Great Wall

It was an exhilarating experience on the Great Wall for Amanda and me.

Great Wall

Barb and Jenny get an awesome view of the Great Wall.

Great Wall

The Great Wall was very busy today - many people from many nations; it
was quite windy. There were babies and people in wheelchairs and
people in their 80's. Everyone was smiling. I was even smiling after I
took a wrong step and fell. I skinned my knee, but did not break my
ankle. Whew! That was a close one!

Great Wall

We visited the Great Wall (one of the seven wonders of the world) a
few hours outside of Beijing in Badaling. The Great Wall was
constructed from 771BC (Warring States Imperial Dynasty) to 1644AD
(Ming Dynasty). This is my favorite place to visit in China. It is
just amazing!

Cloisonné Shoppe

There was a lot to choose from in the Cloisonné shoppe.

Cloisonné Factory

We visited a Cloisonné Factory and found the process very interesting.
They start with a copper item and they apply copper strips with a type
of glue in the desired pattern. Then it is fired at 800 degrees C
(1472 F) for 2 minutes. Then enamel is painted on using eye droppers
as seen in the picture; it is actually mineral stone powder (in dishes
in the picture) with water. It is applied then fired at 800 C for 4
minutes; the enamel will shrink so the enamel is re-applied and fired
about 5 times. It is then polished with peach wood that appeared to be
burnt.

Peking Duck

We ate Peking Duck for our last meal in Beijing (old name - Peking).
The duck carver was finished carving in a few minutes.

The Summer Palace

We visited the Summer Palace today. The Emperor and Empress stayed
here from April through October to stay cooler. The Long Corridor is
featured in the picture; it is 1/2 mile long. Notice that the Long
Corridor is covered the full 1/2 mile and it is contains many
paintings.

Massage in Xian

This picture is from yesterday when we had a 1 hour massage. These
massages concentrated on the limbs and it was a real treat.

Hutong

We visited the Hutong, the oldest neighborhood in Beijing that was
built 800 years ago. We rode around the Hutong in a rickshaw. We
visited one home that had been remodeled from one residence and split
into 4 residences giving each child a home. We met the grandfather who
was 96 years old.

Sent from my iPhone

Tiananmen Square

We visited Tiananmen Square today. It was built to contain one million people for gatherings.  Every 5 years there is a vote for government officials. The current presiident (or chairman) is Pres Hu Jin Tao. This is a busy place when all the delegates show up from March 1-15.

The tower is the Monument to the Peoples Heroes that celebrates the heroes from 1840-1949.

Sent from my iPhone

Forbidden City

This is the entrance to the Forbidden City known as the Imperial
Palace during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
The actual construction began in 1407. It is separated into the
Official area, the Imperial area and the Garden area.

Drum Tower and Visiting the Hutong

These very steep stairs were ascended to reach the top of the Drum
Tower where one can look over the Hutong and back upon the Forbidden
City.

Qinling Mountain Wildlife Rescuing Center

It was great fun today seeing the giant pandas at the Mountain
Wildlife Rescuing Center. We saw 4 pandas; 3 were black and white and
1 was red. Isn't he adorable!

Qinling Mountain Wildlife Rescuing Center

Seeing the giant pandas was surreal. You could hardly pull us away. In
this picture the giant panda is eating a bamboo snack. He used his
hands just as we use our hands. He tore off the hard part of the
bamboo to get to the more tender part of the bamboo.

Simple Lunch in Xian

I will try to show you a simple lunch we shared today in Xian. We had 'fried green beans'; wow was it loaded with peppers and 'yes' we did leave a few peppers.

We also had 'Kung Pao Chicken'; this was also quite spicy.

We had an 'Eggplant' dish. This is the third eggplant dish we requested since being in Xian. Expect that some of us will be preparing more eggplant at home.  Yes, it is also spicy. Yum!

And for the final dish we had a 'pork slice' dish that was served on 'Very White Buns'; this was my personal favorite. It had a great flavor yet not too hot.

Sent from my iPhone

The Loo

I had been lucky to use Western toilets up until lunchtime today when
the only choice was a Loo. It was not so bad; roll up your pant legs
and just squat as low as you can go - actually resting the top of your
leg on the bottom of your leg and do the usual! The Chinese believe
this is more hygienic in public toilets and I might have to agree.

Shanxi Historical Museum in Xian

We visited the Shanxi Historical Museum  in Xian where we could follow 7,000 years of history.  The picture shows some of the faces on Terra Cotta soldiers from the Qin Dynasty. You can see from these pictures that the soldiers have very individual looks.

Sent from my iPhone

Qinling Mountain Wildlife Rescuing Center

We visited the Qinling Mountain Wildlife Rescuing Center today. The
main attractions were pandas and golden monkeys. Pictured is the
golden monkey.

Xian Terra Cotta Soldiers

Over 1,000 soldiers have been excavated since 1974 when a farmer
discovered the Terra Cotta soldiers when he was digging a well. Since
then 3 different puts have been unearthed but there is plenty of work
still remaining for the archeologists. Emperor Qin 2200 years ago
wanted the Terra Cotta soldiers built to protect him in death. But
after his death the well protected soldiers were partially destroyed
and covered with lots of dirt. This is the 8th Wonder of the World.

Terra Cotta Pit #1

This is the line-up in Pit #1 for the Terra Cotta soldiers.

Terra Cotta Soldier Hospital

This is the hospital area for the Terra Cotta soldiers meaning they
are repaired in this area.

Huaqing Palace Heritage site Hot Springs

We enjoyed a nice soak in the hot springs water today at the Huaqing Palace Heritage site Hot Springs. It felt great after a day of walking at the site of the Terra Cotta Soldiers.

Sent from my iPhone

Tang Palace Dinner Show

We took a bus to arrive at the Tang Palace Dinner Show. We took a taxi
home, but it took us about 15 minutes to get the taxi.

Guard Tower on the Wall in Xian

This is a better look at a Guard Tower On the Xian Wall. Many people
bike the wall and I kind if wish we had made the trip, but we were all
very tired from waking at 4am to catch our plane from NanJing to Xian.

On the Xian Wall

Xian has a wall that surrounds the ancient city. Our guide says if you
want to visit the upcoming city and see 200 years if history you visit
Shanghai; if you want to see 2,000 years of history you visit NanJing
and if you want to see 5,000 years of history you visit Xian. This is
a very old wall and what you are seeing is the walkway on top of the
wall; it is about 50 ft across. There are 98 guard towers along the
wall.

Retirement in China

All women retire at 55 years and men retire at 60 years in China.
Everyone here thinks I should be retired!

Sent from my iPhone

Another Huge Meal

Our hosts shared another banquet with us today. There were over 40
items served at the table. Tonight there were many different kinds of
mushrooms and delicate soups. There was also a very tender steak and
large spicy shrimps. We tasted several vegetables from this area; one
had a parsley taste and another tasted like celery but didn't look
anything like celery. Then there were tofus in many different looks
and a few different kinds of dumplings. We are in the picture with
Miranda and her parents. You can see from the chandelier that this was
an elegant evening and you get a glimpse of a few of the dishes that
are still on the Lazy Susan.

It's time to come home and count my points at Weight Watchers!

View of NanJing from the Lion Mountain Pavilion

We climbed over 300 steps today to get a view from the Lion Mountain Pavilion in NanJing. If you look closely you can see the wall that surrounds NanJing.

Sent from my iPhone

NanJing Massacre Museum

We visited one of 13 sites where the group massacres during the
NanJing Massacre took place; this is the Museum of the Massacre. Very
sad! This took place in Dec 1937 - Jan 1838. 300,000 Chinese lost
their lives by Japanese attack. We hope never to see such an atrocity
repeated. The picture is a statue of one of the survivors; I was able
to see this actual person when I visited in 2005. Our guide seemed
very grateful for the help the Americans gave at this time setting up
Safety Zones. He also said it is important to not hate the Japanese
but instead to work for peace. When I hear this I think we may achieve
world peace.

Subway to George's Condo

We ride the subway and then the bus to George's condo for lunch.

Riding the Bus

We rode the bus to George's condo for lunch.

Lunch at George's Home

Our guide George invited us for lunch at his apartment. It was
supposed to be simple yet there were about 10 dishes including his
Mother-in-Laws dumplings. We met his daughter Lily and his wife Anna.

Qin Huai He River Cuise

There were performances all along the cruise.

Qin Huai He River Cruise

There were lights of ever kind especially lanterns.

Qin Huai He River Cruise

So beautiful- the cruise was started centuries ago but recently updated.

Qin Huai He River Cruise

Our hosts arranged a cruise down the Qin Huai He River in the evening. The cruise was at least an hour long down the lighted river. The lights danced along the water in a breath-taking sight. This area of NanJing reminded me of Times Square at night and the cruise was somewhat akin to 'It's a Small World' at Disney World but quite abit more romantic - missing you Tom! I'll be sending a few more pics.  This pic shows a boat strung with lights as it approaching one of the many decorated lighted bridges.

Sent from my iPhone

Back to NanJing and Another Feast by our Host

We arrived in NanJing to pick up my jacket and Mandy's dress. We
joined Miranda, her mother, and Miranda's friend Victoria for another
at least 30 course dinner. The food just kept coming and coming. We
had at least 5 different kinds of soups, fish, chicken, several
vegetables, tofu prepared many different ways, and little compacted
rice treats wrapped in bamboo.

Miranda will be attending Cornell in the fall and Victoria will
probably attend Stanford but was also accepted to Columbia so she
needs to confirm her choice. To be accepted at these institutions they
must be quite smart but they are still lovely giddy young ladies who
lived to discuss their favorite American singers, books and movies. I
heard Taylor Swift and Hunger Games loud and clear. I regret that I
didn't take their pictures with my iPhone to put on the blog now, but
I will add it when I return to the States. They have so much going
positive for them - they are smart, beautiful, and ready to learn all
life tosses their way.

Suitcase Recovered

Okay, so we don't know quite how this happened, but we just left the
toll booth and the van back door opened and Barb's suitcase fell out.
We were still at slow speed so we think all is okay. There seems to be
a communication gap and we don't feel quite assured that this will not
happen again. We will keep you updated.

Golden Buddha in Lingshan Buddhist Temple

This is the Golden Buddha in Lingshan Buddhist Temple. There were
100's of Buddhas in the Lingshan Buddhist Temple. This temple is the
great East Temple; there are 5 great temples in China with the others
in the South, West, North, and Middle. Lingshan Great Buddha was
built around 15 years ago. The Fan Palace was huge and likened to St.
Peter's Basilica and was just completed 2 or 3 years ago.

Lingshan Buddhist Temple

This is the Sakyamuni Buddha in Lingshan Buddhist Temple near Wuxi; it
is 88 meters tall and mad if granite.

Peking Duck Dinner in Wuxi

This is a picture of our dinner in Wuxi.

Dinner in Wuxi with Brian and Selina

We had the privilege of sharing dinner with Brian and Selina Simon in
Wuxi at a new Peking Duck restaurant. Brian is the son of some of my
best friends in Westphalia, Ken and Pat. Brian manages an Auto Cam
plant in Wuxi and his wife Selina is from China and currently works as
a nurse. Thanks for a wonderful dinner Brian and Selina.

We've Arrived at the Doubletree Resort

Okay, so I didn't know we were in for this treat. Thank you Rose! We
are staying in the Doubletree Resort in Wuxi. Jenny went to swim in
preparation for her triathlon. And the rest of us relaxed and goofed
around. In the pic Barb and I didn't know quite how to act on a cushy
sofa in boat style. Our rooms are plush with a a big soaking tub and
shower opened to the outside. And yes we did get the complimentary
warm chocolate chip cookie; okay we got an extra cookie too. Again,
thank you Rose for arranging this treat.

Tiger Hill Temple in Suzhou

We visited the Tiger Hill Temple in Suzhou. Pictured is the Guarding
Buddha. Tiger Hill Temple was established over 2,000 years ago.

Order of Visits Sometimes in Wrong Order

I have been writing up blog posts throughout the day but cannot
transmit until I have WIFI in the evening. When I connect to WIFI the
posts get sent in a random order. Sorry.

Sent from my iPhone

Cannot Comment Until We are Back Home

In case any one has been sending comments to the blog, I will not be
able to answer any questions until we are in the USA. I have been able
to submit posts through email, but I have been unable to actually see
the blog here. That also means if corrections are needed that I cannot
do that until we return.

Sent from my iPhone

Hot Pot Dinner

We enjoyed a hot pot dinner tonight and took a stroll in downtown
Suzhou. Our guide helped us order and then left us on our own since
the Hot Pot was only a block from the hotel. We all agreed that the
meal was pretty good.

Han Shan Buddhist Temple Pagoda

Pictured is the Pagoda part if the Han Shan Buddhist Temple.

Han Shan Buddhist Temple Buddha

This is the main Buddha in the temple.