Day 6 - Nanjing

6am wake-up calls are simply cruel! Long day ahead, beginning at the Zhongshan Mountain Scenic Area. Beamless Hall (Wu Liang Dian) which houses the monument to the National Revolutionary Army in the Anti-Japanese War who died fighting and opens to the first cemetery of these heroes. Linggu Pagoda which is impossible to climb in five minutes so naturally gave up on the idea. The "highlight" was Dr Sun Yat-Sen's Mausoleum (Zhongshan Ling) but to climb 392 steps to see the coffin chamber which does not even house his body was quite the "downlight". The entrance to the chamber was so tiny that once people were streaming in, it was impossible to get out. The walls of the chamber were wet from humidity and it felt like a sauna in there sans the enjoyment. Finally getting out was like finally getting the first gasp of air after suffocating. 
In the afternoon, we went to the Ming Shao Ling Museum, which honors the first Ming emperor who was actually a commoner. Besides a couple people falling asleep at the bookstore, it was indeed a yawner...but the Ming Tomb of the Great Ming Dynasty was awesome! Each emperor who came to honor the emperors before him is taken through the Sacred Way, which we leisurely strolled along. The first section of the Sacred Way is flanked by sitting then standing lions, Xiezhi (bear-eyed unicorn), camels, elephants, Qiling (unicorn) and horses. The second section is flanked by balusters, generals and civil officials. Upon arriving at the tomb, we realized that it has never been excavated and on the wall surrounding the hill-like tombs was carved "Here lies the tomb of the great emperor Ming Shao Ling". 
By now, our official polo shirts were completely soaked with sweat...and we were supposed to board the overnight train to Beijing without showering today or tomorrow. Yes, gross indeed. In the end, the tour took us to a hotel to clean-up but room charges would be personal. The real craziness and experience of CSP begins - 3 guys and 3 girls to share a room to shower and wash/dry our polo shirts in one hour! The rush and exhilaration, jumping over  six luggages all laid out on the floor, two hairdryers and three chargers going. BLACKOUT! 10 minutes to go and we were in pitch darkness trying to pack up and dry our wet shirts; flashlight and handphone lights come on trying to find what our eyes cannot see otherwise. The room opposite hapenned to be occupied by our group mates so we invaded their room when they left. Final mad rush to the bus and happy to discover that Sarah had negotiated our room rate from RMB440 to RMB300 because of the blackout! On-board the 6-bed sleeper train to Beijing, Big Two card games, lame bao jokes (which cracked them up completely!), disturbing IQ stories, annoying pattern games. The "younger" CSPers conked out in bed waaay earlier than the "older" ones. What a day!!!