May 28, Beijing: The Summer Palace

A short post today, because on paper, it doesn’t look like it was a big day. We woke up relatively early and had breakfast and a coffee in the hostel. After working out some trip logistics (booking hotels in future cities, etc.), we headed out to the summer palace, where the emperor and his wife had retreated during the summer months. It was on the far west side of Beijing, and it required a great deal of walking/hiking to get through it all. Here’s a few photos from the summer palace:

(Thats me in front of the incense temple above, and the temple from a little bit farther away below)
This last photo is of us in the main square of the summer palace:

After the palace, we headed to a noodle shop for a late lunch – forgot to take a picture of the meal, but it was very Western in its preparation, with spaghetti-style noodles and cooked meats.

We stopped in a small outdoor market, perused the goods, and then headed back to the hostel. We spent about an hour booking flights and other travel – this required many phone calls – and then hung out in the hostel with a few people we met. There were a few Danes, a few Brits, and a couple of Spanish guys. We all decided to book a trip to the great wall tomorrow, where going in numbers would be cheaper. One of the Danes, a 22-year old named Søren, came with us to one of the better dinners I’ve had on this trip. It was at a Western-style place, with the meal costing about 158 yuan (20 bucks), but was just delicious. See below:

After dinner, we headed to a bar called bed in the middle of a hutong, or side street. Jenny met up with us again and gave us towels on which our names had been stiched – by her, by hand. It was a great gift. Here's a picture from the bar:

After the bar, we headed home for an early night - more to come tomorrow, when we visit the Great Wall!

Happy Memorial Day to those of you in the States, or from the States. My sincere thanks to those who are serving or have served.

Mike