First thing this morning we got up early to make it to the Consulate on time to pick up our visas - after the bus finally arriving (the first one broke down about a metre after we hopped on!), we made it to the consulate to have to wait outside with about 15 other people before being let in to pick up our visas. Luckily everything was ok, and with visas in hand (we got the 21 days after all the arguing) and huge smiles on our faces we are off to Mongolia tomorrow. We've just heard from family in Wellington about the state of emergency that's been declared in Mongolia, after riots relating to the elections left protesters dead - now a curfew is in place in the capital and there is a ban on alcohol. Hopefully this doesn't affect our plans too much, and we can make it into the countryside asap.
On the way back from the consulate we found a typical Chinese market street to stroll along where we picked our way through the fruit, veggies, herbs, spices, trinkets and other bits and pieces. We stopped for some tasty plums before finding some mini cupcakes that would be the highlight of Adam's day transporting him back in time to NZ and weekends at his Oma's house as the cakes tasted exactly like Oma's cookies!!!
Next we had the find of the century when we came across 2008 Beijing Olympic T-shirts for 15 kuai (NZ$3!). We got a few more mumbles and pops who are still kicking themselves for not buying more of the cheap products China has to offer - they even bought one for us (thanks guys!). Hohhot is slowly building up to the torch relay arriving here next week (which we'll sadly miss), but we did our bit to support!
Later on we wandered through the streets until we found the Qingcheng park, where we ate a few bbq'ed breads, slept on the grass, and enjoyed strolling in another Chinese park sandwiched between the city and its skyscrapers.
Our amblings continued to the Wuta Pagoda, where we snapped off a few shots from outside the gates and avoided the high entrance fees. This pagoda is quite different from many we've seen, as it has a clear Indian and Tibetan influence.
After a rest, we found ourselves once again on the computers continuing our Mongolian research - with new gusto after getting our visas!!Tonight we'll find food and cold beers, which even Liv has been enjoying over the past few weeks, before packing for Mongolia!
Adlibing it around town.
No comments:
Post a Comment