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So we have arrived in sweltering Beijing, despite having sadly failed to get upgraded on the second bit of the flight...oh well, cant have everything!
So...Beijing is VAST! It took us nearly an hour to navigate the airport (which is roughly the size of a small town), and then on the way in we saw so many high rise enormous buildings al so close together that it was quite unbelievable. Surprisingly managed to get taxi driver to take us to the exact right place (nicolas a forward-planning genius), and then headed out for an explore.Our hotel is really near tian an men square and the forbidden city so we headed there straight away for a "potter". We didn't realise that both are absolutely ginormous and as a result the day turned into a trek. Probably should have realised that it's called the forbidden "city" and therefore managing to walk around it in 2 hours was somewhat ambitious. Particularly as it was about 40 degrees and there aren't many places in the shade!!! The square has such a strong military presence that the atmosphere is slightly uncomfortable, but the forbidden city is utterly stunning....even if walking through it does feel like it will never end! Nicola got some awesome photos- its amazing because you're standing in the middle of ancient china, with new Beijing and its sky-scrapers all around you but you can't see them, only brilliant blue sky. Felt a bit parched so time for our first Chinese icecream....choice of chocolate, yogurt or green pea! Not feeling massively adventurous so went for chocolate- maybe try the pea another day!
So after about 4 hours and a hunt for this tower we wanted to climb (but later realised that section was closed and we had seen were workers not tourists!) we were so hot we basically couldn't move, and didn't fancy a pea ice cream. We decided to get a cab back to the hotel- except instead of a normal cab we got bicycle rickshaws! Great fun (if a little hair raising!!). Felt l bad making a small Chinese man cycle me in this heat, but then they tried to rip us off and didn't take us to the right place, so lesson learnt! Did get an unplanned cycle through the Beijing hutongs though, so not all bad and he went in for a hug at the end. Creep.
We thought going to eat some Peking duck would be appropriate for our first night so we went to a restaurant near the hotel where lots of locals were- delicious!!! went for a wander round the Beijing night market- didn't fancy shark or starfish on a stick so will probably give that a miss for dinner, but it looks a bit like times square but the neon signs are in Chinese.
Great wall tomorrow! Fingers crosse d we survive the toboggan!!
Gemma and Nicola xxx
- comments
Lauren Reed Sounds wonderful ladies, glad you're having a nice time! Get lots of pics of the wall!! Take care, Lauren xxx
Ting Tong Oh, sounds very exciting. I would've sweated away my entire body mass! xxx
Anna Assaf Wow! Sounds like you're having a great time already. Great to read about your adventures. Anna XX
candace Dovey Think I would struggle to survive as a veggie - Peking Duck DELICIOUS ... I think not !!!!! Starfish on a stick( maybe as a solar light ) ? Living on icecream and lychees a possibility? I can hear you moaning from this far away Gemma . Better go. Have a wonderful time both of you . Love Mum XXXX