[Cyclefrance]

Made it to Qingdao - only after being too late for Beijing-Qingdao flight, by 3 minutes!

I forgot that, despite having queued for hours to get a Chinese Visa at their London Embasssy, and filled in two foms that were handed out on the plane, I still had to coolect another Entry Visa form that I filled in and handed to the immigration guy. So, having queued 15 minutes to get in front of him, he sent me off to find the said Entry Visa form (found tucked away around a corner in the immigration hall). Language barrier rendered my 'why not place them at the head of each immigration queue?' suggestion unacknowledged. Still I've grabbed a supply of both Entry and Exit Visa blank forms so I don't make the mistake again (unless of course they redesign the thing before I visit again!).

Beijing airport (as picture shows) wasn't that inspiring - I know they have those nice new self-check-in machines, but they never worked for my bookings. Qingdao is another matter - will get some pics over the next two days to prove the point (camera flash just bounced of the taxi window when I tried on the trip from airport to hotel - so unless you want a nice example of rear window heating elements silhouetted against a reflection of the light from the flash.... oh, what the hell, I'll include it anyway). Road from airport to hotel (4 lanes each way toll highway) was devoid completely of any other traffic - guess that sums up the wealth of the average Chinese individual, not wanting (being able?) to pay to use the road.

Heading for bed now - early start - need to check the course facilities and documentation that the Chinese end had to prepare - given the cock-ups last time....

Trip (excluding unnecessary loitering in Emirates Lounge on Saturday) has taken over 27 hours (left home 11.00 on Sunday morning and arrived hotel 21.30 Chinese/14.30 British time today) - not too bad, then....