Nearly home after three frenetic days in Beijing. We had no gmail, or FB, or google, so I was basically cut off from the internet. It was unbelievably hot and humid and our first afternoon we were meant to see the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square and because of the heat and humidity there was the thought that we all go via wheel chairs and be pushed through as there was no turning back once you got in. The consensus was we would miss that trip. We were all pretty weary after the trip,through Mongolia and the night on the Chinese Train. That train was more spacious than our Tzars train and was electric so quieter also. No toilets or showers en suite, but there was a flush toilet close by so not a problem. Our night in the turf proved nit to be as cold as expected so didn’t use my down vest, or jacket, however this was used to cover my progress to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I did look a sight!
Beijing is a most beautiful city and the buildings are something to behold. All glass exteriors, and lots of green spaces and trees. I believe they plant many trees each year which helps with the pollution too. Skies weren’t clear for most of the time we were there. Oddly enough, we had Chinese food, three times a day..it was on the buffet table at the hotel at breakfast. All very good, too. Our hotel was quite splendid, and we enjoyed spreading out after our time on the trains. Our highlight of the time there was a rickshaw ride through an area of the city called HuTong. These are small houses around a central courtyard and are passed down through the generations. No toilet facilities there so all the families visit the communal toilets and shower facilities. Poor rickshaw driver was sweating with the exertion of having two of us in his carriage.
We went to the Great Wall of China and a few walked to the first or second tower...we didn’t even go into the wall as the humidity and heat so incredible.
Left the hotel in Beijing this a.m. at noon for the one hour drive to the airport. The traffic unbelievable. The airport a mass of humanity and finally arrived at our gate about a hour from departure at 4 p.m. our flight was uneventful and long and it took us over an hour to retrieve our luggage. We were prepared to claim at baggage for lost luggage when finally the last ones arrived. We were met by a coach and finally arrived back in Kelowna at 8 p.m.
it has been a long and busy trip. What an adventure.
Diane Draffin 🌷
Beijing is a most beautiful city and the buildings are something to behold. All glass exteriors, and lots of green spaces and trees. I believe they plant many trees each year which helps with the pollution too. Skies weren’t clear for most of the time we were there. Oddly enough, we had Chinese food, three times a day..it was on the buffet table at the hotel at breakfast. All very good, too. Our hotel was quite splendid, and we enjoyed spreading out after our time on the trains. Our highlight of the time there was a rickshaw ride through an area of the city called HuTong. These are small houses around a central courtyard and are passed down through the generations. No toilet facilities there so all the families visit the communal toilets and shower facilities. Poor rickshaw driver was sweating with the exertion of having two of us in his carriage.
We went to the Great Wall of China and a few walked to the first or second tower...we didn’t even go into the wall as the humidity and heat so incredible.
Left the hotel in Beijing this a.m. at noon for the one hour drive to the airport. The traffic unbelievable. The airport a mass of humanity and finally arrived at our gate about a hour from departure at 4 p.m. our flight was uneventful and long and it took us over an hour to retrieve our luggage. We were prepared to claim at baggage for lost luggage when finally the last ones arrived. We were met by a coach and finally arrived back in Kelowna at 8 p.m.
it has been a long and busy trip. What an adventure.
Diane Draffin 🌷
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