Big day today. We picked our car up at a warehouse near the docks.
Our car started up on the very first crank!
Using trip notes called Tulips¹ we navigated about 23 miles in one of the world’s busiest cities back to our hotel. Drivers along the way were honking, taking photos and waving all the way. Pretty amazing.
Our 15 minutes of fame in Beijing.
We missed the last turn and had to turn around and find our way back. Not a good scenario believe me.
We stopped to get our bearing because we had no idea where we were. Lots of people came over to check the car and take photos. I finally found an English speaker and asked him where the Shangri-La Hotel is and he pointed at a building right across the street!!
Unfortunately, the ‘street’ was 6 lane limited access highway.
Fritz found a taxi that was good enough to lead us through a pretty tricky route to get over to the hotel.
We parked the car in a secure parking lot and had a very tasty beer!
I will take some photos tomorrow of our car in the lot.
Lang
1) In case you’re wondering, “what the heck are Tulip trip notes?!”, here’s an explanation. The navigation system that Fritz and Lang are using gives very basic instructions and an arrow that you follow. From the information I’ve been able to find, Tulip notes seem very similar – a hard copy list of basic directions between two points with arrows to use as a guide. Probably not the most forgiving form of navigation in the more familiar surroundings let alone the other side of the globe! [Mission Control]
Popularity: 63%
Lang – eerie similarities to the whole Picture Rock incident in Utah. All that’s missing is Pig with cotton in his ears.
Mark
I am glad to hear that all is well and the boys are ready for the race to begin.
Happy Motoring!
from an Iowa teacher and her kids
Thanks for joining us!
[More information on picking up the car from Lang]:
250 people boarded 5 buses at the fancy Shangra-La Hotel in Bejing to go to the warehouse to pick up cars. Traffic in Bejing is outragious. We all worried that it might be difficult to get the cars back to the hotel parking lot. When we got off the bus, we could see some of the cars that had been moved outside although most were still inside waiting. Seeing all of these exotic cars in one place was really exciting. Lagonda, Stutz, Rolls, Bentley, Alfa La France Tratce, and our 1929 Model A Ford. Seeing these cars was one thing, but to hear them all starting their engines and hear all those magnificant sounds as they got ready to make their way back to the hotel, was a real treat!
-Lang
The great adventure begins! I will be following your progress with great interest. Best to both of you and crew… -at-
Go, Lang, Go!
SUPER FREAKING COOL LANGER!! We’re super excited to follow you along on your journey! God Speed!
I’m so excited for your trip! Have a great time and good luck! Glad to hear that your car is up and running and you made it back to the hotel. Happy travels!
Fritz and Lang,
What an amazing adventure. May God bless you in this endeavor…Looking forward to following you along the way….
Best of Luck,
Mark
Great post! Tnx.
I will bookmark your blog and have my kids check up here frequently. I’m very certain they will understand lots of new stuff here than anybody else.
Remember Lang, everyday it is about getting the holeshot! Good luck!
I JUST READ THE REPORT OF THE DIFFICULTY THE MOTORCYCLIST HAD, BUMMER.
BUT THE GUY MUST HAVE A SCREW LOOSE TO TRY A TREK LIKE THIS ONE ON A MOTORCYCLE!!