Cheap Flights to Asia: Making Use of Cheap Flights to Visit Friends in Different Countries.

The first visit made to China was in a group of 30 tourists from UK, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Australia, all meeting in Hong Kong. Since then most other visits have been made using the cheap flights to Asia, freely available on the internet. Cheap air travel has become so popular, that tourists are going to places they would never have dreamed possible in the 1980's. From that first visit has come the friendship of many Asian people, and here is the story of a visit to meet the nephew of a friend in the UK, who himself arrived in the UK from Vietnam, as one of the,'Boat People'.

The journey started from Gatwick Airport on an early morning flight to Sharjar, so it was more convenient to stay the previous night in a small hotel near the airport. The host provided transport from the hotel to the airport, and most of his conversation for the short ride comprised of complaints about the Income Tax system, and Social Benefits! There was no queue at the check-in by British Airways staff perhaps because there was a wait of three hours before take-off. Later passed through Security and then bussed out to the plane. Found allocated seat near an exit door, but also near kitchen, no racks for hand luggage so must leave on floor. Joined by two people from Holland, off to China on an escorted tour. Luggage by feet not very comfortable. Meals on flight sufficient but nothing spectacular. About an 8 hour flight to Sharjah, where the plane was emptied of passengers, and re-fuelled. Big rush to duty free shops. Bought 4 half-bottles of whisky and 200 Embassy cigarettes. Cashier would only accept 'perfect' notes; paid in sterling and given change in US$ plus small cigarette lighter to make up for the odd cents. Many Chinese passengers big spenders at Duty Free Shop, buying cigarettes, spirits, cameras, and radios.

Young Chinese security man at plane entrance looked like Bao, in London. Reboard plane for second leg of flight, manage about 5 hours dozing. Descent to Beijing Airport through very thick cloud. Given 'Health Forms', 'Customs Forms' and 'Entry Forms' to fill in on plane. Very smooth touch down, passing some military aircraft parked on perimeter of airport.

Arrive Beijing 10:45am the morning after the morning departure from London. Follow instinct and crowds through Security, and Customs, then long wait for cases at carousel; first in last out ! Get trolley and then move to exit. First see Liu then his wife Kate, and finally Sheng; Quang's nephew, with a big smile on his face, jumping up and down behind them to get a better view. Sheng very excited and rushes up to me to give me a tight hug. Liu says Sheng slept very little overnight, and was up at 4 am waiting to collect me. Taxi to Palace Tower Hotel. Try out my few words of Mandarin during journey, much to amusement of taxi driver.

Straight to room after check-in. Wonderful view over Tiananmen and Forbidden City, with orange colored roof tiles. 'Welcome' basket of fruit in room from Hotel Manager. Kate orders and serves 'Welcome Tea' in the two handed traditional way. Doctor Zheng says I must have medicine for my cough. He is puzzled by quietness of room, so must explain and demonstrate the advantages of double-glazing, to him. Give Sheng the gifts from his Uncle Quang; £50, black trousers, black jacket with velvet lapels, white shirt with winged collar, grey bow tie, white trousers, 3 'pop' teeshirts, wrist watch with crystal studded dial. All received with eyes bulging. Sheng records a Chinese song on tape for his uncle. Liu and Kate return to the room. Liu says that air-conditioning not working properly so calls a Bell-Boy to move us to another room. Walk from hotel to nearby dormitory block to Liu and Kate's ground floor bed-sit. Walk down long passage like narrow street; strings of garlic hanging outside doors of bedsits. Lots gifts waiting for me to take back to UK., including large framed silk screen embroidery. Go to communal wash room; long trough sink with 6 cold taps. Sheng and I help Kate make small dumplings to be cooked for supper. Liu opens bottle of Mao Tai ( strong Chinese spirit), very strong, bought in Wuhan during our 1987 tour, when Liu acted as the National Guide.

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