Joyinn&Suite-hongmiao Beijing

... signs pointing to any point of significance. All I had was my Frommer's Guide, which provided some history and highlights. So, in the absence of a map, Colin and I decided to put on our "adventurous" and explore on our own.

Shortly after entering the gates, we came upon several local residents participating in recreational exercise, ranging from dancing to Tai Chi. It was kind of sweet to see all the locals enjoying themselves in their chosen form of ...

... the government controls the weather (yes, the CPC even controls the weather!!). Yesterday we had our first non-man made rain for the first time since we've been here. China's solution to smog is not, of course, to reduce emissions; that would make too much sense. Instead, they shoot these cannons full of chemicals into the air to make the air dense so it rains. Than after the rain passes, Beijing is blessed with a beautiful, clear, smog free day. I don't know how the science works ...

Well where do I start!

Got into China bout 6am yesterday, after landing everyone got up to leave but then we all had to sit back down again to be tested for Swine Flu. There was a couple of people wearing masks on the plane so they take it really seriously not like in England!

First hicup was the hotel when I essentially asked the taxi man to take me to an area, e.g say I landed in London and asked them to take me to a ...

... make a living. Men sit on the ground playing Chinese chess on homemade baords, and babies wander around with no nappies-just trousers with slits all the way around from their bums to the front-where they only go to the toilet when their parent whistles! Chinese potty training is totally crazy! We went to Tianamen Square and Forbidden City, which were amazing... full of old buildings, temples and shrines to Mao the old emperor. We went to the Temple of Heaven ...

... new life into the Chinese capital's tourism industry. At the core of the new effort is a television advertising campaign on the U.S. and international channels of Time Warner Inc.'s CNN network, and on the British Broadcasting Corp.'s World News channel. That TV campaign, which began in July ahead of the Beijing Games and which officials plan to continue till the end of the year, highlights the capital's new icons of modernity -- like the angular China Central ...

... the side of the road running west and I needed to go Southwest. Thus, no taxi driver would pick me up. I got kicked out of three taxis before I realized that they didn't want to be bothered with turning around. Thus, I had to find a way across an 8-lane highway with no pedestrian overpass near. Once I finally got to the other side, I was ******, soaked, and I now have a permanent dislike of Beijing taxi drivers.

... Can't wait. En dag er kina super, en annen dag er kina irriterende. Det er saa masse mennesker og saa mye soytting og inndragning av snoerr noen ganger at det er til aa bli sproe av. Samtidig er det fantastisk kultur, hjelpsomme mennesker og brede smil. Det er gratis internett paa hostellet, noe som gjoer det veldig lett aa sitte seg ned og skrive her i ledige stunder. Skal jo som sagt bli flinkere enn vi har vaert foer;)

... that Xiaojing has work the next day, we don't want to outstay our welcome and Xiaojing's brother in law takes us to the metro. Rich buys tickets using his Mandarin Chinese skills and we really are on our own for the first time. Earlier in the day Xiaojing told us that it would take a long time to walk from the metro to the house where we are staying, but we prove her wrong with our speedy walking. The streets of the Hutong are very dark with the only light being ...

... did it, I'll never know. I decided to treat myself to a popsicle and selected what I hoped would be lime flavour, judging by the colour of the wrapper. It turned out to be green bean. Not what I was expecting, but refreshing nonetheless. The following day we rose early and left by bus for The Great Wall, as we wanted to be there early to avoid the crowds. Those who were young and fit elected to climb the steep path to the Wall on foot. I was glad I ...

... but we are heading out to KTV for a little kareoke Interestingly enough, Nicolas (24 yrs old) says his favorite North American singing group is the Carpenters and we strolled through Forbidden City singing "Why do birds suddenly appear..". Will probably not check back in for a couple of days. Heading to Temple of Heaven tomorrow then flying to Bali, Indonesia to meet Dad and Susan for some sunny R&R.