Day 1...Beijing

Well, we landed at 7am this morning after a very long but empty flight, so even though we could lay out on the seats it must be something about planes that makes it so hard to sleep.

Our first aim of the day was to get to the city centre and find the hotel, after initial confusement about the bus (mainly because our book told us there was two buses Route A & B - they lied - there is about 6 airport shuttle buses - but there routes are written in English so it was so bad) we made it to the city centre (Beijing Railway station). This bit of information is for those planning to go to Beijing soon but our book (Rough guide) also said that the city centre is far too large to walk around and advised to take a taxi, however we have walked everywhere including to the hotel on the first day, just buy a street map in the airport (12 yuan or Euro 1.20) and you can find your way around no problem. Obviously, if you hate walking then there are taxis available on every street corner.

One thing I was not prepared for by any means was the weather. It hasnt rained or snowed (although there is some leftover snow on the sides of the road in areas), it is just freezing! To open the map when we first reached the city centre we had to go into KFC for the warmth and consideration for our fingers. Dom ended up feeling guilty standing in KFC without buying anything and bought what ended up as a vegetarian burger meal at 9:00am in a packed KFC!

Found the hotel no problem and committed a jet lag sin by going for a nap instead of trying stay awake the whole day. The hotel we stayed in is pretty typical, bed, TV, Western style toilet (thats rated at a 2* - so quite good I think) but at the same time is definately proof that hotel prices on the internet are inflated as the rooms are actually cheaper if we were to book it here directly.

Afterwards, we headed on an initial exploration (Forbidden City, Tian-anmen Square and around). They were very 'grand' in themselves to see, but at first glance, they lack the presence of detail that gives you the 'wow factor', as much as I dont like to say, I was not overwhelmed by the architecture. In saying this, we did not go inside as we do this when we join up with the tour in a couple of days so maybe its all about the interior. The outside was unqiue in the fact that it covered such a large area, comparable to...I can't actually think of another square that is as big...so that must say something about it!

This brings me onto Beijing itself, very expansive, the roads are wide and the buildings fairly spread out. However, due to the abundance of space everywhere it actually feels like the city is missing something. Also the buildings (that we have seen) are square, with pretty typical square windows (I know that sounds like a silly comment), basically trying to get across that nothing interesting about the architecture has struck me (yet!). Im sure there are areas where it is the hustling, bustling, loud, bike filled market city I was expecting.

Also, as yet, im getting quite annoyed by some people. Most people, just like home, if they are walking down the street ignore you, and unfortunately its the ones that are trying to be so nice to you that we have come to learn are just trying to sell something. Fair enough, we scream 'tourist' white skin blond(ish) hair, wrapped up to the nines - but does that mean we have money? It costs an arm and a leg to get to China, so do all these people that approach us "hello sir/lady can we improve our English" really think that we have extra money to blow on scams? I actually read about that in our book - luckily we copped on straight away, and its actually quite amazing that if you ignore those approaching you and who start talking to you, they do actually leave you alone. Be aware though not to become arrogant, as we found ourselves being rude to someone who turned out actually wanted to help us (we were lost on the Metro).

Anyway, a more positive note...food...we walked up Wangfujing to find somewhere to eat, when we turned the corner on to this street at night it turned into what I wazs expecting of Beijing (minus the bikes) bright lights, lots of people, restaurants, shops. The Hutongs (market stall areas) were amazing off to the side of this street, it is amazing what people will try and sell you though..."Look sir its a match - no gas!". Went to the reccommended Wangfujing Quanjude Roast Duck restaurant. We got half roast duck with the trimmings and a portion of spring rolls - this sounds like an escape of having to try real Chinese food, but really the motive was neither of these choices involved the use of chopsticks. One observation we made was that none of the duck goes to waste, on the menu was duck tongue, liver, intestines and skull (which appeared on our table!)

It has been an enjoyable and wonderful first day, hopefully a sign of the next nine weeks to come!

As always,

Team Domro

xx

P.S. Special note goes out to Tim - Happy Birthday from the both of us!!