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Published: October 17th 2011
Ni hao! (that's 'hello' in Chinese) - Almost time for me to hit the sack - this has been one of the longest days of my life - geographically speaking, it's just a very long way from Alaska to China!!!! Long flights - time zone changes - and so on - creating one day running into the next, running into the next. We'd sleep on the plane - wake up - have some food - back to sleep - wake up again - stopped briefly in Russia for fuel - back to sleep - wake up again for.........breakfast? Really? Weird.
After a well deserved nap this afternoon (and for many of you who know me, I don't 'do naps'!), when the alarm went off, I had no idea where I was, what day it was, etc. - but all is well now.
So, we landed in Beijing at 7 a.m. this morning - everyone changed their watches and got ready for a day of leisure here - great way to transition. Saw the most incredible sunrise up in the skies - gorgeous - makes one happy to be alive.
We had the best service getting through the airport,
on to our tour buses, and over to the Regent Hotel, where we are staying. And talk about a hotel room - WOW. Double WOW, actually! I've travelled a LOT - THIS is a gorgeous and comfortable hotel room - thanks, Ben! (photos below)
One of the reasons for such great service is because of Jenny May, Managing Director of DMC - the Destination Management Company. Great team - they know their jobs and do it well - makes all the difference in the world.
It's a perfect day in Beijing for me - temps around 18 degrees Celsius - YES! Sun is shining. We were all treated to a superb buffet in the dining room - I would have taken pictures except that, by that point in time, I was running on 'fumes' (even falling over my own feet!) - so wasn't thinking too clearly about blog stuff then. Had a nap, a shower, a walk outside - finding .........wait for it........STARBUCKS! (Thanks, Brenda!) - Really enjoyed that latte, let me tell you!
Brenda and I enjoyed a walk around the hotel 'neighborhood' - there is another hotel across the street that one of our fellow
passengers highly recommended we 'visit' - and so off we went. Breath-taking (pictures below) - lovely architecture and great character.
I wanted to write some updates (and birthday notes) on Facebook this afternoon - but Facebook is not accessible in China - not allowed! Once again, we must always remember to cherish our freedoms.........
Brenda (Tour Director - who was a Tour Leader with me in '07), Robert (Tour Leader, who was a passenger in 2010) and I had the pleasure of dining with Jenny May tonight - another terrific food experience at the Regent. I had salmon and green beans 'to die for' (quit laughing all of those who know me so well! Yes, I had the salmon!) - great conversation - called it a night! We were all tired.
So, a brief blog visit tonight but stay tuned because tomorrow is a very FULL day - Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and more. I can hardly wait - and I can't wait to share it with all of you.
Thanks to those of you who have posted notes - I share with the passengers and we are delighted you are living vicariously through us.
See you tomorrow! (Good night, Mom - I love you!)
Happy Pat
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staci
non-member comment
Groundhog Day
Sooo here i am back in the good old reliable U S OF A....flipping through Facebook and getting ready to tweet #DWTS. (Enough Said) The hotel looks #GORG, I love the glass bathroom wall?! If The sheets are as cozy as the bed looks I am officially envious. SHOP SHOP SHOP SHOP if you have time . The sleepy where am i's will soon be in the past...(until you come home) Enjoy every hour of every day and continue to take a gazillion pics. Something about the two sleeping buddies....LOVE THAT SHOT!!!!! Peace. Staci