Day 3 February 16th 2017
Met Eric our guide and after passing Mao’s tomb we went to the understated Tiananmen Square and then to the Forbidden City. Eric was very knowledgeable and patient, explaining every part of the FC. It is made up of many pavilions and has supposedly 9,999.5 rooms because heaven and God has 10000 rooms and the Emperor was the Son of God so had less. Looking at the crowds now and imagining what summer would be like justified our coming in winter. Our clothing seemed to hold up. There is nothing subtle about the FC but the vistas were spectacular and the fact that the government has kept it intact is a good thing. The interesting thing of course is that one Emperor seems to have been replaced by another. After strolling through the grounds we ended up on the hill overlooking the complex, which had a temple with a serene Buddha in it. The location was terrific as it gave a sense and perspective of the size and complexity of the pavilions.
Eric hosted lunch in a local restaurant and we then went to another section of town where we had rickshaw ride around the hutong (laneways).
As an apology for the missed transfer last night Eric had refunded our taxi fare and had told us that we had been given free tickets to Beijing’s premier acrobatic show. So that was were we headed now but before the show he suggested we had afternoon tea at the swanky Rosewood Hotel across the road. Well the Bistrot B was pretty up itself it was full of 20 Somethings dripping with designer gear. In our travelling clothes the candidates for Beijing’s “Next Top Model” ushered us into Siberia (not the one we were heading for) near the bathrooms and behind a screen. Our table having been vacated by some 20 Somethings, so they could be seen in the out in the real world. Anyway was pretty fun being condescended to and then not tipping and the bathrooms were a sight to behold.
After handing over the land title papers for Healesville we headed for the show, which was spectacular. We were given VIP seats four rows from the front with no one in front of us. Amusing to see the locals taking video of the whole show-the sign in English and mandarin saying “no photography” was probably included in their shots. Every act had its high-points but the eight guys on motorbikes zipping around in a steel ball probably took first prize.
That night we went back and had dinner at Courtyard 7
