hanging out in Beijing

Our second day in Beijing and we were guests of Peking University, specifically their Mountaineering Society. After the morning in a conference where two of our group (American high altitude climbers) shared stories and insights of successful mountaineering expeditions and we learnt of the aspirations of Beijing's own mountaineers, we then explored the university in the afternoon - including trying out their climbing wall! That was after lunch in the student cafe which once again provided absolutely delicious food - delivered on a massive scale. Sienna was overawed!

The university is really lovely (and I have been to a few this years as part of the Open Days with my eldest daughter) - with a combination of traditional and modern buildings - and an impressive arts centre. 

That evening we travelled into the business centre of the Beijing - which was all neon lights and shops, bars and high rises - we could have been in any modern city. Had a lovely evening chatting with our group and meeting an older Chinese couple who now live in New Zealand where I am from - with the best thing of all - he had brought with him a block of NZ cheddar cheese...small (and tasty) joys indeed.