Woke up early this morning, which appeared to be extra early due to my phone settings (which indicated that it was one hourlater than in reality). Anyway, due to this early hourthe temperature was still agreable, so I quickly took the subway and a short taxi ride to the "Summer Palace".

This was the place where the emperor used to pass the summer, since it was cooler than his palace in the city due to the presence of a lake and mountain.

At the palace I really started my day with a nice breakfast consisting of beef-noodles and expresso. With my energy-level to the max. I bought an entry ticket and map of the Palace.

After passing the gate I am interrupted by people trying to sell stuff and a nice Chinese girl that wants to give me a guided tour of the place. Not willing to pay extra for a guide (I had bought the map) and suspicious of the often mentioned scam-artists, I am hesitant in my response. Luckily she explains that she is a guide in training for the Beijing area, and in order to obtain the "degree" she has to pass an exam. For this reason she has been preparing notes on the different tourist attractions and needs people to try out her guided tour (free of charge!).

As she seems really nice, and the tour is free, I gave in and agreed to take her tour. After introducing each other (she is called Lihui) we start the tour, which was actually very good. Besides she had a very good level of English!

As we go along, we talk a bit about each others background and on Chinese culture. As she told me, she is an interpreter which not only gives her much practice in speaking English but also gives her 15 days off per month that she uses to give tours.

After this we had a great lunch of dumplings and afterwards we went to the Lama temple, another beautiful place.

Soon after this visit we both had to continue our separate paths, but it felt kinda strange to say goodbye after spending such a nice day together!

Perhaps we will see each other again in the future; I certainly hope so!