Thanks for reading the first part of this Travel Stories article! Now I continue this extraordinary experience with the “travel grandparents” I wish I had!

To Sail

Jinti, Andy, my colleague, and I laughed at the seemingly contrived meet-up (again) on the plane.

I traveled six days via train from Beijing to Moscow with my berth “neighbors” Jinti and Andy, and had a chance encounter with them in the huge city center of Moscow. And now, we’re together on the plane – just seated opposite each other!

The Scottish couple offered to buy us some snacks on the plane since we didn’t have enough cash left. We politely declined (I was terribly shy at that moment) and instead continued to talk to them until the plane took off. Our pairs had been separated on our flight to London but we met again for the last time at the passport security area at Heathrow. There we said goodbyes; but no, there’s another thing…

Back on the train, Jinti and Andy gave us their contacts and on Whiskey Night Four (last night of the journey), the couple invited us to go to their place in Burntisland, just east of Edinburgh in Scotland. I thought it would be out of my way, however, as my itinerary after London were the cities of Belfast and Dublin.

Two weeks after the Trans-Siberian Railway trip, I stayed in London and met with my Filipino friend, Patricia. My colleague, on the other hand, left for Paris and Rome, but would be returning to London for our flight back to Beijing.

While I was exploring London with Patricia, I recalled the invitation from the Scottish couple. So I messaged Jinti and Andy about it, and they said they would wait for us at the train station near to their house.

On the way, Jinti said there was also someone else joining the small shindig she had prepared for us. So when Patricia and I arrived, I was surprised to see one of the Greek guys whom I met on the train: George, who was apparently working in Edinburgh!

The Trans-Siberian Railway team at the Boycotts’ house (from left: Andy, George, Jinti, and me)

Our three-night stay at the house was so memorable. On the second night, the couple showed us a documentary they watched before taking the train: Trans-Siberian Adventure by British actress Joanna Lumley. With legit Scottish whiskey, of course. That film was exhilarating and made me recall our whiskey nights and adventure stories on the train!

The couple also showed us the photo albums of their recent Mediterranean journey with their sons and grandchildren. They told me that they would send me a copy of their 2016 photo album.

The day Patricia and I said goodbye to Jinti and Andy was particularly sad because I had made a strong familial connection with the couple given our extraordinary chance encounter. We still got in touch afterwards, and in one of our exchanges, Jinti surprised me with the digital copy of the photo album in which I was featured! I felt like that I’d been part of their family and memory so it was such a good moment for me.

Come 2017, when I finally finished arranging my travel plans: explore Spain first, then visit historical sites in Greece, then make a pilgrimage to Italy, then finally meet my family in the Philippines. I messaged Jinti if they would be in Greece sometime in October; she said yes, on Corfu island with their boat, Selkie Dancer.

After my trip to Athens, I flew to Corfu and met with Jinti and Andy at a coffee house by the seaside. I couldn’t believe that it had been a year since I first met them on the train – and now we were together again in Greece. We caught up with a lot of stories before going to their boat.

I was very surprised when they asked me where my luggage was. It turned out that they were expecting me to sail with them in the Ionian Sea, just near Greece’s border with Albania. Good thing that I’d booked a cheap hotel. I ultimately scrapped all my travel plans on the island and told them that I would go back to the hotel to get a few clothes and toiletries for the sailing trip!

We met at a lovely rooftop resto overlooking the Ionian Sea.

The two-day two-night sail was easily the highlight of my trip to Greece. I had planned a separate cruise on the Aegean/Mediterranean islands of Aegina, Hydra, and Poros but thought it was short. Instead, I got an opportunity to take a private sailing trip with the Scottish couple and it ended up being truly outstanding.

Andy taught me some of the basics of sailing over a few glasses of whiskey (again!) while Jinti gave me books to read and showed me the hard copy of their photo album. It was so amazing to see my face there! At night, we anchored in a small bay and looked at the clear Greek night sky – and we saw a “shooting star” – it was one of the artificial communications satellites.

The following day I swam in the bay, though I was scared because it was a “deep” 15 feet. Then we sailed near Greece’s border with Albania and talked about Chinese politics and the internet, and then about traveling. They asked me why I wanted to go to Greece; I told them the story of the encyclopedia that inspired me to travel. We shared a Mediterranean lunch while listening to traditional Greek rhythms. Before my last night on the boat ended, we anchored in a marina where Selkie Dancer would stay until the next summer.

Selkie Dancer, where I stayed for two nights.

On the next morning, the couple headed out to town to buy brunch stuff. I sneaked into the boat’s kitchen only to find a calendar where the dates of my stay were listed. I felt truly grateful and privileged that I had become a major part of Jinti and Andy’s travel memories in the past two years, and that easily surpassed all other notable travel stories I’ve had since I began my worldwide adventure.

When they got back, Jinti told me she would be giving a talk in her hometown about their recent travels. “I will call it ‘From Square to Square.’ Well, it’s because we’d been to Tian’anmen Square then to the Red Square,” Jinti said, adding that the title might not be so catchy, but I told her that the story would be really interesting.

“Yes, and you’ll be a big part of the story. Who knew we would meet a young man like you on the train, and then met again randomly in Moscow, then share the same flight back to London? Isn’t it interesting?” Jinti said, and I blushed after hearing that. “And now, you’re with us on Selkie Dancer! We will have you again on our photo album for 2017,” she added.

The couple accompanied me to the bus station, and there we talked about the next leg of my trip to Rome. When I left them, I couldn’t help but shed a tear because I felt they enriched my life, not to mention that my experience with them reinforced the idea that you will meet good people when you travel. I looked at the photos I took of them during our sailing trip and realized I forgot something.

“Hey Jinti, thank you so much for the wonderful experience! You’ve enriched my life a lot. Too bad I forgot to take a video of us together. But I will see you both again,” my WhatsApp message to them read.

“Yes!! Hope you enjoy today,” Jinti replied.

Photos: Andy Penafuerte III

Beijing may be closer to outer space than it is to the sea, but the chance to sail a boat lies just at the end of subway line 15 for adventurous kids.

Beijing Sailing Center’s Shunyi site offers summer camps, where in just two days campers can be sailing a dinghy on their own. And the adventure doesn’t stop there, as we found out when we talked to Georgina Willis, Senior Instructor at the Center.

“Once the kids have learnt how to sail they have the opportunity to learn how to race in toppers, which is a type of boat used in many centres all round the world. The national events are across China and the top sailors from each club the get to go to the Topper World Championship which happens in different places every year, so this year the race is happening in France and last year the Race was in Northern Ireland.”

Willis herself learned to sail at a young age.

“I grew up on the coast of Scotland,” she told us. “Our back garden was the beach! Dad sailed, so I started sailing when I was seven or eight. I was an instructor at 14, and a senior instructor at 18. It was just a natural progression to move on from learning to teaching.”

And she sees real benefits for the children she teaches.

“It improves their confidence. They’re away from their parents, out of their comfort zone, learning a completely new skill. They usually go out in pairs at first, they have to make friends and learn about teamwork.

“Last year there was one young girl who refused to go out [in a boat] without her sister! Her sister was on the Level 2 course though so she couldn’t go with her. By the end of the camp the girl was not only sailing on her own, but came second in the beginners’ regatta!”

We asked what kids can expect if they attend the sailing camp.

“On the first morning we show them round and get them kitted out with all the safety equipment, then we get them out on the water straight away, and start building their confidence.

“The beginners’ course is two days, so in a five-day camp they also have time for kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and playing games.”

The camp is suitable for a wide range of ages, Willis told us.

“At our larger base at Beidahe [on the coast] the camp is for 8 to 14-year-olds. They stay in a hotel, and there are camp counselors to look after them. At Aofan it’s less windy, so it’s suitable for 6 years up. The children can stay at a hotel, or come from home every day – it’s only an hour from the center of Beijing on the subway.”

Understandably some kids come back year after year, developing their sailing skills.

“Last year we had fifteen or twenty returners at each camp, doing their Level 2 or Bronze, Silver or Gold course. Some of them are coming for their fourth or fifth year!”

The summer camps start from RMB 5,500 to RMB 7,500 for one week depending on the camp dates. To find out more visit www.beijingsailing.com.

This post is sponsored by BSC

Photos courtesy of BSC

Peter Tupper manages the multi-activity company Imagine. From the UK, he has been living in Beijing for the past 4 years, and during this time has launched an array of after school activities, adventure camps, a choir, and the infamous bubble football matches.

What do you coach?
Skiing, snowboarding, rollerblading, sailing, and kayaking. I also coach the kids at our Survival Camps, Knight School, Pirate Parties, and Trash Bash.

How long have you been coaching? 8 years

What made you become interested in coaching?
The chance to turn passions into a lifestyle!

What coaching qualifications do you have?
Three levels of ski and snowboard instructing qualifications from Austria.

What was your favorite sport to play when you were a student?
My life at university revolved around running the snowboard club, coaching the team, and arranging for us to attend championship events in France and Scotland. I loved it so much I wanted to bring similar experiences to people in China!

How would you describe your coaching style?
Imaginative! I think like a kid when I’m with kids, so games and funny activities seem to spring to mind in the middle of lessons. Having said that, lessons are always based around the framework of the handbooks we’ve designed for the various Imagine. activities.

What do you find most rewarding about coaching?
I like to think about the effect that everything we do will have on kids as they grow up. Will there be one sentence or skill or thought that sticks with them and influences their future in a big way? That gives a reason to think about how we organize, act, and speak in everything we do.

And most challenging…?
I manage the Imagine. company when I’m not coaching, so increasingly it becomes a challenge to focus on each session, when there are many other aspects to think about. Luckily, our team of coaches is rapidly growing. I enjoy putting systems in place to ensure the activities meet certain standards for safety, fun, and education. This way, we can be sure to bring joy to more kids, no matter which coach goes on the day!

To contact Peter Tupper, e-mail peter@imagine-china.com, call 5739 4933, or visit the website www.imagine-china.com

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: courtesy of Imagine.

The Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park was the site of the rowing, canoeing, and 10km open-water swimming events during the 2008 Beijng Summer Olympics. Audiences roared as canoes raced neck and neck, rowboats zoomed around the track, and swimmers vied for first place. The Water Cube, also previously the site of aquatic Olympic sports, has been able to enjoy a certain amount of prosperity. But how does the Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park stack up to its bubbly brother?

Unfortunately, there really isn’t much of a comparison; while one can usually hear the sound of childish laughter emanating from the Water Cube, the only sound coming from the bubble-blasted edifice’s silent sibling is the empty echo of lost opportunity. Although various events have been held at the site, such as a celebration of the 2012 Dragon Boat Festival, it doesn’t seem that the Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park has yet found a consistent purpose. It frequently sits derelict, water drained from the once sparkling tracks.

Other attempts to enliven the area have also resulted in failure. After the end of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, Shunyi District made the decision to invest RMB 300 million to build various motor sport facilities. But though the venue opened in October of 2010 and hosted a round of the 2010 Superleague Formula season, said round was a non-championship one. This was due to the track failing to gain the required FIA Grade 2 status required in order to host a championship event.

On the bright side, the area has found new life as a venue for sailing lessons. Clubs like Beijing Aofan Sailing Club and Imagine.Watersports have taken of the legacy of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and turned it into a selection of courses and memberships geared towards both individuals and families. Visitors can also take part in other water sports, such as kayaking, rafting, and more. 

Although the government previously planned to convert the area into a resort of some sort, such plans have apparently been dropped – at least for the time being. For now, you can still hear the sounds of merriment as kids and teens drop in for an afternoon sailing lesson.

This post first appeared on July 26, 2012 and has been slightly modified. 

Photos (in order of appearance): Gerry Boudens via Wikimedia Commons and Feng

Warmer weather brings an opportunity to laze about on a Beijing boating lake. If it’s boating and sailing of a more technical and competitive nature you’re after, weekend regatta’s and sailing lessons are now underway at the Olympic Rowing Park. Rollerblading is an increasingly popular activity for children (and big kids), and this month sees the first Beijing International Rollerblading Day for Schools (BIRDS). Atelier’s new art school in Shunyi is opening its doors to the community for an arty-party, where you can find out more about the programs and workshops they offer. The popularity of the recent Muxiyuan fabric market tour, has led to Sew Gorgeous organizing a second tour. What better way to spend the coming holiday weekend, than enjoying the fresh and delicate tea cuisine of Green T. House.

Weekend Sailing
The sailing season has started at Aofan Sailing Club. Every weekend they will hold a sailing race (regatta) for those who have some experience in sailing. Using their fleet of Far East 11’s, from 12-3.30pm every Saturday and Sunday April 25 – June 14. RMB 200 for boat rental or free if you are a member. The sailing club is located in Shunyi Olympic Rowing Park. For more details, contact (185 1902 8724, coach@aofansailiing.com) www.aofansail.com

Learn to Sail
International English-speaking sailing instructors are available any time from March to October for private sailing lessons at Shunyi Olympic Rowing Lake. Lessons are suitable for all abilities, minimum age 7 years. Two hour lessons RMB 1,500, with a maximum two people per lesson. To book, contact Imagine (186 1045 3101, watersports@imagine-china.com) www.imagine-china.com/sailing-lessons

BIRDS
On Sunday May 31 Imagine’s rollerblading tournament takes place at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB), Legend Garden Campus. Beijing International Rollerblading Day for Schools (BIRDS) is an exciting chance for students to compete in various rollerblading events. The morning will start with head to head track races and relay races. There will be one hour of optional freestyle coaching. In the afternoon, students can show off their tricks in the freestyle event. The tournament will end with a game of Rollerball. Admission fee is RMB 350/participant. Ages 6-18 years can enter. To view the full itinerary or to sign up, go to the BIRDS page www.imagine-china.com/BIRDS and for more information, contact (183 1112 3237, rollerblading@imagine-china.com)

Summer Arty-Party
Atelier Art School Shunyi will celebrate summer by welcoming the community for an arty-party. All the team will be there, to offer art and craft activities and games for children, both indoors and outdoors. Parents and art lovers can learn more about the programs, courses, and themed summer workshops that are available at Atelier. The party takes place on Sunday May 24, 2.30-5.30pm. 

Muxiyuan Fabric Market Tour
Due to popular demand, the team at Sew Gorgeous will be running a second fabric market tour. The tour leaves BSB Shunyi at 8.30am Friday May 8. Enjoy a fun tour of Sew Gorgeous’ favorite suppliers in this huge market, a must-see for any sewing enthusiast. Includes guided tour, optional lunch from food stall or bring your own, and return journey RMB 120. An exclusive Sew Gorgeous map of the market is included. To book your place, email sewgorgeous@yahoo.com

Spring Menu
Try the new set menu from Green T. House, of baby bamboo shoot sashimi and tea soup on rice RMB 180. Additional dishes to add to the set, include charcoal bamboo beef tenderloin RMB 80, bamboo miso roast cod RMB 80, spring plum sake RMB 30 and of course their delectable Green T. ice cream RMB 20. To book, contact 136 0113 7132/64342519.

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: courtesy of Aofan Sailing Club, Atelier, Gerrit Hannaert (Flickr)

Water sports facilities in Beijing are somewhat limited, so opportunities for kids to take part in water-based activities are few. However, O’le Sports has had success with its new venture O’le Afloat programs and summer camps. The latest addition to the raft of activities is a week-long sailing course that culminates in a certification. If you prefer to be up in the trees rather than on the water, try zip lining, climbing, and trapeze at Happy Gorilla Treetop Adventure Park (which has a location in Shunyi). As we head towards the start of the fall term for the international schools, we also have some news from two of our Shunyi schools, BSB and DCB.

Learn to Sail
O’le Sports has teamed up with a sailing club to provide its Learn to Sail program, where participants will learn to sail an Optimist boat by themselves and obtain a certificate upon completion of the course. The Optimist is a small, single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use by children. In between sailing, participants will also have the opportunity to do some kayaking, paddle boarding, rafting, and other water-based games. It’s a fantastic way to keep fit, have fun, and make new friends.

The course runs every Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, and is best-suited for children between 7 and 17 years of age. The whole week costs RMB 2,500.To book your place,email peter@ole-sports.org. For more info, visitwww.ole-sports.org.

Learn to Zip
Happy Gorilla Treetop Adventure Park is an aerial course built inthe trees. The course comprises ladders, bridges, swings, nets, trapezes, and giant zip lines. Participants are equipped with a harness and attached to a safety line, and it takes between one and two hours to complete the course, depending on how fit or competitive you are.

The course is open to the general public, groups of family and friends, and makes for a great venue for corporate team bonding away days. The different courses provided are pitched at three difficulty levels. Minimum height requirements are 1.1mfor the junior continuous course, and 1.4mfor the other courses, and the maximum weight is 130kg. It’s recommended to book in advance as courses can get booked up, especially during weekends.

For a recent review and complete address, click here.

Schools News

BSB Shunyi
Campus renovations have been taking place during the summer. In Early Years, work has included improvements to corridors on the ground floor, in the library, and on an outdoor deck. The third floor of the central building has been upgraded, ready for a new Secondary Library and Study Centre.

Philip Allman will take up the role of Primary Headteache, when the fall term begins on Monday, August 25. Allman graduated from the University of Bedfordshire with a Bachelor of Education degree. Since then, he has worked at six schools in the UK, catering for children ranging from 6 months to 13 years of age within both the state and independent sectors. Outside of school life, he is the father of three children.

There are limited places available at the Shunyi campus for the coming academic year. To apply, visit BSB’s website.

Dulwich College Beijing (DCB)
DCB received a very strong report from its first Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) evaluation, with sixteen of the twenty grades marked as “Excellent” and the four remaining marked as “Good.”

ISI is approved by the UK Department for Education to assess whether British international schools are meeting quality standards. ISI inspected DCB in March 2014 and confirmed that their standards in all areas, compared to the best of the UK and the world, are indeed high. 

These standards are reflected in the set of IB results from the class of 2014. The average IB Diploma point score was 37.35 points, which is well above the world average of 29.81 points, and 35 percent of DCB’s students achieved scores of 40+ points.

The new term at DCB starts on Monday, August 18. To celebrate, the school is hosting a Welcome Back BBQ on Friday, August 22 from 5-7pm at the Legend Garden Campus.

Photos: Courtesy of Happy Gorilla Adventure Park and O’le Afloat

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Easter is almost upon us, so if you’re looking for some fun seasonal activities for your little ones, look no further than MAC Time and HoK’s upcoming events. In addition, Harrow is having an open morning for prospective Early Years and Pre-Prep students. Have a child’s birthday coming up? If they love playing in water, check out O’le Afloat for water sports activities. We haven’t forgotten moms and dads; if you’d like to learn more about wine, head to Beijing Riviera for a special learning session.

MAC Time Easter Party
It’s Easter at MAC Time on Sunday, April 13. Activities for ages 5-10 include an Easter puppet show, egg painting, eating cookies, and face painting. There are two sessions: 10am to noon or 1.30-3.30pm. RSVP required by this Thursday, April 10. Call 8046 1820 for more information.

House of Knowledge Easter Camp
Easter is on its way and House of Knowldge’s Quanfa campus is running a week-long Easter camp from Monday, April 14 to Friday, April 18 from 9am-3.30pm. The camp is open to kids aged 3-6. There will be Easter games, spring crafts, songs, and an Easter egg hunt. RMB 2,200 per child, or RMB 1760 if you’re a HoK family. Half-day rates available. Contact info@hokschools.com or 6431 8452 for more info.

Harrow Open Morning
The best way to find out what’s being offered at Harrow International School Beijing is to visit them. The school is hosting an Early Years and Pre-Prep (up to age 9) open morning event for families on Tuesday, April 15 from 8.30am to noon. Refreshments will be available from 8.15am, followed by a tour of the facilities. Email visit@harrowbeijing.cn or call 6444 8900 ext 6900/6000 to reserve your spot.

O’le Afloat Launched
The people behind O’le Sports have just launched O’le Afloat, a new sporting initiative that organizes fun water sports activity days in Shunyi, with everything from sailing to paddle-boarding and raft-building.

For large school groups, O’le Afloat is organizing an activity day in which students will try sailing, paddle boarding, raft building, and kayaking. Instructors speak English.

O’le Afloat also offers birthday parties, including a “Pirate Day” in which kids get to go out on boats and do pirate-themed activities. For older kids, the party can be tailored to include more technical sailing activities. 

There are also plans for a competition event involving international schools. The Boat Race of International Schools in China (BRISC) will take place alongside O’le popular rock climbing competition (BISCC) and snow sports competition (ISSCC). Find out more on O’le Sports’ website. If you’re interested in entering a team, email Pete Tupper at peter@ole-sports.org.

Beijing Riviera Wine Tasting Event
On Friday, April 25 from 7-8pm, Beijing Riviera will host a wine tasting event for grownups. Prices are RMB 30 for club members and RMB 50 for non-members. Snacks will be provided. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the Beijing Riviera Clubhouse reception.

Photo courtesy of O’le Afloat

Older Chinese residents in my compound have pitched up on the sidewalk in their shades, and their little dogs have lost their coats: it’s officially spring in the jing, people!

And it’s not just spring on land – warm weather means water that was frozen solid just a few months ago is now at acceptably tepid temperatures. Great news for participants in Beijing Aofan Sailing Club‘s Youth Sailing Courses who are bound to experience a few dips and dunks during their lessons.

Spring season instruction starts the weekend of April 12-13, with Learn to Sail Level 1 and 2 courses on offer. The Level 1 class is an introduction to sailing which covers the basics with in-class as well as practical instruction. Level 2 builds students up to racing and sailing on their own. The courses cost RMB  1800 for six sessions, which can be chosen from a range of dates and times in April and May, available on their website.

Photo courtesy of Beijing Aofan Sailing Club.

The sailing lessons begin with land-based instruction on rigging and de-rigging the boat. Then, there’s a discussion of plenty of safety rules and regulations. Finally, the children are ready for their first taste of the water. They help rig one of the bigger boats, and with the coach as lead sailor, they all clamber in, push off into the water and take turns steering throughout the lake. For this first exercise, the coach gives a lot of verbal instructions to make sure everyone knows what to do and what to expect in case troubles arise.