Roseville B - China

First of all, we'd like to let you know that we're all safe and well.



We might not have much time in the next few days to write, so thought we'd better give you an update now. Actually, that's not quite true - we'll probably have loads of time, but no internet access as we'll be doing our community service project and our trek.

So.....

Day 1

It was terrible leaving you all behind at school. I mean, you're our parents afterall, and up until now, we've depended on you for everything. However, being the fickle teenagers we are, you were promptly put out of our minds when we waved like celebrities to all the Roseville girls walking to school as they pulled faces at us saying "Yeah right" when we told them we were off to China. It does seem a bit extraordinary for 10 students to be walking with packs on their way to China on a regular Thursday morning.

We braved the peak hour traffic, taking out a few business men with our packs as we moved around the carriage with a great flurry of excitement, and then finally arrived at the airport. It really was quite a convenient way to travel to the airport. Hayley navigated us very efficiently to our check-in, and Maime, being the seasoned traveller that she is, pointed us to the "Group Check In" queue which meant we went to the front of the line.

Feeling empowered by our experiences on the Amazing Race, we figured we had nothing to lose by asking for an upgrade. Of course, we were declined, so we decided to go for access to the Qantas Club. We had a little more success here, as we were promoted to "manager" level. Before you get too excited, we'll admit that we didn't get in, but that was ONLY because the flight was completely full, and there were several planes delayed, meaning the club was a pretty happening place that morning.

Passing through immigration, we all got a stamp and proceeded to our gate, via exquisite shops selling wonderful things. We boarded the plane, where we were seated at the very very very very back. Party. Our place.

Being at the back of the plane has its advantages. Firstly, when we discovered that half of us didn't have personal entertainment, we could congregate at the back and have lively conversations. This seemed to grab the attention of the Qantas staff (although really, we weren't that noisy, there were just a few English people who didn't like chirpy girls) who promptly turned off the entire system to re-start it so ours would work. :)

Another advantage was the lack of food. Why might you ask? Because, Qantas felt extremely embarrassed when they ran out of it. How do you tell a growing 15 year old girl, on the adventure of a lifetime, that the over-processed delicacy she was salivating over, was no longer available? Quite frankly, you don't. You just go and get business class meals, and all is well!! Can you believe it?? Business class meals!! Poor Shanny missed out on one of those even, so the first class chef whipped up her own speciality. We felt like princesses.

Speaking of which, the lovely, embarrassed Qantas staff allowed us to use the Business Class bathrooms, and we were fortunate enough to be able to take the hand creams and cleansers. As well as this, we were given a first class package with all sorts of goodies, and of course we were invited to meet the pilot and get a picture in the cockpit. We hope they run out of food on the way home too!

We arrived in Hong Kong and were personally escorted to our next flight as we were running a little late. We were greeted with an empty plane, so we could all spread out as much as we wanted to. Great stuff at this stage as exhaustion had set in and we just wanted our parents. :(

Day 2

It's ok though, we got over that as soon as we landed in CHINA!!!! A bus took us to our hotel, which is really nice, although the beds seem to be more of the "traditional" (hard as a rock) type. Our hot buffet breakfast was a great treat, and then we set off for the sights.

We stopped in at the Maosoleum, (or something like that) which is where Chairman Mao's body is on display. It was a little weird. Next, we danced our way through Tiannenmen (spelling??) Square, and "ghosting" was played much to the curiosity of onlookers. In true Chinese style, we learned to spit. While in Beijing, we figured we should adopt the local customs. It was a little difficult to let go of all the ettiquette we've learned, and just spit it out. You can proudly say your daughter has spat on Tiannenmen Square.

Next was the Forbidden City. Words can't do this place justice. You'll have to see for yourselves some day. It was magnificent in terms of the architecture, freezing with even more freezing winds, colourful and beautifully restored, freezing with freezing winds, peaceful and tranquil, freezing with even more freezing winds, and expressed the charm of Chinese antiquity.

After this, we decided to go shopping. To achieve this, we had to go around Fuchengmen a few times. (Does anyone know how to pronounce this word? We could only think of one way, and it was confirmed by the locals!!)

We had to catch the metro, which was qutie an experience. All day we'd wondered where Beijing's 17 million people were, and at 6.oopm, we found them!! Every last one of them!! They were in our carriage!! There must be something on Youtube showing what we're talking about. It was basically a push and shove experience, all with great humour. Don't worry parents, we're all safe and had a great time.

Then, we happened upon Silk Street markets!!!! Every designer under the sun, all here in one place for under $5!!! Of course, we would NEVER buy fake stuff, so it must have been real, and we all nabbed a few bargains.

Today wer're off to the Great Wall!! Can't wait!!

Missing you all, but not too much at the moment!!

Love Team B (B is for da Bomb!)