observations section revised

OBSERVATIONS SECTION:

1. the cost of expressways (motorways) is 5p/ mile. on standard national roads it's about 2p/ mile.
2. toilet paper is not put down the loo but in it's own bin next to it. this makes for interesting smells in some less well attended loos.
3. there are uphill and downhill sections on expressways- they may be 5 miles per time.
4. tunnels are frequent on expressways and often 3/4 km long.
5. trucks spray their wheels and brakes with water to keep them cool on long downhill sections. lots of steam may be seen coming from their wheels.
6. in the countryside there are hundereds of workers harvesting the crops; this goes on for mile after mile.
7. electric bicycles have most definately taken over from pedal cycles.
8. it is common for homes to have solar heating for the hot water (by using vacum tubes).
9. there are numerous factories in the cities and countryside all giving out copious amounts of smoke.
10. food costs between 1 yuan and 20 yuan per dish/ person eating in various street-side cafes. restaurants prices can be a much as in the west.
11. most days have been misty with poor visibility. it is the rainy season.
12. accomodation costs are about 60-100 per double room on average. this is only in the places we stay in.
13. 27 km uphill section on the expressway took us up 1500m.
14. the main crops in the areas we have visited have been rice and sweetcorn. now we are in the south and the weather is becoming hotter we are seeing bananas and oil palms besides all the vegtables the variety of which is vast.