremely helpful and although most of the conversations have been in Chinese I’m getting by.

I had lunch, Biang Biang Mian, spicy flat noodle, delicious 😍

I went for a stroll to have a look around and then headed for the nearest shop to buy breakfast. I just can’t eat noodle for breakfast. Bananas and bread fur me and coffee of course.

It’s a pretty backdrop having the mountains behind and there are some autumn colours coming on.

Had an early dinner, Gong Bao Ji Ding, spicy chicken with peanuts and capsicum. It was too big to finish and so I’ll have the leftovers tomorrow for dinner.

I went for a quick stroll to try to flatten my fat stomach, but it was getting chilly.

An early night in preparation for the big climb tomorrow..