Well its a new year and a new set of Travels. The plan:
Beijing Saturday and Sunday night: Arrival Saturday and be picked up by the very efficient Dragon (best price for the tours I got from 10 emails https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294212-d13391024-Reviews-Beijing_Car_Rental_With_Driver-Beijing.html) to go to the Longqing Ice Sculpture festival, with a mate I know here, then on to hotel. Sunday: forbidden City (closed on a Monday) and Tiananmen square, with a Peking Duck meal..... (very excited) and Monday pick-up at the hotel at 11am, to the Great Wall at Mutianyu section, and on to our flight out to Burma / Myanmar. Its a busy plan, but should keep us moving!!!
First stop Heathrow via Browns at Covent Garden to meet Dean. Andi arrived yesterday so its a group expedition!!! I need to check they have the suggested apps downloaded for China, WeChat(https://www.wechat.com), ExpressVPN (https://www.expressvpn.com/) are the main ones, as I am told by Jodie and Danni that its almost impossible to do anything there without these. Then comes the message from Dragon our driver organiser at the other end........ the ice sculpture festival has closed due to melting, and as such there is no point going. He suggested a few other options, but eventually I decide to change plans, meet Jodie in city and do Duck Saturday!! I then message the hotel to change the arrival time, and just before losing internet, and Jodie and Dragon go to bed (its midnight there) I confirm the change in plans, cancel Dragon on the Saturday (cheaper to get taxi from airport than a pre-arranged transport one) and its off to Heathrow.
1500h. Check-in at Air China is a little slower; the lady on the desk doesn't know how to deal with us having no visa for China, despite explaining we shall get the 108 or so visitor visa on arrival. Job done after a few people asked and by the time we get through the security we find we are at the opposite end of the airport, so its a 20 minute walk to the gate, there's not much time for browsing, which I am glad as never really enjoyed Heathrow!!
Dean and I are together with Andi on the middle section, its a full flight but we are at the front of economy so should make for a quick exit and faster to visa place...........
First things first, how to use the controls for the TV!!!! We can see someone in front has films on theirs but with very faded and used controls we can not make out the information on the buttons, assuming its in English script!!!
Eventually we find a way and with about 90 films to chose from in a variety of different languages its not going to be a struggle to find something to watch!! Both of us have chosen the same film, so as I am 10 seconds behind Dean in choosing due to a miss pushed button, which reset the whole system, he pauses his so that we are both watching at the same time; the annoyance of watching it on another screen removed!!
Pre-dinner drinks arrive, and with no spirit options available, I stick with tomato juice, whiule Dean tries out the Chinese beer.....not too bad he tells me, little watery!! Dinner is rice and chicken, nothing exceptional, they have Chinese's wine.... well why not, we both chose this option........ and regret fast! Its a bitter and young flavour, I really can pass a "not impressed" opinion and decide this is our taster done and can tick that not-to-return-to box!
From then its uneventful and I think we all grab some sleep until breakfast wakening, with the start of our noodles experience. They are stodgy but not too bad, just getting ready for this typical breakfast option soon!
Touch down, its a nice steady arrival, then he hits the breaks........!! We are fast off the plane, and there is a bit of a confusing walk to find the temporary visa desk, needing to pass by the visa desk and then through a health check desk and find a small desk with a very helpful person to advise on the visa. We are 2nd in the queue, and have our itinerary scrutinised by the lady and photos taken but its all good and we are through, and on to fingerprint desks, of which there are hundreds where you can get these done and so there's no hold up there either.
Beijing Saturday and Sunday night: Arrival Saturday and be picked up by the very efficient Dragon (best price for the tours I got from 10 emails https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294212-d13391024-Reviews-Beijing_Car_Rental_With_Driver-Beijing.html) to go to the Longqing Ice Sculpture festival, with a mate I know here, then on to hotel. Sunday: forbidden City (closed on a Monday) and Tiananmen square, with a Peking Duck meal..... (very excited) and Monday pick-up at the hotel at 11am, to the Great Wall at Mutianyu section, and on to our flight out to Burma / Myanmar. Its a busy plan, but should keep us moving!!!
First stop Heathrow via Browns at Covent Garden to meet Dean. Andi arrived yesterday so its a group expedition!!! I need to check they have the suggested apps downloaded for China, WeChat(https://www.wechat.com), ExpressVPN (https://www.expressvpn.com/) are the main ones, as I am told by Jodie and Danni that its almost impossible to do anything there without these. Then comes the message from Dragon our driver organiser at the other end........ the ice sculpture festival has closed due to melting, and as such there is no point going. He suggested a few other options, but eventually I decide to change plans, meet Jodie in city and do Duck Saturday!! I then message the hotel to change the arrival time, and just before losing internet, and Jodie and Dragon go to bed (its midnight there) I confirm the change in plans, cancel Dragon on the Saturday (cheaper to get taxi from airport than a pre-arranged transport one) and its off to Heathrow.
1500h. Check-in at Air China is a little slower; the lady on the desk doesn't know how to deal with us having no visa for China, despite explaining we shall get the 108 or so visitor visa on arrival. Job done after a few people asked and by the time we get through the security we find we are at the opposite end of the airport, so its a 20 minute walk to the gate, there's not much time for browsing, which I am glad as never really enjoyed Heathrow!!
Dean and I are together with Andi on the middle section, its a full flight but we are at the front of economy so should make for a quick exit and faster to visa place...........
First things first, how to use the controls for the TV!!!! We can see someone in front has films on theirs but with very faded and used controls we can not make out the information on the buttons, assuming its in English script!!!
Eventually we find a way and with about 90 films to chose from in a variety of different languages its not going to be a struggle to find something to watch!! Both of us have chosen the same film, so as I am 10 seconds behind Dean in choosing due to a miss pushed button, which reset the whole system, he pauses his so that we are both watching at the same time; the annoyance of watching it on another screen removed!!
Pre-dinner drinks arrive, and with no spirit options available, I stick with tomato juice, whiule Dean tries out the Chinese beer.....not too bad he tells me, little watery!! Dinner is rice and chicken, nothing exceptional, they have Chinese's wine.... well why not, we both chose this option........ and regret fast! Its a bitter and young flavour, I really can pass a "not impressed" opinion and decide this is our taster done and can tick that not-to-return-to box!
From then its uneventful and I think we all grab some sleep until breakfast wakening, with the start of our noodles experience. They are stodgy but not too bad, just getting ready for this typical breakfast option soon!
Touch down, its a nice steady arrival, then he hits the breaks........!! We are fast off the plane, and there is a bit of a confusing walk to find the temporary visa desk, needing to pass by the visa desk and then through a health check desk and find a small desk with a very helpful person to advise on the visa. We are 2nd in the queue, and have our itinerary scrutinised by the lady and photos taken but its all good and we are through, and on to fingerprint desks, of which there are hundreds where you can get these done and so there's no hold up there either.
Then through and re-check of the finger prints on one hand and out...... into the airport, onto the transfer train, and off to collect the already going round the conveyor belt bags. Its easy to find a taxi and we have been advised that the cost is about 140Yen, so I have brought enough money with me to cover this and the driver we were to have. Its simple to follow signs to the taxi rank, and there we join a fast moving queue, I have managed to get WiFi for the airport briefly and taken a photo of the address in local language, so no worries about pronunciation.
The lady keeps shouting something that sounds like "yee-ha" as the people go through the gate for the next taxi, we Donte get this, more of a mumble and pointed then "shooed" down to a taxi over the road. Theres no smiling or pleasantries here!!
I show the taxi driver the phone and that is the end of any conversation from him!! We pass a large crash involving a taxi, but later experience a bit more of the driving and can fully appreciate why there was one........ they drive where-ever, including scooters coming the wrong way down the road!!
The journey to the hotel is about 1 hour, traffic not good and so its a slow one. The check-in done and a WiFi check I find that Jodie will meet us at the hotel, in 15 minutes, just time to have a wash and get the boys out!!
Shes not too familiar with this area, but any signs of this are not at all obvious and we are whizzed directly to Tiananmen square and on to the main shopping area (for tourists) but its ornate and displays a great variety of experiences and lots of statues which represent the shops outside which they stand. We grab some dumplings on the start of our feast of food that is typical Chinese. At first the thought was they were more expensive than normal, but it turns out that the price is for 4, as we are handed a huge bag of buns!! Very interesting and with no real idea of what we ordered and which was which, it was a random trial thing!!!
The lady keeps shouting something that sounds like "yee-ha" as the people go through the gate for the next taxi, we Donte get this, more of a mumble and pointed then "shooed" down to a taxi over the road. Theres no smiling or pleasantries here!!
I show the taxi driver the phone and that is the end of any conversation from him!! We pass a large crash involving a taxi, but later experience a bit more of the driving and can fully appreciate why there was one........ they drive where-ever, including scooters coming the wrong way down the road!!
The journey to the hotel is about 1 hour, traffic not good and so its a slow one. The check-in done and a WiFi check I find that Jodie will meet us at the hotel, in 15 minutes, just time to have a wash and get the boys out!!
Shes not too familiar with this area, but any signs of this are not at all obvious and we are whizzed directly to Tiananmen square and on to the main shopping area (for tourists) but its ornate and displays a great variety of experiences and lots of statues which represent the shops outside which they stand. We grab some dumplings on the start of our feast of food that is typical Chinese. At first the thought was they were more expensive than normal, but it turns out that the price is for 4, as we are handed a huge bag of buns!! Very interesting and with no real idea of what we ordered and which was which, it was a random trial thing!!!
Coffee is interesting flavour choices and we decide on a couple to try, however when they arrive and the cinnamon spoon has been burned to flavour it, we don't really notice the difference or flavour, however China is not known for its coffee!!
We wander further and then on to the highlight of the day.....the duck experience........ The queue is about 15 minute wait and the restaurant churn out the duck like there's no tomorrow!! We agree Jodie can order as it all looks amazing and so long as we get the duck we are satisfied and really don't know the other typical options.
When we do sit the chair covers are placed on over our jackets, to reduce smell from the food!!
We all agree the choices, and settle down for a nice wee dinner........or so we thought..........
Although bang in the centre of the area and very popular the portions are huge and we realise that by ordering it all at one time we have very little space on our table and we are getting some amazing looks, well amazed looks!!! Ah we are strong enough to take this!!!!
When we do sit the chair covers are placed on over our jackets, to reduce smell from the food!!
We all agree the choices, and settle down for a nice wee dinner........or so we thought..........
Although bang in the centre of the area and very popular the portions are huge and we realise that by ordering it all at one time we have very little space on our table and we are getting some amazing looks, well amazed looks!!! Ah we are strong enough to take this!!!!
Very very full and despite trying to persuade Jodie to take the bones to make soup, we fail, and after a bill equivalent to £10 each including the boys beers, its off to walk it off through the markets and the night atmosphere and head for a drink! The street food is amazing and there are some interesting translations..... fancy a Beijing Enema?
Jodie proposes a different section of Beijing, into the Consular area where its more ex-pat and they have a craft beer place, if we can find it. We opt for the underground to get us there, so we can get this figured out with a local, for ¥4 each (45p) we can have 1 journey. So cheap!!
Its a little harder to figure out the location with the map, and so we take a couple of wrong turns, but in all fairness its quite hidden. Its a sports bar which is showing the rugby, bonus as Scotland are about to kick off. Its not long before we establish that its not a very exciting match for a Scottish supporter!! Its a lovely evening though and at least there are normal toilets!!!!
Its a little harder to figure out the location with the map, and so we take a couple of wrong turns, but in all fairness its quite hidden. Its a sports bar which is showing the rugby, bonus as Scotland are about to kick off. Its not long before we establish that its not a very exciting match for a Scottish supporter!! Its a lovely evening though and at least there are normal toilets!!!!
Jodie orders us a taxi back, as the tube closes at 11, or so. This takes a little bit to find and the location issue is the main problem. However this is not unusual. Our driver speaks a little English and is very chatty. He teaches calligraphy and Jodie is learning also. All is good until we get back to the hotel having dropped Jodie off at a location nearer to her area, and he insists we pay him. Dean and I try to establish why as she has already paid on the app, and as I try to get the WiFi to work, to be able to establish with Jodie Dean tries to get Steven the driver to show him his payment page, but he says as he has accepted another job he can not. We eventually agree to pay and get the receipt and Jodie will argue after.
End of a lovely first day and its off to bed and prepare for lots of walking tomorrow!!
End of a lovely first day and its off to bed and prepare for lots of walking tomorrow!!
Day 2: Forbidden City
So Sunday is here and today we plan the Tiananmen Square area, Forbidden City and then meet Jodie at 3pm after her calligraphy class.
Up and out for 8am, intention to get early to the square and city so as to reduce number of tourists on a Sunday, they only allow 80,000 and as most but on line its hard to know how many are already in.
The boys want coffee and therefore we end up at mc Donalds getting this, so its a 20minute walk out of the way to satisfy this need but even though, the queue is fast and smooth with plenty of security checking including passports and visas to get into the main part of Tiananmen Square,
Up and out for 8am, intention to get early to the square and city so as to reduce number of tourists on a Sunday, they only allow 80,000 and as most but on line its hard to know how many are already in.
The boys want coffee and therefore we end up at mc Donalds getting this, so its a 20minute walk out of the way to satisfy this need but even though, the queue is fast and smooth with plenty of security checking including passports and visas to get into the main part of Tiananmen Square,
The square is vast and busy with flags and group tours. We can see where we’re heading and it looks very heavily queued. A little time wandering the square and we head under the underpass to the Forbidden City entrance. The queue is more of a huddle if people and we move quickly into the main entrance section through huge wooden doors. Now it’s time to find the ticket place.
We can see where we enter with prepaid tickets but not where to buy ours! Eventually and after losing the boys for a while I go ask the man at the security and he slows us a small hut to the right of the entrance. We head over and present our passports again. This is our entrance and no ticket is given!
The fast queue through the scanners and representing passport is fast and we are soon inside. It’s huge courtyard with a frozen river running through is stunning. We head to the near corner where we could maybe get a view point. It works and gives a reasonable idea of what’s in store!
The fast queue through the scanners and representing passport is fast and we are soon inside. It’s huge courtyard with a frozen river running through is stunning. We head to the near corner where we could maybe get a view point. It works and gives a reasonable idea of what’s in store!
Then it’s with the crowds and through into the gate section. We are pushed to the right into an exhibition and here you find out how the locals are....... it’s shoving and pushing round the artefacts on display but with nothing in English it’s hard to appreciate what we are trying to shove to see!!
Back outside and escape the pushing onto the wall and overlooking the west corner of the city. The river surrounding is also frozen still and the wind is coming through although not too harsh up here.
We continue round and admire the beautiful roof structures. It’s more pleasant wandering through the outside area so we pop in and out of the main sections but spend most walking between round the sides.
Half way round and we lose Dean however he’s never far and find him at the next section. We’ve arranged a meeting point and so if we split we know to meet on the pagoda on the hill at 1pm!
We continue round and admire the beautiful roof structures. It’s more pleasant wandering through the outside area so we pop in and out of the main sections but spend most walking between round the sides.
Half way round and we lose Dean however he’s never far and find him at the next section. We’ve arranged a meeting point and so if we split we know to meet on the pagoda on the hill at 1pm!
Heading to a very long queue for the clock and watches museum area we see a display being taken down we assume, consisting of huge mirror like pillars, one of which smashes to the ground thankfully without crushing anyone, and a lot of hustle and bustle around it!! It was about 6 meters tall so not a small crash!!
There’s plenty to see but with a lack of English explanation on much we’re a bit roofed out by the time we leave!
We can go into city or to the park. The boys fancy the park so we head to one of them. It’s lovely and sunny so perfect for a chill out however all seem to cost for entrance. We stumble across a restaurant so decide to try it out. Again the menu phots are small and my soup arrives to feed all 3 of us!!! There are some interesting drink names too!!
We can go into city or to the park. The boys fancy the park so we head to one of them. It’s lovely and sunny so perfect for a chill out however all seem to cost for entrance. We stumble across a restaurant so decide to try it out. Again the menu phots are small and my soup arrives to feed all 3 of us!!! There are some interesting drink names too!!
Round the corner is a park with a large lake however it’s hard to figure out the price with ‘season tickets’ being advertised but unclear on an entrance. It’s looking bland as it’s not found it’s colour and the lake we decide is too big to wander round after the amount already done so we head back to the park opposite the exit and decide to climb that for the view.
It’s so worth it. The view is great if Beijing and as you proceed to the hill to the different pagodas you get to see the whole city. We are lucky as it’s clear, well smoggy but clear!
It’s so worth it. The view is great if Beijing and as you proceed to the hill to the different pagodas you get to see the whole city. We are lucky as it’s clear, well smoggy but clear!
I have a rough idea where Jodie will be doing her class as she had shown me yesterday, so I suggest we head in that direction along a different part. As we walk down near the University we find what looks like a coffee shop, so its agreed a great idea so in we pop....its a hostel, and coffee shop like so many here, and its proper freshly ground coffee which we much appreciate!!
A second cup and a chance to recharge the phone battery Jodie messages and is about 15 minutes away, so we find a bar and suggest we meet there, its a 10 minute walk for us and she will cycle. I get as far as sending a message saying "the boys say meet us here" and take a screen shot of the bar, when the WiFi does its Chinese usual and cuts out to not reconnect. Its totally frustrating and after 5 minutes I still can not get it to work. Now I am not sure if the message has gone through or if she is coming here. It turns out that Andi gets 2GB throughout the world free, and I can use his connection to message her and check she going to the right place, provided she can cycle and read!!! I send again and we leave, hoping to find her there and not find she is at the coffee bar.
The walk is simple and its not long before we find the R-bar, in the Radisson hotel, well that makes sense. Its fine though and Jodie is waiting with her usual smile outside, phew!!
The entrance revolving door has a great arrangement in it, so I try to take a photo as we go round!!
A second cup and a chance to recharge the phone battery Jodie messages and is about 15 minutes away, so we find a bar and suggest we meet there, its a 10 minute walk for us and she will cycle. I get as far as sending a message saying "the boys say meet us here" and take a screen shot of the bar, when the WiFi does its Chinese usual and cuts out to not reconnect. Its totally frustrating and after 5 minutes I still can not get it to work. Now I am not sure if the message has gone through or if she is coming here. It turns out that Andi gets 2GB throughout the world free, and I can use his connection to message her and check she going to the right place, provided she can cycle and read!!! I send again and we leave, hoping to find her there and not find she is at the coffee bar.
The walk is simple and its not long before we find the R-bar, in the Radisson hotel, well that makes sense. Its fine though and Jodie is waiting with her usual smile outside, phew!!
The entrance revolving door has a great arrangement in it, so I try to take a photo as we go round!!
We order drinks and its a price we expect, I get a local cocktail to try! Jodie is enjoying looikihng at Deans photos, we've done a park she's not been to yet!!
Decision time on the evening, and the boys are not yet ready for traditional food so she suggests heading to another hutong area first which is well known for tourists but is worth seeing. Its near by, about a 15 minute walk. We go to an area which has a great wee street Hutong which is just full of street food and stalls, beautifully lit with lanterns its certainly a tourist hotspot, but great to see. Wandering through and onto the restaurant,
Decision time on the evening, and the boys are not yet ready for traditional food so she suggests heading to another hutong area first which is well known for tourists but is worth seeing. Its near by, about a 15 minute walk. We go to an area which has a great wee street Hutong which is just full of street food and stalls, beautifully lit with lanterns its certainly a tourist hotspot, but great to see. Wandering through and onto the restaurant,
As the boys are still not ready for food, she suggests a park for a walk round and we are fine with this as she is keen to let us see the activity in parks in the evening!!
The park is a couple of stops on the tube, so simple enough, and when we come out its a variety of bars and restaurants where many of the tourist and people that want to get drunk come. Every bar has a singer in it, and one she shows us has very large teddy bears, so if you are not with a person you are kept company by this bear!! Its not a huge lake, so we are going to circumnavigate it and walk ourselves into having space for dinner. Its partly frozen and really busy with people walking, and which doing so throwing their arms into the air and twisting their bodies, this is normal for their walks! Areas of tables for games are dotted around and people are doing tai chi type activities, singing and group exercise. She explains that parks are more of a hive of activity in the evenings and nights than during the day, with everyone coming out to partake in activity regardless of the time of year, which has proven very beneficial for the large number of single elderly people in China. At the far end is a small area and Andi spots a bar and wants a beer, so we go in, Jodie and I are not wishing anything and Dean agrees to join Andi and they order some large beers. This bar is acclimatising us I think for our next destination, its huge fan heater in the corner where we initially sit, is set at 38 degrees and its certainly feeling not far off!!!
After beer stop we wander on back down the other side of the lake and passing small hand craft stalls, tempted to buy its silly as not room.
The park is a couple of stops on the tube, so simple enough, and when we come out its a variety of bars and restaurants where many of the tourist and people that want to get drunk come. Every bar has a singer in it, and one she shows us has very large teddy bears, so if you are not with a person you are kept company by this bear!! Its not a huge lake, so we are going to circumnavigate it and walk ourselves into having space for dinner. Its partly frozen and really busy with people walking, and which doing so throwing their arms into the air and twisting their bodies, this is normal for their walks! Areas of tables for games are dotted around and people are doing tai chi type activities, singing and group exercise. She explains that parks are more of a hive of activity in the evenings and nights than during the day, with everyone coming out to partake in activity regardless of the time of year, which has proven very beneficial for the large number of single elderly people in China. At the far end is a small area and Andi spots a bar and wants a beer, so we go in, Jodie and I are not wishing anything and Dean agrees to join Andi and they order some large beers. This bar is acclimatising us I think for our next destination, its huge fan heater in the corner where we initially sit, is set at 38 degrees and its certainly feeling not far off!!!
After beer stop we wander on back down the other side of the lake and passing small hand craft stalls, tempted to buy its silly as not room.
To get to our restaurant that Jodie has recommended and loves herself, she has ordered a taxi for us, but its struggling to figure out which side of the road we are on, and first one fails, but this is not unusual due to the reliability of location accuracy! The second is successful however and the boys have done a bank run so flush with cash off we go!
We are dropped off at the end of a street and Jodie is hoping to be able to fine the place, as she's usually comes with some mates, so she's doing it for the first time on her own, but as her grandfather arrives in a couple of weeks for a holiday its good practice!!!
We find it first time and in we go. Its not busy, which is unusual she says but it is Sunday night, and our table is ready. The menu as usual is extensive and she makes a few suggestions which obviously knowing no better go down great, and its waiting time to see how much food we get this time!!
Its not a long wait before plates start appearing...... wow they are amazing.
We are dropped off at the end of a street and Jodie is hoping to be able to fine the place, as she's usually comes with some mates, so she's doing it for the first time on her own, but as her grandfather arrives in a couple of weeks for a holiday its good practice!!!
We find it first time and in we go. Its not busy, which is unusual she says but it is Sunday night, and our table is ready. The menu as usual is extensive and she makes a few suggestions which obviously knowing no better go down great, and its waiting time to see how much food we get this time!!
Its not a long wait before plates start appearing...... wow they are amazing.
We finish up and get the bill, its again its £30 for all of us including boys beers!!
Jodie has work tomorrow and is wishing to head home so she will drop us at the hutong near the tube as there are some nice places to go there and we will be fine finding our own way home from there are its a straight journey.
Its an interesing wander through the hutongs, you are not sure if its a dead end or not and we notice new signs for "safety shelter" through out, although the shelter is going to be about 15 minute walk for most to get to!!! We find a street and bid farewell to Jodie until her UK return when we owe her tours!!!
Jodie has work tomorrow and is wishing to head home so she will drop us at the hutong near the tube as there are some nice places to go there and we will be fine finding our own way home from there are its a straight journey.
Its an interesing wander through the hutongs, you are not sure if its a dead end or not and we notice new signs for "safety shelter" through out, although the shelter is going to be about 15 minute walk for most to get to!!! We find a street and bid farewell to Jodie until her UK return when we owe her tours!!!
We head down a street and I notice walking past a shop my Little Prince is here!! A whole shop dedicated to him almost!! Ah never far away!!
Its a street still showing lots of activity and is really nice, we have a little money left, but not much between us, and so the boys opt for coffee to finish the evening in a cat friendly coffee shop. then its off to the tube 5 minutes away and a straight forward journey back to the hotel. Great Wall tomorrow!!!
Day 3: Great Wall then Myanmar!
So it’s off to the Great Wall today, and then onto airport. I have arranged a driver to pick us up at 11am, so time for a final wander into city to grab some breakfast!
Andi is going to find coffee and Dean is sleeping so I message him that we'll bring back coffee!!
I go one way, I always like a new way; Andi has already left while I was organising final plans with Dragon for our trip.
I am heading to the centre, and will try a coffee place, find an ATM and see if I can get some trinkets bits. I return to the place we had been via a couple of supermarkets to see how the produce etc in there was. Its full of lots of fruit but as expected things just have different names. Turns out Scream is a isotonic water drink........ was intriguing but not on my repeat list!
Also noted that they have green post boxes but not seen any postcards to pop in them.......hmmmm maybe a challenge to leave here!
Andi is going to find coffee and Dean is sleeping so I message him that we'll bring back coffee!!
I go one way, I always like a new way; Andi has already left while I was organising final plans with Dragon for our trip.
I am heading to the centre, and will try a coffee place, find an ATM and see if I can get some trinkets bits. I return to the place we had been via a couple of supermarkets to see how the produce etc in there was. Its full of lots of fruit but as expected things just have different names. Turns out Scream is a isotonic water drink........ was intriguing but not on my repeat list!
Also noted that they have green post boxes but not seen any postcards to pop in them.......hmmmm maybe a challenge to leave here!
I head on and find Andi in Starbucks having a coffee. He is going to stay there, he's not wishing to explore more, so I'm off to find the ATM. Sadly despite going down the full street and a few side streets opening with their breakfast dumpling stalls, I find the only ATM opposite Starbucks!!
Its a sign I was not going shopping!! I get some money out, tell Andi I'm off to get some breakfast dumplings and will return in 10 mins and we can head back. I go to a place I had seen earlier and get 1 of each that are on display, although this is 5 of each dumpling!!! We whizz back to find Dean showering and Andi has bought him a coffee, so he's a happy boy, coffee and dumplings for breakfast should set us up well.......
Its a sign I was not going shopping!! I get some money out, tell Andi I'm off to get some breakfast dumplings and will return in 10 mins and we can head back. I go to a place I had seen earlier and get 1 of each that are on display, although this is 5 of each dumpling!!! We whizz back to find Dean showering and Andi has bought him a coffee, so he's a happy boy, coffee and dumplings for breakfast should set us up well.......
The rivers are almost dry and minimal snow / ice remains currently.
Just over 1h 15 minutes and we arrive and our driver says he will organise the tickets if we pay him, which is fine so we all give 140¥ and off he goes and we duly follow then split a the sight of a loo. There are about 15 toilets, 2 of which have signs on as upright, rest are squat, and theres no loo roll, but I'm prepared for this. I come out and Dean is chatting to the driver. He hands Andi the Shuttle bus ticket, Dean the cable car / toboggan ticket and I get the entrance ones! Great organisation. He points us int eh direction of the numerous stalls selling souvenirs and tells us he'll see us at 1530. Perfect 3 hours of time.
We head through the many stalls, restaurants and cafes that line the entrance route up the hill a bit to the shuttle bus, which we get on and it immediately leaves, perfect. Once we get off 3 minutes later or so we can see an orange cable car ahead, so off we go. They are training us well as its up a hill and lots of steps and quite a work out. In we go through the barrier and up to get the car, to be told that its the wrong one, we should be not the white one 100m back down the hill!!! Back we go!! It was hidden away a bit more, on the right on the way up and before the "stone museum". Only 2 can go on each chair lift so the boys go together and I follow on. The ride is about 5 minutes and I can see the toboggan snaking its way round under us. Looks fun!!!
Just over 1h 15 minutes and we arrive and our driver says he will organise the tickets if we pay him, which is fine so we all give 140¥ and off he goes and we duly follow then split a the sight of a loo. There are about 15 toilets, 2 of which have signs on as upright, rest are squat, and theres no loo roll, but I'm prepared for this. I come out and Dean is chatting to the driver. He hands Andi the Shuttle bus ticket, Dean the cable car / toboggan ticket and I get the entrance ones! Great organisation. He points us int eh direction of the numerous stalls selling souvenirs and tells us he'll see us at 1530. Perfect 3 hours of time.
We head through the many stalls, restaurants and cafes that line the entrance route up the hill a bit to the shuttle bus, which we get on and it immediately leaves, perfect. Once we get off 3 minutes later or so we can see an orange cable car ahead, so off we go. They are training us well as its up a hill and lots of steps and quite a work out. In we go through the barrier and up to get the car, to be told that its the wrong one, we should be not the white one 100m back down the hill!!! Back we go!! It was hidden away a bit more, on the right on the way up and before the "stone museum". Only 2 can go on each chair lift so the boys go together and I follow on. The ride is about 5 minutes and I can see the toboggan snaking its way round under us. Looks fun!!!
We get the the top and can see the orange one goes to a difference part and you walk down to the toboggan, boring!! So we decided to turn away from the people and go right........
Its some climb! The steps in sections are very steep and drops of half meter almost in places! Thankfully its not cold and only a little breeze so wrapped up we are ok, and the demand of the climb keeps us warm!! The big bonus is its blue skies all the way as far as the eye can see, so we've been very lucky!
Its some climb! The steps in sections are very steep and drops of half meter almost in places! Thankfully its not cold and only a little breeze so wrapped up we are ok, and the demand of the climb keeps us warm!! The big bonus is its blue skies all the way as far as the eye can see, so we've been very lucky!
We head off through a couple of tower area passing only a small amount of people, but can see plenty coming down the other direction. This step activity is taking its toll on our fitness!!!
Onward and upward, inside the towers to the top, you can see numerous walls heading off in multiple directions. They carve their way along the ragged mountain tops and make clear demarkations of areas. I guess I never really appreciated how many separate sections there were!
Onward and upward, inside the towers to the top, you can see numerous walls heading off in multiple directions. They carve their way along the ragged mountain tops and make clear demarkations of areas. I guess I never really appreciated how many separate sections there were!
Dean lost again, but theres not much mistaking where to go, ends up that he’s jumped out a window in the furthest tower and started along an un-restored area, clambering through trees etc, and hauling himself back through the window!!
Theres a bed area in one of the towers, and the guide with an American guy says that they used to light a fire underneath it to keep them warm in winter, with storage for food kept in the bottom section fo these towers.
Theres a bed area in one of the towers, and the guide with an American guy says that they used to light a fire underneath it to keep them warm in winter, with storage for food kept in the bottom section fo these towers.
Andi now lost and Dean and I head off along the more walked section, against the traffic. Its much easier, mainly slope and not such upward levels, so can see why this is the preferred way.
Just as we are getting a little walled out, theres only so much change in the scenery on a hill top, we find a place serving (expensive) beers, perfect break, we have 30 minutes until we planned to meet at the toboggan to go back down.
2 beers bought and consumed we wander via the toilets (reasonable but you need WeChat to get your toilet roll!!), and on back down the easier part of the wall.
At the toboggan, theres no Andi, so we wait 5 minutes then decide to head on down, its quite to should get a reasonable run!!
At the toboggan, theres no Andi, so we wait 5 minutes then decide to head on down, its quite to should get a reasonable run!!
We head off, Dean first, but before he’s able to go the controller offers him an piece of his apple, from his garden, telling him its very sweet, Dean is to eat this before he can go…. Later we figured out that it was a delay tactic due to the person in front!!! about 1/2 way down we are held up, along with the people behind by someone that is virtually not moving in her toboggan, we’d not seen her go so goodness knows how long this run had taken her!!!
So much fun and its over, we find Andi enjoying a coffee at the bottom and head to get the shuttle bus back to our driver….. its 3:15 and we are perfectly on time for the last part: to the airport and Myanmar!