Faewell Russia - Hello China

Saturday 12 August

All packed up and nowhere to go this morning.

Just as we switched on our phones this morning, Juz rang. It was great to hear her voice – halfway round the world. Caught up on a bit of the latest news from home, and allayed any worries that we weren’t having a great time. Reading comments on the blog and emails helps us to believe we may be gone but not forgotten, just yet. (We’ve only been away for three weeks!) So please keep in touch.

We waved an early (not quite tearful) goodbye to those traveling west, back to Moscow and onwards, before tackling our luggage once more. No matter which way we packed it, we were going to be overweight (even more so than when we came, as I am sure we have both put on weight as well). So we just decided to pay the charge and be done with it.

We idled a couple of hours away in the hotel lobby, chatting, puzzling and generally meditating – I did not read my book – I finished two on the train (one mine and one theirs), so have just one book left to last me until I get to . . . . where? Thailand, when I can borrow one of Juz’s? I always was a slow reader.

The ride to Vladivostok airport took longer than we thought – were we being taken to the salt mines?! About an hour in all – the topography all around the city is steep hills, with mile upon mile of blocks of flats – only three or storeys high (earthquake precautions) – and no houses. A wedding car decided to do a ‘u’ turn right in front of the coach – risking bride and limb – did he not want to do the dastardly deed after all? There was much screeching of brakes and honking of horns - but we all survived and arrived at a very provincial airport.

Security in Russia is high at the best of times, but with so many travelers going to America on our flight, they were being exceeding cautious in view of the events in London. At best there are only two check in desks, today with trainees to make matters even worse – for about 300 passengers in all! – no Business Class desk either – a couple of our party got quite upset and stomped around a bit until a Korean Air official came to their aid! Poor things (oh no, they’re not poor are they – that’s the whole point!) – anyway they didn’t get on the plane any quicker than the rest of really poor things.

Due to the utter confusion, and display of short tempers by the German contingent, nobody noticed our luggage was overweight. BUT, they couldn’t tag it all the way to Beijing - as we were changing airlines en route – and assured us that they would contact Seoul and get it tagged and sent to Air China for our onwards flight – yeeeeaaah! Would you believe that? Well, the cases trundled off on the conveyor belt and we gave up all hope of seeing them again!

The flight was uneventful – 1 hour 50 minutes with reasonable food. Seoul airport is something else – equivalent to Berlin train station – all glass, millions of seats, loads of shopping, air conditioned (very important out here) and good facilities – I could even paint a fan! Perhaps Seoul is another place to add to the list of “must visit”. Needs a bit more investigation. We disembarked from the plane, followed the ‘Transfer’ signs and ended up at Gate C for onwards check in. From landing to completing our transfer check in it took about 15 minutes – and guess what – they checked with Air China and our luggage had already arrived – bloomin’ marvelous I think.

Meanwhile we have a couple of hours to while away – might read my book. . . .

LATER

Decided to go and paint a fan – definitely therapeutic – soft background music leaving you toconcentrate on decorating your fan. Looks very pretty – but not sure it will survive till I get home as it’s made of thin corrugated card on a handle. Will take a piccy to capture my efforts for posterity.

Having said there are millions of seats at our departure gate – they need them. When I returned to the waiting area, nearly all the seats were taken by “millions” of Chinese people – and Colin was the only European – we felt like a couple of earwigs in an ants nest! And they were obviously all getting on our plane!

They did – about 600 hundred of them, and us, but the seating configuration was 2,5,2, and we were on the outside together. Another uneventful flight. Beijing airport - how efficient – lots of planes landing at the same time and millions of people to get through – but loads of check in desks and we were quickly through immigration – less than five minutes, including the queue! – better than at home.

At the baggage collection, I was holding my breath that our cases would arrive – and they did, almost the first on the carousel! What a relief. We met our guide – Lorna – a young Chinese girl who was a teacher, but gave it up to be a guide (pays more I think). She whisked us off to our hotel. When we stepped outside the airport buildings we were suddenly encased in in a furnace – it was steamy and extremely hot – even late at night the temperature was still about 30 degrees C – thank goodness for air conditioning. We passed Tiannamen Square all lit up like fairyland – there was even a building that looked like Harrods.

Today has been a 27 hour day as we gained back three hours between Vladivostok and Seoul. So it was almost 23.00 by the time we arrived in our room to settle down for the night – we are now only 7 hours ahead of home. Every time I go into a bathroom, I still feel I am on the train, and brace myself for the rocking and jerking motion. And I put my hand under the tap and expect water to come out – when it doesn’t I realize I am back on land.

We have a day tomorrow to explore a bit on our own, or I might take advantage of the swimming pool and have a massage.

(Sorry still nothing very amusing to report.)