One (Week) In Beijing - Part II

After a super-star send off for our dear friend from Shanghai, we decided to have a quiet dinner across the road before waiting for a new tour member to join our group. Pity he missed out the fun over the weekend.

Fried Spicy Ribs

Spicy wantons

Dan Dan Mian

Celery with squid

Potato and Eggplant mash

Braised carrot in claypot

Almost all the dishes were yummy! All we wanted was probably some noodles as we would be having supper at HuDa , but we couldn't resist ordering all the yummy looking stuff on the menu.

After dinner it was back to the apartment to wait for the the arrival of Mr R. Before midnight, he walked in.

And off to Hu Da again as welcoming ceremony.

All the dishes were numbingly spicy but yummy!! The only thing that could help was the tub of garlic fried rice above. Somehow HuDa has become an institution each time we needed supper. We must try to find another eating place the next time. Nothing wrong with the place though, service was prompt and friendly and the food decent as well.

After the late night supper all washed down with beer, it was back to snooze before embarking on my second great wall expedition.

This year we went to Mutianyu section - too built up for my liking. Of course it was not a challenge at all compared to Simatai. Personally I like the ruggedness and challenge of Simatai.

Mutianyu's challenge lay in the numerous steps along this secion of the wall.

Walking the wall in winter presents a different view

Peeping!

Took the toboggan slide down.

We took the route all the way to the right. Apparently a better view than the left.

After the trek, we had lunch. Possibly the worst lunch we had this trip. Bleah!

Sweet potato with salted egg - this was the best dish of the lot

Roasted local almonds - these were nice too

 Roasted spring water fish 虹鳟鱼 - this area is famed for this fish

same fish - braised

boiled fish soup - the worst fishy broth - couldn't stomach this no matter how cold the weather

Then we went to the Temple of Red Snail nearby. 红螺寺 It turned out to be a huge park - prepare to spend 3 hrs or more to explore the entire place. It contains quite a few places of interest and a climb of 800 steps to the top of the temple. The toboggan ride also is longer and faster than the one at Mutianyu. We reached the place at 330pm, quite a pity as we rushed through most of the attractions before sundown at 5pm. Didn't do the climb or the toboggan.