Leaving Osaka
Today we are Beijing-bound. We woke around 0600 but that was fine. The sun rises very early in Osaka this time of year. We hurriedly left the hotel at 0635 by taxi rather than by foot, for the railway station. We made good progress by making the 0700 train and arrived at the airport at 0735, getting to check-in around 0800.
Check-in with All Nippon Airlines (ANA) was swift. We proceeded airside through security. I couldn’t help noticing how the baggage screening staff rotate passengers’ hand luggage so their handles to face the passengers for easy collection. How thoughtful; this is Japan.
One observation in Japan is that many places are over-staffed. But the staff do make themselves useful or attend to fine details … rather than just laze around.
We took breakfast at cafe where a ham & egg sandwich was JPY890 … but a slice of toast was JPY690!. Obviously we went for the former!
We had to take a train to our gate where we boarded a B767-300 which had been updated with B777 style interiors. Typical Japanese efficiency saw our Chinese arrival and departure cards were already placed in the seat pockets, sealed in a plastic envelope. Inflight, a light meal of warmed mixed sushi was served.
Over the Yellow Sea, I couldn’t help notice how brown and muddy it was. Once we hit landfall, the landscape turned dry and dusty.
Arriving in Beijing
We landed at Beijing Capital Airport. It was a new terminal compared to the one we used 7 years ago. Despite being new-ish, it looked worn. But I’m sure plans are on-the-way for something newer and shinier as we saw lots of cranes at work.
It was an effortless trip to the Harmony Hotel where check-in was a breeze as well. After a rest, we took the metro to Wangfujing, one of the well-known shopping streets. We ate lunch at Gourmet Street at Market Place food court. It was very big with a wide selection of meals but alas we could only eat a couple of things; pan-fried dumplings and a bowl of pork and salted vegetable noodle soup. Payment was by prepaid smartcard only.
We took a taxi back to our hotel to rest. In the evening, we decided to eat in-house at the hotel restaurant. The kung-pao chicken was the nicest I’ve had before. It went nicely with vegetables topped with prawn and tofu.
We settled into bed early around 2100, so that we would be ready to explore the wonders of the old Imperial Capital.