Our plane flight and first day in China
We left LAX about 1AM, the Plane flight will be taking about 12 + hours. If all goes well we will arriving in Beijing about 5:30 AM Monday, Beijing time, about 1:30PM Sunday, Fresno time.
It is 1:40 AM Beijing time on the plane and the flight has not been the most smooth flight. We have hit some turbulence but nothing to bad, just enough to make my stomach know it is the boss. Thank goodness for meclizine.
Our first meal was rice with chicken, eggs and some pork, chicken salad, role and fresh fruit, a very good meal. I do hope we will get breakfast here soon, peanuts don't hold one over to long.
Being on a Boeing 747 is interesting, I had flown in one when I was in the army, I don't remember that much about it that was 20 + years ago. This plane is amazing; we are fling at about 700 KPH, about 400 MPH flying around 24000 feet but not sure. Still amazed that something weighing many tons can stay up this hi and go this fast.
Now see if I can nap some more.
We are flying at 38000 FT at a speed of 504 MPH at 3:28 AM Beijing time. It smells like there is going to be FOOD coming in a few minutes, and I'm hungry. Orange juice first.
We hit some hard turbulence about 1/2 hour ago did try to nap through it was somewhat successful.
John and I are still fighting off our colds so far not doing to well; Poseidon is playing on the screen, the NEW Poseidon.
Just had chicken and rice for breakfast and John had the fish. It reminds me of the movie Airplane. I have to admit; the food has been very good, better than I had thought.
We have been wearing the same clothes for over 24 hours can't wait to land and get to our motel room and get cleaned up and clean clothes.
We landed at 6:45 AM. The flight lasted 14 hours.
We got picked up at the AP by our guide Marco, that’s what we call him. It’s not his real name but its what he called his “English” name. We would not be able to say his Chinese name so it is Marco. We went to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden city. The street vendors are very pushy wanting you to buy everything. John just asked one of the people we are with how much he paid for a watch, 2 for $10.00, the vendors went nuts trying to sell him a watch. I’m sure we will get to buy something from the there yet.
The Military is in Green uniforms, the Police are in Blue uniforms and Security are in gray uniforms.
Lunch was Peking duck and other food items I could not tell you what it was but the food was excellent. The flavors where such that one could not describe them all. Would love to eat there again.
After lunch we went to our hotel room to get cleaned up and rest, rest? Are you crazy? We got cleaned up and went shopping. Got a stamp with my name in Chinese that I can use to stamp envelopes and other things, less than $13.00. Then walked around the block, afraid to try and cross the streets, they drive like crazy here. Stopped and had a bar of ice cream, man that was so good, tasted like blueberry but not sure, tasted good anyway.
We went back to our room to relax and get ready to see the Chinese acupunctures doctor, had my health read but the meds to help us get over our cold and in my case to take care of other things was going to cost over $300.00, think I will stick with western medicine. So far it is cheaper.
We then went to have Cantonese dinner, was good but just did not have the flavor of lunch. Can’t complain though, eating all of the different foods has been exciting. Went back to our room to get some sleep, very tired
End day one