On our way to China - Aug 6, 2009 - Xian, Shaanxi, China

Travel Diary

Thursday August 6 – 5pm

Tim and Len drove us up to Pearson Int’l , after a quick goodbye to Gail and Bern (Liz’s parents) at Len’s we were on our way! No tears at the airport but both Amy and I wondered how Tim and Len will make out for a month with out us there ;) (likely numerous meals out… and stretching the clothing supply to the max!)

Amy and I board our Air Canada flight #31 direct to Beijing.– our seats were pre assigned when we checked in, Liz did check at the check in what it would cost to upgrade our tickets to first class ($800. ea - we thought that would better be left in the Chinese, Mongolian or Russian economy than on a plush seat). But low and behold – we were at the emergency exit & steward station! Wow – no one in front of us… and even no one in the seat next to us … all the legroom we could use, and we could have even stretched out on the floor. Lucky us! Our plane took off on time…and ok a few tears we’re shed as we took off on our adventure, Amy was just so excited

A few silly airplane facts…

We flew on Air Canada – aircraft 77w

13 hours direct to Beijing, China

Ground speed average 598 mph

Altitude 33,000 ft

Distance to destination 6,428 miles

Outside temperature -68 (F)

In seats 50K & L

Friday August 7 - 10pm (local time)

And we landed! Arrived on time (4.05pm) at Beijing Int’l Airport … 29 degrees (C) and foggy. (not smoggy) Off we went – clearing customs, collecting our luggage, and Amy exchanged some cash… Liz was waiting for an ATM (haha – hopefully). All this took close to an hour, and just outside the baggage claim – yeah a petite Chinese girl holding a sign with our name! woo hoo – our extra excursion has worked out!

We meet Ms. Cindy from Beijing Service Tour Group who was transferring us to Beijing

West Train Station, and had our overnight train tickets to Xian for us. Excellent! Not to mention that right behind us was that ATM – and yippee my bank card worked like a dream! 1000 RMB (yuan) in each of our hands and we were off and running! Alright not so much running… more like a steady waddle with our porter bags, carry on/overnight bags and our day packs strung around us… and I am sure a dazed look on our face after that 13 hours in the air (nope no sleep for us – maybe an hour mini nap on the plane) 

With 4 hours until our train still, Cindy offered for us to pit stop along the way at a Tea House, to sample tea for free. Yeah yeah…. Of course also great for shopping (wink, wink,), hear’s a laugh – neither of us were even remotely tempted, at least the staff weren’t pushy either.

A drive into downtown Beijing, by of the Forbidden City and Tiannemen Sq and we arrived at the train station. Funny – it looks greener than I expected (from the movies) – Cindy said they planted a lot for the olyimpics and it has really helped with the pollution/ smog problem. And very very busy! Well what do you expect from a city of 7 million. We grabbed a bite at a Chinese ‘fast food’ at the train station, because as Amy will find out – Liz requires a regular supply of food, (chocolate only goes for so long) and I wasn’t too sure I’d make it through the overnight train.

Our train to Xian – #T43 – Car #8 – soft sleeper # 17 & 18 (bottom and top) – oh and yes the bottom bunk costs more! Departing at 9:30pm we will arrive in Xian in the morning….

Night all

~Liz (& Amy)