Provence, Canal du Midi and More

[Jacques Vert]

This is part two of a trilogy of trip reports of our epic 280k Classic Award trip; consisting of the following itinerary:

CFS-SYD-NRT Stop one. After a month in Japan we flew home on a separate paid return ticket.

NRT-PEK Stop two. A taste of China on the way to France.

PEK-LHR-MRS Stop three. Provence, then two weeks on the Canal du Midi, followed by Toulouse, Lyon and a bit of Spain.

MAD-FCO-DOH-JNB Stop four. A long transit in Rome as last time the Trevi was under scaffolding and the Colosseum was closed. Then a few days in Kruger before flying home again on another paid return ticket.

JNB-(surface sector)-WDH. A few weeks in southern Africa in Feb/March next year (still on stop four).

WDH-JNB-LVI. Stop five. Off to see the falls.

LVI-JNB-SYD-CFS. Home at last.

 

[Jacques Vert]

The first part of the trilogy covering our travels in Japan is here:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....hasing-cherry-blossoms-old-friends-75583.html

As previously, +1 (Gem56) will be be assisting with comments and providing the photographs.

 

[JohnM]

BP scanned, settled into 1A.

 

[LadyC]

Sounds great. Looking forward to the next update.

 

[Major]

As this is part 2 then I will settle into 2A

 

[Jacques Vert]

As we were scheduled to arrive after 9PM, we booked our first night at the Hilton Beijing Airport.

As noted towards the end of Part 1, we arrived in PEK and got lucky: the terminal was basically deserted and despite only two immigration officers on duty we were through customs and immigration and at the airport Hilton shuttle bus stop in well under an hour from touch down.

The shuttle to the airport Hilton takes about 5 minutes as you drop off at another hotel on the way (you could walk to the Hilton in about two minutes but the shuttle helps when you have bags).

We were upgraded to a suite (huge room with separate bedroom and bathroom, and two loos):







Found this sign in the bathroom interesting:



Will I or won't I?:shock:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next day we headed into Beijing proper and after checking into the Hilton in Dong Fang Road, we spent the day doing a little shopping.

This was our room at the Hilton:



We also familiarized ourselves with the subway.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next day some sightseeing.

First, Tian'anmen Square:







Then headed to the Temple of Heaven; and passed by a couple of locals on the way:

 

[Jacques Vert]

And a few shots of the Temple of Heaven:

 

[Jacques Vert]

In between Tian'anmen and the Temple of Heaven we passed by the Railway Museum: not much to see other than a lot of photos and models, couldn't find any trains! However, >60s get free entry so a cheap way to fill in some time.

Finished the day by moving to the Conrad Beijing and had a lovely room:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Early next morning we headed back to the Hilton (yes a little mattress run thrown in here). We had originally intended to go to see Chairman Mao and the Forbidden City on this day however we discovered that as it was a Monday they were both closed. So instead we caught a taxi to the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs with the assistance of Concierge John at the Hilton.

We had our taxi driver for seven and a half hours and he picked us up from the hotel and returned us to our door. He paid the tolls and provided us with water throughout the day and we paid RMB900 plus our entry fees and cable car. Perhaps a little pricier than if we had planned better but still cheaper than taking a private tour and we had total flexibility for the day including spending a little over two hours on the wall at Mutianyu before visiting the Ming Tombs on the way back. It worked for us and I am sure it worked for him.

+1 had a busy day with the camera:

 

[Jacques Vert]

More of the wall:





And the Ming Tombs:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Finally off to see Chairman Mao. Entry is free but no bags: they have to be left at the red brick building across the road (cost RMB 15 for 2 bags and a camera). Things you need to take or should not leave in your bag: passport, money (to purchase flowers if you feel the urge) and your phone (don't even think of taking a photo with it!).

Taken from outside:





Then it was off to the Forbidden City. As others have said on another thread it's a bit repetitive but we enjoyed our visit:

 

[Jacques Vert]

On and on it goes:

 

[Jacques Vert]

And:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Leaving the Forbidden City via the North Gate we were confronted with this:




But by now we were getting tired so we walked around the side and through the Huton Alley area to the Houhai Lakes for a well-earned aperitif before catching the subway back to our hotel.

 

[ellen10]

Great photos.
Signed on and looking forward to more.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next morning we are off to Marseille via LHR on BA038. Decided to check my emails while having breakfast and there's one from BA advising that our connection from LHR to MRS has been cancelled; but don't worry, BA are working on arranging an alternative route to get us to MRS. Hmmmm...

Well we needed to get to the airport to check-in so off we went. Check in knew absolutely nothing and suggested we enquire when we reach London. Things aren't looking too good.

On board BA038 we spoke to the CSM who also knew nothing but assured us she would see what she could find out. About an hour into the flight Senior First Officer Nicholas came to see us, advised that there was an air-traffic controllers' strike in France and there were lots of disruptions. Nick returned to see us twice more during the flight and advised that the ground team were trying to organize alternative flights via Brussels and to speak to Flight Connections on arrival who were on top of the situation. Things were looking up!

 

[Jacques Vert]

BA038:

Our first experience of the front-rear facing J cabin on a tired B744.




Actually, as a couple Gem56 and I found the arrangement to our liking but it would be quite strange if you didn't know the person in the adjoining seat.

The meals were excellent and I had the best, most tender steak I've had for many years:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Great photos.

+1 takes all the photos, but wait till you see what she can do with her NEW CAMERA!