Beijing Landmark Hotel

... going to climb this” ups and downs, and mountain paths Michael decided to return to village as the climb was getting to be a little much. I was way too hyped about camping on the wall to even think about returning, and Robert hadn’t carried all the camping gear to return to the hostel; so Michael and I traded packs and we split ways on the mountain path. Robert and I trekked on in silence. Me, because I was so caught up with the scenery, and Robert- well he was too far ahead ...

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No opera: I was the only bakpacker to pay so much for this 1 hour opera, that at first they told me to hange to other day, when I asked another solution, they made a phone call and said there are no tickets.
I went to the streets, saw there is a cinema film "Founding a Republic" - and went to see it 2 hours. Pro Mao, of course.

7/10
I changed hostel - now I'm in Leo Hostel, close to the pedestrial zon infront of ...

... olympic dolls which keeps the locals happy but its really a poor attraction. Beijing has a population in the region of 16 million, with plenty of migrant workers working seven days a week on the countless construction projects in the city. Saturday night and i dragged the boys out to watch the Heineken cup final in some ****** irish bar, but least they showed the game so we was happy. The Great wall of China really is the great wall... its massive and ...

... the Great Wall so that was great. Some locals joined us as we started our hike but I knew what the game was so I was actually quite rude and told the guy who latched onto me that I didn't need a guide and to go away. I know I was harsh but I really just wanted to enjoy the hike without having to be hassled with buying something later which is what happened to some ...

... of the Forbidden City -- it covers over 155 acres and has 10,000 rooms! We saw where the emperor sat and ruled, and was told about the history of the City. It was built in 1604, completed in 1611 with many of the original building material still standing today! We wish we could tell you all that we learned, but that would take pages and pages. We hope we can remember it all! A ...

... down to tourists. I could only make it to within 500 metres. I had hoped to do a few laps of the track but it wasn't meant to be. Still it's been cool to be in Beijing so close to the start of the games. There are posters and banners everywhere and the locals are going crazy in anticipation... After 6 days in Beijing it was time to move on. Said goodbye to all at the Sleepy Inn and set off for the train station. Next stop Quingdao by the coast....

... it was so loving and gracious for them to open their doors to host us. The afternoon was officially free, so I set off with Richard and Megan to the Silk Market. We each had a couple of things in mind that we were looking to purchase, and what is more fun than bargaining??? Okay, a LOT of things, but this was a nice activity for a rainy day. We returned about 7:00 pm, and Megan and I curled up with our noodles and watched some of the DVDs we'd gotten earlier. MONDAY ...

So nothing could be better when getting to the big city than to meet up with Leandra! It's been about 2 months since we met in India and had so much to catch up on! Having already been here a week Leandra gave me a quick orientation of the sights and also our local bargain eats... Less than a dollar each for a bowl of noodles and a Tsing Tao beer! Welcome to China! The next day went quickly ...

... we found out when needing the loo at 4.30am, made Dunc come with me as fair walk to our outside drop-toilet! The next day was bright sunshine and snow again. Walked up another hill (views again stunning and snow-blinding!) while the locals rounded up wild horses for us to have a go on. Against my better judgement that I don't like horses I decided to give it a go along with Dunc. Fortunately Dunc's was a laid-back as he is ...

... motor, and a 1949 Russian bike. We eat at an outdoor cafe and most everybody is smoking apple tobacco from a Hookah. After we eat we move on to another spot where bikers gather every night. This is just outside Moscow University which is a building you have to see to believe. But there is a park on one side and a big wide street on the other. So every kind of bike is doing drag runs up and down the street. My kind of place. The Moscovite bikers could not be friendlier ...