We started Saturday early, getting to one and only police bureau to convert my visa from temporary to long term. As we expected, we were not successful. More work needed.
Somewhat crest fallen, we took a taxi to BeiHai Park, a lake park adjacent to Forbidden city. Grace took us to Ri Chang restaurant which served nice Cantonese food at reasonable prices. When we got there, there were many empty tables so I picked one far away from any crowd to avoid cig smokes. Soon enough, the adjacent tables were filled and to confirm our lack of luck this morning, we were surrounded by smokers. Good food but cig smoke spoiled the lunch.
We then took the kids into Beihai Park. As we entered the gate, we unintentionally walked in together with a tour group. Kristine was holding our entry tickets with Grace behind while Kimberley and I were ahead. The tour guide pointed to me and loudly declare to the gate keeper we were 'muddling "混" through (without tickets) with her tour group'. Grace snapped and told the tour guide to use her words carefully as we had tickets in hand. The tour guide was surprised by it. She mumbled something we couldnt understand as we walked separate ways. Thus far the day had not been great!
The walk through Beihai Park was interesting, two more tickets to buy even once inside the Park to see certain structures. Kristine and Kimberley didnt want to get out, wanted to stay on and walk around. After Beihai Park, we started walking toward TianAnMen direction, but it was a long walk. Grace decided to take a bus (#5) with Kristine to TianAnMen, but I decided to walk with Kimberley. The stop Grace wanted to get off is TianAn Men South, 3 bus tops away. Still, I betted with Grace on who would get to TianAn Men subway station first. With Kimberley sitting on my shoulders, we watched Grace's bus went pass, then another 4 #5 buses went by as we continue our walk through a section of old Beijing. Grace called me on the mobile several times asking me to take a bus as the stops in between are quite far apart. It was a long walk indeed. However, the bus stop nearest the subway station is one stop BEFORE TianAnMen South. As it turned out, Kimberley and I got to the subway station way before Grace and Kristine.
We got home at 330pm and started preapring dinner with Jiantian, Linyun, their daughter Tiala, Rebecca and Luxin. Steamed a whole Yellowbelly to impress the guests. Crispy skin pork, RouguCha helped end the evenight on a high note.
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