Thursday, December 20, 2012

The Middle Kingdom

Only two letters now remain for the Alphabet Travel quest in Y and Z - no simple task to accomplish so instead a deviation to visit the Middle Kingdom of China. Shanghai, Beijing, Zhengzhou, Shaolin and Xian. A cold time to visit with temperatures expected to be around -1C but potentially to -9C here's hoping for some snow but not too much. A bullet train ride and the Longmen Grottos look to be the highlights.

8 comments:

  1. Seems like I was just in Shanghai. Interesting place. Especially if you're looking to shoot someone in a nearby building.

    Many years ago I was caught taking surveillance photos in Xian. But the agents didn't recognise me, so I managed to get away. Haven't been back since, though.

    Hope you enjoy yourself.

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  2. So, keeping radio silence then? Not always a bad idea when you're deep in enemy territory. Many's the time I've slid in under the radar, legend quickly botched together, disowned by any and all friendly services. It's amazing what you can cobble together from a few paperclips, some string and one or two of Q Branch's little toys.

    Then again, sometimes it's nice to hear a friendly voice, even if it's barely audible through a sea of static, bouncing from any number of satellites, even routed through the unsuspecting enemy's comms network.

    Keep your head down.

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  3. Phew! Made it out Sir Roger. Yes all significant Internet communications was blocked but as you know one of Q's gadgets came in handy and I was able to make contact with you and receive the warning about the army awaiting me in Xian. Although I have tyo say I was expecting an army of Terracotta warriors instead of souvenir sellers. The Zhengzhou region was the highlight with no tourist shops or restaurants and a real local feel. In Shanghai I did a quick city reconnoitre of the Yu An gardens, silk factory and the Bund (shrouded in fog or was it air pollution?) and then in Beijing the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and of course Tea Shop, oh and Jade shop and I'm sure there were other shops. I mastered the intricacies of travel on the bullet trains, survived the attempted food poisoning in Xian and Tang Dynasty show (was quite good actually) , oh and the China Eastern delays and misdirections for airport transfer and made it home. Mission accomplished, secured enough FF points for first class to London return for later this year. Will catch up as soon as my belly is back to normal.

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  4. Oh and forgot to tell you about Xian airport security. Never a fan of airport security, the female security guard at Xian did try and make amends. After the metal detector you have to stand on a box for a pat down. A brief brush across the genital area and I thought hmm, not sure you can do that, but hey what's the point in arguing, followed about ten seconds later by a bit more of hold and then three seconds later by let's just say a brief massage. And I didn't even have to buy her dinner! Got to be the highlight of all my airport security adventures.

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  5. What were you saying about not being a foot?

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  6. She was very diligent and had me take everything out of my pockets but after the third time I was tempted to borrow a bit of Austen Powers and say: 'That's all me, baby". Of course I'm sure you had many such 'brushes' on your adventures Sir Roger.

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  7. How about "I think it's pretty obvious by now that I'm glad to see you"

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  8. Or that old time favourite "That's not a gun in my pocket".

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