Safe and sound, here we are!
Our flight left right on time from Toronto on Friday morning and just over 13 hours later we arrived in Beijing. Bryanna and Cassidy were absolute troupers - they watched movies and snacked, and played cards, and read books and even managed to sleep for a couple of hours.
Brilliant blue skies and sun here, though still cold at around -1 degrees celsius. Our guide, Ma Rui, met us and the other families at the airport and we quickly reached our hotel. Although it is the Jianguo Hotel - it is NOT the same one we stayed at 7 years ago as we had originally thought (same name, different place). Nice and new, very north american in style. A picture of the view from our room is attached.
Though we were tired, everyone stayed awake - we all trooped to a shopping centre and bought some drinks and snacks, then a few of the families went out for dinner and a lovely place a few blocks away. Bryanna and Cassidy see everything as a big adventure and are enjoying running and exploring everything.
Now back at the hotel, the girls are sound asleep and the adults are feeling decidedly woozy after being up for over 25 hours now. A little longer and we'll try and get to sleep.
Tomorrow (Sunday) is a free day before the official tour starts and we hope to either walk or take the subway to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City - Bryanna and Cassidy are looking forward to seeing where the emperors lived.
More tomorrow when we are more awake!
Our flight left right on time from Toronto on Friday morning and just over 13 hours later we arrived in Beijing. Bryanna and Cassidy were absolute troupers - they watched movies and snacked, and played cards, and read books and even managed to sleep for a couple of hours.
Brilliant blue skies and sun here, though still cold at around -1 degrees celsius. Our guide, Ma Rui, met us and the other families at the airport and we quickly reached our hotel. Although it is the Jianguo Hotel - it is NOT the same one we stayed at 7 years ago as we had originally thought (same name, different place). Nice and new, very north american in style. A picture of the view from our room is attached.
Though we were tired, everyone stayed awake - we all trooped to a shopping centre and bought some drinks and snacks, then a few of the families went out for dinner and a lovely place a few blocks away. Bryanna and Cassidy see everything as a big adventure and are enjoying running and exploring everything.
Now back at the hotel, the girls are sound asleep and the adults are feeling decidedly woozy after being up for over 25 hours now. A little longer and we'll try and get to sleep.
Tomorrow (Sunday) is a free day before the official tour starts and we hope to either walk or take the subway to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City - Bryanna and Cassidy are looking forward to seeing where the emperors lived.
More tomorrow when we are more awake!
2 comments:
Hi Thompson Family
Your homeland trip is off to a wonderful start! Glad the journey to Beijing went as planned. Bryanna and Cassidy look like seasoned travellers. Enjoy all the adventures. Looking forward to following along--keep the pics a-coming!
Steph, Rick, Brenna and Garreth
P. S. Please pass along my hello's to the two Sault families!
Hi there!
I was thinking about you as soon as I woke up this morning and wondering if we'd find a message to say you arrived safe and sound. Hannah & Stephanie are looking forward to hearing about your trip and seeing the pictures you post.
Glad to hear the flight went so smoothly and that the girls did well.
We wish we were with you on this wonderful adventure, but look forward to hearing ALL about it when you return.
Take care, enjoy and say hi to the girls from us.
Love, Jane, Steve, Hannah & Stephanie
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