Day 23: Sayonara Japan, Ni Hao Beijing

DID: We saw Mt Fuji!!! From the window of the bus on the way to the airport, then again from the airport viewing platform (which by the way is one of many clever features of Haneda airport), and finally from the plane on the way to Beijing. Great shopping in the airport, at last we found a t-shirt in Rhys’ size which had Japanese writing – appropriately it says ‘naughty boy’.

Flew over beautiful clear skies until we hit the border of China. Not sure if it’s weather or pollution related (or both) but didn’t see the ground coming until we were on top of it. 45-min taxi from airport to central Beijing cost about $10 – in an instant we see life is about to become less expensive.

Spent the afternoon relaxing in the hotel, needed some downtime after the pace in Tokyo!

It’s hard not to compare the Chinese with the Japanese, the two cultures seem they could not be more different. We’ve certainly left a land of ‘it’s all about you’ and appear to be in one that’s ‘all about me’. The language reminds me of Italian in a way, I can’t tell if people are shouting because they are angry or just because. But I like their spirit!

The buildings are enormous, lots of interesting architecture and lighting, the streets are immaculate. Sidewalks along the main roads are wide and well maintained, but turn the corner and it’s the exact opposite. Lots of construction debris, crates of plates waiting for dishwashing service, rusty bikes, etc. Can’t decide if it’s better or worse to have the stroller.

Taxi driver back to hotel may not have been the most qualified driver on the road. Should have gotten a clue that his vision was not the best when Jason handed him the business card for the hotel and he had to hold it as far away from his face as possible while angling it for the best light. Made for an ‘interesting’ ride back.

ATE:  Breakfast – pastries @ Haneda airport.

Lunch – dumplings at a restaurant in the basement of the YMCA across from our hotel (recommended by the concierge). Yum. Two plates of dumplings (one fried pork, the other steamed prawn), a couple bowls of rice and two beers cost $5.
Gavin can use chopsticks – it’s official. We’ve got it on video, will post once outside of the Chinese wall.

Dinner – Szechuan restaurant on Ghost St. Mouth was on fire but numb at the same time after delish stir-fried/crispy chicken and green beans. Very festive street of about 100 restaurants on either side, all lit up by red lanterns.

SLEPT: Legendale Hotel in Dongcheng neighborhood. I won 3 nights at the hotel via an auction on Luxury Link. Hotel intrigued me due to its location (10 minute walk to Ti’anamen Square and the Forbidden City), its pool, its ridiculously ostentatious imitation of French Louis XIV style and its equally ridiculous claim to be the best hotel in the world.  And wow, did it not disappoint. From the massive marble lobby, to the gorgeous pool with underwater lounges, to the biggest book of services I’ve ever seen (photo to come) – it really does try to give the impression of being the best of the best. I couldn’t get over the décor – it was just so over the top – the glass wall separating the bathroom from the bedroom was the funniest part. I do have to concede that the bed was pretty damn comfortable, loved the silky soft sheets and loads of pillows. Best in the world? Maybe not, but I will sleep well here and it’s in a flash location – especially for luxury car shopping. There’s Lamborghini next door, Mercedes in the lobby, Astin Martin across the street, and Ferarri two doors down.  Vertu, Gucci, Chanel, etc in the mall next door.