Drexel University Athletics
China Tour: Team Ready to Begin Exploring Beijing
8/25/2014 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
We have arrived!
After a 14 hour flight we have touched down in Beijing, China! We were greeted at the airport by our outgoing and very knowledgable tour guide, Nels Hawkins, along with his assistant Tiantian, who is from Shanghai, and our local Chinese tour guide, George! As soon as we entered our tour bus, we got some great tips from Nels about etiquette and what to expect at some of the stops on our tour through Beijing, as well as a great history lesson about China from George.
Already, many of the local Chinese people are in awe of how tall our players are, even asking to take pictures with them. The guys were happy to do so!
Upon arriving at the St. Regis Hotel, we were greeted with nice, cool towls to refresh a bit from the long flight. We checked into the rooms, took some much-needed showers and then went on a tour of the hotel and the surrounding area. The St. Regis is beautiful and located in the Embassy District, which means our hotel is surrounded by the embassy's of other countries; the British embassy being the closest. This makes for a very safe area in Beijing. After our quick tour we ventured out for our first meal in Beijing... TGI Friday's! Some of the players, coaches and staff were a bit hesitant as to what to expect with the food options, but overall we had a great first meal together.
After dinner, some of the players tried their best to use the advice of Han Chiang -- owner of the Han Dynasty restaurants in the United States -- and do their best to bargain some great prices at the local shops. Hopefully by the end of the trip they will have these skills mastered.
As Nels recommended, we did our best to stay awake until 9 p.m. (Beijing time) so we could fight jet jag and be refreshed in the morning.
So far the trip is off to a great start! We arrived safely, and we are excited to explore the great city of Beijing.
Click here for the next China Tour post
Click here for the previous China Tour post
Here are more photos from the beginning of the team's trip:
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After a 14 hour flight we have touched down in Beijing, China! We were greeted at the airport by our outgoing and very knowledgable tour guide, Nels Hawkins, along with his assistant Tiantian, who is from Shanghai, and our local Chinese tour guide, George! As soon as we entered our tour bus, we got some great tips from Nels about etiquette and what to expect at some of the stops on our tour through Beijing, as well as a great history lesson about China from George.
Already, many of the local Chinese people are in awe of how tall our players are, even asking to take pictures with them. The guys were happy to do so!
Upon arriving at the St. Regis Hotel, we were greeted with nice, cool towls to refresh a bit from the long flight. We checked into the rooms, took some much-needed showers and then went on a tour of the hotel and the surrounding area. The St. Regis is beautiful and located in the Embassy District, which means our hotel is surrounded by the embassy's of other countries; the British embassy being the closest. This makes for a very safe area in Beijing. After our quick tour we ventured out for our first meal in Beijing... TGI Friday's! Some of the players, coaches and staff were a bit hesitant as to what to expect with the food options, but overall we had a great first meal together.
After dinner, some of the players tried their best to use the advice of Han Chiang -- owner of the Han Dynasty restaurants in the United States -- and do their best to bargain some great prices at the local shops. Hopefully by the end of the trip they will have these skills mastered.
As Nels recommended, we did our best to stay awake until 9 p.m. (Beijing time) so we could fight jet jag and be refreshed in the morning.
So far the trip is off to a great start! We arrived safely, and we are excited to explore the great city of Beijing.
Click here for the next China Tour post
Click here for the previous China Tour post
Here are more photos from the beginning of the team's trip:
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