Beijing Subway Challenge

On December 28th, 2014, the Beijing Subway system will add one new entire line as well as two line extensions. However, the big change is that it will move from single ride fare to a distance based fare system.  Therefore, yesterday (12/26) was the last opportunity I had to complete something I've wanted to do since I moved to Beijing...to ride each and every line at least once on a 2 kuai fare. The rule was I had to get off and take a photo a a non-transfer station on every line in the system.

Start at 9:40AM at Jishuitan on Line 2.

I convinced two students to join me.  Here's Kevin M. who mapped out an excellent plan!

Hepingli Beijie on Line 5 at 9:58AM

Cuigezhuang on Line 15 at 10:48AM

Oh, and here's my other partner in this challenge, Samantha G.

Beiyuan on Line 13 at 11:12AM.

On certain lines, we did successfully got off the train, took the picture and back on the SAME train.  "Chinese fire drill" on a Chinese Subway.  Yuzhilu on Line 8 at 11:46AM

Life Science Park on Changping Line at 12:05PM.

Beijing Zoo on Line 4 at 2:16.

Huayuanqiao on Line 6 at 2:40PM

Xidiaoyutai on Line 10 at 2:47PM.

Keyilu on Line 9 at 3:17PM

Dabaotai on the Fangshan Line at 3:29PM

Dajing on Line 14 at 3:55PM

Xiaocun on the Yizhuang Line at 4:42PM

We all got seats together for the first time all day!

Gaobeidian on the Batong Line at 5:32.

Last line, at Tian'anmen East on Line 1 and 6:02PM

Success...and overall elapsed time?  8 hours 22 minutes!  Thanks to Samantha and Kevin for being great sports.  This era in the history of the Beijing subway...over!

Go Big or Go Home!

When you are in a relationship you get invited by your partner to random events. This one was a party at Onions' gym. Prizes were given, dances performed and audience participation games were all on the agenda. Near the end, the emcee called row 13, 4th person from the right.....and I was, at that point, the ONLY person in row 13 so I got called up to the stage.

I was in a team competition where water was passed from cup to cup....but only using your mouth to hold the cup!

Not knowing what I looked liked, or cared what I looked like, I went for it, as you can see.

The emcee for some reason focused on me and kept saying        "漂亮", or "pretty" 

At the end, the emcees called me up to the front and were talking in rapid fire Chinese that I didn't fully understand, but they were acting out my technique!

I contest the final result because our teams pitcher had more water, but I think they reversed our team numbers.

The SWAG....body soap, a fanny pack and nice chopsticks!

Islands

After waterfalls, hot springs, beaches....it's time to hit the islands off the coast in the Andaman Sea.  These mass tours, on speedboats, last about 6 hours and make a number of "stops"at different places.

Snorkeling!

I don't have an underwater camera, but the fish started amassing around the boat and so I could see them at the surface.

The secret to getting the fish to come?  POTATO CHIPS!

Chickenhead Island!

Phra Nga "Princess" cave.  And yes, those are exactly what you think they are!

So on our last day, Onions wanted to head to Phi Phi Island.  We went snorkeling again and used the potato chip trick!  We were the most popular people at the beach.

Maya Bay, Phi Phi Island.  Although the islands here are beautiful....Halong Bay in Vietnam is infinitely more spectacular.

Upon return to the beach, I passed the guy who was selling pictures (in a frame with glued on seashells) of us that he took when we were boarding...I thought, "WHO BUYS THIS STUFF?"  Turns out...my boyfriend!  :)

Beaches

Beaches!  You come to Thailand to sit on the beach.  Well, turns out Onions and I both can sit at the beach for about an hour before it's time to move on.  So, unlike many who camp out at the beach, we beach-hopped.  One of the most famous beaches near Krabi is Ao Nang beach!

Ao Nang, with its trademark headland at its southern flank, is busy with lots of tourists and longboats buzzing around.

Another beach time activity?  Massage!

Massage is a cheap, relaxing option.  Two out of every three days, we got some kind of massage.

What makes these amazingly beautiful patterns in the sand?

Next stop, a beach north of Ao Nang!

This tree in the middle of the water....and yes I did feel the compulsion to swim to it and climb it.  And yes, I gave into the compulsion.

So turns out Onions is like Mom and Dad....always in pursuit of Chinese food.  We had gone shopping at a Tesco complex and he saw a hot pot restaurant.  So one evening we went to eat hot pot and on the ground floor, there was a food court, so he wanted to eat there.  We both got a dish, it sucked.  We each went back two more times hoping to find something decent and tasty.....the table covered with empty plates is evidence we never did.  Never trust the Tesco food court!

Sunset over Khakkhak beach in Khao Lak!

Our favorite beach?  Bangtao on Phuket.

The waves were big enough to get some fantastic body surfing in and we just had a fabulous time jumping around in the water.

And, on schedule, once we were in the car, a torrential rain storm!