More airport scenes

I'm done with my project in China. I took these pictures at the airport on the way back to the US.

View from Beijing's Capital Airport Terminal 2


I took a similar China Southern Airbus from Manila to Beijing (via Xiamen).


Tokyo/Narita airport - one of the shops that sell electronics


Walking towards the Continental gate


Japanese goodies for sale


More goodies


Even at the airport, there's always a line at McD


You can get something to read for your flight, if
you can read Japanese.


Another store, more eye candy


At the Origami store


More origami


And some more


NRT even has a Sushi bar


You can also take a shower at the airport


A place to let the smaller ones play


Lounging area for passengers


The Continental 777 that flew me home. I was upgraded me to seat 1A in the BusinessFirst section. I ate and slept well. The flight was smooth, except for some sections over Russia and over the Pacific. As soon as we got closer to the US, there was not even a bump.

More Food

Room Service
There's a lot of options on the room service menu but somehow I prefer this "Spicy Noodles with Seafood in Sechuan sauce". After arriving from work, going to a restaurant to eat (alone) does not sound very appealing. Then what is appealing? I dial the room service button on the phone and order this one. In about 30 minutes or so, it gets delivered to my room... still steaming. The taste is amazing and is very spicy. I put my feet up on the coffee table and enjoy the food while watching TV.


Duck Overdose
The China team treated the US consultants (myself and another colleague) to a farewell lunch. There were several courses and it was way too heavy for lunch. Once again, the Beijing duck showed up on the table. That was yesterday. Today, we were treated to another farewell lunch. The Beijing duck was on the table again. No complaints here. It always tastes great.

In your face, Starbucks

I was on my way to the Pearl Market. As I got closer to the building, I noticed a coffee shop that looked like a Starbucks. Never mind the logo, the color and the signage. Probably just a coincidence...

Click on the pictures to see the full image



The Pearl Market. Sure, you can find pearls and other jewelry here. However, it is more popular for selling knockoffs of luxury bags, watches and electronics. IPhones, ipods, Rolexes, Louis Vuittons and other brands are in full display. You ask for something, you get a price. You just haggle until you are happy with the price.


At the Subway

Lama Temple, Beijing

No, this has nothing to do with the "llama", the animal. According to some wiki on the web, a "lama" is a Tibetan or Mongolian teacher of Buddhism. No surprises there. I did see a couple of Buddhas inside the compound.

The Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple; Yonghe Lamasery) is the largest and best-preserved lamasery in Beijing. It was built in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as the residence of the Emperor Yongzheng (the third emperor of the Qing Dynasty) before he ascended the throne. In the year 1744, the residence was completely converted into a lamasery.

I didn't write the previous paragraph. I needed a description of the place so I got it off some website.

After breakfast, I and my colleague took the line 2 subway and got off at the Lama Temple station. The place was very busy with the locals and some tourists. Here are pictures that I took today.

Click on the pictures to see the full image.

A store selling incense


More stores selling incense


Entrance to the Lama Temple


Buying tickets - ¥25 to get in. Audio guides are optional.


Locals and tourists lining up to get tickets


The Bell Tower


More Details


Ringing the Bell


Lighting the Incense


The Worshippers


Taking pictures is also not allowed


A peek inside the hall


More Incense


A closer look


As you leave, you can buy souvenirs

Lama Temple - Videos

An attempt to ring the bell and bring more luck.


Incense being lit


Prayers


Touching the Wheel


The sign says "Do not throw coins".

Walmart... in Beijing

It's a Saturday again. I've run out of places to visit here in Beijing. I planned weekend trips to Shanghai and Hongkong but these didn't work out. I need to go somewhere. I have to. Otherwise, I'll be online all day and I'll be spamming everyone's inbox with annoying messages.

That is how I ended up checking out the local Walmart. Walmart is the biggest retailer in the world and it's headquarters is in Bentonville, Arkansas. It is known for selling products at a much cheaper price than other retailers. A substantial percentage of the products that it sells come from China.

For the most part, it looks like your normal Walmart superstore back in the US. Until you see it's "Asian" flavor. By the way, you can click on the pictures to see the full image.

It is located very close to a subway line. I took this picture as soon as I got off the train.


The Entrance


"Moving Sidewalks" - the same type you see at airports and it takes you from one floor to another.


The Highlight. I showed this section to my colleague. She could not believe her eyes. A butcher was hacking away at "something", which looked like a newly-slaughtered pig. Customers back home just see the end result - clean, machine-cut ribs and chops. The Asian version? No frills, fresh cut of meat on a table and ready for the picking.

Telenovela in Mandarin?

I always channel surf, especially if the commercials are on. I've been working here now for several months and I noticed something different on TV this time. The characters looked different. The attire looked different but familiar. I was not aware that Chinese TV also gets regional shows, dubs and subtitles it in Mandarin. You might know this show - I don't.

Back at the hotel

I was not sure what else I could be doing on this Sunday afternoon so I headed back to the hotel. I started to surf and realized I was really bored. I went to the hotel's fitness center and swam in the pool. No one else was using it. I've been here several times and each time, it was always empty.

Beihai Park

Beihai Park is right beside the Forbidden City and is a short subway ride from the hotel. I need to get out of the hotel. Right after breakfast, I did.

The Pagoda


This is the view upon reaching the Pagoda




At the top


From afar

More Videos

Another weekend. I can't stand staying in the hotel so I always find a way to get out. Today the destination is Beihai Park in the middle of Beijing.

The Chinese make full use of their parks. They go to socialize, dance, sing and play games. I toook pictures and videos. These videos were taken on my cellphone so these are not very sharp.

I don't know what this thing is. Based on what I've read about "it", this toy has been played by the Chinese for many centuries. I'll just call it... "the spinning toy".


Fancy tricks


Seems like country in the region has some version of this game. This is "sipa" back home. Then there's this game called "sepak takraw" played in Malaysia and Indonesia.


Dancing in public

Sushi in China

I took a detour and went to the Chaoyangmen shopping area. It was close to 2 pm and I was looking for a quick bite. I ended up in a Japanese restaurant. Just like some restaurants in Tokyo (and even California), this one serves food on a conveyor. Sushi, dessert and sake is put on the conveyor on colored plates. The color determines the price of the selection.

Panda Videos

Eating bamboo


Looks like a toy but it's real


Stretching exercise


The handler was trying to feed him but this guy was just contented staying where he was. The noise in the background was the handler trying to catch the panda's attention towards his food.

At the zoo

One more tourist


The Entrance


Getting to the Panda