Train to Beijing 30th Jan – 1st Feb

Train to Beijing 30th Jan – 1st Feb
We were all looking forward to getting the train to Beijing. On our last day in Hanoi, we stocked up on western pizza & steak before going to the supermarket to buy them out of pot noodles (which are totally delicious). We boarded the train and were pleasantly surprised with the berths – 4 beds in each and very comfortable. We played cards with a really fun Australian family until we reached the border – Mark joked to the parents that we charged 10 dollars an hour for babysitting! The border was interesting & very cold at 12.30am – got back on the train and then got woken up again by the guards about an hour later who wanted to check passports again. All very strict. Then we got off and waited from about 5 – 8am to change trains. Mark & I popped out into civilization to get out cash and potter. We bought some delicious steaming buns and a funny kind of bread which was very welcomed by the others. The second train and subsequent 36 hours all merged into a very pleasant and relaxing reading time, looking out of the window at the beautiful scenery, playing cards, etc. We arrived at Beijing about midday on the 1st Feb. On asking for directions to the apartment, the lady in the café kept saying “I am called…” – it was very sweet. Then the whole café got involved in our mission, with 3 heads poking through the kitchen hatch and muttering away, customers too shouting out bus numbers, etc! Anyhow we made it and the apartment was beautiful! Very spacious 3 beds and big squashy sofas, TV, washing machine (yay) – it was such a great feeling! Huge thanks to Geraldine for being so kind in putting us up! JG