We began with a deliberately slow start and a big breakfast. While eating we chatted with others who were with China Holidays. One group had gone to the Olympic village via the subway. Another had done the Ming Tombs and the Wall in reverse order to us. Others had bought a lot of tea stuff. Two women from Whakatane did not have a driver after the Acrobats show and had struggled to get a taxi back to the hotel as it was not in the taxis zone. Fortunately someone rescued them as they would have had quite a walk otherwise.

We then walked slowly (in the heat) to Jingshan Park (about 3km) . The park is on a hill overlooking the Forbidden City and was lovely to visit with heaps going on. On the way there we saw a man fishing in the moat, a number of guards outside an official building, 2 temples and also we had to waive away a number of touts. They are not to difficult to shake however,

There was a 5 Yuan ($1) entrance fee to the park. We watched the locals exercising, ribbon dancing, and an elderly lady working out with a sword.

We walked to the top of the hill (about 15 minutes) stopping in a couple of pagodas with Buddha inside and locals giving homage. At the top you get an excellent view of the Forbidden city and can finally appreciate its' size – no wonder we got a little lost there 2 days ago. Our photos s from the top don’t really show it properly. Looking in the other direction we could see the drum tower. This was used in the past to beat the time of day for the locals.

We then taxied to Tiananmen Square. There was a 10 Yuan flag fall but the total fare was only 11 Yuan (just over $2). Taxis are ridiculously cheap and easy to grab. We were subject to a security check as Hillary Clinton was nearby in the Great Hall. There were many soldiers on guard and marching around in platoons. We took a photo of the main monument (for a geocache of course) then had a stroll around the square. It is massive with large video screens everywhere promoting China . By this time we were getting very hot so headed back via the little 20c trolley bus we had used previously. We popped into a supermarket and bought some snacks for lunch. The range of food is amazing and of course all completely foreign to us.

John then slept while Chris wrote up the blog and checked the computer for emails etc. We had some problems with the internet (the Chinese have some interesting restrictions) but once sorted we rung John’s mum (Liz) on Skype.

We went back out at 3.30pm and took the subway. It is an excellent modern system and so simple to use. The maps are very clear and well positioned, and lights in the train show clearly which stations are coming up. There was also a Volunteer at the end to help travelers with their tickets. The price is 2 Yuan (40c) per person for the distance we did and it looked like it was 2 Yuan for any distance. Tickets can be bought from a seller or a machine. They appear to have considered every possible problem and hence have created a very user-friendly system .

We then walked about 400 m to the Lama Temple passing heaps of shops selling incense to burn at the shrines (3 sticks per Buddha). The temples are very cool, peaceful places inside. They are generally fronted by an avenue of trees to the first building. All had various types of Buddha with a monk in each building reading and chanting quietly while keeping 'guard’. There are also various historical artifacts. The main feature of the Lama Temple is a 26 foot standing Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree – amazing (and a cache site). This is certified by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest Budha in the world.

We then followed the GPS to the Confucius museum. We are not sure we would have found it without the GPS as there was no sign on the main street. We paid our 20 Yuan $4), went in and found information for a cache. We then started to look around when we heard that the ‘museum’ was now closing. This meant the whole complex was closing 10 minutes after we had entered! While we only paid $4, this is a lot here, so we felt a little peeved .  

We then took the subway back then had another break before going to the shopping area we found on the first afternoon, so we could see it at night. It was very busy, with lots of people, bright lights, video screens and heaps of small market stalls selling everything imaginable. We bought one small gift at the market (and it wasn’t a live scorpion skewer – yum, yum!!) and JB bought a cheap umbrella for shade. We then went to the food market. JB resisted the snake kebabs but bought and enjoyed an octopus skewer containing 3 octopi with legs the length of the skewer. He may have to bring some home for his mates in Tipahi St to try …….

We then had a buffet meal back in the hotel. It was not quite as the first night, as some staff had gone awol and the manager had to give them some ‘quiet’ words of advice. There was still plenty of choice and CB particularly liked the mango sorbet.