[2016 越南 胡志明 Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam] 一家大細去旅行 Family Trip Generation 4

一埗出胡志明機場，一股熱氣包圍全身，這個沒有四季的國家，有的只有熱和更熱，我想四月份只算是｢熱｣的程度。到達時已接近半夜，先回酒店休息，明天再和大家滙合。

The first thing I felt after stepping out from the Ho Chi Minh City Airport was HEAT!! My entire body was covered with the hot air. Vietnam, a country without four seasons, gives you hot and even hotter. I believe the weather in April is “hot” level. It was already after mid-night when we arrived. So we went straight to hotel for rest and met everyone the next day. 

機場室外接機大堂  Outdoor Pick Up Zone

這次來越南是因為叔叔結婚，對方是越南華僑，所以我們舉家來出席婚禮，順便來旅行，連年老的爺爺也來了，所以大家都很高興。

We travelled to Vietnam for my uncle’s wedding. The bride is Vietnamese Chinese so our family flew over for the wedding and also travel. My 90-year’s old grandpa also with us and we all were so excited. 

[2016 北京 Beijing] 遊胡同 細說歷史 Hutong Adventure Enjoy the History

早上到了徐記燒餅舖吃早餐，他們除了燒餅還有豆腐丸子湯，看到排隊的人都是點一份燒餅一份丸子湯，然後胡同放著長枱，客人便找個位置吃飯，吃得津津有味。我們都點了兩個燒餅和一份丸子湯，坐在胡同裡當個本地人。

We had our breakfast in the XuJiaXiao local pastry shop in the morning. They offer not only the baked chinese pastry pocket, but also the soup with tofu and meatball. People who lined up have their own set of pastry and soup and started enjoy their meal at the table in the Hutong. We also ordered two pastries and the soup, to be a local in the Hutong.

[2016 北京 Beijing] 圓明園 x 頤和園 x 798 為人民服務 New/ Old Summer Palace & Serve to bring you happiness

故宮、長城、天壇、胡同這些代表著北京歷史的建築都分別去過，現在就只剩下圓明園和頤和園。不能錯過的都已經去了，這兩個地方我抱著輕鬆的心情遊玩，拋開過去幾天的緊張和壓力。

Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven and HuTong are part of the historical architectures in Beijing and we have been there already. The only two left are Old Summer Palace and Summer Palace. These are not the must-do in our itinerary. Let’s just visit them with a leisure and chill attitude. We were not that tense as before or afraid to have not enough time to check out the place.  

先來到圓明園，一個經歷兩次聯軍洗禮，中國軍隊節節敗退的地方，被英法及八國聯軍大 搶掠珍品，事後更被聯軍破壞得七零八落。不談歷史，這裡的景致十分恬靜，小橋流水，翠綠碧湖，廣闊草地，五光十色。

We first arrived at Old Summer Palace which was destroyed twice by the western. The Chinese military escaped back to the Palace. The British, French and the Allied Forces plundered the treasures and ruined and exploded the Palace afterward. Regardless the history, the scenery is very silent and peaceful with lakes, bridges, meadow, spacious spaces. 

[2016 北京 Beijing] 萬里長城長又長...Gorgeous Great Wall!!!!!!

真的能坐免費車嗎？

Free Ride? Really?

的士司機解釋因為他買長城門票能獲得折扣，賺取佣金，所以我們以正價買門票，每張門票他可以獲得RMB 5。這麼一來我們沒有多付錢又能早一點到達，他也可以賺取一點錢，的確是雙贏。猶豫了一會，其他司機在旁遊說，說「其實我們都是大好人！」，所以我們便上車離開了。車程五分鐘都不用，把門票的錢交給司機，我曾經有想過他會否拿著錢逃走？

The taxi driver explained to us how does the free ride work. He said that he has discount to purchase the admission ticket so as to earn the commission. When we purchase the admission tickets at regular price, he can earn RMB 5 each as commission. In this case, we did not pay extra and able to arrive earlier, on the other side, he earned some money which are a Win-Win situation. While I was hesitating, the other drivers persuaded us by saying “We are actually a very nice people!”. I decided to get on his car. It took us less than 5 minutes to reach the gate. When I gave the driver the money to purchase the tickets, I was scared that he will take the money and escape.

[2016 北京 Beijing] 金山嶺長城 JingShanLing Great Wall

北京重點之行就是登長城，令我更期待的是我們要登上的不是八達嶺、不是居庸關、更不是慕田峪長城，而是金山嶺長城。金山嶺有「野長城」之稱，與其他關嶺的分別在於這一部份未有過份修葺，仍然保留最初的原貌，部份段落路面不平，所以比較危險；地點離北京比較遠，需要兩小時以上車程，每天8時一班專車直達長城，其他時間便要到金山嶺服務區再乘坐長城接駁車。以上兩大原因，令到金山嶺的遊客少之又少，這也是造就我們選擇這個地方的原因，因為我們不想看「人頭長城」。

The must-do for the Beijing Trip is to rock the Great Wall, I was so excited because we chose the JinShanLing Section rather than BaDaLing, JuYongGuan or MuTianYu. JinShanLing Great Wall is also renowned as “The Wild Great Wall”which retained the original structure and without excessive maintenance and repair of the path. In other word, it is relatively danger, but more down to earth. It located quite far from Beijing, taking at least two hours by bus. There is only one express bus at 8am daily going directly to the gate of Great Wall. Passengers have to switch the shuttle bus at JinShanLing Service Point. Due to the above two main reasons, the numbers of tourists head to JinShanLing are countable. This is the reason we decided to go to JinShanLing to avoid seeing the Great Wall with only heads. 

[2016 北京 Beijing] 起來!!我們入宮了!! Come On!! Lets Rock the Forbidden City!!

起來！不要做懶惰的人們！

Come on! Don't be a lazy one!

清晨4點左右睡眼惺忪起床，因為我們要去天空門看升旗，表面上多熱血愛國，事實是都已經來了，去吧！其次是升旗時間因應日照時間每天平均提前一分鐘，如果行程後半部才去，將要更早起床，單想到已經覺得很累。

We woke up at 4am because we wanted to attend the flag rising ceremony in Tiananmen Square. It seemed to be a country lover behaviour, but we were just thinking "We are here already. Why not?" Another reason is that the time for the flag raise will be 1 minute earlier day after day. In another word, if we decided to attend in the following days, we have to wake up a few minutes earlier. It was already sleepy to think of it. So Better Today!!!

[2016 北京 Beijing] 欣賞老北京的舊 Cherish the Old Beijing

復活節去北京幾天，請2日放5天。即使北京是中國的首都，但從來沒想過會到訪，因為在我眼中都是中國，都是養著那班人，那班令香港起了變化的內地人。但之前買歐洲機票送了單程北京票，不去好像很浪費，又遇著假期…...好吧！即管買張回程便出發啦！

We spent the Easter in Beijing because  it is a good deal to take 2 days off with 5 days holiday.  Even Beijing is the capital of China, I never thought of visiting. To me , BJ is just another city in China with same kind of Chinese who messed around in Hong Kong. I do not have a good impression. As we received a complimentary single ticket from the last Europe trip. It would be such a waste to not making another trip. Plus it was holiday... so why not just get another single return ticket to make it happen.