Hey well ive made it the length of Beijing. Was so excited to get here could hardly wait. It took me a day and a bit to get to Beijing from Ulaanbaatar on the train. The train journey was great crossing the Gobi Dessert! It was so beautiful. Did the whole border crossings thing again...just took 5hrs this time. We had to get the train wheels (called boggies) changed to different ones...because the track width is different in China. Was really interesting you watch.
Anyways i arrived on Frid 5th and got the transfer to the hostel. Beijing is absolutely massive! We settled in and then everybody headed off to do their own thing. Me and Ems went to Tian'anmen Square...it is so nice, got to see it lite up at nite was really nice. Got some local food from a wee market that we past on way back...it was delicious. Dont ask me what it was because i dont ave a clue i just pointed and got it. Turned out good!
Went on a trip then to a well know section of the Great Wall...it was brilliant. Took just over a hour to hike to the top of the section. The steps were massive and so steep...i had elvis legs by the time i made it to the top! The view from the top was brilliant...i loved it. How they built that wall is just amazin. Goin again to a more remote part next week really lookin forward to that. Still cant believe i was on the great wall...its great! lol
Seen the olympic stadium thats being built for next year, it looks cool and they will be finished it by the end of this year and the thing isnt to August 2008!
Stopped at the Jade making factory this was cool...the chinese people are very talented at their crafts. Also seen some pottery making. Then the last stop was to a traditional tea house. Augh it was great...got to taste loadsa teas, completely different from home but all really nice. Was peein all evening after it i drunk that much lol. Headed out that nite to the bars, was the last nite out for the Vodka train group. Had a brilliant time and lost count how many chinese people took our photos...was so funny.
Sunday was the last day of the Vodka Train :( gonna miss the group they were all such craic...my wee partner in crime Emily flew home sunday back to Melbourne so its a bit weird without her but im for meeting up with here when i get that length so got that to look forward too!! There is a few that stayed on longer so meeting up with them tonite for a meal. Most are leaving tomorro for home. We went though on Sunday nite to see some traditional performing chinese arts, and kungfu stuff, it was brilliant. Theres 4 of the group that will be on my next tour that starts tomoro so thats good...im glad i will at least know someone.
Last few days ive spend sightseeing...went to the Lama temple and a few parks and a few more temples. Leavin the bigger things to see with the next group, cos some of them are included and i aint doin them twice. Met up with Yan's friend Coca...he's been a great help and has taken me places that i would never have got too on me own. He took me to a Hutong (its wee small back streets with local people and traditional crafts etc) it was brilliant, got spun about in this wee tricycle was so funny. He's a lovely fella and ive really enjoyed his company now that im on me own for a few days. Thanx wee Yan for that!!
I braved the metro today instead of getting a taxi into see Liz before she left to go to airport at lunchtime...managed grand was easier than i thought it was goin to be. The scary part is how many people there are here it is just crazy!! so many cars as well and there is no such thing as stopping for a red light half of them still drive on!!
Well so far i love Beijing and the people are lovely...this place is absolutely massive. My hotel is a bit outta town so tomorro i will be moving in closer to the center so will not have to take the metro as much. But alls good for now and looking forward to starting my next trip tomoro and meeting up with all the new people there. The food is good as well...i have been tryin new things, i even tried the lining of a sheeps stomach, was yuck!! but i did it. Ave tried loads that I would never have been eating sweet and sour pork, kongpow chicken and loads more...this is definitely different for me...but still missing my food at home! its hard to beat mums good spuds lol!
I'll keep you's posted on what happens next...but for now im here in Beijing to Saturday morning and then leave to go to the Great Wall for a few days yeppie!!!
Well i met up with the new group so not on me own anymore for a while neways. Everyone is really nice, alot of couples in the group, theres just me and one other single traveller but alls grand. Went out for Peking Duck dinner to get to know everyone...the meal was really nice, so i can now add duck to my list lol!
Had the next few days free so headed out to see the Summer Palace its really stunning, was pretty misty that day so didnt get too good of pics...constant hass over the place really annoying. Also went to the Temple of Heaven and onto the Pearl Market. It was crazy everyone shouting "Hey Lady you buy this, cheap cheap" lol it was so funny they grab you by the arm and pull you in all directions. Couldnt spend so long ther it near drove me nuts but was so so funny.
On last nite headed to see the Legend of Kung Fu show at the Red Threatre....awh it was absolutely amazin!! Think ill take up my Kungfu again wen i get back home lol. It was so cool i loved it til bits.
That was my time done in Beijing...really liked it and there was still loads to do. Checkout of hotel and headed on the 3hr bus drive to the Great Wall...i could hardly settle i was so excited!!
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