Volcanic ash interrupted our trip home from interstate. Sick of travelling with no clean clothes.
We had a short 5.5 hour stay at my brothers house interstate transiting through.
Home is good - your own bed even better!!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Beijing
We got around most times in Beijing via the subway. We were staying in a Hutong near the XiSi subway line which meant easy access then to the other lines. There are something like 10 subway lines in Beijing and no matter where you get out, the cost is a very modest 2 yuan (or 30 cents) each trip.
The taxi drivers had a strong distaste for foreigners with children and I suspected they didn't want their pristine white seat covers in the rear to be made dirty (by little feet) and there was the English problem. If they did take us they tried their hardest to rip us off. I thought it would have been much easier but we had issues certainly finding a cab to Panjiayuan flea or dirt market, and ended up opting for the Temple of Heaven/Hong Qiao and Toy Market... boy you could do some damage if you were child free and not under time pressure. I got another camera memory chip that was supposed to be ligitamite but given the error messages I am now receiving suspect otherwise.
There were some stalls selling Lego equivalents (Chinese brand perhaps) which included the Forbidden City, the modern towers from Shanghai and the Eifel tower.
The acrobatics were fantastic and we also saw the Beijng Night Show which had the most AMAZING change of costumes you could imagine. Lotus begrudged her stroller often but we tempted her with showing off her acrobats. (After seeing like 15 ladies on one bike one child standing on one leg in stroller was easy right?). We ended up missing a few things trying to line up the meeting with the policeman that wrote Charlotte's report. But of course that chance meeting could not be missed.
Coming home now we are missing our continual heavy schedule of going out but it is nice to adjust to a more normal routine/culture. Carseats are great and save your back.
The subway trains are so full (like every 3 minutes on line 1, and always, always full not matter if it was 7am on Sunday or what). The only time the subway was NOT full was when we got on the 2nd last station for one line and off at the 3rd last station. People usually gave me a seat if carrying Lotus and also my father. The subway system is for the very young with all the stairs interconnecting the changeover stations, and the mass crowds. But so much of modern China is catering to the young 20 -30 year old crowd.
My father commented many times, 'where are all the older people'. Unlike prior visits we didn't see baby boys of a massive size sitting on the back of a bike getting pedalled here and there. Actually I don't think we saw any really overweight babies at all.
In one place the ladies doing our nails were surpised I was single and then surprised I loved kids with '2 of them'.. as though they were something totally distasteful.
The Great Wall was truly spectacular and probably we should have scheduled it later in our trip. Grandpa was exhausted although we did get the cable car up, but that still meant further 'up' and then the stairs on the wall itself. Anyone looking to lose any amount of weight could readily achieve it on the wall - no problems so long as you are careful not to slip, have plenty water etc. We went to the Mu Tian Yu section which was readily accessed using the subway, Bus 216 and then a mini van for about 88 yuan each (with Lotus being free).
On return trips when the girls are older we will obviously do much more such as go to the areas where the wall has not been reconstructed.
Grandpa is in awe of what he saw and did. The dinner at Bai Jia Yun restaurant was spectacular and you have pictured the flower salad that had onions in it along with balsamic vinegar that was lovely. We got a 100 yuan pot of Jasmine tea that was beautiful too. The ladies pictured in their Qing dynasty costumes were from the same restaurant and we also had some Beijing Opera, music along with the dancing - very memorable - dinning like the Emperors family.
The taxi drivers had a strong distaste for foreigners with children and I suspected they didn't want their pristine white seat covers in the rear to be made dirty (by little feet) and there was the English problem. If they did take us they tried their hardest to rip us off. I thought it would have been much easier but we had issues certainly finding a cab to Panjiayuan flea or dirt market, and ended up opting for the Temple of Heaven/Hong Qiao and Toy Market... boy you could do some damage if you were child free and not under time pressure. I got another camera memory chip that was supposed to be ligitamite but given the error messages I am now receiving suspect otherwise.
There were some stalls selling Lego equivalents (Chinese brand perhaps) which included the Forbidden City, the modern towers from Shanghai and the Eifel tower.
The acrobatics were fantastic and we also saw the Beijng Night Show which had the most AMAZING change of costumes you could imagine. Lotus begrudged her stroller often but we tempted her with showing off her acrobats. (After seeing like 15 ladies on one bike one child standing on one leg in stroller was easy right?). We ended up missing a few things trying to line up the meeting with the policeman that wrote Charlotte's report. But of course that chance meeting could not be missed.
Coming home now we are missing our continual heavy schedule of going out but it is nice to adjust to a more normal routine/culture. Carseats are great and save your back.
The subway trains are so full (like every 3 minutes on line 1, and always, always full not matter if it was 7am on Sunday or what). The only time the subway was NOT full was when we got on the 2nd last station for one line and off at the 3rd last station. People usually gave me a seat if carrying Lotus and also my father. The subway system is for the very young with all the stairs interconnecting the changeover stations, and the mass crowds. But so much of modern China is catering to the young 20 -30 year old crowd.
My father commented many times, 'where are all the older people'. Unlike prior visits we didn't see baby boys of a massive size sitting on the back of a bike getting pedalled here and there. Actually I don't think we saw any really overweight babies at all.
In one place the ladies doing our nails were surpised I was single and then surprised I loved kids with '2 of them'.. as though they were something totally distasteful.
The Great Wall was truly spectacular and probably we should have scheduled it later in our trip. Grandpa was exhausted although we did get the cable car up, but that still meant further 'up' and then the stairs on the wall itself. Anyone looking to lose any amount of weight could readily achieve it on the wall - no problems so long as you are careful not to slip, have plenty water etc. We went to the Mu Tian Yu section which was readily accessed using the subway, Bus 216 and then a mini van for about 88 yuan each (with Lotus being free).
On return trips when the girls are older we will obviously do much more such as go to the areas where the wall has not been reconstructed.
Grandpa is in awe of what he saw and did. The dinner at Bai Jia Yun restaurant was spectacular and you have pictured the flower salad that had onions in it along with balsamic vinegar that was lovely. We got a 100 yuan pot of Jasmine tea that was beautiful too. The ladies pictured in their Qing dynasty costumes were from the same restaurant and we also had some Beijing Opera, music along with the dancing - very memorable - dinning like the Emperors family.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Hundreds pics - where to start
How about some scorpions and sea horses on a stick with the former still wiggling?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Blogger was totally blocked in China
Sorry for lack of posts - will try to post some pics soon - trip was fantastic.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
More tidbits
What about visiting the Museum of Tap Water or the Beijing Police Museum? Beijing has it all.
The Hutong areas to the East and West of Tianamen Square are decorated more than those to the north or south. Artists and merchants lived to the North and South traditional. And of course the artist area Li Liu Chang is just south west of Tianament Square so that makes sense.
Dongzhimen Transport Hub Station seems to connect services from the airport, buses and subway and is a good place to catch buses to the Great Wall.
A colleague suggested a must see in Beijing is the concert hall which I had thought was to the south of Tianamen but can't seem to currently find it so we might need direction.
The Hutong areas to the East and West of Tianamen Square are decorated more than those to the north or south. Artists and merchants lived to the North and South traditional. And of course the artist area Li Liu Chang is just south west of Tianament Square so that makes sense.
Dongzhimen Transport Hub Station seems to connect services from the airport, buses and subway and is a good place to catch buses to the Great Wall.
A colleague suggested a must see in Beijing is the concert hall which I had thought was to the south of Tianamen but can't seem to currently find it so we might need direction.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Changing itinerary
We are doing fine tuning here and there for the trip.
It is uncertain in places if we can visit anytime or only when shows are on e.g. at the China Puppet Theater, but will hopefully sort that out before we go.
Backup options if things do not work out as expected include the Sony ExplorScience centre, Liu Ren Papercut House (artist assists children to make the papercuts) or if we got desperate there are a couple of fun parks such as the Happy Valley (queues can be up to 3 hours long 1 ride though - Disney take Chinese style), or the Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park seemingly very close to Tianamen square.
We bought some chocolates for the children at the orphanage when we visit Childrens Day. And it looks like we will visit at 9am and my father can do a show to help the celebrations. Last year the Children then went on to McDonalds for lunch so we will follow if possible. In the same city we will visit the world famous Laobian dumpling restaurant and a Korean area too.
Our last night we will dine at the Bai Jia Da Yuan Restaurant which will be a very special treat for Charlotte Qing dynasty style.
Just when you think you have what to do set, you find more info and things alter, but it is comforting knowing what is possible.
We have booked acrobats, tea ceremony folk show, the Beijing night show which includes a mix of Chinese talents such as kungfu, Chinese opera and again acrobatics.
We are yet to book the train tickets (we prefer the fast options just over 4 hours), and seemingly need to pre-book our visit to Happy City for the girls to spend and earn their fake yuan.
In the South East part of Beijing there is a Shadow Puppet museum, although when you look into it there is a museum for just about anything including postage stamps and shells or ancient coins.
A big concern is the traffic conjestion although by all accounts the subway takes care of that problem to a large extent. In a prior pre-child visit I recall having to listen so intently to the station names to work out where on the map you might be. Given the Olympics have been and gone it seems that magnetic ticketing cards can be readily used on the subway as opposed to paper tickets, but hopefully a little English or pinyin has crept into the signage.
Speaking of congestion, it surely couldn't be worse than HCMC Ho Chi Minh City and all those motor bikes, right??
It is uncertain in places if we can visit anytime or only when shows are on e.g. at the China Puppet Theater, but will hopefully sort that out before we go.
Backup options if things do not work out as expected include the Sony ExplorScience centre, Liu Ren Papercut House (artist assists children to make the papercuts) or if we got desperate there are a couple of fun parks such as the Happy Valley (queues can be up to 3 hours long 1 ride though - Disney take Chinese style), or the Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park seemingly very close to Tianamen square.
We bought some chocolates for the children at the orphanage when we visit Childrens Day. And it looks like we will visit at 9am and my father can do a show to help the celebrations. Last year the Children then went on to McDonalds for lunch so we will follow if possible. In the same city we will visit the world famous Laobian dumpling restaurant and a Korean area too.
Our last night we will dine at the Bai Jia Da Yuan Restaurant which will be a very special treat for Charlotte Qing dynasty style.
Just when you think you have what to do set, you find more info and things alter, but it is comforting knowing what is possible.
We have booked acrobats, tea ceremony folk show, the Beijing night show which includes a mix of Chinese talents such as kungfu, Chinese opera and again acrobatics.
We are yet to book the train tickets (we prefer the fast options just over 4 hours), and seemingly need to pre-book our visit to Happy City for the girls to spend and earn their fake yuan.
In the South East part of Beijing there is a Shadow Puppet museum, although when you look into it there is a museum for just about anything including postage stamps and shells or ancient coins.
A big concern is the traffic conjestion although by all accounts the subway takes care of that problem to a large extent. In a prior pre-child visit I recall having to listen so intently to the station names to work out where on the map you might be. Given the Olympics have been and gone it seems that magnetic ticketing cards can be readily used on the subway as opposed to paper tickets, but hopefully a little English or pinyin has crept into the signage.
Speaking of congestion, it surely couldn't be worse than HCMC Ho Chi Minh City and all those motor bikes, right??
Thursday, May 19, 2011
What to do in Beijing
The options available in Beijing of what to visit/do is mind blowing.
We will try our best to group things in areas.
Near the Temple of Heaven park is the HongQiao Pearl Market, and adjoining toy market, a little south-east the 'dirt' market with all sorts of goods. After the Temple of Heaven we could then take in the Natural History Museum (in the same park as the Temple of Heaven) that has dinosaur bones - and if there was any chance of any steam left there is the Tiandi acrobat theatre again very close.
Re the Great Wall we will take a bus from near a subway station and go to Badalong (the really steep overcrowded part), and then another bus to the next section which is not so bad.
Inbetween times we will visit various hutong areas, the HouHai lake area at night time not far from the hutongs, the summer palace, and the zoo to see the pandas of course.
In the Chaoyang district there is the Ya Chow market which is meant to be good, but that is also the area of the acrobatics so that would be best combined in one trip.
Charlotte's Chinese teacher has asked we buy some Beijing opera masks for the school.
Re night shows it seems there is also a wide choice: Kung Fu, numerous acrobatic troups, the Beijing Show (with a mix of all sorts) etc.
We have to factor in what is open on weekends, some down time and maybe some mummy and Charlotte time alone especially in her city.
There are number of areas that will look very beautiful at night time like the Olympic stadiums, the old traditional Qing dynasty buildings with lights decorating them etc (but don't expect anything as full on as when we visited YuYuan gardens just on CNY.
Oh and there is an artist area where will buy some camel hair, horse hair etc brushes as Anne Spudvillas had pointed out to us. OK more homework to do to find out where that is. In Charlotte's city we have arranged a guide/van to visit the SWI and will have one day to visit the shopping area and another day to visit the palace (a comparative holiday before/after Beijing).
We are all excited.
In reality a month would be better than a week or so, but plenty to do next time we visit.
We will try our best to group things in areas.
Near the Temple of Heaven park is the HongQiao Pearl Market, and adjoining toy market, a little south-east the 'dirt' market with all sorts of goods. After the Temple of Heaven we could then take in the Natural History Museum (in the same park as the Temple of Heaven) that has dinosaur bones - and if there was any chance of any steam left there is the Tiandi acrobat theatre again very close.
Re the Great Wall we will take a bus from near a subway station and go to Badalong (the really steep overcrowded part), and then another bus to the next section which is not so bad.
Inbetween times we will visit various hutong areas, the HouHai lake area at night time not far from the hutongs, the summer palace, and the zoo to see the pandas of course.
In the Chaoyang district there is the Ya Chow market which is meant to be good, but that is also the area of the acrobatics so that would be best combined in one trip.
Charlotte's Chinese teacher has asked we buy some Beijing opera masks for the school.
Re night shows it seems there is also a wide choice: Kung Fu, numerous acrobatic troups, the Beijing Show (with a mix of all sorts) etc.
We have to factor in what is open on weekends, some down time and maybe some mummy and Charlotte time alone especially in her city.
There are number of areas that will look very beautiful at night time like the Olympic stadiums, the old traditional Qing dynasty buildings with lights decorating them etc (but don't expect anything as full on as when we visited YuYuan gardens just on CNY.
Oh and there is an artist area where will buy some camel hair, horse hair etc brushes as Anne Spudvillas had pointed out to us. OK more homework to do to find out where that is. In Charlotte's city we have arranged a guide/van to visit the SWI and will have one day to visit the shopping area and another day to visit the palace (a comparative holiday before/after Beijing).
We are all excited.
In reality a month would be better than a week or so, but plenty to do next time we visit.
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