25/10/2009Day 20 - Beijing: Silk MarketThis morning we took it easy relaxing in our hotel room. After lunch we made our way to a silk market. We bought many souvenirs and had fun bargaining with the vendors. It was much nicer than the other market we visited earlier, the vendors we not quite as rude and pushy. I would like to tell you what we bought but Mum said I couldn't as it is a surprise for our family and friends when we get home. Sorry.

24/10/2009Day 19 - Beijing: Zoo & Aquarium Today we headed to the Beijing Zoo and Aquarium. The zoo was almost like any other zoo, expect that it wasn't as nice as the Melbourne Zoo; the animal's enclosures were more like cages, sometimes with little vegetation. The highlight was the panda exhibit; we spent a long time watching the pandas. My favourite was one panda who was slumped over like a rag doll; he was trying to lick the ground with his long tongue (I...

23/10/2009Day 18 - Beijing: Sleep in and WashingAfter the past few days of getting up early and sightseeing we decided to take it easy. Mum and Dad slept until 9am got up and had breaky and then slept some more till 11am. When they finally woke up Mum did the washing in the bath. It was very funny to see, she put our clothes in the bath added some laundry detergent, which she bought the night before at 7/11. Filled the bath with water and then stomped around in i...

22/10/2009Day 17 - Beijing: New Hotel and Getting LostToday we moved hotels - thank goodness. Although the last hotel was nice enough the hot water wasn't very hot, and they were doing renovations on the floor above us so it was quite noisy. It took a half hour drive to the new hotel. It is amazing the bed is king size, it has a couch and 32" plasma TV, desk with its own computer, the bathroom has a bath and a shower rather than a shower bath as all the hote...

21/10/2009Day 16 - Beijing: Great Wall, Ming TombsToday is the day, I can hardly contain my excitement, we are going to the Great Wall!! I wonder if we will see any rabbits? Wow, the wall is amazing it goes on and on and on as far as the eye can see in both directions. The part that we walked on was very steep. Some steps were so big that Dad had to lift me up and Mum's legs could just get her up. We climbed to the first tower and the view was breathtaking the mo...