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Summer 2016
  • Rachel Calder
  • Rachel Calder

Summer 2016

A 134-day adventure by Rachel Read more
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  • Trip start
    July 21, 2016
    Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder

    I. Hate. Packing.

    July 21, 2016 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    We are all getting pretty excited about the big trip. If only we could head out without having to consider packing requirements for 6 weeks and 3 different climates. 4 loads of washing done, sunglasses found and flip flops packed. Nearly there. BA have texted to warn of a a busy terminal so we are leaving an hour earlier than originally planned tomorrow to avoid stress at Heathrow. The suitcases should all be zipped up by 9.30pm then it's gin and tonic time. Can't wait to watch 3 films in a row on the plane.Read more

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder

    Beihai Park by Rachel

    July 23, 2016 in China ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We made it! Long flight but James has dealt with the lack of sleep incredibly well (better than his parents actually). Navigating a boat around the lake in Beihai park helped, only one minor crash. It's madly busy here. Apparently you can only buy a car when you have paid taxes for 5 years and have your name drawn out of the car lottery. James keeps mentioning how everything is like Kung Fu Panda. Our guide is trying to explain about the legacy of the different dynasties. James is spot on.Read more

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder

    The power of nine by KC

    July 24, 2016 in China ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Nine is a special number in Beijing. Here is James checking that the number of stones in each circle can be divided by nine and trying to gain immortality by touching on one of the nine nails in the temple door.Read more

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder

    The Forbidden City by Rachel

    July 24, 2016 in China ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Most of China decided to visit today too. Busy, hot and humid. We discovered that being an emperor or a woman at the time the City was in use wouldn't have been much fun. Beautiful buildings and gardens, most of it is shut off from visitors - I would love to explore the whole place. Must have been a bit quieter in the days of the emperor.Read more

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder
    1

    Games

    July 25, 2016 in China ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder

    The Summer Palace by Rachel

    July 25, 2016 in China ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Again - so many people and everything is seen through a haze of pollution. The Emperor's summer house. It is more about the gardens than the buildings, the name conjures up a big house but there are a few sprawling beautifully decorated buildings and the palace of Timely Rains and Extensive Moisture.Read more

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder

    Hutong by Rachel

    July 25, 2016 in China ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    My favourite place so far. The area is now protected by the government and the houses are worth a fortune but most stay because of the strong community, living very simply with communal toilet facilities. This brave (strong) rickshaw driver took us on a tour and we had the opportunity to look inside a home and drink some jasmine tea. I had to restrain myself from freeing the caged animals!Read more

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder

    Observations in China by Rachel

    July 25, 2016 in China ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    - most woman wear beautiful dresses as standard day wear and no-one seems to sweat.
    - I thought we would feel like big friendly giants (my sister in law's observation) but I didn't feel ridiculously tall just sweaty
    - I exercised restraint when our guide made disparaging comments about the Dalai Lama.
    - parts of Chinese history are not to be acknowledged or spoken about. I knew this was the case before but it is different experiencing it first hand.
    - the Chinese don't do left handed all children learn to write with their right hand
    - the way our guide spoke about the government felt like she had a strict third parent that was to be obeyed. It made me appreciate the freedoms I take for granted in the UK - even if that means Brexit.
    - Bejing feels an incredibly safe , friendly city.
    - I will never drive in Bejing. It feels like you narrowly avoid killing someone at every junction/set of traffic lights.    Read more

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder

    Taking the tube

    July 25, 2016 in China ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    The Beijing tube is an experience, from the bag checks for every passenger on entry to the TV adverts lazered on to the carriage windows. Oh, and it is pretty busy...

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder

    The Wall by James

    July 26, 2016 in China ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Today we went to the great wall of China. On the way we got really sweaty. Some parts of the wall was broken. We had some good snacks that we brought. When we finished we went down on a path. We saw a centipede that was alive. I also helped a beatle on it's back. At the end there was a bin shaped like a cut down tree.Read more

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder
    11

    Off the Wall by KC

    July 26, 2016 in China ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    The Great Wall was amazing if very hot. Apparently we spent the longest on the wall of any group taken by our guide which felt like an achievement in sweltering heat. The views were spectacular.

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder
    1

    ... in Beijing

    July 26, 2016 in China ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

    We had to finish off with some Peking duck. James loved it. The food was beautiful. Not sure about the deserts, James got a shock when he discovered his white chocolate shell was filled with wasabi... Kevin and I managed to polish off a sugared cream puff with bits of raw onion blended in. Very odd. Best duck ever.Read more

  • Rachel CalderSummer 2016Rachel Calder

    When you need to go... by KC

    July 27, 2016 in China ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    One thing which I didn't expect in China was public toilets. Lots of them. Well signed and often very clean, they are maintained by the government. Although don't count on a toilet bowl and seat (think rural France)!Read more

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