This was probably the most vile thing i’ve drunk in a long time. Green Tea Sprite with Lemon. Wrong!
Though Marcus would probably dig it. 
Already two years after Beijing hosted the 2008 olympics and the Olympic village is still a huge tourist trap. especially for domestic tourists with it on the ‘must visit’ list.
The birds nest wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. From a distance, it looks cool, but the closer you get it doesn’t seem much. It wasn’t till we got inside and up to the third level that you could experience it.
By the way, as i’m sure the photos below will show – pollution in Beijing is horrible.
The stadium recently held some snow events for Beijings residents, hence the snow inside. This dude didn’t seem too impressed about having to stand in the cold.
Photo taken yesterday at the Emporers Back Yard (the cool lake area).
Into march and the lake is still half frozen. Damn cold I tell you!
This note was left on the bed in the hotel i’m staying at. Too bad I can’t read chinese 
Anyway, don’t need to wash my clothes
Day Two, went for a bus ride to the Great Wall. About an hour bus ride.
The bus ride cost RMB4.80. Very cheap! About
The wall is impressive. Though falling apart in some places, rebuilt in others, it’s still impressive!
After the wall, we went to a lake called ‘back yard’ in English. It’s just behind the forbidden city so feels like the emporers back yard.
It’s a fancy spot, bikes for hire, rickshaws to take you around too. Many bars and resturaunts with good look out over the lake.
Still have a feeling that beijing is very quiet.
Day three, off to the birds nest and temple of heaven.
Unusual Sightings:
Police officer at the airport on a segway, cruising along side me when im walking along the travelator.
Couples waltzing together on the side walk, in the freezing cold.
Crazy electric powered silent bikes!
A huge amount of the old city being destroyed, none of the old feeling left, except for the forbidden city.
======
Its cold here, very cold. Beijing seems to be a quiet city, apart from the forbidden city, it doesn’t really feel like any other.
A few pics from the first day:
After a 3 hour delay for my flight due to weather problems in Taiwan (notably an earth quake), finally gotten the chance to board, sit down, read the paper and have some bad airline food!
Now, airline food is never anything to be excited about, but the meal tonight was probably the least enjoyable I’ve had since the Ansett days of a breakfast that looks like vomit with some soggy bacon.
The choice were chicken rice (no, not the sort you get in singapore or m’sia) but a more western or HK style. In a creamy pepper sauce with vegetables (pictured below).
The chicken was tough, carrots undercooked, all with a taste hard to describe. I guess it’s better than nothing, as I’ve experienced on several Air Asia flights. But the food on Air Asia (when available) kicks arse over this.
Maybe next time I’ll order the special “bland” option!
Signing off from 38,000 feet and soon to arrive in China’s capital.
On my recent short trip to Singapore, Wendell decided to treat me to a cycling trip around Pulau Ubin.
We arrived on Pulau Ubin after a quick 10 minute ferry ride and only S$2. The ferry has fixed capcity of 12. They wont leave till have 12 passgengers and wont take on any more.
Once we got there, hired bikes and started our adventure. The Island is quite hilly so cylcing gets very tiresome, not to mention the heat and humidity!.
After stumbling around for about 45 minutes, we found ourselves at the lake (pictured above). You’d never think a place like this existed in Singapore! (though, its an island terrortiory of SG, still part of the country!)
It was great, and I’d recomend anyone (who’s fit enough) to give it a go!
Oh, on the way back too, I spotted a familar face.
With my trip off to Beijing tonight, I’ll be leaving work a little early to reach the airport for my 7pm flight.
I’m lucky enough however for my airline to have intown check in. So, up early this morning and at hong kong station, catch the lift upsairs to the airport check in section, swipe my octopus (my watch), deduct the money for airport express, walk up to the check in counter and usual clearance. Done!
Now tonight when I leave work, I don’t need to bother with check in, just straight through to the gate. This is also a bigger advantage as my airline has check in at terminal 2 and the flight from T1, no need to transit both!
My work collegues don’t like the price of airport express, given a bus will be $30 and airport expess is $100, but one of them handed me a half price voucher making it more than worth while!
Ventured out for dinner with friends to City Plaza (tai koo). After a 15 minute relaxing ride on the ding ding arrived to the food court to see my first spotting of Pho in hong kong.
Now, this is no Pho888 or Mekong – it’s too clean!
The menu’s are in English (always a plus being able to order), though, struggled to actually understand what they were asking.
The taste is good, but not as good as back in AU. I got the raw beef – it’s also lacking a bit in the beef department, but still ok!
