Thanks for the notes we've recieved. Sorry we haven't posted anything for a while. Our time in Beijing was cram-packed! We took six days to see Beijing and I feel like we've just scratched the surface. There are so many sights and places of interest. It's also really enjoyable just cruising the streets and shops looking for food and shopping or wandering in the manicured parks watching people playing hacky sack and do Tai Chi. Our sightseeing included sveral parks including Beihai Park and ... The Forbidden City and Tiannemen Square (of Course), the Summer Palace and to the Olympic pa [View Full Entry]

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It took us almost two days but we saw it. We got there early but forgot our camera, laugh! The weather was cool and we were feeling frustrated not really knowing where we were or where to begin looking around. That's where a tour guide would have been handy. Anyways, after returning from the hotel (luckily only a 1 yuan and 10 min bus ride and 10 min walk between the hostel and Tiannemen) we found a place to have lunch (again we ordered too much, leftovers) where our neighbours shared their huge bowl of sweet and sour soup. About 20 [View Full Entry]

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Hey just wanted to keep you all posted with our plans and current location. We are currently in Jilin which is in, duh, Jilin province. We spent the last few days in Harbin checking out the city and are turning our heads towards China's National Park and Border with North Korea, ChangBai Shan. We don't plan to go to the DPRK but there is a pretty interesting tourist area in that area that we are hoping to check out. There is more to come from Beijing and from Harbin. We'll try to post in the next day or so. Talk to [View Full Entry]

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We spent five hours at Forbidden City and still didn't see it all. To understand the stories behind Forbidden City we rented recorders (works like a GPS) for 40 Yuan each. The recorder worked most of the time :) There was lots to see and you definitely need all day. Surprisingly we were able to escape from the huge tourist groups. Within the city there are many art galleries and antique displays also we briefly explored the daily life of the most recent dynasty. The buildings were art in itself and the complex of Forbidden City seem to be endless. There [View Full Entry]

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Our fourth day of sightseeing was determined at the last minute after discussing with Apple at Downtown Backpackers Hostel if we should see the Summer Palace or the Temple of Heaven. After discussing with her we chose the former. The Summer Palace is situated in a large park area with Lakes and a canal. There are paths along the Lakes and there are bridges built during the Qing era (most recent Dynasty). The palace itself is built beside the largest lake and at the foot of a hill with a Buddhist Temple at the top. We spent an afternoon here prefering [View Full Entry]

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We made it to Beijing and made it to our hotel for only 4 rmb, thanks to our new friend we met on the train whose friend gave us a lift. Thank-you Cicily! The train ride was comfortable and we cruised to Beijing from Hong Kong in 24 hours. From what we've seen so far of Beijing it is a modern metropolis, a far cry from the villages we passed by on the train where corn was being laid out on the pavement for drying. Tomorrow, after a good nights sleep we'll plan our sight-seeing in Beijing as well as purchase [View Full Entry]

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Cruising around at night to the Hong Kong Peak. Enjoying the night scenery and driving up a twisty road to see the lit up skyrises. The pictures are from The Peak Tower aka "the watermelon". [View Full Entry]

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Boat tour of Aberdeen harbour with Mazi's cousin and his wife. Came across the Jumbo (floating)Restuarant. [View Full Entry]

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Checking out Stanley, close to where Mazi used to live with her aunt and uncle. Cruised through Stanley Market. The market was packed with locals and tourist like us. Mazi almost got heat stroke from the extreme heat. :( The market was full of clothing, souvenirs, flowers, and street vendors. We ate at one street vendor and tried Hong Kong style french toast and cold milk tea. YUM! With Hong Kong's desire to keep heritage buildings, they moved stone blocks and stone pillars from Wan Chai to Stanley. With the stone blocks Hong Kong rebuilt a similar building by the water. [View Full Entry]

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Relaxing and building up our energy after going hard touring around in Hong Kong. The pictures are from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, crusing around when Geoff got his visa for Mainland China and the HK Jockey Club Arts Building (during the grand opening) where we saw an Art Show and paper airplanes exhibited by Mazi's uncle. [View Full Entry]

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