Hey Everyone!!!

   As we are all gearing towards the August meet in greet, or otherwise known as the Orientation in Beijing, I am just wondering who else is coming early. I will be arriving on the 16th and staying at the Far East Youth Hostel - great spot. I know of a bunch of others that are coming early and I have places and some contact info so that we can meet up. I was wondering who else is going early that may want to meet up before the Orientation. Another hostel some of us are staying in is the Happy Dragon. I am going to try and leave my info for anyone who comes early so that you can reach me when you are ready to go! I know my first night I will try to take it easy whilst trying to stay up as long as possible - the best cure for any jet lag. 

   I hope that all plans and everything are going well. OH! Just to let others know I am definitely putting the Beijing Zoo and Forbidden City on my places of destination towards the weekend (20-22) because other people who want to come are coming closer to then - so if your interested in joining let me know!

  TTYL and have fun!

  Caley

Heya, I'm getting in on the 20th or 21st... can't actually remember but definately a few days early. Haven't booked any hostels yet but I'll look into the ones you suggested.

I'm arriving on 20th but haven't worked out much else yet. Finishing up at work in 4 days time- then I can sort it out with a bit of free time! See you there!

 I only have visiting on the 40 foot transformers statue on my to do list for the first week (my students from one of my classes this year have requested I get a photo in front of it and mail it back to them.)

Im arriving on the 19th and staying in the Happy Dragon Hostel- would be great to meet up with some people over the weekend. Im so excited now!

Hey guys...I'm arriving on the 21st!! I'll stay where everyone else is staying so either the happy dragon or far east youth hostel...i just have one request.... please dont go to the zoo or the transformer statue til i get there!!!! I really wanna go! :)

I'm staying at the Happy Dragon and told Mark about it, however if the Happy Dragon is a Beijing crack house I take no responsibility.  I'm sure it's lovely though.

Hey one and all, I am also booked in at the Happy Dragon Hostel. I understand it is definitely not a crack den/brothel, but if it is I am holding Sean solely responsible!! Flight grounds 9am on 21st so free all day Saurday. I'm up for seeing the sights too be they cultural, historical, animal or Optimus Prime.

Between you and me...I'm a bit looking forward to this.

See you all there

Oh well if it is a crack house, such is life, I've probably been to worse places.  I'm there from the 18th if anyone else is going to be there let me know.  My flight doesn't get in until 10.35pm that night though.

Hello... Flights booked,arriving 20th and yeah, cannot wait for a bit of Transformers ! Probably stay at one of the two hostels mentioned but thinking it will be the Far East. Cant wait...

Hey, I fly standby so I will be coming in early just to ensure I arrive on time :) I will probably be staying at either hostel. Did you reserve a bed at the hostel ahead of time or are you just winging it?

I booked it on www.hostelworld.com as it will come in useful when I am travelling later on.  It has lists of hostels all over the world.  I think if you book direct with the Happy Dragon you get a discount though.

Hey Everyone,

   Thanks for replying! So I am going to say I, and anyone else who wants to join, am going to go to the Zoo and the Olympic Stadiums (where the Transformer is) on the Sunday (22nd). The breakdown is as follows:

Beijing Zoo: 

     Hours: 7:30-18:00 (so I am thinking we can hit this early since those coming in on the 22nd are coming in early so this wouldn't be difficult - and helps avoid lineups).

     Cost: 20 RMB

     ***I am thinking we can either meet up at one place or another and go there together or all meet at the Zoo at a certain time. Since we are kinda bunched into two hostels meeting at the hostels (in separate groups) and then going to the Zoo would probably work - we can fix this later.

     **Transport - Subway (easy and only 2RMB/way). Buses that go there: 7, 27, 103, 105, 111. (but still haven't fully figured the bus system out yet - this could be updated later :) - also the more local buses are 7 and 27 so that will probably be the route if you take it. Any bus above 100 is a long distance bus and may cost you more. The usual local buses are usually around 2RMB - but may have changed since I have been there.)

 OLYMPIC PARK (yes where the transformer is):

     Hours: Unknown at this time.

     Cost: Still looking - some say there may be a fee and others show no entrance ticket needed - it may depend where you go.

     ***I am thinking this could the second portion of the day because it may take longer and also is a little farther - those who don't want to go can also separate from us at this point as well or even separate to see different places of the Park. 

 LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK - OR WHAT TIMES YOU WANT TO MEET UP. :) 

TTYL Caley

OH, P.s. I will probably find a post board at the Happy Dragon Hostel and Far East Youth Hostel with the i-to-i sign on it and have times and places where I may be or a contact number in case you want to get together if you are there earlier - or if not that I can leave my name and contact info at the desk for when you check in if you made a reservation. :) Let me know if you want me to do this. I will be off doing my own things most days but if you want to join or make a plan to meet that is no problem. :)

Hi guys, I will be landing in beijing on the 21st at 5:10am and would love to meet some of you when i arrive. I'll be staying at the Happy dragon too.  How are we going to arrange a meet up ?

Sorry, I actually land on the 22nd at 5:10am but still have all day to do something interesting.

I will make a note that I found out that buses are actually 1RMB - apparently - so expect between 1 and 2 RMB for bus trip - we will see when we get there :)

There's a Facebook Happy Dragon page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=343739851401&ref=search#!/group.php?gid=343739851401 It says there is a free dumpling party on Friday nights.  Rock and Roll.

Hi!  I'll be arriving on the 20th at 8:05pm....I don't know which hostel to go to...which one is better, the far east or dragon? Help!

I can only say I loved the Far East Youth Hostel - I was there in '07 and loved the location - but yet again haven't been to the other one so I can't say.

Hey - I will also msg you on your walls, but I think - a tentative time - to meet up at the zoo could be 8am - So that those coming early can have time getting stuff together and don't have to twiddle their thumbs until they meet up. We can all hang out in the area if those coming in the morning are delayed too. Let me know (on my wall or whatever) about what you think and if that is ok - those in the same hostels can come together or separate if you haven't met up yet.