Beijing

October 11-14, 2015


click picture for enlarged view 		SFO

Waiting in line for Jason of China Focus.





click picture for enlarged view 		On the Plane

It's my first ride on a Boeing 777. Quiet, smooth, and the vegetarian meal wasn't bad.





click picture for enlarged view 		Twelve-Hour Ride

Just about the same time to get to Paris from San Francisco. It's only six movies. And we pass the international date line!





click picture for enlarged view 		Almost There

Why does the last couple hours seem as long as the 10 hours before? If this map is accurate, those mountains I saw in Alaska might have included McKinley? Also interesting, for those who remember when it wasn't allowed, I'm flying over Russia and People's Republic of China!





click picture for enlarged view 		Sheraton Beijing

Only one of the Sheraton Hotels in Beijing, our accommodations are deluxe by any standards. This is our tub.

"I'm not taking a bath in THAT!"
"Why not?"
"It's ROUND!"

And we wonder why international relations are so difficult?





click picture for enlarged view 		California King?

Our room is large, as is our bed! It's wider than it is long.





click picture for enlarged view 		Move Out!

We slept well, until 2am. At 6:30 we headed down for our free buffet breakfast. Not expecting much, we were shocked to find it was incredible! I had Japanese noodle soup made to order like the noodle shops. I put in too much orange pepper paste that was just as hot as the red pepper paste. Melissa had a western breakfast. I could have also have chosen sushi, several different Chinese choices, or Korean.

At 8:30 we loaded up the bus and headed off for our first day of touring Beijing.





click picture for enlarged view 		Melissa

Excited as a school girl on her first field trip, Melissa is doing great.





click picture for enlarged view 		Our Tour Bus

Spacious, clean, air-conditioned and new, our bus and friendly driver were always a welcome sight, especially after a long walk in the warm weather outside.





click picture for enlarged view 		Sidewalk Traffic

No tuk-tuks, but lots of little delivery trucks running up and down the sidewalk to avoid the stop-and-go traffic on the road. Our bus driver never hit anything, wending his way through pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, and cars.




More...