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Published: April 19th 2010
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At the next port of call, Xingang in China, it was to be a 3 hour bus trip into Beijing. The ship was to be here for 2 days, and as it was such a long ride into the city, we opted to take a 2 day all inclusive tour.
We left early in the morning, on lovely coach buses. The temperature was only about 10 C. - which is pretty chilly for those of us now used to balmy temperatures! In fact- we froze! The wind was fierce, adding to the cold factor, and we all huddled together at every stop to avoid the chill!
Along the way, we were amazed at all of the new construction taking place, and the numerous apartment buildings- many of which seemed to be empty.
The first point of interest was the GREAT WALL. This is one of the seven wonders of the world and is pretty amazing in its construction for the times! We were able to climb up quite a way on it, which was very hard work as the steps were big and the incline was very steep! Can't believe how they carried all the stones up the steps as
far as they did to keep building that wall!!!! And I was out of breath just climbing it with nothing in my hands!!!
Afterwards, we were served a great Chinese food lunch, placed on huge lazy susans in the middle of the table- everyone helping them selves to many choices of rice, noodles, pot stickers, etc. etc.
WE stopped off at the Olympic Park - which was very cool to see- and boasts 60,0000- yes - sixty thousand visitors per day!!!! We were unable to go inside any of the buildings, as we didn't have time. That was a little disappointing! Mark and I practically had to run around the grounds in order to see all we wanted to, and left the rest of the passengers in the dust as we did so! It is a huge facility!
Weird to think that the Chinese just “ousted” all of the people living in the space needed for Olympic park. No choice was given- they built apartment blocks elsewhere for all of these people and they were forced to move.
On to the Marriott hotel- which was luxury style, and included a wonderful Chinese food dinner- buffet style, with many choices
of rice, noodles, pot stickers, etc. etc
Now for my favourite part of the trip- after dinner, 4 of us took a cab to the “night market” The bell boy obtained the cab, and explained where we were going to the driver, and told us how much it would be- so no rip offs would occur there. However- after about 5 full minutes of turning corners, and under tunnels, and over bridges, we came up above ground on the other side of our hotel?????? 5 more minutes of the same thing, and we surfaced on a third side of the hotel??????? Finally, 3 minutes later, we arrived at the market- to which we almost could have walked!!! Go figure! I guess it was all the one way streets and the medians down the middle of the roads!
The market was really hopping! There were people everywhere- both Chinese and tourists. Two streets were allocated to only food- stalls selling everything- from beautiful fruit kabobs, to locust kabobs,beetle, scorpion, starfish, seahorse and finally- the big find- sheep penis kabobs! Unfortunately, we were all too full from dinner to try any of these delicacies........😊
We purchased a new knapsack here, as
ours was falling apart- bargaining from an initial $50.00US asking price, down to $7.00- which was far more in line with it's worth! Too funny! They don't let you walk away!
Needless to say, the taxi ride back to the hotel took about 3 minutes directly there- I guess we were on the correct side of the road for a straight route!
The following morning, there was a huge buffet breakfast, with many choices of rice, noodles, pot stickers, etc. etc It also included the usual north american fare, of eggs, cereal and muffins.
On to see the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square, the worlds largest square. The square hosts the mausoleum for Chairman Mao, the most loved and hated rulor of the Chinese! His body is embalmed and on display in a glass casket. The line of people to see him lying there was endless!
The Forbidden City was another main attraction here, and was the site of filming for the Last Emperor. It is the worlds largest palace, with 9,999 rooms. One whole section of the palace was designated for the Emperors many concubines. He was a very busy man!
Before boarding the bus
for home, we were treated to another delicious lunch,
placed on huge lazy susans in the middle of the table- everyone helping them selves to many choices of rice, noodles, pot stickers, etc. etc.........get my drift? Do they eat anything other than noodles and rice here???? Very few veggies to be had........
All in all, it was a power packed 2 day excursion, and the bus ride home was very quiet! . We loved every minute of it, but were happy to board our floating hotel, and spend the next 2 days at sea! ps- couldn't wait for a steak dinner!!!!!!!
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Louise
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