Having checked in and making it through security, the first port of call was the pub. We somehow got carried away and made it to the boarding gate just in time for the last boarding call announcement. A long plane journey later Pete and I landed in Beijing airport. With are bargaining skills being put straight to the test, we managed to get a taxi straight to the hostel. Having a crazed taxi driver added to the excitement of being in Beijing, he was insistent on cutting up cars, bikes and pedestrians- but we made it safe! Before hitting up the forbidden palace a quick stop was made to a street café for a quick dish of chilli cucumber with what was supposedly chicken. Hot being an understatement for the dish, with the burning sensation still
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