BEIJING LAST DAY - BIDDING FAREWELL TO CHINA, FROM TIANJIN

After arriving in Tianjin, we still had a few hours to explore two famous tourist attractions in the city.

The first place was the Ancient Street Market where the locals put the local products on sale old school style. The buildings were preserved in their original and traditional architecture but other parts of the city were actually seen rapidly developing.

some of the items for sale

The next and last stop was the snacks market where variety of local Chinese food and snacks could be found like preserved and dried fruits, as well as many other things. Then we had our lunch at a restaurant nearby before we were sent to the airport and said 'goodbye" to Miss Yang who had been our guide for the long six days.

exotic local fresh food, anyone?

Here is a short video of Tianjin recorded from the moving coaster.

at Tianjin Airport

and now everybody can fly home

So I guess this is the end of my six days escapade to the mainland China, particularly Beijing. I hope that you have not grown tired reading the travelogue and looking at the pictures. I hope I have also shared my wonderful experience and you never know, maybe one day you will be there too.

I would like to thank Syazwan and his parents [I was not sure who initiated the idea] for inviting me to join in the tour group. This was actually something unexpected and you had given me the chance to set foot to a place that I once wished I could visit. And I don't think I could go there on my own, mostly because of language and cultural differences. [And yes, I am having difficulty finding a travel companion.] Hopefully, one day, they would ask me to go again with them to other place.

With a few more days remaining before the school reopens, I have now to focus on my work more seriously. I am already thinking of a reward for my hard work [which I have started doing] so to all my fans [as if I have one] please be prepared for more, soon. I am full of surprises, you know.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page"
~ St. Augustine ~

DEPARTING AND ARRIVING IN BEIJING

waiting for the flight in the wee hour of the morning

23rd NOVEMBER 2011: The moment I had been waiting for finally arrived. I was on a group trip to Beijing, China - thanks to my student, Syazwan and his father and family for inviting me to squeeze in. There were altogether 13 people on board and we left Johor Bahru in a BIG bus at 12 midnight and arrived at LCCT KLIA by 4 a.m. The flight was scheduled to take off by 8:30 a.m. so we had a lot of time to kill.

after checking in

thanks Air Asia, no everybody can fly

This is my very first picture up close in front of an aeroplane. Why? My first time travelling in a group so there were always people to help me (or were forced to) take my photos.

The journey took about 6 hours and 30 minutes. Upon arriving at Tianjin Binhai International Airport, we were greeted by the tourist guide from the travel agency, Miss Yang. There was a change in the schedule so we were taken to dinner and were sent to the hotel right after that.

Miss Yang carrying out her duty in the coaster

So what was my first impression of China? (1) Freezing cold: We were told that the temperature of the day was -1 degree Celcius. (2) Busy city, busy road: The travel should take one hour and a half from Tianjin Airport to Beijing. There were a lot of vehicles on the road and the stretch of traffic jam seemed to be endless.

sunset seen from the coaster's window

This is our hotel room but silly me. I could not even remember the name of the hotel, I need to ask Syazwan after this. The room was spacious and this hotel was chosen because it was a special one chosen for Muslim group tours. The two characteristics of the hotel were: it served halal breakfast and there was a qiblat (direction for prayers to be performed) sign in each room. The journey was long and tiring and we needed a good night's sleep and be prepared for the adventure awaiting the next day.

TO BE CONTINUED...


related links

The Jade/Crystal/Brass/Medicine Place
The Great Wall of China
Acrobatic Show
Tianenmen Square
Forbidden City [PART 1] [PART 2]
Silk/Massage and Herb/Market Place
Jinshifang Street Mosque
Summer Palace
Pearl/Jade/Knife/Table Cloth/Market Place
The Bird's Nest
Nan Dou Ya Mosque
the Panda at Beijing Zoo
Beijing Zoo
Niujie Mosque
the Tea Shop
the Bullet Train Trip