We Made It… to BEIJING

After a smooth flight to Detroit and a really Good Burger from Chiles, we hopped the plane to Beijing and I guess you would call it the Red-Eye, except that arrived in Beijing at 11:30 PM. That was thanks to the time difference being 12 hours ahead. That was a long flight (13 hours) and lots of water and position moving got us through. I would say that both of us felt like Roy Rogers on the saddle when we arrived as the cushioning was not to our taste. Sacrifices, sacrifices. Anyhow, after meeting our guide Michael, we arrived at our hotel around 1 AM. What a suite we had at the Poly Plaza Hotel. Check out these accommodations. We felt like King and Queen Huntersville. 

View outside our hotel room

Comfey king size bed

Great bathroom with a heated toilet seat.

Sitting Area between the bathroom and the bedroom.

With a little sleep, we got up and had breakfast in the hotel and it was a Buffet with a mix of Western and Asian cuisine.  Must admit that we have not been at a lack for food since we’ve have gotten here.  And it has all been VERY GOOD.  After the meal, hopped a bus to Tiananmen Square.  We were dropped off in the middle of the square and had at least 5 thousand people around us.  Had some looks and even took some pictures with the locals which has been a theme throughout our trip.   They are amazed at the crazy Americans. 

Our travel group while we are here.

After the Square, we crossed the street to the Forbidden Temple where that 5 thousand multiplied into about 25 thousand it seemed.Lots of folks to have to wade through and it was certainly an experience to be in suchtight quarters (sometimes) with so many.A brand new experience for us as we like our personal space.After the first temple, we went into another, and another, and another.I think that it was 7 in all, and I wish that I could explain a bit of their meaning, but must admit that I wasn’t a very good student as we were just amazed at all of the people. The one story that I did remember was that one of the emporors had 3000 wives!Now all that I could think was they he was wishing for that little blue pill that we have today.If you need to clarify some information about the temples, Teri may have been a more intent listener, so you can ask her.Here are some of thephotos from that beautiful architecture. 

People People People every where

Next up, Lunch! And that was at the Jade factory which was a true Asian cuisine and it was Exceptional! The Sweet and Sour Chicken was the best that we have ever tasted. Afterward, the Jade factory workers took us on a tour of the facility and taught about the different purities of jade. We didn’t know that jade came in so many different color variations. Teri decided that she couldn’t do without a new bracelet (can you say Happy Aniversary…early). It is a really beautiful piece if I do say so. 

Artist cutting jade

Boat made entirely out of jade.

From there, it was onto the Great Wall.  Yes, we walked the Great Wall… but we didn’t buy the T-Shirt. It is hard to believe the angle that you are climbing and how it can really get to you.   There are no words to describe the experience being on  one of the 7 wonders of the world.  The incline was every bit of 45 to 50 degrees and the steps  we at different levels of height, so you couldn’t get a good feel for how far to step on each level.  One thing for sure… if you wanted to get into shape, this would be a great place to train.  I found out a few things about both of us; we need to get in better shape before attempting that again.  Amazing thing was that there were older cleaning workers, walking up and down as if it were nothing .  Kind of made us feel really out of shape. 

First level of the GREAT WALL!

Photo taken from the 4th level.

Haven’t mentioned it as yet, but we have made some new friends that are on the same journey.  More about them in the days to come.  After we took a quick shower at the hotel, we were off with these new partners in arms and had a nice outdoor meal at the Swiss Hotel across the street.    One thing that is obvious to all of us is this one thing: New York may be the city that never sleeps, but Beijing comes in a very close second.  People are always out walking, biking, driving, cooking on the sidewalks and eating.  Pretty amazing from what we are accustomed to.  Anyhow, that was Day One.  Gotcha Day is just around the corner!