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China Personal Travel

From Beijing to Shanghai

Flew from Beijing to Shanghai

Got my watch battery changed

Another informal Dinner in the back streets

Again we were severed by two very cute waitress!!

I sat by the window, and was able to look out and watch what was going on in the streets below us.

This was actually a Shanghai style feast!!

  • Raw Crab
  • Small clams
  • Pigeon
  • Sparrow
  • More Fish

After dinner, we went to a Fair/Carnival Place

This Fair/Carnival place was run by the government, so that families could have some place to take their families. It only costs $0.50 per ticket, and people can see anything from distortions mirrors, acrobats, juggling, Chinese theater, Fashion shows, Chinese dubbed American films, etc.

The American movie that was showing a Jean-Claude Van Damme in it.

The fashion show illustrated Western influenced Chinese designers, and there were some beautiful women modeling the clothes.

It started to rain while we were in the amusement park, so we headed back to the hotel.

Back in the room, I watched several movies as I laid in bed an wrote down thoughts of my journey so far.

I finally fell asleep around approx 02:00am.

One of the movies was Die Hard II with Bruce Willis. The sound track was in English, but at the bottom of the screen was the Chinese character translations.

When Bruce swore, just below him, you would see the characters!!

– Andrew
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Categories
China Personal Travel

Tour of Beijing

Note – All images are scanned from slide film.

Beijing/Peking, China – Day 2

Walking around to the shops to view displays

Drove around Tiananmen Square

Forbidden City

VERY LARGE. I can easily see why people were in awe back a few centuries ago!! I mean I was amazed here and now!!

  • Main Entrance to the Forbidden City
  • Guard Tower – Forbidden City
  • Roof Corner Detail – Forbidden City
  • Taihemen – Gate of Supreme Harmony
  • Taihemen – Bronze Lion
  • Taihemen – Marple Terraces/East
  • Dragon-Cloud Ramp Stone Carving
  • Gold Guard Lion
  • Carved Wood Dragon
  • Iron Incense Urn
  • Gold Guard Dog

The Emperor Gardens

Dinner in the streets

We ended up eating dinner right across the street from the hotel.

My introduction to the Mongolian Fire Pot style of cooking and eating

Our waitress was an extremely cute Chinese girl, and we got her to sing a traditional Chinese folk song for us, and in turn, Dad sang a song back to her.

After dinner we walked down the street, and had desert from the side-walk vendors. During the day, none of the vendors are there, but just before dawn, they start to set up, and by dinner time and up to 11:00PM they are still selling all sorts of food.

Robert & I tried to barter for a scroll.

Bar hopping w/Robert

1st Bar – Sammy’s Hostess bar

One of the senior hostesses was training. The proper way to pour a beer, to clean an ash tray, and at point, I do remember the teacher slapping the student.

The where very quick with the lighter when you reached for a cigarette. It was rather odd knowing you are representing Zippo, and the hostess keep whipping out disposable lighters.

Early in the evening, the power was cut off.

Going to the bathroom with a flash light, and the guy in the bathroom with the flash light as you are doing your thing.

2nd Bar – Hostess Bar

They wanted 200 juan just to sit there!!

3rd – Hostess Bar

One of the first things that struck me about this bar was the collection of Camera in a glass display case as you walked in.

At the door, one is greeted by one hostess greets you and then walks you into the lounge, and up some very elegant stairs to the second floor.

At the top of the stairs, you are greeted by another hostess, who guides you down the corridor, and you try to decide what type of atmosphere you wish to partake in.

We decide on going into the Karaoke portion.

Several times, Robert got up to do some singing, and he turned out to be quite good!

Our hostess, Melinda, know some English, and she studying to become a doctor.

– Andrew
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Categories
China Personal Travel

Next stop… Beijing

Beijing/Peking, China – Day 1

China Southern Airlines – Flt#CZ3111 – Guangzhou->Peking (42E)

Meet at the airport by 3 Black Mercedes Benzes

Dad and Mr. Cheng were in one, while Robert and I were in another, and Brian in the third.

Checked into The Palace Hotel

Very formal Chinese Dinner

The little green peppers appeared again

Once again we had “Hung Fu”, plus some really good brandy.

Introduced to Fruit tea with the dried fruit actually in your cup. One drinks the tea with the
uses of the lid to strain the fruit. The boy pouring the water, had any attitude, but poured the
water with a flair!

Robert and I went to the Hard Rock Cafe

Robert wanted to learn how to drink like an American.

I drank him under the table to the point that he fell asleep at the table… The cab ride back
to the hotel was very interesting… Robert spoke to me in Cantonese, Mandarin and English…

– Andrew
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