One whirlwind week in Beijing!

What seems like months ago now, but was only in May, my boyfriend and I went on a trip to Tokyo and Beijing. I've already posted some of my photos from Tokyo, now it's Beijing's turn!
Beijing was definitely a completely different world compared to Australia. We had a good time, but were initially a little overwhelmed with how different it was, especially after a trip in a Beijing taxi!

On our first day in Beijing, we went on a tour to the Great Wall of China. Little did I realise it was going to be one of the most gruelling days of my life! It turned out, we were just dropped off at one section of the wall, and then were told we had to hike through 30 towers, and be at another section in 4 1/2 hours!

It was really one of the most breathtaking views I have seen, but climbing up and down those towers, with extremely steep inclines and descents, with the steps crumbling away, was such HARD work! I mean, imagine doing 10 gym sessions in a row, that's really what it felt like, I was sure I was going to die of a heart attack!

There was hawkers following my every move for about half of the journey, they kept trying to sell us t-shirts and extremely expensive bottles of water. One woman kept telling me she knew a short cut...no way I was following her!

Yeah! I had to climb that! But the going down was the hardest part, my legs were like jelly and the footing unstable. With much coaxing from Darren, I made it. I did! I made it! Only 1/2 later than we should have been, and the bus didn't leave without us, much to our relief!

This moment was the greatest feeling ever, the hike ended with us sliding down a great big flying fox, and a short boat ride across a river.

This picture was taken from outside the Forbidden Palace, right near our hostel. The walls were immense and the whole place was really majestic and impressive.

My friend Kim was the main reason we went to Beijing, she was living there for a year to study mandarin, and I wanted to take advantage of having a friendly tour guide in a country I probably wouldn't have normally chosen to go visit. Kim was fantastic, and I cannot thank her enough for showing us around such a big, strange, fascinating city!
The above and below pictures are of the night food market in Wangfujing street. There was every animal/meat imaginable on sticks waiting to be cooked and eaten. I was not game enough to try anything strange! Darren and Kim really enjoyed their toffee fruit though!

We were really lucky with our accommodation, I picked the Peking International Youth Hostel to stay at, as it was recommended in our lonely planet guide, and I am so glad I did! They were warm and friendly, and the place was so well cared for, the garden really was something special...

Here is the typical picture of us in front of the famous portrait of Chairman Mao in Tiananmen Square.

A view from the top of a large hill in the Summer Palace. It was a painful hike up more stairs, as my legs were still non-functional, but the sights up the top were well worth it!

I really enjoyed having my name painted out in beautiful pictures, buy a lady, who was telling me what each character meant, but I know I'll never recall it all!

Our time in Beijing was a real learning experience, and I will never forget it. I think next time we travel we will be more confident and adventurous thanks to this holiday.

Kimmy and I in front of the Beijing Olympic stadium. Thank you so much Kim, for being such a gracious and hospitable friend, we really appreciated your time and help, (especially with the haggling!) and I am so very proud of you for taking the plunge to live overseas for a year!

I still have plenty of catch up posts to do, must tell you of my cupcakes for charity efforts next! Hope you are all having a good week! x