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Published: December 3rd 2013
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First Thing We Saw in China
Buses were always on time and fairly comfortable and clean. Drivers were professional. This is at Beijing Airport. On the road again........
Another scratch off of our bucket list. China, for us, the trip of a lifetime. After enduring a more than fourteen hour flight from LAX to PEK, we landed in Beijing. We breezed through immigration and customs and met our China Spree travel guide. After rounding up all the members of our party we boarded our bus and headed for the hotel, and were we ready for it. We departed Friday morning just after midnight, crossed the international dateline and arrived on Saturday morning at about 5:00 a.m., more or less. So far, everything is clicking!
Okay, we arrive at the PentaHotel Beijing and grab our luggage. The guide, with his made up name of Clevin, has arranged for early check in for almost all of us. We thought we were done for the day, but Clevin told us to meet in the lobby at noon to head out to the Summer Palace. So, Rose and I grabbed a quick shower and met the rest of our group in the lobby. Oh, wait. I almost forgot. We happily discovered that most of our chargers worked on 220V, so we started charging our goodies. In my
Our Guide
Clevin accompanied us through both Beijing and Shanghai. His assistance in fixing problems was immeasurable. He made everything run as smoothly as silk. infinite wisdom, I bought a power strip so we could charge everything in one place. I plug it in to the 220v outlet and POW! Bzzzzt, and smoke. The lights went out. The TV no longer worked. Uh oh.
I went down to the front desk and told them about the power issue. I kinda sorta told them what happened but I don't think it much mattered. We also had problems with the safe in our room. No workee. They replaced it lmost immediately. The problem for me is that is was not bolted down. Why put your passports and money in a safe that is not bolted down? At ths point, I am not happy with it, but it is better than just leaving it in the room.
We try to impress upon the front desk staff that we really have no power in our room, but we aren't getting through. Clevin to the rescue. He took charge of the problem and not only got it fixed, but verified while we were still on the bus that it was taken care of. He did not know it at the time, but that earned him a nice tip.
Resting in the Hotel Room
The PentaHotel in Beijing was top notch. At the front desk we changed money to Chinese RMB or yuan. Make sure the money you bring from the US or wherever is in pristine condition. The tiniest tear will get it rejected.
More pics may appear at the bottom of posts.
Arrival at the Summer Palace - Attack of the Ninja Silk (Imitation Polyester) Vendors-----
We were warned. And they were there waiting for us, like buzzards waiting for roadkill. After running the gauntlet, we made it inside the gates of the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace was a getaway for the exclusive use of the emperor, and what a retreat it was and is.
We were on a tour, so out of necessity, we were kind of rushed through the palace. Even so, it was very impressive. The Long Corridor was just that....LONG! At the end of the Long Corridor, the Marble Boat is your reward. There is a highly over priced souvenir shop at the end and they will do everything in their power to sell you SOMETHING.
More on the Summer Palace and The Temple of Heaven in the next post.........
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