A hazy view!

After an uneventful 9hr flight to Beijing, we arrived at a very posh new airport!! P had flown in from Helsinki early this morning, so was pleased to see us arrive and the driver who was due to transport us to our apartment.

A bit of a delay in finding the correct block in the complex (a 30 min detour), thank goodness for the print out in English and Chinese, as no one appears to speak English around here!!

The apartment is not quite as described on the conference website, (it's a bit like a tired old Travelodge room), so no microwave or washing machine, plenty of jasmine tea!! Good job I brought enough clothes for the trip and a good supply of coffee and tea bags!!

A message during the day to say J stuck in Hong Kong due to visa problems!! So the three of us went "walkabout" to try to get money converted in to local currency (our hotel doesn't do it) and a supply of tonic. We called in at a local restaurant on the way back. Another interesting experience when trying to order food!! It was edible, but so hot it almost fried your brains!!

A stiff gin and tonic was the order of the day when we got back to the apartment. A phone call from J about 1am to ask for directions as her driver had dropped her off at the wrong apartment block.

This is going to be an interesting trip!!!

By the way.... We can see the Birds Nest Stadium from the front of our apartment building.