Guest blogger Dale has been caught napping on the bus wearing earbuds. Napping is okay but earbuds are a ground rule violation. Okay to be fair (1) Dale asked Ryan for permission and (2) of anyone who deserves a nap it is Dale who has been shepherding and working above and beyond the call of duty this week.

We are on our way to a famous Chinese mountain called Tai Mountain. There are five highest mountains in China, located north, south, east (Jinan), west and in the centre. The Chinese believe that power and nature comes from the east, thus making Jinan the most important of the five peaks. Allegedly, many past Chinese emperors have come to Tai Mountain in search of longevity and success for their reign.

The trek will be a bit of a challenge not only because it is a steep hike (part of the way will be by cable car) but because outside it is cold and raining… some of us praying for snow, hopefully!