hello from Beijing

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We are now in Beijing from good old daqing after a 14 hour train ride... give or take. It is so hot here. The Hostel that I booked on the internet was no longer there so we ended up going to the some place that I have been staying at for the last four years. Good and trusty. After we got settled we went stright to Ya show to do some shopping. Jeff and I are in save mode so our money will last us for the next 4 months but Kalee went all out. He got an interesting one of a kind pair of shoes among some other things , really cheap. our chinese over here really helps us just the lowest price possible. After that we went to a bar street to do some drinking a relax after a long trip. A really nice dude that was tring to sell us some musical instruments had a drink on us, we ended up wanting to buy any of his stuff so he had his drink and left.

Day two, I had a girls day. Jeff went to the Great wall and the Ming tombs with Kalee. On the newer part of the great wall that we hadnt been to before was touristy but interesting. There was a mini rollarcoaster to get up and down the mountian seeing that those tours are always on a time limit. We had a much need pedicure and deicided to walk to the temple of Heaven. It was not so easly done. We need a map and it ended up take 4 hours in the blistering heat. By time we got to the temple we were wiped right out. The temple was amazing an I got to see Leondaro Decaprio. He was at the temple. It was not to much of a touristy place so no one even noticed him so I did not do or say anything. Later that night we went to a food night market and all tryed scorpion and star fish. Starfish bad... scorpion good. We did some shopping had a few beers and were pretty ready for bed after the day we all had.

Today we checked out the hutongs, the old part of the city. The streets are like mazes and are so narrow. Jeff went to the Forbiden city with kalee and saw all the sights for the second time. Well I better go we are planning on having a party night tonight so i should go get ready. Love you all and miss you.

Niki, and Jeff.

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Photos

Last dinner with Sandra and Mac
We will miss you so much. China would have not been so great with out you

Last supper in Daqing
silk worms

Scorpion dinner
Everyone had a try. Four on a stick

Niki's try
tasted like burnt food

Comments

[Mommers]

Gross!!!!!!! Glad you are on your way. I did not get a e mail saying that you have added a message to your travel blog???? Whats with that??? Enjoy and looking forward to your next chapter. Mommers

[Steve and Judy]

Love ya
Nice...If I were with you I would lose weight. Theres no way i would eat that stuff,.. Glad to see all is well we have not been getting you blog up dates. Stay safe and Have fun We move in to our new house tommorow so its back to packing. Love ya both Dad love you guys.

[joan]

the scorpion look terrible,,I dont think I could eat them,love your blogs cant wait till the next one

[Pops]

Miss you guys!
Hey guys, great pictures.....looks like you're having loads of fun. It must have been tough leaving all the cute kids and your friends Mack, Sandra and others in Daqing. But just think of all the great places you are going to see. I'm sure you're getting the Chinese stare everywhere! Tall skinny blonde guy, cute blonde gal and shaggy = lot's of stares!! Sure am dissappointed I didn't get to try scorpion..silk worms were bad enough! We miss you guys a lot. Enjoy your travels, stay safe. (and get a haircut shaggy!) Love, pops, moms, Jen and Brad

[Jean and Roger Nield]

Hi Niki and Jeff: This message is for Jeff. GET YOUR HAIR CUT!!!!!! Grandma

[Jean Nield]

Hi Niki and Jeff: Happy Canada Day. Your trip sounds great except for the food. We'll stick to good old hamburgers!! Enjoy the rest of your trip. Miss you lots. Love, Grandma and Roger