Cotton Candy, Rickshaws and Duck

Day #4 Afternoon

Travel: Walk to lunch, taxis to river, rickshaws around the town, lots of walking, taxis to hotel.

We took a 15 minute walk out of the Forbidden City to eat at a restaurant recommended by big Miles.

After our late lunch we taxied to this market area to window shop and try some fun desserts.

Noel loved the cotton candy, but Lars and Lyla had their first tastes and weren’t very impressed. Must be a texture thing because who doesn’t like sugar??

The candy covered cranberry type fruit were my favorite. I’d been eying them from the different vendors we’d seen throughout the day (or men selling them from the backs of the bikes), and Xiaojun told me I’d love them. I was hesitant because of the lack of hygiene… Then we saw a cleaner looking stall and I had to try.

If I remember correctly, this is a red bean pudding. Tasted a lot like a squishy fruit snack to me. Luke enjoyed it unlike the yellow pudding we tried. Xiaojun snapped a picture of my face when I tried to swallow a bite and it was not pretty. No way am I sharing that photo with the world. Yuck!

Lyla wouldn’t try it until Lars tried first.

Well, at least she tried.

This man made little figures from blowing and twisting a hard candy.

Masie asked for a turtle.

It must be a “sea” turtle? She wasn’t too happy to learn she could only hold it and it wasn’t for eating.

Rickshaws! I’ve always wanted to try them. Our tour guides peddled their bikes slowly while pulling the wagon behind. We took a tour of some of Beijing’s most famous Hutongs (or alleyways). Lyla was a little frightened at first.

I had Lars on my lap, and anytime I’d reach for my camera, he’d reach for it also. He’s learned what button makes the “click” sound too. So I couldn’t get many pictures. We also had cars breezing by on both sides. Our local peddler only spoke Chinese, and Xiaojun was left translating everything for me. Unfortunately Luke didn’t have a translator in his rickshaw.

Lars hanging on for dear life.

Our tour guides stopped the bikes in this alley to show the old houses.

The number of blue knobs above the door are an indication of the wealth and power of the current resident.

The kids didn’t care about blue knobs, but they were completely fascinated by the rooster.

Lyla finally feeling more comfortable in her mode of transportation.

I found a really sweet little tea set in this shopping alley.

I really, really wanted this fish! Too big though. I have the same one at home but it’s just a plain wood thing. Maybe I can get creative and make it look like this.

We walked back into the plaza to one of Beijing’s most famous Peking Roast Duck restaurants. It was a bit of a surprise to take the elevator down what looked like a small area and find this grand restaurant with live entertainment and delicious food.

I had to reassure Masie that this wasn’t the rooster we were eating. “But where is the roost, Mom?” Masie kept asking.

We asked for milk and got this jug of thin yogurt instead. Lyla loved it.

Mirrors above our table.

Miles had 2nds and then 3rds of the duck. We all loved it. They make it with a thin, crunchy and sweet skin on top. Scrumptious!

Wow! That was a busy day!! We had to say goodbye Tommy’s friend Miles. We were so grateful for his help and tips on what to see and do in the city. We taxied straight back to the hotel for a little sleep before heading out to the Great Wall on Day #5.