Peking Duck

So, after rolling around in bed until 11:30am, Sara and I decided that we should get some ‘breakfast’. I played the role of reluctant tourist and ordered an English breakfast, whilst Sara went for a more traditional stir-fried egg and tomato.

The english breakfast was cute, it came on an absolutely humungous round plate, and on the plate were 2 pieces of toast, 2 fried eggs, one tiny sausage, a quarter of a tomato, the smallest dish of beans you ever did see, and a pile of fried shiitake mushrooms. All items had a little section of plate all to themselves. It was also delicious, though I could have done with a bigger sausage!

After breakfast we ventured out to the Silk Market. I was expecting a market similar to those I’ve seen in other parts of Asia, and so was unprepared for walking into what appeared to be a department store. It was unmistakeably a market (Nicki, Mum, Dad, think Poole Market), but it was on separate shiny marble (marble-esque?) floors connected by escalators. This is where Sara and I picked up our most important souvenier. The much-coveted, ‘I (insert heart symbol) BJ’ t-shirt. Most Beijing-ers have absolutely no idea why western tourists scream in delight, buy up and pose for photo’s in these T-shirts whilst peeing themselves laughing.....but they do and it certainly helps their revenue, and so presumably order them in by the barrel-load.

Yes...I'm in the toilet....and what??

Sustenance was soon required after doing battle with the stall owners, Sara’s bargaining skills leave nothing to be desired, she haggled a painting I bought down from 1500 yuan to 300 yuan.....well, to 500, I said I wanted to think about it and as we were walking off he shouted ‘300! Last offer!’, so that was about the level of skill I brought to the plate. None.

We visited a restaurant just a few doors down from where we’re staying and had......

General sights on wandering around Beijing at night

Peking duck. It was delicious! There is a dish of the pink/brown meaty meat with no fat, a dish of the meat closer to the skin with skin and fat, and a dish of crispy skin that has been fried. You put a bit of each in the pancake (after dipping in hoisin sauce) and top with veggies.....om nom nom nom. It was exceptionally filling and delicious! *Hunting ducks*

It had already been decided that we were going out for some beers that night, so after we’d waddled ungainly back to the hostel and rested awhile, we headed out to San Li Tun, the club and bar district. After a bit of a wander in the freezing temperatures we finally found the area that Sara remembered from her trips to Beijing before, and installed ourselves in Bar Blue. Sara had taught me a game called ‘Liars Dice’ earlier in the day and we spent most of the evening playing this. It involves 5 dice and a beaker each. I’d explain it, but it might not make sense, I’d be happy to explain to anyone who wants to know when I get home.

It’s a Chinese bar game, and so they’re interested to see Westerners playing, a few people came over at various times and joined us for a few rounds, mostly attempting to thrash us. As is the travelling way....whoever loses has to drink. So we were both the worse for wear having ordered some very strong cocktails when we left at 4am! Not the best idea when we were meeting Sara’s fried Kenny who lives in Beijing at 11am that morning.

Our ideas are always the best ideas! Oh Yes!

Big loves to all at home, hi to Nicki, Mum, Dad, Nanny, Jo and any other family who may be reading (Auntie Pat, Maz) xx