We had an excellent 13 hour flight and got plenty of sleep. The service was low-key but very good. The Airport at Beijing was very efficient and easy and we were met by our guide and driver who will look after us for the rest of our time here. She was one of 3 children so the State provided for her oldest brother but gave nothing for her or her younger brother (as a result of the 1 child policy). She is the same age as Glen – born in the year of the pig. Kath is a tiger.

The drive from the airport to the hotel to us past both older buildings and many new skyscrapers. We were a bit too jet lagged to take it all in. There was bottled water for us in the car and it also had aircon so it didn't seem too hot yet.

We were given an early check in as long as we were happy to take an available room and are in the older part of the Novatel Peace hotel. The room is OK although the view is a bit scruffy. We had a bit of trouble working out the way to the room because it was not in the main block. I later read a hotel review that said to make sure you don't get put in this part but it was fine and had lots of space. It was much better than waiting for 3 hours and meant we could have a shower, a cuppa and change clothes.

We went out for a stroll to get orientated but stayed out a little too long in the heat for John. The hotel is central so on reflection we should have come back about midday and gone out again later but I couldn't resist seeing the Forbidden City on the first day.

We looked around the main shopping area first and found the Rickshaw geocache. It is a virtual where you need to have a photo taken in it with a GPS showing. This was a popular spot for both Chinese and foreign tourists so we had to queue to get the photo. Every time we went past there was someone in it.

We then walked on to Tiananmen Square, saying no to various rickshaw drviers on the way. It was fun to see the variety of shops and eating places on the way. We had lunch at a local fast food place near the Forbidden City. It was one of the places where you point to a picture, get served then find a table. We were the only non Chinese in the place.

We then visited the Forbidden City but didn’t do it justice as we were flaking within an hour in 30 degree heat. We got a good overview and saw several treasures and artefacts (jewels, weapons, musical and astronomical instruments) as well as many of the historic buildings. It was a bit cooler in the buildings but the open spaces to get from one to another were very hot We had decided not to do a tour and not to take audio guides as we knew there was no way we could see everything. It is a huge area and we struggled to find our way out, mainly because we assumed there would be more than 2 entrances.

We took a 1 yuan (20cents) 'bus' to the east side of the city then walked the 1.5 km back. We were tempted to buy an ice-cream but balked at the $10 price - it was Hagen Das so we should not have been surprised!!

Tonight we had a great buffet meal in the hotel – there was a massive choice of European and Asian food and heaps of staff to look after us. We filled our boots and had about 8 courses (fish, steak, chicken, sushi, salad pudding, cheese .........) = great value.

So far so good – the people are helpful and we feel very safe.