Beijing Huan Ying Ni!

Arrived Beijing 15 mins ahead of schedule, the first of the three trips to Beijing this year.

The checked-in baggage weighed 37kgs. The Chinese lady at AirChina check-ib counter just asked me if I had packed inflammanle materials or laptop batteries, never why she should let me check in so much. The Customs officer in Beijing did ask me what I packed in the cardboard box. I told him we were moving home and the contents were all household goods. That was enough for him ro wave me on to the exit. The 5 kgs of Melbourne fish are still frozen solid upon reaching Beijing home

Flight was not full. The flight attendants were nice. Food was soso. Dinner was niurou fan (beef slices in heavy gravy with rice) and lunch was fish fillets with e-mee noodle (It was supposed to be fish with rice, but someone in the catering kitchen wanted to surprise me).

Keeping me entertained from the window seat next to me is a young lady from Dalian. She and her hubby graduated with bachelor degrees from Ireland but decided to pursue a Masters degree at Deakin in Accounting to seek Australian PR. She lodged her application just a month ago and is on way back to see her 2-yr old child under the care of the grandparents in Dalian. While her husband stays in Melbourne to run their small business, she plans on staying 3 months in Dalian with her child. When asked if she would bring her child to Melbourne once her PR is approved, she replied taking care of small child is very troublesome........

On way home in a taxi, I saw workers taking down Beijing 2008 banners along the airport expressway. Beijing welcomes me back with a few coughs while my throat tries to adjust to the Beijing air.