For the flight back to Taipei, we were on an older plane which didn’t have individual video screens, so the girls stood up in their seats to watch the movie screen in the front. Unfortunately, the Chinese government had yet to approve direct over-flights, which made the flight three hours longer that it needed to [...]]]>

For the flight back to Taipei, we were on an older plane which didn’t have individual video screens, so the girls stood up in their seats to watch the movie screen in the front. Unfortunately, the Chinese government had yet to approve direct over-flights, which made the flight three hours longer that it needed to be. [slideshow]

After lunch, our China manager gave us a ride to the airport for our return flight to Taipei. The new airport is very modern and commercial. A lot different from when I was here back in [...]]]>

After lunch, our China manager gave us a ride to the airport for our return flight to Taipei. The new airport is very modern and commercial. A lot different from when I was here back in 1994. [slideshow]

Before heading to the airport, we visited the VIVA office in Beijing and had lunch with our manager. His wife got the girls some Chinese dolls, which they immediately opened up to play [...]]]>

Before heading to the airport, we visited the VIVA office in Beijing and had lunch with our manager. His wife got the girls some Chinese dolls, which they immediately opened up to play with. [slideshow]

On our last day, we were able to get tickets to the Paralympics and check out the Beijing Olympic complex. We started off in a mob of a line elbowing our way (“boxing-out”) to the entrance. Once in, it was a very impressive view of both the Olympic Stadium (aka Bird’s Nest) and the Aquatic Center [...]]]>

On our last day, we were able to get tickets to the Paralympics and check out the Beijing Olympic complex. We started off in a mob of a line elbowing our way (“boxing-out”) to the entrance. Once in, it was a very impressive view of both the Olympic Stadium (aka Bird’s Nest) and the Aquatic Center (aka Water Cube). The girls had a good time watching the track and field events and medal ceremonies inside the Bird’s Nest. [slideshow]

For our last dinner in Beijing, we tried out the highly rated Made in China on the first floor of the Hyatt. We were able to walk there from our hotel, going through the Oriental Plaza Mall, but kept missing the ‘secret’ entrance to the Hyatt lobby.

We had the best Peking Duck (which you have to [...]]]>

For our last dinner in Beijing, we tried out the highly rated Made in China on the first floor of the Hyatt. We were able to walk there from our hotel, going through the Oriental Plaza Mall, but kept missing the ‘secret’ entrance to the Hyatt lobby.

We had the best Peking Duck (which you have to order ahead of time) of the trip. We saw a special scallop dish on the menu that we wanted to try, but our waiter told us that they were all reserved for a large party that evening. Fortunately, as we were finishing our meal, the waiter told us that there was one scallop serving still available, so we got it in the end. [slideshow+video]

After lunch, we took a taxi over to the Temple of Heaven. We discovered that the temple is in the middle of a large courtyard where the city elderly like to hang out. We saw quite a few of them sitting around playing cards, singing karaoke and folk-dancing. After finally getting to the temple and viewing [...]]]>

After lunch, we took a taxi over to the Temple of Heaven. We discovered that the temple is in the middle of a large courtyard where the city elderly like to hang out. We saw quite a few of them sitting around playing cards, singing karaoke and folk-dancing. After finally getting to the temple and viewing it, we were too tired to walk to the south end where they have the Echo Wall. [slideshow]

Gou Bu Li is a famous dumpling restaurant that has a branch in Wangfujing. We went to try it out for lunch since we had to pickup our Paralympic tickets at a nearby bank. The first floor was packed solid, so we found a table upstairs.

They have a room in the middle of the restaurant [...]]]>

Gou Bu Li is a famous dumpling restaurant that has a branch in Wangfujing. We went to try it out for lunch since we had to pickup our Paralympic tickets at a nearby bank. The first floor was packed solid, so we found a table upstairs.

They have a room in the middle of the restaurant where you can see them wrapping all the dumplings. We ordered the combo to try the different fillings. It was quite tasty and very filling. [slideshow]

With our hotel in close proximity to the Forbidden City, there are some great views from the roof. Due to the security precautions for the Olympics, we had to be escorted by a hotel staff. But it was definitely worth the effort. Also, our hotel shares a conference center that has this elaborately traditional Chinese hallway [...]]]>

With our hotel in close proximity to the Forbidden City, there are some great views from the roof. Due to the security precautions for the Olympics, we had to be escorted by a hotel staff. But it was definitely worth the effort. Also, our hotel shares a conference center that has this elaborately traditional Chinese hallway entrance. [slideshow]

One nice feature of our hotel room in Beijing was the spacious indoor balcony that looks over the inner courtyard. Before the girl’s bedtime, we relaxed there and enjoyed some fresh fruit and snacks, while the girls provided their own [...]]]>

One nice feature of our hotel room in Beijing was the spacious indoor balcony that looks over the inner courtyard. Before the girl’s bedtime, we relaxed there and enjoyed some fresh fruit and snacks, while the girls provided their own entertainment. [slideshow+videos]

After a short break at the hotel, we headed out to Houhai for some dinner and shopping. The restaurant we ate at was deliciously spicy. We had fun walking through the different shops and trying out the snacks and [...]]]>

After a short break at the hotel, we headed out to Houhai for some dinner and shopping. The restaurant we ate at was deliciously spicy. We had fun walking through the different shops and trying out the snacks and drinks. [slideshow]