Despite having access to CNN, BBC World, reasonably fast broadband and clearance into a high security Olympics testing lab, I am unable to read Computing’s newsdesk blog in China. I can read Computing's news pages and the comments, but when I go to the blogs, there’s a long pause before being told “page can’t be displayed.”

Apart from that 'restriction', it’s not so different from home. The most alien morsels on tonight’s menu were duck brains - served with the rest of the duck - and turtle. I don’t mind admitting that I wasn’t brave enough to try either - and was very happy with mandarin fish and ginger-spiced scrambled egg. Our hosts dismissed our queries about the likelihood of encountering monkey brains or cat, which they said would be “very unusual…possibly in the south.“

Chinese people are very tolerant of westerners who haven‘t got the hang of the etiquette; we have it very easy here, more so than in many European countries, I would say. There’s no pressure to speak Chinese, or do things the Chinese way - and their understanding of British culture is as good as ours. The most challenging thing for me, so far, has been handing over business cards with both hands, while trying not to drop my handbag.

As a technology journalist, I’ve been welcomed with open arms and apart from not being able to get to our blog, I can find out everything I need to know. I don’t have to ask any awkward questions about politics and human rights, because I’m hear to find out more about something that China clearly does very well.

Hosting the Olympics is a century old dream for China, since a student paper in 1908 asked when it would happen. Sun Weide, deputy director of Beijing’s organising committee for the Games, reminded us about this earlier today, as he talked about what the Olympic means to China.

“We have adopted three key concepts,” he said. “Green Olympics, high-tech Olympics - to promote the growth of high-tech industry in China - and the People’s Games. And we hope the events will promote better understanding between China and the outside world.”

The National Aquatics Centre, known as 'The Water Cube, is glowing blue tonight. Sometimes it’s red, or is set up so the bubbles make a ripple effect. I guess I won’t see it any other way before I go, but I’m certainly glad to have been here at all.

By Janie Davies