Day 1: Leaving the Forbidden City & Going to Lunch

The shots leaving the Forbidden City are views of the surrounding moat, the Coal Hill lookouts, and the guard houses at the corners of the city.

Suzie asked me what I wanted for lunch...easy answer, local food. She asked me if I like 'Hot.' Easy answer...oh, yes! We took a taxi to the area, and walked to the restaurant. It had changed hands, and after looking at the menu, we decided to leave. My brilliant idea was to have Peking duck in Beijing. Many people had told me I must go to the place where it was invented. Suzie said their was a "famous" Peking duck restaurant near by although it was expensive. "My treat" I replied and off we went.

The ducks were rolled out on carts to be sliced in front of us by a male chef in full mufti...very impressive. We also ordered vegetables and mushrooms, a duck soup, and a pot of tea. I loved the Peking duck...surprise. The soup was just broth with congealed duck fat on top...not what I was used to in Singapore. They also did not stir fry the rest of the duck and serve it with rice...not what I was used to in Singapore (or even Taiwan!). There was enough duck for me to take home for supper. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch...and supper! Suzie told me later that she had lunch in the very same restaurant the day before. In fact, all of her guests ask for Peking duck, and she no longer likes it! Her girlfriend calls her and asks her to go out for Peking duck, and she refuses!!! I found this hilarious, and told her she didn't really need to take me for PD if she didn't like it!!!!

And off we went to the Hutong...