The Great Wall at Badaling

In Beijing, we stayed in a flat belonging to Mummy's friend. It was warm, comfortable, and there were lots of toys to play with. It was cold outside, but fortunately there was central heating in the flat. Gonggong and Popo (grandpa and grandma) were also in town to see us.

We also had a day trip to the Great Wall at Badaling today. We took our time getting ready, so had quite a late start. Being a Saturday, the traffic was awful, and it took us ages to get there in our hire-car.

Once there, we climbed a long way to the top. We got back into town just in time to have dinner with some of Mummy's relatives who live in the city. Papa let me drink some shandy :-)

Our stay in Beijing

Today, we went to the Natural History Museum and the Paleontology Museum. In the evening, we ate in a famous Peking Duck restaurant. It was very popular; my Grandparents arrived at 6, but we still had to wait until 7:30 to be seated. Luckily, they had cooked up some dumplings so we had something to nibble on while we were waiting.

Duncan and me outside the Paleontology Museum

The day before yesterday, we went to the Beijing Zoo, where we particularly enjoyed the penguin house, and looking at the stone animals. I took a picture of a huge stone turtle, and a stone croc with Papa's camera.

My picture of the stone turtle

Slow train to China

This afternoon, we got off the train at Beijing West Railway station: Mummy and Papa decided to take Duncan and me to Beijing for Easter. We took the sleeper train all the way from Kowloon, via an inland route.

The trip took 24 hours, and was a new experience. Papa had brought along some snacks, but we still had our meals in the dining compartment. I slept in a bunk bed on the train. I wanted to sleep in the upper bunk, but didn't feel safe. I made Papa promise me to buy me a bunk bed with a fixed ladder for home.

Fifth Birthday

I celebrated my birthday today. It wasn't so easy to organise this year because my actual birthday fell very soon after Chinese New Year, and school had not yet resumed. I invited several friends, and Gugu organised the catering. Papa found Gary the Magician to come and perform for me. He played some excellent magic, and I couldn't understand why his wand wilted several times in my hand.

Gary then twisted balloons for everyone. I got carried away and started snatching the balloons from some of my invitees, making them cry. Grandma whisked me off home.

In the evening, Papa and Mummy took me to my judo exam. Sensei Ho examined my technique and understanding, and passed me to the green belt.

Swimming gala

Today was the Jockey Club swimming gala in Shatin. Coach Lok advised Papa to enter me for 3 events in my age group.

We got there early for lunch, but I was so tired that I fell asleep on the way there. Papa let me doze in the car. I was still tired when Papa woke me, and told him I didn't feel like swimming.

I felt much better after getting changed; I took first prize in the 25m breast stroke event, and third prize in the 25m kick event. I took second place in the 25m freestyle. Papa said I would have won the gold medal if I had not stopped because my goggles were leaking water. Overall, I was the Champion for the age-group, and I got a cup in addition to my three medals.