Set off from Exeter in luxury on National Express to Heathrow …. Oops sorry Brad!! By BMW.
All went well, flight OK. Arrived roughly on time. Now to amuse Nick Y, we took local transport to hotel, but by Butt misunderstanding managed to arrive at Tianamen Square, and start walking suitcases in-tow. Had a rough idea as to where the hotel was, but then Beijing is a big place. eventually we were picked up by two almost rickshaws. Actually two adapted bikes with seats on. Paul on one with suitcase, me on the other we set off for a tour of Beijing! What a sight we looked. After a lot of puffing, and not from us, we were dumped on a main road and said ‘hotel over there’ with a vague waft of the hand and asked for 60 quid. You can imagine Paul’s response, with my help they took us for a mere £30!! Only another half hour and we found hotel, great start … Ripped off in half an hour. (stop laughing Nick)
Above photo of our Courtyard Hotel in Beijing hutong
Afternoon walked to the drum tower and bell tower (ancient time and warning devices) and then around the hutongs. Bit like Chinese Brick Lane. Very few tourists and little English spoken, so a lot of actions. Ate tonight in hotels restaurant, insisting on Chinese food. Had hot bean soup, prince Qin beef, kong Poa chicken and rice with squid and prawns and some Tsingtao beer. All spicy and good, used chop sticks, so slow meal!! Is this what slow food means? Last items for the benefit of Slim and Fred!
The Drum Tower of Beijing with 24 drums aloft
