Daylight Saving

In Beijing daybreak is around 430am, but in MuDanJiang, 1200km to the northeast, daybreak is around 330am. Thats a bit too early for whichever part of my anatomy that regulates sleeping hours according to daylight. Across to the west in Xinjiang province, some 3500km away from Mudanjiang, I remember the locals set their clocks to 2 hours earlier than Beijing time, the standard bearer of time clock for the region, not just for China alone, but all the way to Singapore. Apparently China did try multi time zones in the 70's but country couldnt cope with the confusion. Worth any attempt now.

The Great Train Escapade

We took a bus from our apartment to the train station. 65mins to cover 30 stops along the way. For those who are not in a hurry, this is a great way to see Beijing for RMB2.

We thought a meal at McDonalds would be a safer bet for the kids before our long train trip, but I was very disappointed with the food. Somehow the fries are 'different', and my BigMac had spent too much time waiting for a customer. The kids ate their dues so our job was done.

The train station was very crowded, as expected. Armed police were visibly everywhere, but they didnt seem to deter touts from doing their business. Train tickets are difficult to get during this period. An RMB500 ticket can be resold for RMB700. Airfare costs RMB1400.

Our train left exactly on time at 1234pm. Why cant the planes do the same?
Kristine and Kimberley went and stayed hyper-active as soon as we got into our cabin, jumping from bunk to bunk. With Kimberley needing help up and down the upper bunk, Grace and I were kept busy until Kimberley fell asleep at 9pm. 8.5 hours without relief nor escape! Kristine twisted and tossed until 10pm. The train was eletric, pulling 15 carriages, of which 1 is kitchen and dining, 1 to accomodate extra shift of conductors. Just 2 were seperated cabins --- 18 in all for 72 passengers. Rest were either public sleeperettes or non-reclining seats. Kristine and Kimberley didnt need tickets but we bought all 4 tickets in a cabin for privacy. That caused some confusion among the conductors looking for two 'other' adults in our cabin. Chatting to a conductor, none of the workers onboard was armed. Most troubles they encounter were unruly behaviors after heavy drinking. Once a conductor was punched up by three drunks. They were manually contained until the next stop to be handed to police. No jail term at that episode, just RMB2000 fine per culprit.

9 hours of havoc by the Kristine and Kimberley, then 10 hours of bliss and sleep during the night, and 3 more hours of morning and we got to MuDanJiang Station. Very much like taking Kristine and Kimberley camping in Australia.

Running around on a hot day

A very hot day to venture out but we did. Wanted to try our luck on some Hockey tickets. Taxi dropped us near the main stadium, the Bird Nest, and we tried walking towards the hockey stadium to the north. It was too hot to continue after 500m. Took a few photos with the Bubble and Bord Nest as background and headed back. The only ticketing booth nearby spotted long queue. Not for the faint hearted under the scorching sun. I salute those who camped there for two days for tickets.

After lunch with some friends at the Great Wall Sheraton, we took a taxi to the new National Museum, only to be disappointed with our lack of understanding of entrance condition. Our local friend who took us there believed we could pay an entrance fee to get in. However, all visitors are required to book their intended visits 3 days ahead online and entrance is free.

Took a subway to China World Hotel for some ice cream. Our first subway ride in Beijing. Very crowded for a Saturday afternoon. Two small bowls of nice ice cream plus a can oc Coke cost RMB114 at China World, but ice cream was nice.

Next a taxi to visit one of two schools Kristine may attend. Inspected a gym nearby and then register our housing needs with local real estate agents. Managed to inspect a 3-bedroom apartment just next to the school. Felt good.

Taxi home after dinner with some friends. Thoroughly enjoyed our showers at home. Tomorrow is our great train adventure to the northeast.

Last Rush for Tickets

News this morning showed a clip of long queues outside the ticketing venues. Eager ticket chasers started camping outside the Bird Nest two evenings ago, numbering no less than 10,000 by this morning. Tickets to the Bird Nest are not for sale until tomorrow. With 34degC heat and long long queues, we have officially dropped out of contention for tickets to badminton.

Day of Repair and Reward

The tone was set early by a short circuit on a ceiling light. A 'handyman' came at lunch but spent most of his time answering phone calls on some rental issues. Grace didnt appreciate the guy walking into every bedroom when the faulty light was just in the living area. Managed to get rid of him soon enough. Got another handyman to come during dinner time. Got him to work straight away. Grace even offered him my freezer chilled beer! 90 mins work to shave a door and re-hinge, and 2 ceiling lights. All for RMB50. He also re-gassed one of our aircons for RMB80, cheap considering 2/3 of his body was leaning over a window on 19th floor to do that job.

Today was not a 29degC day as forecast. Felt hotter. Grace had to run a few errants in the afternoon so I took the children to a Japanese shopping mall. Looking for a mobile but they didnt have any model cheap enough for my pocket. Spent most time in grocery section where Grace joined us later. The taxi we took on way home has the cleanest interior I have ever seen in China, possibly the world. The driver said he is required to wash his taxi, including replacing the car seat covers, everyday. Another positive of the Olympics.

Successfully bought our train tickets today to Mudanjiang on Sunday. The Motley Four will share 4 beds in a 'private' compartment. Tickets are difficult to get during the Olympics. There is always a long queue before 6pm at the neighbourhood ticket office though ticket sale starts at 7pm. The resident ticketing agent told Grace her chances getting tickets were slim, but it turned out well. This will be our first train journey to Mudanjiang, close to the Siberian border in the northeast. 21 hours journey overnight. Kristine and Kimberley had lots of fun selecting food and snacks for the train trip. At least one main meal will be at the train restaurant. Next they have to figure out what entertainment books to bring for those hours on the train.

Before Sunday our challenge is to get a few tickets for the Olympics, to be on sale from tomorrow. Grace aims to get tickets to Badminton, Atheletics, and my choice of Hockey which the Aussies were 2008 World Champions. Will need more luck on these tickets than the train tickets. The adventure continues tomorrow.

Kristine says hello from Beijing

Hi Yasmin, Megan and Faith,


I am in Beijing now!



It is very,very hot! Today is 35 degrees

This Friday, I am going to have a turtle, I am going to call it Master Wugui from Kung Fu Panda.


Love Kristine

I dont look the type

I often told friends I was stopped 6 times in 4 years by lobby security guards at Beijing Lido Holiday Inn Apartments where we lived when I was working there. Somehow the guards did not believe I belong there, much less live there.......

Twice in the last three days, the security guards at Grace's apartment here have stopped me at the lobby. Now it gets serious as this is NOT an expat housing complex as Lido.

Grace said the guards smelled 'fish' (pun intended, as she always accuses me of dressing as a fisherman) when they saw me.

kk

The Heat Drags On

Today is another 35degC day, but relief is on the way. Tomorrow is forecast at 29degC, a 'cool change' for this time of the year. We had something new for breakfast this morning: '湾仔码头手工水饺’(Handmade Dumplings) given by a friend of Grace. Sold in frozen form in supermarkets at RMB32 per 40 pieces, but also as home delivery when ordered from manufacturer's local distributors. The dumplings didnt look 'handmade'. Both Grace and I opined the reputation of this product has exceeded its appeal.

All supermarkets in Beijing (whole of China so I was told) have stopped providing plastic shopping bags for free. If needed customers can buy at checkout counters at RMB0.20 each. Add shopping bags to our list of 'must carry' items each time we go out. Others in the list are: IDs, proofs of Police registration from our friendly local neighbourhood police station, tissue paper (wet and dry), bottled water (preferably iced), and cash (though most supermarkets accept credit cards now).

16 days to the Opening Ceremony. The remaining 820,000 Olympics tickets (250,000 tickets for events in Beijing, balance outside of Beijing) will go on sale from this Friday to local residents only (local ID 身份证 or passports with visas longer than 6 mths, qualifying Grace but I wont qualify by this July 25). Each person is allowed to buy 2 tickets of 1 event per transaction. Back to beginning of queue for 2 more. We are scheming on how we can buy 4 tickets to an event, most probably a Hockey match between Australia vs Netherlands on August 17.

Hidden in a cabinet in our apartment here is a stack of CD at least 10 years old. Kristine has fallen in love with Madonna's 'La Isla Bonita'. She spent the whole afternoon yesterday and today practising the song. Currently she is the unquestionably authoritative singer of that song at home.