Now this is my kind of country! What better way to prepare for the day ahead than to get the taste buds going? Well, that and breakfast.
Simon
Author Archives: Simon
And so it starts
Greetings from Beijing, where we’re now warmly settled into our hostel after a fun if somewhat enduring 18 hour journey here.
We had a 4 hour stop off at Dubai airport, and it was about 2am when we realised we only knew two card games that work well with two people – Rummy, and snap. Since Laura’s an ace at snap, that was out – and it turns out Rummy can get a little dull. We’re going to have to do some research on some alternatives, or we’ll go mad… On another games-related note, it turns out that Tetris (on the in-flight entertainment system, and multiplayer, no less) is still a winner. Brings back the days of Tetrinet at uni!
Our flight from Dubai was on an Airbus A380, a massive new superjumbo. We reckon the engines are bigger than the flat Laura and Patrick used to live in (but a bit more drafty).
All’s pretty good here so far – we’ve got beds, the hostel’s small and lovely with a courtyard and in a quiet suburb, and this evening we went for some mandatory Peking Duck. Total bill for a whole duck and drinks between the two
of us? £10. And Beijing is expensive, we hear!
Right, time to use the best feature of the hostel – a shower, and then get some kip. 29 degrees tomorrow, and we’ve got some exploring to do…
Simon & Laura
At the airport
Woooooo!
And we’re off!
So that’s it then! After far too many (but superb) leaving drinks, last suppers and last-ditch attempts to buy a poncho, we’re off.
Thanks to all for making this happen – it’s been a fair time in planning, and there have certainly been a few moments over the past few years when I’ve been tempted to stay. In light of the recent financial turbulence I’m all the more pleased to have left the world of MRMA – although perhaps slightly sad to not be caught up in the adrenaline of crisis management and stress tests!
We fly from Gatwick at 2:30 today, and Laura and I are both en route to the airport. We have a delightful four hours in Dubai at some unearthly hour, and land in Beijing at 3pm local time, after two 7 hour flights.
Any tips for China or Nepal, folks? Local customs we should get in on? Mark’s already supplied me with guidance on the nightlife in Beijing, so it could prove an exhausting week!
And in case you’re wondering, below is what the inside of a I’m-going-away-for-a-while bag looks like. Hope I brought enough socks!
Now, if I can just find the Mandarin for ‘ice cold beer’ I’ll be sorted…
Simon
Hello world!
Peace Cranes at CoCamp
A strangely appropriate way for a programmer to start a travel blog!
We’re off in nine days time, and while Laura suns herself in Spain (got to have one last holiday before the chores of travelling), I’m putting together this blog, and realising that there is still much to do before getting on a flight at Gatwick a week on Monday.
I’ve just come back from the glorious (if somewhat manic) CoCamp, and am beginning to feel a bit more normal after a day of sleep.
Next up, shopping…
Simon