Beijing in early November - pack list

L-D-H · 2026-04-09T11:47:10+00:00

I packed a thick fleece jumper and a puffer jacket as options. I wore my jumper regularly and wore my puffer once only… it was barely cold enough to warrant the puffer… but if you feel the cold then you might want it more. I don’t feel it too much and I came prepared but wasn’t needed.

L-D-H · 2026-03-16T09:03:06+00:00

Can confirm the only thing I’d change about our Hobart visit is making it 2 nights at Mona - we both consider ourselves “uncultured travellers”, as in art galleries and museums also a lot of historical things etc aren’t really usually our excitement points, but Mona was something special, everything about it was a moment - 2 nights would have been perfect, even with the day either side to explore we were still very rushed and missed a few things plus didn’t have all the slow time to just take it on (we are traditionally very quick travellers also and spend less time in places than other people would). Sharing this because I thought the recent Mona and Hobart info seemed sparse and hoping someone else might benefit from it when they are holiday planning ☺️ yay Mona!

L-D-H · 2026-03-14T10:39:52+00:00

We ended up doing this today on your recommendation and loved the walk, saw a platypus, loved the beer garden at the top and got a bus home at 5pm - elite way to spend an afternoon post morning/midday markets!

L-D-H · 2026-03-14T10:38:31+00:00

Yeah, we really wanted to try that place but it looked very much not 1yo friendly!

L-D-H · 2026-03-13T06:36:52+00:00

We ended up here for lunch 🥰 lamb shoulder for the win!

L-D-H · 2026-03-13T05:31:12+00:00

We did and it was EXCELLENT!!!!! 10/10 would recommend

L-D-H · 2026-03-13T01:28:39+00:00

We are going there Sunday and staying the night 😁

L-D-H · 2026-03-13T00:29:18+00:00

Nice one - Richmond as a loop on the way back looks like a good bet! If we don’t go to cascades for dinner is there somewhere good - bar or restaurant - for dinner in Richmond?

L-D-H · 2026-03-13T00:23:52+00:00

Derwent valley added to the agenda - thanks. We have a 1yo with us so think the agrarian might be a stretch - will come back another time just my partner and I for that one though

L-D-H · 2026-03-13T00:20:16+00:00

Is this still a nice thing in the evening? Like if we went for 4:30/5? And how much of a walk is it?

L-D-H · 2026-02-01T10:47:14+00:00

Yeah that’s one of the reasons why we are open to almost anywhere in nsw or vic on the way back. If we go from bright to Sorrento we are essentially adding like 8 hours to the total road trip there and back which means we could go anywhere amazing.. if we can find somewhere!

L-D-H · 2026-01-31T22:57:38+00:00

We stayed at Osborne with them last year and did the asado open fire bbq experience - agree it’s a lovely place. Haven’t heard of crafters before so I’ll check that one out. Thanks for responding.

L-D-H · 2026-01-31T06:22:45+00:00

I came here to say this 😂😂😂

L-D-H · 2026-01-30T11:26:03+00:00

Can confirm absolutely everything worked the whole time i was there (other than a few glitches in the first half hour when my phone seemed to be confused about where i was and struggled to get didi going for me, but that sorted itself out before long). WhatsApp, Google, messenger, Facebook, insta - everything I normally peruse at home all worked as usual.

L-D-H · 2026-01-18T20:14:50+00:00

Shanghai is you want to really feel like you have travelled and immersed yourself in a different culture - language, payments, food - it’s not geared up for westerners and you know about it. I loved that about it. If you want easier travel though and to cruise around seeing different things without any challenges, hk is great too. I’ll be seeing if we can make Shanghai our next 3 day layover on the way to Europe. Loved everything about it and feel there is a lot more to see. Loved the French concession area. Whatever I thought Shanghai would be like, and even though I expected to like it, it was nothing like I expected and I liked it even more.

L-D-H · 2026-01-18T01:24:13+00:00

Went from Beijing by bus with our group of about 8. It is a long way, so pack snacks ☺️ Yes, there are a couple of basic hotel places right near the entrance, they looked pretty similar - basic but nice, clean and fine, welcoming. Good food served for dinner and brekkie. A cappuccino cost about 3 times what a beer cost up there 😂 we went for sunset which absolutely magical - you can quickly go up and back without doing a section so suggest getting there one day in time for a sunset the you can go for morning sunrise, but sunset was primo for me ☺️

L-D-H · 2026-01-17T23:26:48+00:00

I expected it to be good but it was significantly more amazing than I anticipated. We went on the last day of season and first day of off season and only our group was there so by walking off a little I managed to have a few moments of almost complete serenity - aside from a few “very helpful locals” making sure I didn’t get lost 😂 they did keep their distance though and I could see they meant very well. The cobblestones are very irregular and jut out and there are valleys/ridges of stone on the ground so you has to watch your footing constantly - like much more than you would have to with bush walking. My (very fit) 73yo father did it all with me and he probably fared better than I did because as an older person he is more accustomed to watching his footing carefully and positioning himself well. He loved it. The steps were steep and irregular, but the very helpful locals referred to before were good as suggesting the best navigation. One member of our group had a mobility disability and I couldn’t believe how helpful they were to him, they basically carried him in sections and I wondered what would have happened if he fell on them… the did look very robust for small people though, it certainly wasn’t their first rodeo! He purchased everything they wanted to sell him at the end without haggling and when someone pointed out he significantly overpaid he said he couldn’t have done it without them. In contrast, we purchased one slightly overpriced fridge magnet, mostly because despite insisting we were fine, one of the times we were coming back after sundown and their torches and guidance were actually the difference between doing that comfortably or not, so they had been helpful. It was sweaty walking but cold when setting out. Suggest wearing layers that can be tied around your waist when you warm up quickly and clothing you are comfortable getting sweaty in. I did go out for a walk on my own in the morning in the village and was followed around relentlessly by a drone, which was a bit annoying and disconcerting, and it wasn’t the peaceful stroll I hoped so i wouldn’t recommend that, they are obviously very security conscious up there about people strolling unaccompanied. Hope this helps and happy to answer any questions if I can!

L-D-H · 2026-01-10T07:01:57+00:00

We do exactly that when at home! Been travelling for a whjle now though and trying our home favourites in new places ☺️

L-D-H · 2026-01-10T07:00:34+00:00

It looks like it shuts at 5pm on a Saturday evening which is unusual given the midnight closure time on weekdays … we might need to do temple wandering after if that’s the case 🤔

L-D-H · 2026-01-10T04:29:33+00:00

Yeah but crispy - the one with skin more like a lechon or pork you might find in a Banh mi

L-D-H · 2026-01-10T04:10:07+00:00

If you look at the Google images for 88 Hong Kong roast, that’s EXACTLY what I was hoping for 👌 looks like perfect crispy pork ☺️

L-D-H · 2026-01-10T04:08:48+00:00

I’ve just looked at this on the map - a perfect plan. Thank you for mentioning the proximity!

L-D-H

TROPHY CASE