Beijing - Ming Tombs & PingGuoYuan

On the way back from Great Wall, stopped by this another main tourist attraction at Beijing called the Ming Tombs. Apparently houses some underground tombs from one of the dynasties...

It looked really boring hence we skipped buying the ticket to go inside * =P *

We spent more time fooling around the area - taking silly pictures, there's this awesome wall with very intricate 3D carvings...

Along the way to get to this Ming tombs is the PingGuoYuan - which is APPLE FARM. They are growing those Fiji Apples.

Along the road you can see some farmers selling their own grown produce which are so fresh and irresistable - to the point I told the driver that I wanted to stop shortly to grab some pictures and purchase some... * hehehe *

Look at the pretty, very fresh pink apples!!! rm5 for 2 of them - not that cheap but super sweet n fresh! Just for the sake of boosting Local economy n helping the farmers * wink wink * You can see them lined neatly at the roadside - hard to resist hor?

The Farmers also sells dried fruits and other seasonal fruits - these are blue berries!!!

And this I cant resist - huge pumpkins! Reminds me of those books we usually read, about farm/country life where they put a lot of effort to grow the biggest pumpkin/vegetable to win the local contest! * LOL *

Beijing - Great Wall of China

Ok, SP, am trying to finish blogging about my Beijing Trip by tonight!!! If my internet connection doesnt konked out - in which it appears almost like you won the lottery each time you manage to connect but you never know when you gonna get robbed (disconnected). So much for Broadband and I am terminating this yucky service!!!

Of course, not to be missed when one is in Beijing would be the Great Wall of China. Am still trying to make myself believe that I actually been to one of the Great Wonders of the World!!! * heehee * And yes, it is really Great!

Barely adjusted to the cold, we excitedly and rather bravely went to visit the Great Wall. With the winter on mainland is already hard to bear, oh, just enjoy the chill when you reach the mountain area!!!

Sight from the car approaching the Great Wall.

The view from one of the towers. The mountain air is even colder, with strong, gusty winds blowing away. Here was where I bought my panda hat! * heehee *

This pic was taken from the cable car. Yup, they have cable cars to bring you up to one of the towers. As the cold air was unbearable, we did not walk much, took pics and grab as much sights as we can see and headed back down to the warmth of the car. There was rather many other tourists there as well.

I really, really like it, will definitely return should I have to the chance to go Beijing again * =) *

As we were dead hungry, and there isnt much choice of food there, we went to eat at one of the few restaurants there. In which almost all of them do not accept credit cards... * ughh... * And the food was REALLY REALLY BAD!!!

This is some sort of Tofu soup, which was bland and more like pepper soup that vegetable tofu soup * eewww... * Ordered that for the sake of heat...

And this was the WORST fried rice I have ever eaten in my entire life!!! * eeeek!!!!! * Please, I do not want to remind myself how it tasted like - yeah, it was that bad...

Oh yeah, how can I not end this post with another pic of me with my Panda-hat? * LOL * And my red face was caused by the cold wind, not Blusher Overload ok! * LOL * Yup, very nice experience!!!

Beijing - HK food

Funny how strong is the influence of HK food globally. This shop sells HK food in Beijing, right next to the building where the Beijing office is. Had late dinner with Beijing colleagues one night, and its refreshingly eye opener that - though the food appears to be the same thing, but can taste a whole lot different - being localised to cater to the consumers.

Steamed chic, rosted duck and bbq pork

Spicy baked fish

Braised Brinjals with minced pork.

Some vege stew

Celery with lily bulb and gingko

Some soup....

Which turned out to be seaweed soup - so not my bowl of soup... eeek!

My iced red bean drink - the only pretty thing.

Beijing - Train

I travelled around Beijing very much using their underground train system - and I am very happy to say that it is VERY convenient!!!

Apparently, regardless where's your destination, it costs only a flat 2yuan per ride. It might be revised after the olympics - but dunno la har...

I must praise that their system is very efficient - with it needing to cater to a huge population as well, it is very, VERY fast. Should you unable to catch this train, fret not as the next one is within 5 minutes away! It is clean though most of the stations are swarming with people - it is China. You can see lines and lines of people queueing to enter the train, complete with many attendants blowing whistles to control and guide the crowd.

They have very clear boards with english translation at every other pillar in the station

I like how they have this lighting map in the train cabins. They indicate which station has passed in green and the coming ones in red.

And yes, it is really filled to the brink with people - you need to push your way into the train - and it seemed that the train will never be 70% full, even at off-peak hours! But no worries, should you not able to squeeze it, you wont be too late behind your schedule as the next train is just few minutes away * =) *

Beijing - Hutong

* Am getting tired trying to update about my Beijing trip - in which I had a great time but there is just too much to talk about. Am going to be very brief from this point onwards, more can be told from my pics in Multiply - or just treat me for coffee and a snack, I shall be more than happy to make you deaf with my stories of beijing * =P *

This is the area around the Forbidden City - which was what used to be housings for royal relatives and ministers - are now converted mostly into shopping area.

This place have shops open till night time, hence you can hangout here for shopping after work as well as eat eat. Really like this place as it is one of the places locals shop and eat, and it houses many interesting stores....

Streets lined with shops in rows... all restored old buildings - like the feel of how you feel like being pulled into the time before...

Cute - Beijing;'s smallest bar, and perhaps in the world? Really small, no kidding

We went to this shop name - believe it - " Pass by Bar" which is more like bar and restaurant for appetiser. This is "Kung-Po pizza"!!! We had had kung-po chicken quite commonly, but in the form of a pizza - a good try!

Before the appetiser, we caught sight of this small shop selling what appears like our local "lok-lok". The difference here is that those skewed food - instead of being cookied in boiling water, it is cooked in a spicy, herbal soup which tasted like our "bak kut teh" soup + black pepper * heehee *

How can we resist this when the weather is freezing cold? * LOL * Memang syiok - and sedap too!

Just for SP & WL - yes, got sell "spare-parts" here too...

We then went to this place for our main course - which is famouse for their steamed fish cooked in their special sauce.

Yeah, the fish was seriously very fresh, and apparently it is from a famous fishing place quite far away from there - in which the emperors used to enjoy eating.

FYI - the noodle like pasta is horrible - hard and tasteless.

Many Thanks to our Beijing colleague, YL for her generous hospitality!!!

Valentine with Special Doc

Totally unexpected that I will be out on Valentine's day. Being single * still! ughh... * on V-day will prompt us singles to steer clear of public places * =) *

One special sweet soul, whom is very dear to my heart, took the plunge to spare me few hours of his limited day off and on this very day for a date - my pet-bro who is finally back from Russia * its like forever you know * =P *

My dearest Pet-bro Adz. He is now Dr. Adz * heehee * Yeah, not easy to keep a 12-year relationship * and many more to go! * though we might not be in constant touch during our years apart, but its comforting to know that we can chatter away non-stop with no awkwardness when we eventually meet * =) *

We have all those silly chats and promises we made when we were young - sometimes in classes and mostly, during our long, boring, hot hours on duty as a First-Aider back then. Yes, Dr Adz, we will still have to work hard to earn & save enough $$$ to run the book cafe we envisioned * wink wink * And for him to marry me as 2nd wife should I am 45 and still single * LOL *

You may ask why - but we share this passion to ICE-CREAMS!!! Hence it is only natural that we have sessions, well, at ice-cream parlors * =P * We decided to try the HaagenDaz fondue since our last date, so finally...

Looked cute and yummy!

With fruits, cakes and cookies as well.

The disappointment was the ice-cream balls fall apart when you poke them.

However, it looked pretty, and like how they have partitions on the fondue bowl.

Sweetie him got me a lil present too! Thanks muchies! * huggies huggies *

What even sweeter is that he got me what I am passionate on too - Pandas! * LOL * Can add to my collection!

Thanks, bro, for remembering and the effort! Very much appreciate!

As promised, my Panda Family * so far! * =P *

And again, thanks. We MUST take more pics during our next session - I looked like a horrific giant next to him!!! * F!@#$%^&*() * LOL *