The front of the station was as busy as, well, a train station in Beijing. Finally we found an ATM and got some money (good idea to bring some money on the train next time..)
We accepted we would get ripped off, but took an unofficial taxi to the hotel rather than find the correct public bus. The taxi driver was as surprised as we were to find the hotel.
Successfully applied for Belarus visa at the embassy, located near ritan park. Expensive, as all express visas are, and we had to take a rickshaw to the local bank to pay. The only consolation was that the rickshaw driver gave us a goal by goal replay of the england world cup thrashing, which we had watched in a hutong bar, and out of sympathy let us off some of the fare, as I didn't enough small change.
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Location:Beijing
Take US$ and/or Euro in cash (low denominations) on the train - allow for the two of you at least $30/day x 7 days (includes first day in moscow) - may seem to much but you would be surprised how quickly it goes, anyway you are on holiday right?
ReplyDeleteGreat to be reading this, Craig.
ReplyDeleteI was six hours on sweaty trains from Bradford to south Essex yesterday. Much the same sort of experience as you, then, eh!?!...
Will be following your progress!... ;-)