Madone59

It's wonderful how things come together, how they look so great and full of promise on paper. It's wonderful how good ideas look from afar . In early March I was told had to be in Charlotte this past week for the Wells Fargo Championship. I wouldn't have been on the road since The Masters and would have a bit of work lined up.

My sister-in-law graduated Syracuse law school the Friday before I needed to be in Charlotte and the extended family....... A.K.A my wife.....figured if I was going East for work I may as well leave a San Diego few days early and "swing by the finger lakes" to attend the ceremony. Never one to turn down the opportunity to hear pomp and circumstance played through loud speakers in a public venue, or to upset my wife, I made the proper arrangements. It also didn't hurt that I'd be able to see my own parents and 99 year old grandmother on Mothers day before heading to Charlotte.

So I was all set with a little 6 day trip, my adding new routes to 'My Flight Memory' itch had been scratched and the world was at peace......... until the AA PEK mistake fare hit FT. I literally had dinner on the stove, and when the dust settled I couldn't tell if my typically placid wife was more upset that I booked a weekend trip to China (without really discussing it with her) or that we were eating dinner at 9pm because I had completely forgotten about it. Maybe she was upset because earlier that same day Craigsnyc and I had booked a MR to BAH too and I had been talking about mileage runs all week. Either way I had definitely booked myself a trip to the dog house for the next few days.

After setting up a few positioning flights, hotels, getting a Chinese Visa and confirming that my sister in DC had availability in her guest room I had an 11 day, 12 segment, 20,488 mile trip ahead of me. So with just one carry on sized bag, and my backpack I hit the road.


The Itinerary
1. May 7 SAN-SLC DL1688 Y
2. May 7 SLC-ATL DL1608 Y
3. May 8 ATL-ROC DL2156 Y
4. May 10 ROC-LGA DL6217 F
5. May 10 LGA-CLT DL6224 F
6. May 14 CLT-DTW DL1629 Y
7. May 14 DTW-DCA DL2144Y
8. May 15 DCA-ORD AA324 F
9. May 15 ORD-PEK AA 187 C
10. May 18 PEK-DFW AA 88 C
11. May 18 DFW-SLC DL4525 Y
12. May 18 SLC-SAN DL1909 Y

Madone59

I like Delta. I like the snacks, I like the WiFi, and I like that as an AS elite I can select a relatively good seat. Flights to Salt Lake and Atlanta were perfectly uneventful and on time.





Sky Club SLC




I LOVE popcorn!!!!


One of the last flights of the night





I arrived Atlanta in the wee hours of the morning in desperate need of a shower and a nap. Smelly and running on about two hours of sleep is not the best way to start a day with one's in-laws!

Closed . Well at least I was first in line for a shower.




The shower rooms were great, and clean but on this particular morning there was no hot water to be found. Eventually I had to suck it up and take a ice-cold shower. Shivering I changed and headed into the lounge for breakfest.


CX 744F landing


After a short nap I headed to the gate to find boarding nearly complete and a line of people waiting for no-shows.

"Mr. Madone59 we were calling you, are you willing to take a later flight?"

"No not really......well how late, and what's the offer?"

"$1,000 travel voucher and 5pm."

"WHAT?! $1,000?"

Sadly it was not meant to be. As much as I wanted the VDB.....and I really wanted it....there isn't enough money in the world for a son-in-law to give his in-laws more fodder. Had I missed graduation for any reason other then death it would have resulted in death. So reluctantly I passed.

The stage is set.....literally.


Molly headed back home to San Diego Sunday morning so before heading to Charlotte I connected with my parents to see my grandmother on mothers day.

Face-timing with great grand children


"No press please!"


ROC





AS elites are added to the UG list on DL flights, but I never expected to actually get one never mind two! I was very happily surprised to be upgraded all the way to Charlotte.



In LGA








Evening traffic




Sunset to Charlotte

farbster

Very nice start!

Madone59

Un-like The Masters where I had time to take photos, and see the golf course I saw nothing but three days of meetings so apologies to all of you golf fans hoping for an inside look at Quail Hollow or Rory's 61; I've got nothing.

Welcome to Charlotte


I was able to snap a selfie with PGATOUR personality Amanda Balionia - she's really cool!


Two days of work, and maybe a round of golf at TPC Piper Glenn later I was off to Washington.

Landing in Detroit


Detroit Rock City


I hadn't been in DTW in over 10 years so I was excited to walk around, and give the Sky club another try at a hot shower.








I made my way to the main Delta club, and after a short wait was escorted to the showers. These facilities were far inferior to the ATL ones, but the water was hot so it's a draw in my book



A little snack


Easy flight to DCA, but I was really disappointed to have picked the windowless seat . One of the most beautiful approach path's on earth and here is my wonderful view.


Off the plane and onto the train. I love the DC metro system.




My sister work's at the US Capital and made the next day "take your little brother to work day" and gave me an awesome tour!

They run our country but can't properly use a toaster??





There are strict limits of what is allowed to be photographed outside of limits of the public tours. One off limit spot, that I was able to photograph was the subway between the Capitol building and the Senate office building. Definitly the coolest train ride of my life!




A very underwhelming arrival at the Capitol


Waiting for an elevator


I was able to tour and photograph the democratic leaders office





The seal on the ceiling changes with the occupant, it will soon be changed to New York.


Marica'!



We then took a walk out onto the balconies of both the democratic and republican leaders.






Looking right down the middle!


Right under the dome, the center of the capitol.


Back inside to look at a few other cool rooms.




The elevator back down to the subway and to my sisters office


I was able to use a work terminal in her office for a little while - I did some very important web surfing


My sister and I walked the Metro and grabbed a bite of lunch before I was off to DCA. Next up - China!

dr88

Great report so far! Can't wait to read and view the rest.

mromalley

tagging in.

Madone59

After touring the Capitol and lunch with my sister I hit the Metro and headed to DCA.

The AA lines were absolutely packed, snaking around each other. Only having carry-on luggage I tried to self check-in at a kiosk but had no luck as my Chinese visa needed to be verified. The preferred line, which was 10 people deep with only one agent serving it was moving like molasses and I started to have fantasies of missing my flight to ORD and being put on either UA or CA to PEK out of IAD. There are a few accounts of this happening over on the mistake fare thread, but just as my dream of even more frequent flyer miles hit it's peak I was at the front of the line. After the long wait to check in and clearing security I didn't have enough time to stop in the AA lounge or try to find the Amex lounge I was heading right to the gate.

DCA


Waiting at the end of runway 19


All three AA flights on this trip had awesome crews. On the long international legs a crew can really make the trip for you, but even on the short flight to Chicago this crew stood out.

Warm nuts and a drink


I skipped the sandwich as I had just eaten lunch and went right for the cheese and fruit dish


Due to a short wait departing DC, and a little traffic arriving in Chicago we were the better part of 30 minutes late by time we got to the gate. With only 61 minutes between my original arrival time, and Beijing schedule departure time I needed to haul buns to my next flight. If you were in the food court between terminals H and K that Friday afternoon and saw a skinny guy running around looking for the ATM dragging a Pelican suitcase behind him and sweating like a groom at a summer wedding that was me. I had intended to get RMB in San Diego before I left, I swore I'd have time in Charlotte, then figured DC would have currency exchange places too. I had not even gotten dollars to convert out of the bank by time I landed in Chicago so by time I got to the gate the were boarding zone 10 or something and I was out of breath.



Time to smash my current longest flight distance of 5,776 miles and take this bird 6,579 to China!


The view from seat 8J.......Vroom.


Seat controls




Still catching my breath from my food court wind sprints I stowed my luggage and took my seat. I believe I was the last business class passanger to board as the door closed shortly after I took my seat. A flight attendant came by, introduced herself, offered me a drink and handed me a menu. Amenity kits and slippers were waiting in little spaces between the foot wells where you could stow your shoes during the flight.

Amenity Kit


To start


The mains. I had pre-ordered the gnocchi which was great.


Desert and snacks


Second meal and snack choices


The wine list


The drinks list....make mine a Dr. pepper


Leaving Chicago




LH A340-300 heading out ahead of us


Shortly after departure Bose headsets were passed out - this was a very pleasant surprise for business class. There were not the 3 pin like some carriers have so they were collected before landing to prevent any temptation to keep them.


Let the AAwesome service begin








If you are looking at my dessert and thinking it's awfully naked for a sundae that is on me not AA. They had plenty of toppings and various accoutrements of deliciousness but I was just in the mood for some plane vanilla and a little sleep. I changed into some PJ's and settled in for a movie and 7 good hours of sleep. As you may or may not know the 'old' business class seats on these 772's are not lie-flat's. AA has a few "new retrofitted" 772's serving select routes and all of their 773's have the new seats too. I didn't find these seats as bad as I had expected or as had as they had been described to me. I am not a big guy and I found that if I pushed the head rest all the way up my shoulder fit nicely in the gap it created and it was easy to sleep on my side. Just before landing I changed out of my PJ's, and the Bose headsets were collected. I was so ready for China!

Heading into Beijing




A completely empty PEK T3


Clearing customs was a breeze, as was connecting to wifi. I used my Boingo account and was texting friends in Beijing and saying hello to my family via face-time before I headed out to grab a taxi. My friends were at the Kempinski hotel, and were ordering food so time was of the essence .

The taxi line


Have you seen the video where Jeff Gordon disguises him self as a regular Joe and takes a unsuspecting car salesman on a terrifying test drive? No you haven't...well my taxi driver did. Spoiler alert: the Jeff Gordon thing was fake and by time I got to the Kempinski I needed new pants.

Me heading into town (shots from the Jeff Gordon prank)



My taxi driver was a young woman, we didn't say a word to each other. I held up my phone, which had the address of the hotel in Chinese, and we were on our way. Before I could locate the seat belts....which weren't there....we were out of the airport, across the bridge and onto the highway. I'd say traffic was medium to heavy all the way into town but I don't think she saw any of it. Weaving in between cars, on and off the breaks hard we kept up a solid 60-75mph until traffic had come to a stop ahead of us. I don't know the mandarin translation for Doc Brown's "Roads, we don't need roads" but I know this young lady did!


On to the hard shoulder we went, and right back to 75. With on hand on the seat in front of me and another warped around the top of the seat belt strap where it meets the back seats I gazed up at the signage above our new hyper speed lane. Does a big red circle with the red dash in the middle mean no traffic or taxi only lane? The lack of other vehicles in this lane leads me to believe we didn't belong there.

Stomach rocked, and feeling closer to god we arrived at the hotel and my eyes moved back to the center of my head. I headed up to my friends room just in time for a late dinner, and a drink.

Sea crab








The remains

lewende

Great pictures!

Madone59

Thanks so much - I hope you are enjoying.


Thank you!

Madone59

I departed Chicago Friday, landed Saturday and was heading home on Monday so Sunday was my only full day to explore and enjoy Beijing.

I got up early, way to early.....really I didn't sleep. I was up around 4am but laid around until the sun was up before heading out to explore at about 7am. The Grand Hyatt, where I was staying, is right in the middle of the city very close to Tiananmen Square which is the absolute center of the city. I have friends who live in China and several friends who have been to Beijing so I had heard plenty about the cities legendary pollution. I walked out of the hotel and immediately smelled what can only be described as an industrial or chemical scent. I walked down the the street and looked to the left when I took the below photo - the smog is apparent especially when the photo is compared to one from the next way.

SUNDAY


MONDAY


Chuck Mangione better leave his horn at home








I headed down the street and found Changpuhe Park, a beautiful little place to walk and enjoy the gardens.



The hand painted buildings which are all around this part of the city are amazing














Can someone explain this sign to me


I left the park and wondered down a small street that runs parallel to the forbidden city. You don't need to be a world traveler or have a esoteric collection of passport stamps (which I don't have) to know when you are in a tourist part of town. Beautiful old buildings quickly turned into dim sum places with "English menu" signs in the window and row after row of fake jade trinkets to drag home.





There were also plenty of knockoff's to go around. Zew Balances anyone?


Do you see a heart or Brazilian Ms. Bumm Bumm contestant?




Three soldiers marching in perfectly synchronized


The sun had come out, the bottle of water I had taken from the room was empty and my stomach thought my throat had been cut so it was time to head back to the hotel. I was meeting a local friend for lunch at the famous Da Dong restaurant around noon so a little food and air conditioning at the hotel was in order.


Out of of sheer desperation I went to the Made In China the restaurant located in the Hyatt. I had read great things about this place here on FT, but personally was underwhelmed. I am sure I would have had different experience had I gone for a dinner and not the "Asian breakfast buffet" but I was in no rush to go back again.


After breakfest I garbed a short nap, which easily could have turned into sleeping all day, but nothing was going to keep me from lunch at Da Dong and peking duck.

Madone59

The night before when my friends and I were enjoying our sea crab I asked them where I should go for peking duck the next day. The vote was unanimous Da Dong! I was meeting my friend Justine for lunch and had been looking forward to this meal since I had booked my flights.

Da Dong is a beautiful restaurant - you walk in and smell fresh wood ovens and see rows of roasting ducks. I was in heaven.







While waiting for Justine the waitress dropped off which must be the biggest menu I have ever seen. I stood up to take this photo - the menu is about two feet tall. It's enormous, and other then having a toddler pose next to it I had no other way of giving you all a sense of scale.


Flipping through the menu is like looking through an artists book of works. Every single page is a beautifully photographed dish of food in full color with a description written by Casanova.


Justine arrived and we started going through the menu together. My wallet and I learned a very important lesson at lunch. There is a distinct difference between "Do you like" in China and at home. I had already asked her if she would order me half a duck, which she said "Of course, you must have the duck." From there as we flipped through the menu and she kept saying "Do you like?" I figured she was speaking abstractly. Like hey do you like cupcakes, puppies, bunnies, and rainbows? "Sure, who doesn't" Right? Wrong! It turns out "Do you like?" is the same as our "Would you like?" and I was consenting to every single dish we discussed . Out of sheer embarrassment I did not photograph the whole meal but I will tell you this - lunch was over two hours long and we didn't let a single bit of food go to waste! A am a little guy but even I have the ability to pack it in when I need to.

Each dish looks exactly like it does in the menu.


The duck is cut and served table side. This is one of the greatest things I have ever eaten. Period.




Two small plates, two soups and three entrees later and my eyes almost fell out of my head when the waitress showed up with a plate of fresh fruit hiding in a fog of dry ice. The waitress quickly told Justine "It's OK, tell him this is free" to which I replied, and Justine translated "I am worried about my stomach not my wallet." The waitress laughed so I figure she got it. Absolutely stuffed Justine and I left to start a day of sightseeing.


Tiananmen and the entrance to the forbidden city






Before heading into the forbidden city we went over to Tiananmen Square, and as the "Monument to The People's Heroes"

Taking the tunnel back across the street


The Forbidden City




Justine suggested not buying tickets to inside the city as we would not have time to get to the Temple of Heaven, so this is as close as we got.


The moat around the city




As soon as we arrived the Palace of Heaven we heard music. We paid the admission for this one, because it was much less crowded and we would enjoy the quiet of the gardens. Apparently it is very common for senior citizens to gather for impromptu jam concerts - really impressive.


Every good band needs a brick laying wood block player!






Walking around Temple of Heaven park was like being on another planet. The smell of trees and flowers filled the air. There were no trucks driving by or cars honking at each other. You could hear birds chirping and people chatting as the took in the beautiful scenery. I could have stayed here forever.


There are "the brother trees." The outer tree is believed to be 1,000 years old while the tree that is growing inside it is a mere 150 years old.



The detail never ends








By time we wondered over the Temple was closed, so we walked to the to other end of the park and look a look at a smaller temple




Looking back


Just as our feet had had enough it started to sprinkle again. Thinking this would turn into the heavy rain we were expecting all day Justine and I headed back out to the street and into a car. Not hungry enough for dinner and not sure what to do next I asked Justine what she and her friends do. "You don't walk around monuments and parks all day do you?" She quickly started clicking through her phone and talking to the taxi driver before looking back at me and saying "Karaoke?"

K Taipei Karaoke bar!


Who's up next?


It's like a TGI Friday's sampler but has fish balls, squid and no mozzarella sticks


I would be lying if I didn't tell you this is what was in my head the whole time, and while we are being honest, yes I sang "Rock With You" by Michael Jackson! How couldn't I, I was in a Karaoke bar in China and love the movie Rush Hour!


We sang and snacked ourselves right through dinner, and after all day on my feet it was time to crash. Day one in Beijing was in the books, and it was great!

SFO777

Great report Madone59 and with your usual outstanding pics. Especially love these two. ^

h1ghfly3r

Fantastic trip report. I love your writing style

Gripevo

Great report so far...the Jeff Gordon/ Clarkson in the Atom pictures along with the taxi story are hilarious. I had similar experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia...literally passing oncoming traffic on the shoulder. Keep up the good work

quan98

The sign basically says don't pee or poop! Literally, this place was clean and fragrant so please leave it the same