Myself and Siqi at The Summer Palace ^^
Last week I was in China, to visit my amazing girlfriend Siqi Yan, and I can safely say that it was the best holiday I’ve ever had, and one of the best times of my life so far ^^
I set off from London Heathrow at about 5PM GMT and arrived 9hrs 45mins later at Beijing Terminal 3 10:20 China Time. Not having got the extra-legroom seat I wanted on the plane I didn’t get much sleep, but a few movies and TV shows helped ease the boredom. Didn’t solve the butt pain though..
Walking to the arrivals area was pretty crazy, nervous and excited about meeting Siqi and her parents for the first time. As I rounded the corner and walked along the long line of people also waiting, I heard a familiar voice from down the end of the line, “Honey I’m here!” along with frantic waving – there was Siqi, my gorgeous girlfriend, smiling back at me.
But this time there was no Skype between us, and the distance was only 10 feet and closing. I spotted her parents, went over, shook hands and immediately rushed over to Siqi, dumping my suitcase ..somewhere and.. well, insert your typical hollywood love-at-the-airport scene here but that’s how it was ^^ I knew from that moment everything was going to be fine, and I immediately felt so much better and relieved to finally be there with her.
There’s loving someone from a distance, and then there’s holding them in your arms, feeling.. and also kissing them.. a lot hahaha. This was as an appropriate time as any, to slip on her finger the ring that we had both chose and I had been guarding in my pocket since I left home ^^
We stayed in Beijing for 3 nights, visiting Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace (only the gardens) and the city itself including a food market. While it strangely felt like home-from-home it was also difficult to believe I was actually in China, some thousands of miles away from home – closer even to Tokyo than I’ve ever been in my life.
Being 6ft 7in (201cm) was a surprise to a few of the locals haha but in Beijing it wasn’t so bad as there was a healthy mix of fellow westerners dotted around the crowds. Once we arrived in Huludao however, two things hit me. One – COLD. COLD. COLD. COLD. And COLD. WIND. Secondly, the massive lack of foreigners – seriously I think I was the only one in the city, at least from what I saw ^^;
However none of that mattered, not the locals, not me bumping my head, as holding Siqi’s hand and being with her made everything else just melt away into nothing. It didn’t matter. I was visiting the girl I love so much; nothing at all could take that smile off my face.
On the beach at Huludao
D'awww! - at the summer palace gardens
Cuteness Overload!! <3 - I'll gladly take you back home honey :3
While in Huludao we spent our time visiting malls, eating, shopping and exploring the city and downtown. Didn’t take many photos around the city, what with holding hands (baww, and also nomming on delicious street food of course) and trying to prevent frostbite on the other ^^;
Siqi’s Mum was also amazing, she spent hours trying to find me a pair of thermal trousers to wear under my jeans – and with my leg size that was a challenge I wouldn’t dare put on anyone in non-western-familar chinese city haha. Against all odds she arrived back later that day, trousers in hand! Made for much warmer walking definitely ^^ She also provided Siqi and I with awesome noms for times that we went back to the hotel early, or for late-night (GMT Dinner for me) eating.
I honestly can't explain this picture, but it's awesome
Siqi and her parents also gave me awesome gifts to take back home for myself and family. A Chinese Doll from Siqi to myself, oriental fans for my mum and sister, an etched-dragon plate for my dad, and a Chinese Tea Set for all ^^ Her friend was also generous in giving me a chinese calligraphy wall scroll, wishing his english friend safe travel (direct translation inbound).
I had an amazing trip, and I miss being there, especially being able to spend time with Siqi. However, if all goes well she will hopefully be visiting the UK for a month in Summer 2012! I’ll also be regularly travelling back for weeks at a time, every several months 
I can also say with confidence that my chopstick skills have improved greatly! Haven’t mastered soup yet though. Next time..
We headed back to Beijing on the Saturday, stayed in a house-hotel for one night before taking the Airport Shuttle Bus back to Beijing Terminal 3, whereafter goodbye kisses, hugs and talks where had, with luckily minimal tears ^^; I headed through passport control, security and onto gate E10 for my flight back to London Heathrow. Thankfully this time with better leg-room.
To Siqi: I love you so much honey, thank you (and your parents) again and again and again for taking such good care of me, providing noms and warmth wherever and whenever we were together
If you’d like to take a gander at more photos, head on over to Siqi’s Photoset on my Flickr.
Thanks for reading! ^^
