Happy AnniCHINAry!:)

March 25, 2011. I've conquered the Great Wall of China!!! Wooooot! One down on my bucket list. *clap* clap*

I haven't blogged about my Beijing trip last year just because...hmm...I'm lazy? Hahaha or because I'm such a loser when it comes to blogging. Anyway, since today marks the anniversary of my China trip, I'll try to write a decent post about my travel in the world's most populous country. I'm so lucky because a friend of mine was staying at Beijing at that time and offered to let me and my friend Keith stay at his apartment. Hurray for free accommodation!!!:D

My travel to Beijing was my second out-of-the-country trip. Well, literally it was the second because I've been to Tokyo before (Thanks to Kumon yay) but I really considered this one my first real out-of-the-country trip. Partly because this travel is for leisure and I paid for everything. Huhu naubos savings ko. Nevertheless, I don't regret it! I really really need to travel during that time. Why? See previous previous post. Hahaha!

Question: Why China? Friends usually ask me that. Pwede naman HK or SG. But why why why of all places in Asia, I chose BJ. Yeah, I know it's not usual "travel" place. Hey,I chose to go China because I've been dying to climb the Great Wall. Bakit ba nagingialam kayo?! Hahaha!

Lovely was supposed to go with us. Sadly, her work didn't permit it so only Keith and I braved the Chinese. Lol! Let the pictures speak for themselves. This one is my best travel so far!!

We left PH at around 7pm. We arrived at Beijing Airport at exactly 12 midnight. Kita mo ang mga excited!! Pati sa escalator nagpapicture! Mwahaha!

Welcome to Chinaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. We're heeeere.

We were fetched at the airport by my friend Andrew and we headed straight to his apartment. He's a pure Chinese by the way. It's been three years since I last saw him. Good thing I was still able to recognize his face. Puro kasi singkit mga nandun. Nakakalito! Hahaha! And oh, the temperature at that time was freaking 5 degrees Celsius!! Pffft. When Andrew saw us, he asked "Guys, are you sure you're going out without changing your jackets?" Ang tapang ko pa when I said yes. But after a few steps outside, I said "Okay. Let's go back. I'm changing my jacket". Wahaha!

Amazed by the "leafless" tree at the back. Yun talaga yung gusto ko picturan!

It took us 40 minutes to get to his apartment. I realized BJ's airport is far far far away from the city. Even if I didn't catch some sleep on the plane, I'm wide awake! I'm like a child staring outside the taxi window enjoying the view, tulo laway pa! Haha! I had my jaw dropped the entire time as we pulled up to his place. Upon arriving at his place, we chatted for a while and then slept at 3am. Keith and I have to wake up early because the Great Wall tour guide will be picking us up at 6am!

FIRST DAY: Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Jade Factory, Silk Factory, Tea Party

Sadly, Andrew couldn't join us in this trip because he had to go to work. Keith and I are on our own. Andrew just wrote his address on a piece of paper and instructed us that if we get lost, we can just show the taxi driver that piece of paper. Oh noes. Pano pala kung ibang address nakasulat dun no? Haha! We wouldn't even know because it's written in Chinese characters! Hehe.. So we took a cab to some place (see I don't even know the name of the place!) where we met up with the tour guide. Together with other eager beaver tourists, the adventuuuuuuure began!

On our way to Jade Factory

Our first stop was at the Jade Factory. Everything is sooooo expensive! All I was able to afford was a small jade stamp with my name written in Chinese characters. Pampaswerte daw so I bought one.

They are so expensive. Pa-picture na lang ako libre pa haha!

Yes, it's so cold even if the sun is shining bright.

After that we went to Ming Tombs. The sights are all overwhelming. We were always left behind by the group because we're so busy taking pictures! Maski puno pinipicturan namin! Puno in China, poste in China, bato in China. Everything in China! Picture lang ng picture! Lol. I remember one tourist told us "You Filipinos like to take pictures". Uhhh.. hindi..hindi naman ahh. =))

I secretly took a picture of our group in case we get lost, papakita lang namin pictures nila. Haha! As if! Anyway, ayun. The guy in red. He was the one who told us that we like taking pictures. At dahil dyan, nagpapicture na lang kami sakanya. Lol. Good job kuya.

Emperor's tomb with LOTS of money. Kainggit! Patay na, kumikita pa. Haha!

We had lunch at a restaurant before heading to the Great Wall. The food is so delicious! I really love Chinese food. Fave ko ang Chinese food! And this one is authentic Chinese food! Not the usual yangchow fried rice served in the Philippines. *drools* I don't know the names of the food basta lafang na lang ng lafang!

After eating, we went to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall through a cable car. This part of the Great Wall is less crowded so basically we had the whole walls all to ourselves. Kahit magpagulong gulong ako pababa, okay lang. Yebah! Occasionally, we'll see random Chinese who will lure us into buying stuff. We bought a "certificate" that certifies that we've climbed the Great Wall. Like duh. Haha! And it costs us a lot of yuan!

On our way up the Great Wall!

Wohoooo! I've conquered the Great Wall!

Some wacky Chinese. Siya talaga nagpapicture samin

This is the longest walk I've had so far. The wall is never ending and the steps are so steep! I certainly underestimated the climb. "Ain't about the how fast I get there. Ain't about what's waiting on the other side. It's the cliiiiimb". Nyahaha!

After the three or four hour walk, we returned to the same starting point and took the Toboggan down. Now, this is the BEST part. Ride for liiiiiiiiiife!

Scary yung warning sign.

Haha yikeee takot si ate.

Now my turn. Wohooo!

After the ride, we were greeted by another Chinese in his I-don't-know-what-he-is costume. Of course we can't understand him! All I know is that he wants us to take a picture with him. So we agreed. But lo and behold! After two shots, he was extending his hand and saying "100 yuan". What the?!?! He tricked us! Kala ko naman nagandahan lang siya samin at gusto lang magpapicture. Pfffft. Now I know why most Chinese are rich! Hehe.. Business kung business.

We went to Silk Factory afterwards and attended a Tea Party. I'm not much of a fan of teas, well unless it's a milk tea. But I can say I learned a lot from the tour. That's how our Day 1 in Beijing went.

P.S. We got lost but thanks to the piece of paper Andrew gave us, we were able to return to his apartment earlier than expected. I shall write about Day 2 and Day 3 soon.:)