Week 5-6: Changchun and Class Trips

The fifth week was marked by the first exams and the German Unity Celebration at the German Embassy. As well as the anticipation of the upcoming class trips. The celebration at the German Embassy was definitely one thing: FULL! Madness! A long queue already in front of the entrance. After the passport control, the rush and pushing continued. Everything nicely done, with decoration, photo points, free beer, and free food. But I have never seen such long queues in front of a sausage stand before. German Bratwurst always attracts. We didn't stay there for too long.

On the weekend, it was time to be on tour again. Our destination: Changchun, about 1000 km away. This time by train. Travel time of 6.5 hours per way. So we had to pack everything that occupies the children: learning materials, laptops, tablets, books, playing cards.

It was a nice tour. We enjoyed the landscape passing by, but missed the great on-board restaurants from Germany. Because the train offer included: chicken feet in bags, strange candies, sweet cakes, unidentifiable hot food, cookies. We stuck to cola and cookies. Arriving in Changchun, we checked into a nice four-bed room in the city center. And went on an exploration tour first. Finally, we could hunt Pokemon in the wild again. It worked here :). First stop, as so often: Starbucks; here the family knows what they have. We had a wonderful lunch (typical Chinese) with beef, noodles, vegetables, and sauce. Continued through Changchun's Children's Park, where there was a great Ferris wheel, all sorts of rides, and a great playground. A quick snack in the evening, strolling through a large mall, and tired, we went to the hotel. Sunday was another 6.5-hour train ride. Everything went well. A huge trip. But definitely worth recommending. Especially since the trains are perfectly punctual. 1030 km and right on time!

The sixth week began and the long-awaited class trips started. Finn went with his class to Jinzi Farmstay in Huairou for three days. Planned there: an excursion and hike on the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, including a cable car ride. As well as a visit to the Dragon Gorge. We were curious. Leonie went with her class to Chengde for five days, staying in a hotel. The program there was diverse: a hike on the wall, a hike in the Mountain Resort, a visit to a local farm, and a tour to Twin Tower Hill. We were curious about what both of them would report afterward. We took the opportunity to get to know a bit of the bars and pubs, as well as the lively nightlife of Beijing. Both children returned with joy and reported many experiences.

The whole week had perfect weather. Sunny all the way.