Hello China, Hello Beijing

The day came to leave.  Still not really able to replace the nervousness/stress, that I always experience when preparing to travel, with any kind of excitement, I arrived at the airport.  The queue just to get bags checked-in was the longest I remember.  And it seems you have to queue … See more...

Beijing Zoo

20180821_103044_mmexport1534843842937Woke up really early, which is usual for me being on holiday despite being extra tired, and XR joined me with XJ for breakfast.

I was then able to rest for a short while before going to Beijing Zoo metro station to meet KY, who arrived shortly after I got … See more...

Blue Frog Surprise

This evening I went over to Jiangtai to meet SL, and we went to Blue Frog for dinner which was great. No apologies that I had “western” food again; I expect I will have Chinese food tomorrow.

Finally, just to remind me how small the world is, on the way … See more...

Badaling

Well, quite a day today! Up a little late again, rushed breakfast and headed to Huoying to meet YX. It was her (Gregorian) birthday today, which is why I was particularly glad that she was able to take the day off to go to the Great Wall. Yes, we have … See more...

Taiyanggong

Arriving back down from visiting the Great Wall, we were again accosted by drivers wanting to take us back. Ironically, yet perhaps not surprisingly, the price was now double. But I really wanted to get back to town to meet M and Y, so somewhat uncertainly finally decided to take … See more...

Coffee Station

A much more relaxed day today, although I had a slightly rushed breakfast because I got up late and needed to freshen up, pack and check-out before going to meet Y.  Y met me at the metro and we popped into KFC to meet her parents and her baby girl.  … See more...

Xi’an Sleeper

Boarding the train, the numbering system was a little confusing, as there are three numbers outside each door, a big one and two smaller ones. Eventually I worked out that the ticket number referred to the little numbers, which is the berth (bed) number as there are two. There were … See more...

The Long Journey Home

It’s been a long holiday, but gone so quickly.  It’s time to go home.

Bus to the Hong Kong Airport Express.

The Airport Express is quite a cool system as you check-in for the plane at the station before you even get to the airport.

And we board the plane … See more...