Snapshots of Beijing

Since arriving in Beijing last Sunday afternoon we have been on the go the whole time. We are now adept at using the subway and have even been on the public bus. We have walked many kilometres and seen a multitude of fascinating sights. Our chopstick skills have improved and our taste buds have been challenged at times.

Sunday

·      Our first trip on the subway and a chance to shop at the Silk Markets.

·      A chance to sample the local delight of Peking Duck for dinner. Taleisha and Marnie were even brave enough to try the duck's head!!

Monday

·      Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City meant we did a lot of walking this morning.

·      Lunch at a Dumpling restaurant

·      We walked through a hutong, and some well-presented public open space to get to Qianmen Antique Street (a re-creation of what streets looked like in the past)

·      After dinner we went to the Laoshe Teahouse to experience some of the culture of Beijing – comic acts, opera singing, and much more.

Tuesday

·      The Pandas at the zoo was our first stop

·      At the Beijing aquarium we saw the dolphin and sea-lion show and looked at many underwater creatures.

·      A boat trip along a man-made canal took us to the Summer Palace for a chanced to explore

·      Jeff was game enough to try a scorpion at the Donghuamen Night Markets. Many other interesting foods were also there to tempt us!

Wednesday

·      Many of the students decided today was the best day yet after they had a turn on the segways at the Bird’s Nest Stadium! Even Mrs McKay climbed to the top of the stadium for a look.

·      Inside the Water Cube a new water playground has recently opened. We didn’t have time to play but it looked like lots of fun.

·      We arrived at the Ethnic Park just in time to stroll quickly passed several of the displays and be in time for the Water-splashing ceremonies. Only the adults managed to stay dry.

·      Some students had a game of a type of badminton before the knife-tower show. We also watched another musical display.

·      Tonight our exciting day was topped off by a visit to the Red Theatre to see a Kung Fu Show.

Thursday

·      The Temple of Heaven was our first stop.

·      In one of the park the students watched with fascination as some elderly gentlemen exercised.

·      The Hongqiao Markets, the Toy Market and the Silk Markets saw us improving our bargaining skills. Hopefully everyone can fit their purchases into their cases.

·      Jeff, Chris and Beau tasted seahorse on a stick and some of girls were game enough to try other “tasty” morsels in a market near the hotel.

Friday

·      Walking and climbing was the name of the game today as we clambered up the Great Wall of China.

·      Climbing down was the next stage as we adventured into the Ming Tombs. 

·      A hotpot dinner was a great finish to a busy day.

(photos still to come!)