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Viking China (Part 2)

BlueDevil75

By BlueDevil75,
in River Cruising

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Turtles06 Great Review Rare

Turtles06

Posted
Posted
But I am keeping my expectations for the sightseeing in Beijing low, low, low for now...maybe we will be pleasantly surprised. I am trying to make the best of it.

 

 

I think you are going into it with a good attitude. And Viking really knows their stuff, so you should be well taken care of!

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Teaka

Teaka

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi Gang

 

Many thanx for the great information.

 

I don't see anyone going on the 28th of August 2013 with me......is it me????? LoL!! (Shanghai to Beijing)

 

 

Anyhow, it will be a blast for sure.....and with the current temps, a blast furnace for sure.

 

I also see the pollution level is through the roof! Hopefully this won't cause any issues.

 

Enjoy your trips everyone!!!

 

James

Edited by Teaka
Oooops
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Peregrina651 "Live from...." Rare

Peregrina651

Posted
Posted
Hi Gang

 

Many thanx for the great information.

 

I don't see anyone going on the 28th of August 2013 with me......is it me????? LoL!! (Shanghai to Beijing)

 

It is never too late to start a roll call.

 

There are a lot more folks who follow this thread so once you start the roll call, make sure to post a link here.

 

 

 

I also see the pollution level is through the roof! Hopefully this won't cause any issues.

 

 

Expect issues and come prepared--masks, decongestants, allergy relief meds, and as I've said before, asthma relief drugs if you suffer from asthma or other airway issues. Once the trip starts there is not much time for shopping for what you have forgotten.

 

Also, bring antibiotics. Whenever I travel overseas, I ask my doctor for something in case of a tummy attack or sinus infection. I've also seen suggestion for something that I think is called c-pak. Most of the time, the stuff goes unused but the few times I have needed it, it has been a life saver.

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Turtles06 Great Review Rare

Turtles06

Posted
Posted

Also, bring antibiotics. Whenever I travel overseas, I ask my doctor for something in case of a tummy attack or sinus infection. I've also seen suggestion for something that I think is called c-pak. Most of the time, the stuff goes unused but the few times I have needed it, it has been a life saver.

 

Close -- it's a Z-Pak, short for azithromycin, which is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. The pack is a short course (full dose) of the antibiotic. This is excellent advice; we always bring a Z-Pak as well. Also, Cipro, in case we wind up with diarrhea that is caused by a bacterial infection; if you have diarrhea that doesn't resolve after a couple of days, even after taking Imodium, you'll want Cipro.

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Peregrina651 "Live from...." Rare

Peregrina651

Posted
Posted
Close -- it's a Z-Pak, short for azithromycin, which is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. The pack is a short course (full dose) of the antibiotic. This is excellent advice; we always bring a Z-Pak as well. Also, Cipro, in case we wind up with diarrhea that is caused by a bacterial infection; if you have diarrhea that doesn't resolve after a couple of days, even after taking Imodium, you'll want Cipro.

 

Thank you. I'm losing my hearing and I've never seen it in writing. Cee and Zee can sound alike to me.

 

So, everybody, go and talk to you doctor about getting these drugs--or similar drugs that are appropriate for you--because remember that we aren't doctors and we can't prescribe meds. We can only strongly suggest that you talk with your doctor about it so that you are prepared with the right antibiotics. In case you run into a problem, it will be much easier to deal with if you have your own little pharmacy in your suitcase.

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Peregrina651 "Live from...." Rare

Peregrina651

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Posted

 

Thank you, Mark T. I just added the October 15 roll call to my list.

 

Add a link to your roll call to your signature file to help folks find their way to the roll call. Every time you post, folks will see the link

 

Anyone else starting a new roll call?

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Mark_T

Mark_T

Posted
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I checked availability on our trip and I must admit I was surprised to find that it is virtually completely sold out already, just the most expensive suites left.

 

Plenty of availability on every other date still, just 10/15/14 seems to be extremely popular for some reason :)

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Debbie4a

Debbie4a

Posted
Posted

Hope you have a wonderful time. I too, wish I could find someone going the same time as we are, November 10, 2013. You have asked a lot of the questions I needed answered =) Thanks to all the many people who take the time to help us.

Hi Gang

 

Many thanx for the great information.

 

I don't see anyone going on the 28th of August 2013 with me......is it me????? LoL!! (Shanghai to Beijing)

 

 

Anyhow, it will be a blast for sure.....and with the current temps, a blast furnace for sure.

 

I also see the pollution level is through the roof! Hopefully this won't cause any issues.

 

Enjoy your trips everyone!!!

 

James

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travelfirst

travelfirst

Posted
Posted
Now on to the next set of questions...about tipping...

 

Here is what I understand so far...

 

1) Our tour escort who is with us for the entire trip is tipped at the very end in either $US of RMB...cash. This looks to be about $250 minimum for both of us.

 

2) local city guides and coach drivers are tipped in RMB.

 

3) onboard staff...here is where I get confused. I know that we can put the entire amount of the tip on our tab and pay for it with a credit card. However, a few cruisers on this site have mentioned giving half in cash to their dining room waitstaff and cabin attendant and putting the other half (RMB cash, I guess) in a box designated for this purpose. So, how many people will comprise the waitstaff? Will there only be one cabin attendant. Say there were three members of the waitstaff and one cabin attendant...you would split 50% of the total tip for the onboard staff among 4 people? Might they be getting short changed that way? Don't wish to offend anyone or short change anyone...this kind of stuff keeps me awake at night!!!

 

New subject: yes, there are great photos of the route to BSK on post # 2136 on p.107.

 

Also, thanks to the poster (molymoo?) who reassured me about the BSK dress "code", of which there seems to be none. Michelle of BSK sent me an email with the same reassurance!

 

As for the rest of it, well here is what we have in hand so far:

Visas

all necessary meds, properly labeled with Rx numbers

confirmed BSK reservations

N95 approved masks and my inhalers

 

We're getting there! And thanks to all for the help already rendered...sorry to be such a worrier!

Did you get your hepatitis A & B shot? I got mine before I went on this cruise in 2010.

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MrsTiggywinkle

MrsTiggywinkle

Posted
Posted

Hi travelfirst,

 

Checked my shot record from when I was a Navy Officer Candidate way back when...sure enough, Hep A & B (as well as Yellow Fever) shots were given to me way back in the day :). Can't get my husband to do anything about advance planning but since he was in the Navy too, I am hoping he got the same shots I did. But I'm calling my doc tomorrow about the cipro and Z-pack and will pick her brain as to whether or not we should get new shots (and if there is time to do so before departure).

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id4elizabeth

id4elizabeth

Posted
Posted

We've been told to get typhoid and tetanus, particularly tetanus, as well as Hep A&B. Got my first Hep A&B and will get my second one before we leave. Hubby has his A&B from Marines, but needs to get typhoid and tetanus. And don't forget flu shots if you're leaving later in the year. 6 weeks to go...

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blondemini

blondemini

Posted
Posted

Hi, I am not going on the Beijing to Shanghai till next July, but was wondering if mosquitos are a problem on the Yahtzee, as someone has told me that you can't open the door to the balcony without being bitten. Are they just winding me up? Or do I need to get a good insect repellant.

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caribill

caribill

Posted
Posted
Hi, I am not going on the Beijing to Shanghai till next July, but was wondering if mosquitos are a problem on the Yahtzee, as someone has told me that you can't open the door to the balcony without being bitten. Are they just winding me up? Or do I need to get a good insect repellant.

 

When we went it was early August.

 

We did not see (or hear) one mosquito the entire trip. We had DEET with us, but never had to use it.

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Travel Girl TX

Travel Girl TX

Posted
Posted
Hi, I am not going on the Beijing to Shanghai till next July, but was wondering if mosquitos are a problem on the Yahtzee, as someone has told me that you can't open the door to the balcony without being bitten. Are they just winding me up? Or do I need to get a good insect repellant.

 

Another vote for not needed.

 

We went this July and brought insect repellant and never needed it. I spent a lot of time on our balcony and never had a nibble. I am a person that the mosquitos love and was not bothered at all.

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molymoo

molymoo

Posted
Posted
We've been told to get typhoid and tetanus, particularly tetanus, as well as Hep A&B. Got my first Hep A&B and will get my second one before we leave. Hubby has his A&B from Marines, but needs to get typhoid and tetanus. And don't forget flu shots if you're leaving later in the year. 6 weeks to go...

 

One more vote for don't worry! Recently back from our Shanghai to Beijing trip and didn't see a single mosquito ... or other bug for that matter! It was hot and humid ... be ready for some "bad hair days" but what the hey ... a great time anyway!

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caribill

caribill

Posted
Posted (edited)
Can anyone provide information regarding how dificult physically the Great Wall will be? Our group is in pretty good shape but a few bad knees, etc. They are concerned it may be too physically challenging.

Thanks

 

There are two directions to go when you enter the area to climb the wall.

 

Left is termed the harder way and right is termed the easier way. To me, they looked about the same and the "easy way" was much more crowded.

 

Here are two pictures from the "harder way." Note the railings that can be used at the steps. There are also railings where there are no steps but the slope is not gentle.

 

(Whether you decide to go left or right, the initial stairway to the wall can be easy or hard. The one on the right was easier. Can go up that and turn to the left way if you wish.)

 

100_5247GreatWallatBadaling-hard_zpsac40ae22.jpg

 

100_5284GreatWallatBadaling-hard_zps1dc805d2.jpg

 

 

Here is a view of the "easy" way.

 

100_5255GreatWallatBadaling-easy_zps7880c23f.jpg

 

 

Please realize that unlike some other parts of the tour, you do not climb the wall as a group, but are given an amount of time to do it on your own. Thus, you can go at whatever pace is good for you and only go as far as you want to.

Edited by caribill
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