When we arrived Beijing, together we checked into Jade International hostel, this is a great hostel; the furnishing and facilities all look so new unlike many of our previously stay hostel, but of course the price is even better.
I got my food poisoning on the last 2 days while in Mongolia; I was groaning and mourning in pain. But now Shaz had her food poisoning (not sure where she got it), sore throat and coughing (much worse than me). So most of the time in Beijing she will stay in the hostel to rest and I will go and run some errands or do some shopping basically.
We had a very weird Black guy from USA staying in the same dorm with us, he hardly goes out, most of the time he will be in the dorm and do funny thing like; mediating over a pot of water, chanting some weird stuffs and seems to be in a daze most of the time. Shaz was indeed scared to be alone with him in the dorm, what more her bed is just beside his. He was not popular with many of the dorm mates, in fact what I heard from Shaz who went back to stay in the dorm with her mum (a month later) he was still in the same hostel but got kick out because he was a disturbance to many of the guest and caught taking drugs. Well, it comes with the package; you will get to meet all kinds of people while traveling.
Shaz condition did not improve after couple of days, Kok How a friend of mine from Singapore, who work in Shanghai came over for the weekend and a Xern Xin a Singaporean and recent graduate (we met in Mongolia) went with us to the Beijing Foreigner Hospital at almost midnight, the fee is really expensive just for consultation. Mine cost almost Y300 for just the medical report and wound dressing.
Beijing is a very modern and advance city, so much different from 7 years ago when I was there. Now there are many new high-rise modern buildings, efficient transport system, and cleaner concrete road. Indeed, Beijing is getting ready for the 2008 Olympic. Going to the Great Wall of China was one of the attractions I was looking forward to. But on the day when I was supposed to be picked up, however I got missed (very sad). So I called up the agency and asked them to arrange another driver to fetch me (as Shaz will be resting) if the driver who missed me will not come. I was kind of impressed that they did arrange another driver to come (as I was not so hopeful of China system, but was pleasantly pleased that they think of a solution and alternative for me – this show me that they are ready for the Olympic). The Great Wall of China was indeed very impressive, the weather was not great - hot and humid but I do enjoy the climb up to the peak at Simatai, a spectacular view indeed. I was very amazed with the technology of the period then. The project of building GWC was real massive and indeed difficult.
Meeting up with Fu Zheng (friend in Beijing) was great, though she was very busy with her work and training workshop during the time I was there. But when we met for breakfast at one of the famous teahouse, we had a good time catching up. Indeed, it was great to meet up with good old friend and reconnect.
I was glad that I was able to get hold of the 50% discount air ticket to Shanghai from Beijing Y620 (include taxes and service charge) usual price will be Y1300. Indeed, you may ask how does this work, well there are various discount ticket from 10% to 90% and it really have to depend on your luck to get the cheapest you can find. Usually, 50% discount is the best you could get.
On the last night of our traveling in Beijing, both Shaz and myself went to the Famous Beijing Duck Restaurant to have our last supper together. Indeed, I am so blessed to have a travel partner with me in this part of my round the world trip. Both Shaz and myself have different traveling style and personality but I would say I enjoyed her company and this leg of my traveling would have been different (more lonely and less fun) without her
my email: joydive@gmail.com
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