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Yippee!!! I made it to Beijing. Checked in and met my room mate - let the tour begin. ;o)
We've had our briefing and handed over the paperwork and discovered we’re in a small group (4 chicks, 1 bloke and the lovely Chan is here to show us around China).
First dinner goes well, I even try a local beer - oh oh, not bad actually. Tomorrow is going to be a big day so it’s a quiet first night in preparation.
Ok, so we’re off to the Forbidden City and I’m so glad, it’s a smoggy day, which just adds to the eeriness. Wow - can you believe this was off limits to all unless invited for over 400 years?
Our plan is to enter via the north gate and walk south, then cross the road to Tiananmen Square. Great plan because it meant we were there before the ‘hordes’ of people arrived.
The Forbidden City is so very impressive. Some of the wings are currently being restored in preparation for the Olympic games but everything from the 400 year old trees to the soldiers are breathtaking.
Then we crossed the road to
Tiananmen Square. It’s one of the largest squares in the world and is just the best place to people watch. It’s got everything - Olympics countdown, more soldiers, funky hairstyles & a row of canons that makes you think what it must have been like in 1989.
We’re feeling a little weary so it must be time to ‘re-fuel’. We head to a local restaurant and ‘stuff ourselves’. The sweet & sour pork was the best I’d had in a long time, throw in some broccoli, sweet potato chips, bok choy, beans and mushrooms, chicken, the dishes just kept coming and … it was all just a little over AUD$3 each!! I’m soo gunna love it here.
I got my call from Colin (relocated from Bondi to Beijing) so we’re off and out on the town tonight - woohoo, can’t wait.
First stop his hotel - Have to ‘pop’ my Champagne - not carting it around any longer. Now off to Korean for dinner, mmm meat, meat and more meat, now need a drink so off to Colin’s local, ‘The Den’ for some Martini’s. Oh so cute, their half price but served up in little martini glasses.
We stay for a bit then move onto “China Doll” for a boogie. It’s a great club, dancing, dj’s and all the chicks are soo frocked up in hot little numbers. Moet? Colin asks. “Yes please” and off we go. Hi, I’m Bridget from Sydney…. Hi, I’m Bridget, here on holidays…. I met soo many people, Oh my God! Is that the time? Shit! I’m trekking 10km’s on the Great Wall in a few hours…. Exit, stage left!
It’s 6am and I’ve had 2 hours sleep, up, in the shower and in the van - NOW! A 3 hour drive and guess who the entertainment was, all the way - hehehe - look, look, there it is! “Lets go. I can’t believe I’m here”.
We start our adventure at Jinshanling (a beautiful and secluded section of the Wall) and walk in an easterly direction towards Simatain. The distance is only about 10 kms but it took us four hours as it really is very steep in parts and some parts had not yet been restored so it was pretty slow going at times. To the left was Mongolia and on the right was China and we were so
lucky because today was a clear day and we got to see as far as our eyes could see. What a wonderful day! It started off windy and fresh but by the time we finished, it was hot, very hot and we were absolutely stuffed. Another van trip back to Beijing then a little nana nap is needed before dinner.
So, when in Beijing….. Peking Duck is a must. We order 2 ducks with the lot, rice paper rolls, onions, cucumber, sauce and even had the duck soup at the end. What a truly memorable 24 hours in Beijing. I got to hang out with my friend, dance the night away, then up trekking on the Wall and finish it with Peking Duck. It’s certainly up there with one of the bestest days ever.
Sunday gives us a free day so I choose to hang out with Colin and this time I take him somewhere he hasn’t been to. We start with a hearty brunch (western style) then off to his markets, where we both buy day packs - love mine, it’s got a laptop padded section, which in Sydney was going to cost me $200 but here
was less that $20.
Then I wanted to check out the Silk Markets. Wow! A shoppers paradise - 6 levels of rows and rows of stalls. Everything from Cashmere coats to Calvin Klein knickers, but it does take its toll. The trick is to “don’t fight it, go with it.” When they say ‘hello beautiful lady', you say ‘hello beautiful lady’ right back. We had heaps of fun, but it was fast approaching ‘beer o’clock’ so outside for some more people watching.
After quite a few beers, it was time to say goodbye as I had an overnight train to Datong to catch
“Bridg in Beijing” - What an experience I had. I just can’t wipe the silly smile off my face.
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Daniela
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Wow!!
Bridg, thank you for that commentary I am going to plan Beijing for October and am really looking forward to it!! Love the photo of the wall. Imagine what you're going to write about London hehe xc see you soon!!