China Day 23, 28th May 2019, The Forbidden City.

So this morning was little slow to start as Jane still has head cold. We decided to have breakfast at the hotel again as just too simple, included in the price and a great selection of Chinese food along with a small selection of toast and jams and of course fruit and yoghurt. A good choice of ‘Burning vegetables’ ( a hot pot of water to simmer greens in) and at least another 27 Chinese hot dishes to choose from, plus bacon every second day.

After our fill it was on to the subway to Tiananmen East station. It was going to be a stinker today (37 C) so conserving energy was a must. Crossed the road and had a choice of walking to either of the east or south entrance, 840m or 970m so chose the shortest route, wrong decision; almost there when we ran into an American couple who had done the same, only problem was it was an exit only, so turnaround and head to the other entrance. Got there and coerced into an art studio on the way but finally in after standing in line with a young Spanish couple who were heading to Datong tomorrow. Just masses of marble and granite courtyards along with the multitude of palace buildings, so impressive. We got the audio guide which had good reviews but was a little hit and miss, but did get some worthwhile information from it. Next time would pay for a private guide (only 200 Yuan) and just get them to take us to the important things we want to see. Like so many of these places after four (4) hours walking around it becomes a bit of sensory overload and along with the excessive heat ( amplified by the stone) it was time to leave. Had a quick look at the exhibition that was in the exit building, artifacts from the Vatican, good to see the exquisite items the Catholics had stolen and now were on display back in China ;-)

We thought of heading to a park but in the end walked until we came to the China National Art Museum. Sounded an excellent idea as air conditioned and a great coffee shop with excellent coffee and a couple of little cakes to go with them. Had a nice wander around in the cool and really enjoyed the lithographs and etchings from the 30's and 40's, all very pro communist. There was also a calligraphy exhibition on and some were massive. After this it was just back to the hotel and a short cool rest with a couple of cold beers.
Alec and Helen came to pick us up about 7.30 pm and we were on the way to a Chinese BBQ restaurant for dinner. Ended up being just around the corner from the Art Museum we were in earlier and where we had wandered the previous evening. Had to sit outside for a few minutes until a table was ready and then it was on. Lots of food on skewers over a red hot bbq, even had a can of air to smell (yes true, canned air smelling of grass meadows). We had all types of meat, plus chicken cartilage, chicken tendons, kidneys, and finally silk worm chrysalis cases ( really good and quite nutty flavour, only ate the middle not the case as shown by our Chinese neighbours.) all washed down with some beers. Everyone had to have a look at the toilet washbasins before we left but finally finished and then given an ice cream as we left. An excellent night and ending to our journey to China and some quality time spent with Alec.

Back to the hotel and farewells to Alec and Helen and then retired for the night around midnight, ready for a quick visit in the morning to the Temple of Heaven before heading to the airport and on the way home.

BBQ silk worm chrysalis

great toilet wash basin