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Our Travels
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| We will share some of our travel experiences here. Our goal is to give you insight into possible travel opportunities and share helpful tips with you. |
Beijing, China
Beijing, a Modern City with Ancient Roots
Upon arriving in Beijing, the modern, sleek and extremely clean new international airport
provided a nice welcome. The arrival experience was very efficient, with us meeting our
guide, with our luggage, within 30 minutes.
During the drive from the airport to downtown Beijing, it became evident that this is a very
modern and growing city. While there are still farms and trees along the roads, new
construction is everywhere and cars have replaced many of the bicycles.
After getting settled at our first home away from home, the lovely Westin Financial Center,
it was time to walk around and keep moving. Sleeping now would delay the body’s
adjustment to the new time zone.
First stop was the modern, upscale shopping center across from the hotel. While the high
end stores did not provide much of an opportunity for shopping, there was a grocery store
on the lower level where it was fun to browse. They also had many familiar items for
purchase (if I had needed familiar soda, coffee, hot chocolate, etc. I would have been able
to get it easily).
After dinner at the plentiful dinner buffet at the hotel, it was off to the Donghuamen Night
Market. This is the market famous for the unique offerings of the food stands like starfish,
sea horse, silk worm and many others. I did bite the bullet and try a fried water scorpion
(mainly because it was the smallest item and it was fried). It was salty and crunchy, but
there wasn’t any unique taste or flavor.
Every morning my day started with the hotel’s breakfast buffet. It provided a mix of
traditional “western” foods like eggs, bacon and pastries and “eastern” foods like noodle
bowls, fish and congee (I even had sushi for breakfast one day). There was always a
variety of fresh fruits and juices too.
After breakfast on the first full day, it was time to head to Tiananmen Square and The
Forbidden City. The People’s Congress was in session and it was Dali Lama Day so
security was extra tight. Before we knew it we were inside the massive square which is
bordered by the Congress Building, The History Museum, Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum
and The Forbidden City. At this point, it really hit me that I was standing in the middle of
Beijing. After walking through the square, it was time to enter The Forbidden City. No
matter how many times I was told it was huge and to be prepared to walk, it still didn’t
prepare me for the scope of this historic place. After a stop for lunch, it was time for the
Temple of Heaven (basis for the China Pavilion at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT). Such a
large space with elaborate facilities was used twice per year by the emperor—amazing.
The second day began with a trip to The Great Wall of China. This was, in many ways, the
highlight of the trip, despite the cold and windy weather. Parts of the wall were visible
before reaching the section we were to visit. It was breathtaking! The climb up the section
of wall where we were was a bit challenging. You are able to stop at any point if you feel it
is too much. Many in the group did stop and head back. I kept willing myself to go a few
more steps, then a few more. I knew that I would regret it forever if I didn’t give it my all to
make it to the top. Eventually, I made it up to the top, where I met up with others in the
group who had also successfully climbed the entire section. Yes, I will admit that I bought
the “I Climbed the Great Wall of China,” t-shirt. After lunch, we visited the Imperial Tombs
of the Ming Dynasty and then checked in to our new hotel, The Westin Chaoyang. This
hotel opened last summer and had recently hosted the US Secretary of State, Clinton, on
her first official visit to China. It was a beautiful property with outstanding service.
For dinner that evening we experienced the Peking Duck Feast. The ducks were brought
out and carved tableside. It was very delicious! It was also my first experience with
Chinese Beer which was great. After dinner, we experienced the wonderful “Legend of
Kung Foo,” show at the Red Theater. The talent of the performers was amazing and
reminded me quite a bit of the performers in Cirque du Soleil.
In the morning, we visited some of the major sites of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
We were able to walk close to the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube for pictures. The effort that
China exerted in putting on a spectacular Olympics was evident. It was clear that the
country and the people were, rightfully so, very proud of what they had accomplished.
The afternoon took us to the Summer Palace, the summer retreat for the emperor and his
family. This expansive site again showed the extravagance of the emperor’s lifestyle.
Unfortunately, due to the cold weather, the rental boats were not operational on the lake.
Yes, you read that correctly, there was a full lake on the Summer Palace grounds and
today, when the weather permits; you can rent boats to explore it.
The evening was spent at the stunning St. Regis Hotel where, after a tour of the facilities,
we experienced an amazing multi-course dinner in the most beautifully decorated room I
have seen.
I spent the morning of the last day, with two others, shopping for bargains at the Silk
Market. It was quite an experience. As we explored, we were constantly met with vendors
yelling, “lady, you need jacket,” “lady, look at my shop,” “I have bags,” etc. The key to
shopping here is hard bargaining.
All too soon, it was time to head for the airport for the trip home. As we left, I couldn’t help
thinking about what I want to see and experience on my next trip to China.
Beijing, a Modern City with Ancient Roots
Upon arriving in Beijing, the modern, sleek and extremely clean new international airport
provided a nice welcome. The arrival experience was very efficient, with us meeting our
guide, with our luggage, within 30 minutes.
During the drive from the airport to downtown Beijing, it became evident that this is a very
modern and growing city. While there are still farms and trees along the roads, new
construction is everywhere and cars have replaced many of the bicycles.
After getting settled at our first home away from home, the lovely Westin Financial Center,
it was time to walk around and keep moving. Sleeping now would delay the body’s
adjustment to the new time zone.
First stop was the modern, upscale shopping center across from the hotel. While the high
end stores did not provide much of an opportunity for shopping, there was a grocery store
on the lower level where it was fun to browse. They also had many familiar items for
purchase (if I had needed familiar soda, coffee, hot chocolate, etc. I would have been able
to get it easily).
After dinner at the plentiful dinner buffet at the hotel, it was off to the Donghuamen Night
Market. This is the market famous for the unique offerings of the food stands like starfish,
sea horse, silk worm and many others. I did bite the bullet and try a fried water scorpion
(mainly because it was the smallest item and it was fried). It was salty and crunchy, but
there wasn’t any unique taste or flavor.
Every morning my day started with the hotel’s breakfast buffet. It provided a mix of
traditional “western” foods like eggs, bacon and pastries and “eastern” foods like noodle
bowls, fish and congee (I even had sushi for breakfast one day). There was always a
variety of fresh fruits and juices too.
After breakfast on the first full day, it was time to head to Tiananmen Square and The
Forbidden City. The People’s Congress was in session and it was Dali Lama Day so
security was extra tight. Before we knew it we were inside the massive square which is
bordered by the Congress Building, The History Museum, Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum
and The Forbidden City. At this point, it really hit me that I was standing in the middle of
Beijing. After walking through the square, it was time to enter The Forbidden City. No
matter how many times I was told it was huge and to be prepared to walk, it still didn’t
prepare me for the scope of this historic place. After a stop for lunch, it was time for the
Temple of Heaven (basis for the China Pavilion at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT). Such a
large space with elaborate facilities was used twice per year by the emperor—amazing.
The second day began with a trip to The Great Wall of China. This was, in many ways, the
highlight of the trip, despite the cold and windy weather. Parts of the wall were visible
before reaching the section we were to visit. It was breathtaking! The climb up the section
of wall where we were was a bit challenging. You are able to stop at any point if you feel it
is too much. Many in the group did stop and head back. I kept willing myself to go a few
more steps, then a few more. I knew that I would regret it forever if I didn’t give it my all to
make it to the top. Eventually, I made it up to the top, where I met up with others in the
group who had also successfully climbed the entire section. Yes, I will admit that I bought
the “I Climbed the Great Wall of China,” t-shirt. After lunch, we visited the Imperial Tombs
of the Ming Dynasty and then checked in to our new hotel, The Westin Chaoyang. This
hotel opened last summer and had recently hosted the US Secretary of State, Clinton, on
her first official visit to China. It was a beautiful property with outstanding service.
For dinner that evening we experienced the Peking Duck Feast. The ducks were brought
out and carved tableside. It was very delicious! It was also my first experience with
Chinese Beer which was great. After dinner, we experienced the wonderful “Legend of
Kung Foo,” show at the Red Theater. The talent of the performers was amazing and
reminded me quite a bit of the performers in Cirque du Soleil.
In the morning, we visited some of the major sites of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
We were able to walk close to the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube for pictures. The effort that
China exerted in putting on a spectacular Olympics was evident. It was clear that the
country and the people were, rightfully so, very proud of what they had accomplished.
The afternoon took us to the Summer Palace, the summer retreat for the emperor and his
family. This expansive site again showed the extravagance of the emperor’s lifestyle.
Unfortunately, due to the cold weather, the rental boats were not operational on the lake.
Yes, you read that correctly, there was a full lake on the Summer Palace grounds and
today, when the weather permits; you can rent boats to explore it.
The evening was spent at the stunning St. Regis Hotel where, after a tour of the facilities,
we experienced an amazing multi-course dinner in the most beautifully decorated room I
have seen.
I spent the morning of the last day, with two others, shopping for bargains at the Silk
Market. It was quite an experience. As we explored, we were constantly met with vendors
yelling, “lady, you need jacket,” “lady, look at my shop,” “I have bags,” etc. The key to
shopping here is hard bargaining.
All too soon, it was time to head for the airport for the trip home. As we left, I couldn’t help
thinking about what I want to see and experience on my next trip to China.